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2,800 | 15,508,289 | 1,792 | The present invention relates to a packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising a container for holding the food product, and a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container characterized in that the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral. Further aspects of the invention are the cover as well as the packaged food product. | 1. Packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising:
a container for holding the food product; a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container; the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover; and the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral. 2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spiral winds at least two times around a central axis of the spiral. 3. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spiral winds at least two-and-a-half time around a central axis of the spiral. 4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises only one single weakening line. 5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the weakening line is a score. 6. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a depression zone having at least the size of a fingertip and where the depression zone overlaps with the central axis of the spiral. 7. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover and the upper rim of the container are round. 8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the spiral is in the center of the cover. 9. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover does not comprise a separate peel tab. 10. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of an aluminium containing laminate or a plastic containing laminate. 11. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a plastic or glass material. 12. A packaged food product comprising a packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising: a container for holding the food product; a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container; the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover; and the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral; and a food product comprised in the container. 13. The packaged food product according to claim 12, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a dried soup, an instant noodle, a dried coffee milk drink, and a dried chocolate drink. 14. A cover for use on a container for storage and/or cooking a food product, the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover, and wherein the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral. 15. The cover according to claim 14, comprising only one single weakening line. | The present invention relates to a packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising a container for holding the food product, and a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container characterized in that the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral. Further aspects of the invention are the cover as well as the packaged food product.1. Packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising:
a container for holding the food product; a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container; the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover; and the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral. 2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spiral winds at least two times around a central axis of the spiral. 3. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spiral winds at least two-and-a-half time around a central axis of the spiral. 4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises only one single weakening line. 5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the weakening line is a score. 6. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a depression zone having at least the size of a fingertip and where the depression zone overlaps with the central axis of the spiral. 7. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover and the upper rim of the container are round. 8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the spiral is in the center of the cover. 9. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover does not comprise a separate peel tab. 10. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of an aluminium containing laminate or a plastic containing laminate. 11. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a plastic or glass material. 12. A packaged food product comprising a packaging for storing and/or cooking a food product, the packaging comprising: a container for holding the food product; a cover removably fastened to an upper rim of the container; the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover; and the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral; and a food product comprised in the container. 13. The packaged food product according to claim 12, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a dried soup, an instant noodle, a dried coffee milk drink, and a dried chocolate drink. 14. A cover for use on a container for storage and/or cooking a food product, the cover comprises a weakening line forming a spiral, the spiral starting in a central part of the cover and running towards the rim of the cover, and wherein the spiral winds at least one-and-a-half times around a central axis of the spiral. 15. The cover according to claim 14, comprising only one single weakening line. | 1,700 |
2,801 | 13,884,758 | 1,789 | A method of reducing the formaldehyde emission of a mineral fibre product bonded with a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder comprises the step of adding dextrose to the binder composition during and/or after preparation of the binder composition but before curing of the binder composition applied to the mineral fibres. | 1.-16. (canceled) 17. A method of reducing the formaldehyde emission of a mineral fiber product bonded with a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the method comprises adding dextrose to the binder composition at least one of during and after preparation of the binder composition but before curing the binder composition applied to mineral fibers. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used as pure dextrose or in the form of a dextrose preparation having a DE equivalent of from about 70 to about 100. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used as in the form of a dextrose preparation having a DE equivalent of from about 90 to about 100. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein phenol is reacted with a molar excess of formaldehyde in aqueous solution in a molar ratio of from 1:2.5 to 1:6 in a presence of a base catalyst. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein phenol is reacted with a molar excess of formaldehyde in aqueous solution in a molar ratio of from 1:3 to 1:5. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein urea is used in an amount of from 20 to 60 wt %, based on total dry solids of the phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and urea. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein urea is used in an amount of from 30 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of the phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and urea. 24. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used in an amount of from 15 to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein dextrose is used in an amount of from 20 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 26. A mineral fiber product having reduced formaldehyde emission and bonded with a cured urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises dextrose in an amount of from 10 wt % to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 27. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 15 wt % of dextrose. 28. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 20 wt % of dextrose. 29. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 30 wt % of dextrose 30. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product satisfies formaldehyde emission requirements of at least one of Finnish Standard RTS-M1, US Standard CDHS, and Japanese Standard JIS A 19012003 (E). 31. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a ceiling tile having a density of from 50 to 220 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 32. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a roof board having a density of from 100 to 250 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 33. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a building insulation product board or roll having a density of from 5 to 70 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 10 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 34. A method of scavenging formaldehyde in a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition for a mineral fiber product, wherein the method comprises adding to the binder composition dextrose as a formaldehyde scavenger. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the mineral fiber product is selected from
a roof board having a density of from 100 to 250 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of 20 to 50 wt %; a ceiling tile having a density of from 50 to 220 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 70 wt %; and a building insulation product board having a density of from 5 to 70 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of from 10 to 50 wt %; the indicated weight percentages being based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 36. An apparatus for making a mineral fiber product having reduced formaldehyde emission and bonded with a cured dextrose-containing urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the apparatus comprises
a device for fiberizing a mineral melt into mineral fibers, separate tanks for the binder composition and dextrose; a device for mixing the binder composition and the dextrose, a device for applying a mixture of binder composition and dextrose to the mineral fibers, a collection chamber for the mineral fibers having the mixed binder composition and dextrose applied thereto, a curing oven for curing the mixed binder composition and dextrose applied to the mineral fibers to form a cured web, and a device for confectioning the cured web to a mineral fiber product. | A method of reducing the formaldehyde emission of a mineral fibre product bonded with a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder comprises the step of adding dextrose to the binder composition during and/or after preparation of the binder composition but before curing of the binder composition applied to the mineral fibres.1.-16. (canceled) 17. A method of reducing the formaldehyde emission of a mineral fiber product bonded with a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the method comprises adding dextrose to the binder composition at least one of during and after preparation of the binder composition but before curing the binder composition applied to mineral fibers. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used as pure dextrose or in the form of a dextrose preparation having a DE equivalent of from about 70 to about 100. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used as in the form of a dextrose preparation having a DE equivalent of from about 90 to about 100. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein phenol is reacted with a molar excess of formaldehyde in aqueous solution in a molar ratio of from 1:2.5 to 1:6 in a presence of a base catalyst. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein phenol is reacted with a molar excess of formaldehyde in aqueous solution in a molar ratio of from 1:3 to 1:5. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein urea is used in an amount of from 20 to 60 wt %, based on total dry solids of the phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and urea. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein urea is used in an amount of from 30 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of the phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and urea. 24. The method of claim 17, wherein dextrose is used in an amount of from 15 to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein dextrose is used in an amount of from 20 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 26. A mineral fiber product having reduced formaldehyde emission and bonded with a cured urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises dextrose in an amount of from 10 wt % to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 27. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 15 wt % of dextrose. 28. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 20 wt % of dextrose. 29. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the non-cured binder composition comprises at least 30 wt % of dextrose 30. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product satisfies formaldehyde emission requirements of at least one of Finnish Standard RTS-M1, US Standard CDHS, and Japanese Standard JIS A 19012003 (E). 31. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a ceiling tile having a density of from 50 to 220 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 70 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 32. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a roof board having a density of from 100 to 250 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 33. The mineral fiber product of claim 26, wherein the product is a building insulation product board or roll having a density of from 5 to 70 kg/m3 and has been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition comprising dextrose in an amount of from 10 to 50 wt %, based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 34. A method of scavenging formaldehyde in a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition for a mineral fiber product, wherein the method comprises adding to the binder composition dextrose as a formaldehyde scavenger. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the mineral fiber product is selected from
a roof board having a density of from 100 to 250 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of 20 to 50 wt %; a ceiling tile having a density of from 50 to 220 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of from 20 to 70 wt %; and a building insulation product board having a density of from 5 to 70 kg/m3 and having been manufactured using a non-cured binder composition and dextrose in an amount of from 10 to 50 wt %; the indicated weight percentages being based on total dry solids of phenol-formaldehyde resol resin and dextrose. 36. An apparatus for making a mineral fiber product having reduced formaldehyde emission and bonded with a cured dextrose-containing urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resol resin-type binder composition, wherein the apparatus comprises
a device for fiberizing a mineral melt into mineral fibers, separate tanks for the binder composition and dextrose; a device for mixing the binder composition and the dextrose, a device for applying a mixture of binder composition and dextrose to the mineral fibers, a collection chamber for the mineral fibers having the mixed binder composition and dextrose applied thereto, a curing oven for curing the mixed binder composition and dextrose applied to the mineral fibers to form a cured web, and a device for confectioning the cured web to a mineral fiber product. | 1,700 |
2,802 | 14,363,230 | 1,787 | An adhesive includes a polymeric latex, a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, a-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and a reinforcing filler. The adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. Articles of manufacture, such as tires and air springs incorporate the adhesive to join rubber interfaces. A method of making the adhesive is also is provided. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. An adhesive comprising:
a polymeric latex; a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, limonene, polylimonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; a reinforcing filler; wherein the adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. 22. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the pH of the polymeric latex is within the range of about 7 to about 14. 23. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the solids content of the polymeric latex is in the range of about 10% to about 90% by weight. 24. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing filler is carbon black and is present in an amount of 10 to 80 phr. 25. The adhesive of claim 21 further comprising a tackifier with a pH of about 2 to about 13 and a solids content of about 30 to about 80. 26. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing filler is carbon black and is selected from the following series: N100, N200, N300, N400, N500, N600, N700, N800, and N900. 27. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the polymeric latex comprises water and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene, butyl rubber, hevea or non-hevea natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, poly(styrene-butadiene), and combinations thereof. 28. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the polymeric latex comprises water and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene, butyl rubber, hevea or non-hevea natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, and combinations thereof. 29. The adhesive of claim 21 further comprising a non-ionic surfactant stabilizer. 30. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the adhesive is substantially or completely free of VOC-containing or eluting solvent. 31. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the adhesive is substantially or completely free of cure agents. 32. The adhesive of claim 21, wherein the penetrant is guayule resin. 33. An article of manufacture comprising:
an elastomeric rubber component comprising an elastomer selected from the group consisting of: polychloroprene, butyl rubber, natural rubber, guayule rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, poly(styrene-butadiene), and combinations thereof; the elastomeric rubber component being joined at an interface with a second rubber component or another portion of the elastomeric rubber component; wherein the interface includes a layer of adhesive, the adhesive comprising: a polymeric latex; a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and a reinforcing filler. 34. The article of manufacture of claim 33, wherein the article is a rubber air spring or a tire component. 35. The article of manufacture of claim 33, wherein the adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. 36. A method comprising the steps of:
mixing together an adhesive composition comprising:
a polymeric latex;
a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and
a reinforcing filler. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the reinforcing filler is added as an aqueous dispersion. 38. The method of claim 36 further comprising:
maintaining a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12 in the composition throughout the steps. 39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of applying the adhesive to an uncured rubber composition. 40. The method of claim 36, further comprising applying the adhesive to a tire component or an air spring joint interface. | An adhesive includes a polymeric latex, a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, a-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and a reinforcing filler. The adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. Articles of manufacture, such as tires and air springs incorporate the adhesive to join rubber interfaces. A method of making the adhesive is also is provided.1-20. (canceled) 21. An adhesive comprising:
a polymeric latex; a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, limonene, polylimonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; a reinforcing filler; wherein the adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. 22. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the pH of the polymeric latex is within the range of about 7 to about 14. 23. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the solids content of the polymeric latex is in the range of about 10% to about 90% by weight. 24. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing filler is carbon black and is present in an amount of 10 to 80 phr. 25. The adhesive of claim 21 further comprising a tackifier with a pH of about 2 to about 13 and a solids content of about 30 to about 80. 26. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing filler is carbon black and is selected from the following series: N100, N200, N300, N400, N500, N600, N700, N800, and N900. 27. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the polymeric latex comprises water and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene, butyl rubber, hevea or non-hevea natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, poly(styrene-butadiene), and combinations thereof. 28. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the polymeric latex comprises water and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene, butyl rubber, hevea or non-hevea natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, and combinations thereof. 29. The adhesive of claim 21 further comprising a non-ionic surfactant stabilizer. 30. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the adhesive is substantially or completely free of VOC-containing or eluting solvent. 31. The adhesive of claim 21 wherein the adhesive is substantially or completely free of cure agents. 32. The adhesive of claim 21, wherein the penetrant is guayule resin. 33. An article of manufacture comprising:
an elastomeric rubber component comprising an elastomer selected from the group consisting of: polychloroprene, butyl rubber, natural rubber, guayule rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, poly(styrene-butadiene), and combinations thereof; the elastomeric rubber component being joined at an interface with a second rubber component or another portion of the elastomeric rubber component; wherein the interface includes a layer of adhesive, the adhesive comprising: a polymeric latex; a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and a reinforcing filler. 34. The article of manufacture of claim 33, wherein the article is a rubber air spring or a tire component. 35. The article of manufacture of claim 33, wherein the adhesive has a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12. 36. A method comprising the steps of:
mixing together an adhesive composition comprising:
a polymeric latex;
a penetrant selected from the group consisting of: terpenes, polylimonene, limonene, carvone, α-pinene, citral, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, camphor, guayule resin, and combinations thereof; and
a reinforcing filler. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the reinforcing filler is added as an aqueous dispersion. 38. The method of claim 36 further comprising:
maintaining a solids content of 35-65% and a pH of 9 to 12 in the composition throughout the steps. 39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of applying the adhesive to an uncured rubber composition. 40. The method of claim 36, further comprising applying the adhesive to a tire component or an air spring joint interface. | 1,700 |
2,803 | 14,916,084 | 1,776 | A device for extracting water vapour from a fluid stream includes a carrier structure, a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material including a plurality of individual fibres, a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres; and a heating provision arranged to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical temperature whereby water absorbed by the fibres can be subsequently released on heating. By providing the LCST polymer as a coating onto the fibres, an increased surface area may be achieved. | 1-21. (canceled) 22. A water extracting device comprising:
a carrier structure; a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres; a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres; and a heating provision arranged to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical temperature whereby water absorbed by the fibres can be subsequently released on heating. 23. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a conducting metal foil. 24. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises an insulating foil. 25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a plurality of fins and the fibrous material is provided on the fins. 26. The device according to claim 22, wherein the LCST polymer is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). 27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the fibres comprise natural fibres. 28. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating provision comprises a resistive heating element provided on the carrier structure. 29. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating element comprises a carbon containing layer, comprising carbon black particles. 30. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating element covers regions of the substrate and other regions of the substrate are free of heating elements. 31. The device according to claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a generally rectangular panel and the heating element comprises strips extending across the panel that can be selectively activated. 32. A system comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a water extracting device located within the housing, the water extracting device comprising:
a carrier structure; a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres; and a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres, whereby moist air can flow from the inlet to the outlet over the substrate and the LCST polymer can absorb moisture from the air and subsequently release it in response to an external stimulus. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the housing further comprises a drain and a gravity flow structure leading to the drain. 34. The system according to claim 32, further comprising a heat exchanger communicating with the outlet, whereby air leaving the outlet can flow through the heat exchanger and be cooled. 35. A method of extracting entrained water vapour from a fluid stream comprising:
providing a device according to claim 22; passing a flow of humid air having a temperature below the lower critical temperature over the device whereby the air is in contact with the LCST polymer and the LCST polymer absorbs a quantity of water vapour; and activating the heating provision to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical solution temperature whereby water absorbed on the fibres is released. 36. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising cooling the flow and/or the device to remove the heat of absorption of the vapour. 37. An LCST laminate comprising a carrier layer, a fibrous material layer, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres and a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres, and a resistive heating layer. 38. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the laminate is formable into a desired shape, preferably by pressing or moulding. 39. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the laminate is cut and formed into a plurality of fins, partially separated from one another. 40. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the carrier layer comprises aluminium. 41. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the resistive heating layer comprises carbon black. | A device for extracting water vapour from a fluid stream includes a carrier structure, a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material including a plurality of individual fibres, a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres; and a heating provision arranged to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical temperature whereby water absorbed by the fibres can be subsequently released on heating. By providing the LCST polymer as a coating onto the fibres, an increased surface area may be achieved.1-21. (canceled) 22. A water extracting device comprising:
a carrier structure; a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres; a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres; and a heating provision arranged to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical temperature whereby water absorbed by the fibres can be subsequently released on heating. 23. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a conducting metal foil. 24. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises an insulating foil. 25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a plurality of fins and the fibrous material is provided on the fins. 26. The device according to claim 22, wherein the LCST polymer is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). 27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the fibres comprise natural fibres. 28. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating provision comprises a resistive heating element provided on the carrier structure. 29. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating element comprises a carbon containing layer, comprising carbon black particles. 30. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating element covers regions of the substrate and other regions of the substrate are free of heating elements. 31. The device according to claim 22, wherein the carrier structure comprises a generally rectangular panel and the heating element comprises strips extending across the panel that can be selectively activated. 32. A system comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a water extracting device located within the housing, the water extracting device comprising:
a carrier structure; a substrate of fibrous material provided on the carrier structure, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres; and a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres, whereby moist air can flow from the inlet to the outlet over the substrate and the LCST polymer can absorb moisture from the air and subsequently release it in response to an external stimulus. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the housing further comprises a drain and a gravity flow structure leading to the drain. 34. The system according to claim 32, further comprising a heat exchanger communicating with the outlet, whereby air leaving the outlet can flow through the heat exchanger and be cooled. 35. A method of extracting entrained water vapour from a fluid stream comprising:
providing a device according to claim 22; passing a flow of humid air having a temperature below the lower critical temperature over the device whereby the air is in contact with the LCST polymer and the LCST polymer absorbs a quantity of water vapour; and activating the heating provision to selectively heat the LCST polymer to above its lower critical solution temperature whereby water absorbed on the fibres is released. 36. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising cooling the flow and/or the device to remove the heat of absorption of the vapour. 37. An LCST laminate comprising a carrier layer, a fibrous material layer, the fibrous material comprising a plurality of individual fibres and a quantity of an LCST polymer coating the individual fibres, and a resistive heating layer. 38. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the laminate is formable into a desired shape, preferably by pressing or moulding. 39. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the laminate is cut and formed into a plurality of fins, partially separated from one another. 40. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the carrier layer comprises aluminium. 41. The LCST laminate according to claim 37, wherein the resistive heating layer comprises carbon black. | 1,700 |
2,804 | 15,315,635 | 1,731 | The present disclosure relates to a spark plasma sintering-joined polycrystalline diamond and methods of joining polycrystalline diamond segments by spark plasma sintering. Spark plasma sintering produces plasma from a reactant gas found in the pores in the polycrystalline diamond segments. The plasma forms diamond bonds and/or carbide structures in the pores, which join the polycrystalline diamond segments to form a polycrystalline diamond element. | 1. A method of forming a polycrystalline diamond element, the method comprising:
placing at least two leached polycrystalline diamond segments comprising pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid adjacent one another with a reactant gas comprising a hydrocarbon gas form in an assembly; and applying to the assembly a voltage and amperage sufficient to heat the reactant gas to a temperature of 1500° C. or less at which the reactant gas forms a plasma, which plasma forms diamond bonds and carbide structures in at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond pores, wherein diamond bonds covalently bond the polycrystalline diamond segments to one another to form a polycrystalline diamond element. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein both leached polycrystalline diamond segments comprise a leached portion in which less than 2% of the volume is occupied by a diamond sintering aid. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon gas comprises methane, acetone, methanol, or any combinations thereof. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plasma comprises methyl, carbon dimmers, or a combination thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactant gas further comprises a carbide-forming metal in gas form. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the carbide-forming metal in gas form comprises a metal salt. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the plasma comprises metal ions. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactant gas further comprises a hydrocarbon gas. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plasma comprises atomic hydrogen, a proton, or a combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is 1200° C. or less. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is 700° C. or less. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage and amperage are supplied by a continuous direct current or a pulsed direct current. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage and amperage are applied for 20 minutes or less. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembly or any component thereof has a rate of temperature increase while the voltage and amperage are applied of least 300° C./minute. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein diamond bonds, carbide structures, or both are formed in at least 25% of the pores of the polycrystalline diamond. 16. A polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element comprising polycrystalline diamond segments adjacent one another and covalently bonded to one another by diamond bonds in pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid. 17. The PDC element of claim 16, comprising diamond bonds, carbide structures, or both in at least 25% of the pores of the PCD. 18. A fixed cutter drill bit comprising:
a bit body; and a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element comprising polycrystalline diamond element comprising polycrystalline diamond segments adjacent one another and covalently bonded to one another by diamond bonds in pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid. 19. The fixed cutter drill bit of claim 18, wherein the PDC element comprises a cutter. 20. The fixed cutter drill bit of claim 18, wherein the PDC element comprises an erosion resistant element. | The present disclosure relates to a spark plasma sintering-joined polycrystalline diamond and methods of joining polycrystalline diamond segments by spark plasma sintering. Spark plasma sintering produces plasma from a reactant gas found in the pores in the polycrystalline diamond segments. The plasma forms diamond bonds and/or carbide structures in the pores, which join the polycrystalline diamond segments to form a polycrystalline diamond element.1. A method of forming a polycrystalline diamond element, the method comprising:
placing at least two leached polycrystalline diamond segments comprising pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid adjacent one another with a reactant gas comprising a hydrocarbon gas form in an assembly; and applying to the assembly a voltage and amperage sufficient to heat the reactant gas to a temperature of 1500° C. or less at which the reactant gas forms a plasma, which plasma forms diamond bonds and carbide structures in at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond pores, wherein diamond bonds covalently bond the polycrystalline diamond segments to one another to form a polycrystalline diamond element. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein both leached polycrystalline diamond segments comprise a leached portion in which less than 2% of the volume is occupied by a diamond sintering aid. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon gas comprises methane, acetone, methanol, or any combinations thereof. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plasma comprises methyl, carbon dimmers, or a combination thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactant gas further comprises a carbide-forming metal in gas form. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the carbide-forming metal in gas form comprises a metal salt. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the plasma comprises metal ions. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactant gas further comprises a hydrocarbon gas. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plasma comprises atomic hydrogen, a proton, or a combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is 1200° C. or less. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is 700° C. or less. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage and amperage are supplied by a continuous direct current or a pulsed direct current. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage and amperage are applied for 20 minutes or less. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembly or any component thereof has a rate of temperature increase while the voltage and amperage are applied of least 300° C./minute. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein diamond bonds, carbide structures, or both are formed in at least 25% of the pores of the polycrystalline diamond. 16. A polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element comprising polycrystalline diamond segments adjacent one another and covalently bonded to one another by diamond bonds in pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid. 17. The PDC element of claim 16, comprising diamond bonds, carbide structures, or both in at least 25% of the pores of the PCD. 18. A fixed cutter drill bit comprising:
a bit body; and a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element comprising polycrystalline diamond element comprising polycrystalline diamond segments adjacent one another and covalently bonded to one another by diamond bonds in pores formed by removal of a diamond sintering aid. 19. The fixed cutter drill bit of claim 18, wherein the PDC element comprises a cutter. 20. The fixed cutter drill bit of claim 18, wherein the PDC element comprises an erosion resistant element. | 1,700 |
2,805 | 14,430,403 | 1,749 | A tire for vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer having opposed side edges associated with relative annular reinforcing structures, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure; a pair of sidewalls laterally applied onto opposite sides with respect to the carcass structure; and at least one antiabrasive strip of elastomeric material applied in an outer position relative to each of the annular reinforcing structures; in which the at least one antiabrasive strip includes a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking of a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having nanometric dimensions, in which the crosslinked elastomeric material has a dynamic modulus value E′, at 70° C. and at a frequency of 10 Hz, greater than 8 MPa. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A tire for vehicle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer having opposed side edges associated with relative annular reinforcing structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a pair of sidewalls laterally applied onto opposite sides with respect to said carcass structure; and at least one antiabrasive strip applied in an outer position of each of said annular reinforcing structure,
wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip comprises a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking of a crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprising magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having nanometric dimensions, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material has an elastic dynamic modulus E′ value, at 70° C., and at a frequency of 10 Hz, higher than about 8.00 Mpa. 22. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (a) a diene elastomeric polymer. 23. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 500 nm. 24. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 100 nm. 25. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 24, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of about 5 to about 50 nm. 26. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to about 10 μm. 27. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 26, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a length from about 0.2 to about 5 μm. 28. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres, and mixtures thereof. 29. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 28, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 30. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in said crosslinkable elastomeric composition in an amount of about 1 phr to about 20 phr. 31. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in said crosslinkable elastomeric composition in an amount of about 3 phr to about 15 phr. 32. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises at least one additional reinforcing filler, in an amount of about 0.1 to about 120 phr. 33. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, higher than 1.5 phr. 34. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, higher than 2.5 phr. 35. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, lower than or equal to 5 phr. 36. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has an elastic dynamic modulus E′ value, at 23° C., and at a frequency of 10 Hz, higher than 9.00 MPa. 37. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a tear strength value at 23° C., higher than or equal to 53 N/mm. 38. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 37, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a tear strength value at 23° C., higher than 58 N/mm. 39. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of elongation at break, equal to or higher than 250%. 40. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 39, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of elongation at break, higher than 280%. 41. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of static load at 100% elongation, equal to or higher than 5 Mpa. 42. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip is applied at least in an axially outer position with respect to the annular reinforcing structure, and wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip extends at least from a sidewall to a radially lower portion of the annular reinforcing structure. 43. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip is applied in such a way to wrap the annular reinforcing structure along a radially lower and axially inner and outer areas of annular reinforcing structure. | A tire for vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer having opposed side edges associated with relative annular reinforcing structures, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure; a pair of sidewalls laterally applied onto opposite sides with respect to the carcass structure; and at least one antiabrasive strip of elastomeric material applied in an outer position relative to each of the annular reinforcing structures; in which the at least one antiabrasive strip includes a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking of a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having nanometric dimensions, in which the crosslinked elastomeric material has a dynamic modulus value E′, at 70° C. and at a frequency of 10 Hz, greater than 8 MPa.1-20. (canceled) 21. A tire for vehicle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer having opposed side edges associated with relative annular reinforcing structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a pair of sidewalls laterally applied onto opposite sides with respect to said carcass structure; and at least one antiabrasive strip applied in an outer position of each of said annular reinforcing structure,
wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip comprises a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking of a crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprising magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having nanometric dimensions, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material has an elastic dynamic modulus E′ value, at 70° C., and at a frequency of 10 Hz, higher than about 8.00 Mpa. 22. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (a) a diene elastomeric polymer. 23. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 500 nm. 24. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 100 nm. 25. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 24, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a diameter of about 5 to about 50 nm. 26. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to about 10 μm. 27. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 26, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicate inorganic fibres having a length from about 0.2 to about 5 μm. 28. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres, and mixtures thereof. 29. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 28, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 30. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in said crosslinkable elastomeric composition in an amount of about 1 phr to about 20 phr. 31. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in said crosslinkable elastomeric composition in an amount of about 3 phr to about 15 phr. 32. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises at least one additional reinforcing filler, in an amount of about 0.1 to about 120 phr. 33. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, higher than 1.5 phr. 34. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, higher than 2.5 phr. 35. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprises a vulcanizing agent, in an amount, expressed as phr of sulfur, lower than or equal to 5 phr. 36. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has an elastic dynamic modulus E′ value, at 23° C., and at a frequency of 10 Hz, higher than 9.00 MPa. 37. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a tear strength value at 23° C., higher than or equal to 53 N/mm. 38. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 37, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a tear strength value at 23° C., higher than 58 N/mm. 39. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of elongation at break, equal to or higher than 250%. 40. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 39, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of elongation at break, higher than 280%. 41. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said crosslinked elastomeric material layer has a value of static load at 100% elongation, equal to or higher than 5 Mpa. 42. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip is applied at least in an axially outer position with respect to the annular reinforcing structure, and wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip extends at least from a sidewall to a radially lower portion of the annular reinforcing structure. 43. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 21, wherein said at least one antiabrasive strip is applied in such a way to wrap the annular reinforcing structure along a radially lower and axially inner and outer areas of annular reinforcing structure. | 1,700 |
2,806 | 13,395,677 | 1,714 | After removing deposit on a susceptor in an epitaxial growth furnace by a cleaning recipe (step S 101 ), a first epitaxial wafer is produced by growing an epitaxial layer on a first wafer based on a process recipe A (step S 102 ). Subsequently, a step of producing an epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on a wafer based on a process recipe B including second control parameters set such that the epitaxial wafer has approximately the same film thickness profile as the first wafer (step S 103 ) is repeated a plurality of times to successively produce a plurality of epitaxial wafers (step S 104 ). The cleaning recipe, the process recipe A, and the process recipe B repeated a plurality of times are carried out repeatedly (step S 105 ). | 1. A method for producing epitaxial wafers using a single wafer processing epitaxial growth furnace, comprising the steps of:
cleaning for removing deposit on a susceptor in the epitaxial growth furnace; first wafer processing for obtaining a first epitaxial wafer by mounting a first wafer on the susceptor and growing an epitaxial layer on the first wafer based on first control parameters; and second wafer processing after transferring the first epitaxial wafer on the susceptor, for obtaining a second epitaxial wafer by mounting a second wafer on the susceptor and growing an epitaxial layer on the second wafer based on second control parameters set such that the second epitaxial wafer has approximately the same film thickness profile as the first epitaxial wafer. 2. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 1, wherein a process sequence of performing the step of cleaning, subsequently performing the step of the first wafer processing once, and successively performing the step of the second wafer processing twice or more after the first wafer processing, is carried out repeatedly. 3. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 1, wherein the first control parameters and the second control parameters are different from each other in at least one of process conditions of a flow rate of reactive gas for growing the epitaxial layer, processing time, and a flow rate of dopant gas. 4. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 3, wherein the epitaxial growth furnace includes a layer formation chamber which is substantially partitioned into an upper space and a lower space by the susceptor, and the first control parameters and the second control parameters each include a flow rate of the reactive gas supplied to the upper space of the layer formation chamber and a flow rate of the inert gas supplied to the lower space of the layer formation chamber. 5. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 6. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 7. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a surface portion of the susceptor is made of silicon carbide (SiC) through the cleaning step. 8. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reactive gas is trichlorosilane (SiHCh). 9. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inert gas is hydrogen gas (H2 gas). 10. An apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers, comprising:
a single wafer processing epitaxial growth furnace; a storage means for storing: a cleaning recipe for removing deposit on a susceptor in the epitaxial growth furnace, a first process recipe for obtaining a first epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on a first wafer mounted on the susceptor based on first control parameters, and a second process recipe for obtaining a second epitaxial wafer having a film thickness profile approximately the same as the first epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on the second wafer mounted on the susceptor based on second control parameters different from the first control parameters; and a control means for reading out the recipes stored in the storage means to control the epitaxial growth apparatus in accordance with the read out recipes. 11. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 10, wherein the control means repeatedly carries out a process sequence of performing the cleaning recipe, subsequently performing the first process recipe once, and successively performing the second process recipe a plurality of times after the first process recipe is carried out. 12. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 10, wherein the first control parameters and the second control parameters are different from each other in at least one of process conditions of a flow rate of reactive gas for growing the epitaxial layer, processing time, and a flow rate of dopant gas. 13. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 12, wherein the epitaxial growth furnace includes a layer formation chamber, the layer formation chamber being substantially partitioned into an upper space and a lower space by the susceptor inside, and the first control parameters and the second control parameters each include a flow rate of the reactive gas supplied to the upper space of the layer formation chamber for growing the epitaxial layer and a flow rate of inert gas supplied to the lower space of the layer formation chamber. 14. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 13, wherein the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 15. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 13, wherein the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 16. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 10 to 15, wherein at least a surface portion of the susceptor is made of silicon carbide (SiC) and a superficial layer of the silicon carbide is exposed through the cleaning recipe. | After removing deposit on a susceptor in an epitaxial growth furnace by a cleaning recipe (step S 101 ), a first epitaxial wafer is produced by growing an epitaxial layer on a first wafer based on a process recipe A (step S 102 ). Subsequently, a step of producing an epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on a wafer based on a process recipe B including second control parameters set such that the epitaxial wafer has approximately the same film thickness profile as the first wafer (step S 103 ) is repeated a plurality of times to successively produce a plurality of epitaxial wafers (step S 104 ). The cleaning recipe, the process recipe A, and the process recipe B repeated a plurality of times are carried out repeatedly (step S 105 ).1. A method for producing epitaxial wafers using a single wafer processing epitaxial growth furnace, comprising the steps of:
cleaning for removing deposit on a susceptor in the epitaxial growth furnace; first wafer processing for obtaining a first epitaxial wafer by mounting a first wafer on the susceptor and growing an epitaxial layer on the first wafer based on first control parameters; and second wafer processing after transferring the first epitaxial wafer on the susceptor, for obtaining a second epitaxial wafer by mounting a second wafer on the susceptor and growing an epitaxial layer on the second wafer based on second control parameters set such that the second epitaxial wafer has approximately the same film thickness profile as the first epitaxial wafer. 2. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 1, wherein a process sequence of performing the step of cleaning, subsequently performing the step of the first wafer processing once, and successively performing the step of the second wafer processing twice or more after the first wafer processing, is carried out repeatedly. 3. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 1, wherein the first control parameters and the second control parameters are different from each other in at least one of process conditions of a flow rate of reactive gas for growing the epitaxial layer, processing time, and a flow rate of dopant gas. 4. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 3, wherein the epitaxial growth furnace includes a layer formation chamber which is substantially partitioned into an upper space and a lower space by the susceptor, and the first control parameters and the second control parameters each include a flow rate of the reactive gas supplied to the upper space of the layer formation chamber and a flow rate of the inert gas supplied to the lower space of the layer formation chamber. 5. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 6. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 7. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a surface portion of the susceptor is made of silicon carbide (SiC) through the cleaning step. 8. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reactive gas is trichlorosilane (SiHCh). 9. The method for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inert gas is hydrogen gas (H2 gas). 10. An apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers, comprising:
a single wafer processing epitaxial growth furnace; a storage means for storing: a cleaning recipe for removing deposit on a susceptor in the epitaxial growth furnace, a first process recipe for obtaining a first epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on a first wafer mounted on the susceptor based on first control parameters, and a second process recipe for obtaining a second epitaxial wafer having a film thickness profile approximately the same as the first epitaxial wafer by growing an epitaxial layer on the second wafer mounted on the susceptor based on second control parameters different from the first control parameters; and a control means for reading out the recipes stored in the storage means to control the epitaxial growth apparatus in accordance with the read out recipes. 11. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 10, wherein the control means repeatedly carries out a process sequence of performing the cleaning recipe, subsequently performing the first process recipe once, and successively performing the second process recipe a plurality of times after the first process recipe is carried out. 12. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 10, wherein the first control parameters and the second control parameters are different from each other in at least one of process conditions of a flow rate of reactive gas for growing the epitaxial layer, processing time, and a flow rate of dopant gas. 13. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 12, wherein the epitaxial growth furnace includes a layer formation chamber, the layer formation chamber being substantially partitioned into an upper space and a lower space by the susceptor inside, and the first control parameters and the second control parameters each include a flow rate of the reactive gas supplied to the upper space of the layer formation chamber for growing the epitaxial layer and a flow rate of inert gas supplied to the lower space of the layer formation chamber. 14. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 13, wherein the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the reactive gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 15. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to claim 13, wherein the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the second control parameters, is lower than the flow rate of the inert gas, which is included in the first control parameters. 16. The apparatus for producing epitaxial wafers according to anyone of claims 10 to 15, wherein at least a surface portion of the susceptor is made of silicon carbide (SiC) and a superficial layer of the silicon carbide is exposed through the cleaning recipe. | 1,700 |
2,807 | 13,870,232 | 1,795 | A method of regenerating an etch solution comprising a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions in a strong acid is described in which at least a portion of the manganese(III) ions in the metastable complex have been destabilized, causing them to disproportionate into manganese dioxide and manganese(II) ions. The method includes the steps of i) adding an effective amount of a reducing agent to the solution; ii) allowing the reducing agent to react with the solution to cause manganese dioxide to dissolve; and (iii) applying an electrical current to regenerate manganese(III) ions in the solution. | 1. A method of regenerating an etch solution comprising a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions in a strong acid, wherein at least a portion of the manganese(III) ions have been destabilized, causing them to disproportionate into manganese dioxide and manganese(II) ions, the method comprising the steps of:
a. adding an effective amount of a reducing agent for the Mn(IV) of the manganese dioxide to the etch solution; b. allowing the reducing agent to react with the etch solution to cause the Mn(IV) in the manganese dioxide to be reduced to Mn(II) and to dissolve; and c. applying an electrical current through an anode and a cathode in the etch solution to regenerate manganese(III) ions in the etch solution from manganese(II) ions. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid, formic acid and combinations of one or more of the foregoing. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reducing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide added to the solution is in the range of about 0.5 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution, to about 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide added to the solution is in the range of about 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution, to about 7 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reducing agent comprises oxalic acid or formic acid. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the amount of oxalic acid or formic acid added to the solution is in the range of about 1 g/L to about 10 g/L. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the amount of oxalic acid or formic acid added to the solution is in the range of about 2 g/L to about 7 g/L. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the amount of reducing agent is added to the etch solution and the reducing agent allowed to react with the etch solution and, thereafter, an additional amount of the reducing agent is added to the etch solution and allowed to react with the etch solution. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is allowed to react with the etch solution for at least 30 minutes. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is allowed to react with the etch solution until all of the manganese dioxide in the solution has been dissolved. 12. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of heating the etch solution after the reducing agent has been added to the etch solution. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the etch solution is heated to a temperature of between about 30° C. and about 100° C. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the etch solution is heated to a temperature of between about 60° C. and about 80° C. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the etch solution is diverted from a process tank containing the etch solution into a separate electrolytic cell and the portion of the etch solution which is diverted is regenerated and then recycled back into the process tank. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the portion of the etch solution that is diverted from the process tank is approximately 10% of the working volume of the process tank. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein additional portions of etch solution are diverted from the process, whereby the etch solution can be continuously treated. | A method of regenerating an etch solution comprising a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions in a strong acid is described in which at least a portion of the manganese(III) ions in the metastable complex have been destabilized, causing them to disproportionate into manganese dioxide and manganese(II) ions. The method includes the steps of i) adding an effective amount of a reducing agent to the solution; ii) allowing the reducing agent to react with the solution to cause manganese dioxide to dissolve; and (iii) applying an electrical current to regenerate manganese(III) ions in the solution.1. A method of regenerating an etch solution comprising a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions in a strong acid, wherein at least a portion of the manganese(III) ions have been destabilized, causing them to disproportionate into manganese dioxide and manganese(II) ions, the method comprising the steps of:
a. adding an effective amount of a reducing agent for the Mn(IV) of the manganese dioxide to the etch solution; b. allowing the reducing agent to react with the etch solution to cause the Mn(IV) in the manganese dioxide to be reduced to Mn(II) and to dissolve; and c. applying an electrical current through an anode and a cathode in the etch solution to regenerate manganese(III) ions in the etch solution from manganese(II) ions. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid, formic acid and combinations of one or more of the foregoing. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reducing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide added to the solution is in the range of about 0.5 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution, to about 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide added to the solution is in the range of about 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution, to about 7 ml of hydrogen peroxide (35% by weight) per liter of etch solution. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reducing agent comprises oxalic acid or formic acid. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the amount of oxalic acid or formic acid added to the solution is in the range of about 1 g/L to about 10 g/L. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the amount of oxalic acid or formic acid added to the solution is in the range of about 2 g/L to about 7 g/L. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the amount of reducing agent is added to the etch solution and the reducing agent allowed to react with the etch solution and, thereafter, an additional amount of the reducing agent is added to the etch solution and allowed to react with the etch solution. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is allowed to react with the etch solution for at least 30 minutes. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is allowed to react with the etch solution until all of the manganese dioxide in the solution has been dissolved. 12. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of heating the etch solution after the reducing agent has been added to the etch solution. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the etch solution is heated to a temperature of between about 30° C. and about 100° C. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the etch solution is heated to a temperature of between about 60° C. and about 80° C. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the etch solution is diverted from a process tank containing the etch solution into a separate electrolytic cell and the portion of the etch solution which is diverted is regenerated and then recycled back into the process tank. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the portion of the etch solution that is diverted from the process tank is approximately 10% of the working volume of the process tank. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein additional portions of etch solution are diverted from the process, whereby the etch solution can be continuously treated. | 1,700 |
2,808 | 14,655,547 | 1,795 | A pH adjustor ( 1 ) configured to adjust pH value of electrolyte aqueous solution, which comprises an electrolysis cell ( 2 ) including an anode ( 21 ) and a cathode ( 22 ): the cathode ( 22 ) includes pseudocapacitance material which gets electrons from the anode ( 21 ) and adsorbs cations from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions, OH − in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed by losing electrons, leaving H + in the electrolyte aqueous solution; or, the anode ( 21 ) includes pseudocapacitance material, the pseudocapacitance material loses electrons and adsorbs anions from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with the anions, H + in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed at the cathode ( 22 ) by getting electrons, leaving OH − in the electrolyte aqueous solutionl. The pH adjustor ( 1 ) further comprises a controller to control the electrolysis process in the electrolysis cell | 1. (canceled) 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. (canceled) 5. (canceled) 6. (canceled) 7. (canceled) 8. (canceled) 9. (canceled) 10. (canceled) 11. A device for preparing pH adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution, comprising:
a pH adjustor configured to prepare pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution; a second unit in liquid connection with the pH adjustor and configured to dispense the pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution, wherein the pH adjustor comprises:
an electrolysis cell including an anode and a cathode;
said cathode comprising pseudocapacitance material, in operation of pH adjustor. the pseudocapacitance material gets electrons from the anode and adsorbs cations from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions. OH− in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed by losing electrons, leaving H+ in the electrolyte aqueous solution: or
said anode comprises pseudocapacitance material, and in operation of the pH adjustor. the pseudocapacitance material loses electrons and adsorbs anions from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions, H+ in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed at the cathode by getting electrons, leaving OH− in the electrolyte aqueous solution;
a controller configured to control the electrolysis process in the electrolysis cell. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the second unit is configured to dispense the pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution in liquid status or vapor status or combination thereof;
wherein, the device further comprise a temperature adjustor configured to adjust temperature of the electrolyte aqueous solution; and the device comprises any one of the following: baby basin, shower, atomizer orsanitary fittings. 13. (canceled) 14. (canceled) 15. (canceled) 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the electrolyte aqueous solution is conductive. 17. The device according to claim 11, wherein the electrolysis cell is configured such that the anode and the cathode can be interchanged. 18. The device according to claim 11, wherein the pH adjustor further comprising:
a first unit configured to obtain information relating to a pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution; the controller is configured to control the electrolysis process according to the obtained information, so as to adjust the pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution to a target value. 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the obtained information includes user input indicating an original pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution. 20. The device accordin to claim 11, wherein said pseudocapacitance material comprises transition metal oxide. 21. The device according to claim 11, wherein the transition metal oxide is coated on a substrate or doped in the substrate. 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the transition metal oxide fulfils the following reaction:
TMO+A++e− TMO−A+ where TMO stands for the transition metal oxide, A+ stands for the cations adsorbed, e− stands for electrons. 23. The device according to claim 11, wherein said pseudocapacitance material comprises conjugated conductive polymers. 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said conjugated conductive polymers include carbon doped polypyrrole, and said carbon doped polypyrrole is deposited on a porous Ti substrate of said cathode or said anode. | A pH adjustor ( 1 ) configured to adjust pH value of electrolyte aqueous solution, which comprises an electrolysis cell ( 2 ) including an anode ( 21 ) and a cathode ( 22 ): the cathode ( 22 ) includes pseudocapacitance material which gets electrons from the anode ( 21 ) and adsorbs cations from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions, OH − in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed by losing electrons, leaving H + in the electrolyte aqueous solution; or, the anode ( 21 ) includes pseudocapacitance material, the pseudocapacitance material loses electrons and adsorbs anions from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with the anions, H + in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed at the cathode ( 22 ) by getting electrons, leaving OH − in the electrolyte aqueous solutionl. The pH adjustor ( 1 ) further comprises a controller to control the electrolysis process in the electrolysis cell1. (canceled) 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. (canceled) 5. (canceled) 6. (canceled) 7. (canceled) 8. (canceled) 9. (canceled) 10. (canceled) 11. A device for preparing pH adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution, comprising:
a pH adjustor configured to prepare pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution; a second unit in liquid connection with the pH adjustor and configured to dispense the pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution, wherein the pH adjustor comprises:
an electrolysis cell including an anode and a cathode;
said cathode comprising pseudocapacitance material, in operation of pH adjustor. the pseudocapacitance material gets electrons from the anode and adsorbs cations from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions. OH− in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed by losing electrons, leaving H+ in the electrolyte aqueous solution: or
said anode comprises pseudocapacitance material, and in operation of the pH adjustor. the pseudocapacitance material loses electrons and adsorbs anions from the electrolyte aqueous solution by electrochemically reacting with said anions, H+ in the electrolyte aqueous solution are consumed at the cathode by getting electrons, leaving OH− in the electrolyte aqueous solution;
a controller configured to control the electrolysis process in the electrolysis cell. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the second unit is configured to dispense the pH-adjusted electrolyte aqueous solution in liquid status or vapor status or combination thereof;
wherein, the device further comprise a temperature adjustor configured to adjust temperature of the electrolyte aqueous solution; and the device comprises any one of the following: baby basin, shower, atomizer orsanitary fittings. 13. (canceled) 14. (canceled) 15. (canceled) 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the electrolyte aqueous solution is conductive. 17. The device according to claim 11, wherein the electrolysis cell is configured such that the anode and the cathode can be interchanged. 18. The device according to claim 11, wherein the pH adjustor further comprising:
a first unit configured to obtain information relating to a pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution; the controller is configured to control the electrolysis process according to the obtained information, so as to adjust the pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution to a target value. 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the obtained information includes user input indicating an original pH value of the electrolyte aqueous solution. 20. The device accordin to claim 11, wherein said pseudocapacitance material comprises transition metal oxide. 21. The device according to claim 11, wherein the transition metal oxide is coated on a substrate or doped in the substrate. 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the transition metal oxide fulfils the following reaction:
TMO+A++e− TMO−A+ where TMO stands for the transition metal oxide, A+ stands for the cations adsorbed, e− stands for electrons. 23. The device according to claim 11, wherein said pseudocapacitance material comprises conjugated conductive polymers. 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said conjugated conductive polymers include carbon doped polypyrrole, and said carbon doped polypyrrole is deposited on a porous Ti substrate of said cathode or said anode. | 1,700 |
2,809 | 15,511,872 | 1,723 | A separator for an electrochemical device which includes a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer is provided. The nonwoven fabric base material includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm. The inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm. The inorganic particle layer A and the inorganic particle layer B are stacked in this order on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. Alternatively, the inorganic particle layer A is disposed on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material and the inorganic particle layer B is disposed on the other surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. | 1. A separator for an electrochemical device, comprising a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer that contains inorganic particles, wherein
the nonwoven fabric base material predominantly includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm, the inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm, and the inorganic particle layer A and the inorganic particle layer B are stacked in this order on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. 2. A separator for an electrochemical device, comprising a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer that contains inorganic particles, wherein
the nonwoven fabric base material predominantly includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm, the inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm, and the inorganic particle layer A is disposed on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material, and the inorganic particle layer B is disposed on the other surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. 3. An electrochemical device comprising the separator for an electrochemical device according to claim 1. 4. An electrochemical device comprising the separator for an electrochemical device according to claim 2. | A separator for an electrochemical device which includes a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer is provided. The nonwoven fabric base material includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm. The inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm. The inorganic particle layer A and the inorganic particle layer B are stacked in this order on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. Alternatively, the inorganic particle layer A is disposed on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material and the inorganic particle layer B is disposed on the other surface of the nonwoven fabric base material.1. A separator for an electrochemical device, comprising a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer that contains inorganic particles, wherein
the nonwoven fabric base material predominantly includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm, the inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm, and the inorganic particle layer A and the inorganic particle layer B are stacked in this order on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. 2. A separator for an electrochemical device, comprising a nonwoven fabric base material and an inorganic particle layer that contains inorganic particles, wherein
the nonwoven fabric base material predominantly includes a synthetic resin fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 20 μm, the inorganic particle layer includes an inorganic particle layer A that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of 2.0 to 4.0 μm, and an inorganic particle layer B that contains magnesium hydroxide with an average particle size of not less than 0.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm, and the inorganic particle layer A is disposed on a surface of the nonwoven fabric base material, and the inorganic particle layer B is disposed on the other surface of the nonwoven fabric base material. 3. An electrochemical device comprising the separator for an electrochemical device according to claim 1. 4. An electrochemical device comprising the separator for an electrochemical device according to claim 2. | 1,700 |
2,810 | 14,843,016 | 1,714 | This invention relates to the field of induction cleaning, more particularly to chemically cleaning the induction system of the internal combustion engine. The carbon that accumulates within the induction tract of the internal combustion engine is very difficult to remove. Chemically these carbon deposits are very close to that of asphalt or bitumen. It has been found that if the induction cleaning chemicals are delivered in timed layered intervals the removal of such induction carbon can be accomplished. The Dual Solenoid Induction Cleaner uses electronically controlled solenoids to deliver at least two different chemistries in alternating layers to the engine's induction system. These electric solenoids are connected to a single induction cleaner nozzle. The induction cleaner nozzle is slipped through the vacuum port opening into the inside of the induction system where it will spray an aerosol of the chemistry directly into the moving air column entering the engine. | 1. A method of removing carbon build up from the internal combustion engine of a vehicle; the engine including an induction system which does not include a throttle plate, combustion chambers, and exhaust valves; the vehicle also including a starting system; the method including the use of at least one chemical composition of matter (herein “chemistry”) capable of removing at least some carbon in at least a portion of the engine, and means for delivering the chemistry to the induction system; the method also including the use of apparatus including a through passage and a throttle plate, and means for connecting the apparatus to the induction system; the method including:
connecting the apparatus to the induction system;
running the engine;
applying the chemistry to the induction system of the engine; and
at least partially opening and partially closing the throttle plate while the engine is running and chemistry is being applied to the induction system. | This invention relates to the field of induction cleaning, more particularly to chemically cleaning the induction system of the internal combustion engine. The carbon that accumulates within the induction tract of the internal combustion engine is very difficult to remove. Chemically these carbon deposits are very close to that of asphalt or bitumen. It has been found that if the induction cleaning chemicals are delivered in timed layered intervals the removal of such induction carbon can be accomplished. The Dual Solenoid Induction Cleaner uses electronically controlled solenoids to deliver at least two different chemistries in alternating layers to the engine's induction system. These electric solenoids are connected to a single induction cleaner nozzle. The induction cleaner nozzle is slipped through the vacuum port opening into the inside of the induction system where it will spray an aerosol of the chemistry directly into the moving air column entering the engine.1. A method of removing carbon build up from the internal combustion engine of a vehicle; the engine including an induction system which does not include a throttle plate, combustion chambers, and exhaust valves; the vehicle also including a starting system; the method including the use of at least one chemical composition of matter (herein “chemistry”) capable of removing at least some carbon in at least a portion of the engine, and means for delivering the chemistry to the induction system; the method also including the use of apparatus including a through passage and a throttle plate, and means for connecting the apparatus to the induction system; the method including:
connecting the apparatus to the induction system;
running the engine;
applying the chemistry to the induction system of the engine; and
at least partially opening and partially closing the throttle plate while the engine is running and chemistry is being applied to the induction system. | 1,700 |
2,811 | 13,121,833 | 1,718 | The subject of the invention is a process for manufacturing a metal strip having a metal coating for corrosion protection, comprising the steps consisting in:
making the metal strip pass through a bath of molten metal; then wiping the coated metal strip by means of nozzles that spray a gas on each side of the strip, said gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume; and then making the strip pass through a confinement zone bounded:
at the bottom, by the wiping line and the upper faces of the wiping nozzles, at the top, by the upper part of two confinement boxes placed on each side of the strip, just above the nozzles, and having a height of at least 10 cm in relation to the wiping line and on the sides, by the lateral parts of the confinement boxes,
the atmosphere in the confinement zone having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume and higher than that of an atmosphere consisting of 0.15% oxygen by volume and 99.85% nitrogen by volume, as well as a coating installation and a confined wiping device ( 10; 20; 30 ) for implementing this process. | 1. A process for manufacturing a metal strip having a metal coating for corrosion protection, comprising:
making the metal strip pass through a bath of molten metal; then wiping the coated metal strip by means of nozzles that spray a gas on each side of the strip, said gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume; and then making the strip pass through a confinement zone bounded:
at the bottom, by the wiping line and the upper faces of said wiping nozzles,
at the top, by the upper part of two confinement boxes placed on each side of the strip, just above said nozzles, and having a height of at least 10 cm in relation to the wiping line and
on the sides, by the lateral parts of said confinement boxes,
the atmosphere in said confinement zone having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume and higher than that of an atmosphere consisting of 0.15% oxygen by volume and 99.85% nitrogen by volume. 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which said confinement boxes have a height of at least 15 cm in relation to the wiping line. 3. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which said confinement boxes are fed with a gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume. 4. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which the wiping gas consists of nitrogen. 5. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which the metal strip is a steel strip. 6. An installation for the continuous hot-dip coating of metal strip, comprising:
means for running a metal strip; a tank containing a bath of molten metal; and a confined wiping device consisting of at least two wiping nozzles placed on each side of the path of the strip after it has left the bath of molten metal, each nozzle being provided with at least one gas outlet orifice and comprising an upper face, which face is surmounted by a confinement box open on a face which faces the strip, each box comprising at least one upper part and two lateral parts. 7. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said upper parts of the confinement boxes consist of an end plate and an upper plate. 8. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which each of said confinement boxes is compartmentalized by a series of vertical blades extending from the upper face of the nozzle up to the upper part of said confinement boxes. 9. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which the distance D between the end of the lateral parts of said confinement boxes and the strip is between 10 and 100 mm. 10. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which the height H of said confinement boxes in relation to the wiping line is greater than or equal to 10 cm. 11. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said confined wiping devices further include antinoise plates on each side of the strip, facing part of the outlet orifice of said wiping nozzles. 12. The installation as claimed in claim 11, in which said confinement boxes further include edge confinement pieces placed between said confinement boxes above said antinoise plates, facing the edges of the strip. 13. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which said edge confinement pieces may be moved horizontally and vertically. 14. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which each of said edge confinement pieces consists of two rectangular plates parallel to the strip and are connected by a lateral plate placed facing the edges of the strip. 15. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which each of said edge confinement pieces consists of two rectangular plates inclined to the plane in which the strip runs and joined together along their vertical edge placed facing the edges of the strip. 16. The installation as claimed in claim 15, in which said edge confinement pieces further include a return means connecting said rectangular plates, said rectangular plates being sufficiently inclined to the plane in which the strip runs in order to be in contact with the lateral parts of said confinement boxes. 17. The installation as claimed in claim 6, which comprises edge confinement pieces placed between said confinement boxes, facing the edges of the strip and extending so as to face part of the outlet orifice of said wiping nozzles. 18. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said wiping nozzles are provided with a single outlet orifice in the form of a longitudinal slot with a width at least equal to that of the strip to be coated. 19. A confined wiping device as defined in claim 6. | The subject of the invention is a process for manufacturing a metal strip having a metal coating for corrosion protection, comprising the steps consisting in:
making the metal strip pass through a bath of molten metal; then wiping the coated metal strip by means of nozzles that spray a gas on each side of the strip, said gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume; and then making the strip pass through a confinement zone bounded:
at the bottom, by the wiping line and the upper faces of the wiping nozzles, at the top, by the upper part of two confinement boxes placed on each side of the strip, just above the nozzles, and having a height of at least 10 cm in relation to the wiping line and on the sides, by the lateral parts of the confinement boxes,
the atmosphere in the confinement zone having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume and higher than that of an atmosphere consisting of 0.15% oxygen by volume and 99.85% nitrogen by volume, as well as a coating installation and a confined wiping device ( 10; 20; 30 ) for implementing this process.1. A process for manufacturing a metal strip having a metal coating for corrosion protection, comprising:
making the metal strip pass through a bath of molten metal; then wiping the coated metal strip by means of nozzles that spray a gas on each side of the strip, said gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume; and then making the strip pass through a confinement zone bounded:
at the bottom, by the wiping line and the upper faces of said wiping nozzles,
at the top, by the upper part of two confinement boxes placed on each side of the strip, just above said nozzles, and having a height of at least 10 cm in relation to the wiping line and
on the sides, by the lateral parts of said confinement boxes,
the atmosphere in said confinement zone having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume and higher than that of an atmosphere consisting of 0.15% oxygen by volume and 99.85% nitrogen by volume. 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which said confinement boxes have a height of at least 15 cm in relation to the wiping line. 3. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which said confinement boxes are fed with a gas having an oxidizing power lower than that of an atmosphere consisting of 4% oxygen by volume and 96% nitrogen by volume. 4. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which the wiping gas consists of nitrogen. 5. The process as claimed in claim 1, for which the metal strip is a steel strip. 6. An installation for the continuous hot-dip coating of metal strip, comprising:
means for running a metal strip; a tank containing a bath of molten metal; and a confined wiping device consisting of at least two wiping nozzles placed on each side of the path of the strip after it has left the bath of molten metal, each nozzle being provided with at least one gas outlet orifice and comprising an upper face, which face is surmounted by a confinement box open on a face which faces the strip, each box comprising at least one upper part and two lateral parts. 7. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said upper parts of the confinement boxes consist of an end plate and an upper plate. 8. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which each of said confinement boxes is compartmentalized by a series of vertical blades extending from the upper face of the nozzle up to the upper part of said confinement boxes. 9. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which the distance D between the end of the lateral parts of said confinement boxes and the strip is between 10 and 100 mm. 10. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which the height H of said confinement boxes in relation to the wiping line is greater than or equal to 10 cm. 11. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said confined wiping devices further include antinoise plates on each side of the strip, facing part of the outlet orifice of said wiping nozzles. 12. The installation as claimed in claim 11, in which said confinement boxes further include edge confinement pieces placed between said confinement boxes above said antinoise plates, facing the edges of the strip. 13. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which said edge confinement pieces may be moved horizontally and vertically. 14. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which each of said edge confinement pieces consists of two rectangular plates parallel to the strip and are connected by a lateral plate placed facing the edges of the strip. 15. The installation as claimed in claim 12, in which each of said edge confinement pieces consists of two rectangular plates inclined to the plane in which the strip runs and joined together along their vertical edge placed facing the edges of the strip. 16. The installation as claimed in claim 15, in which said edge confinement pieces further include a return means connecting said rectangular plates, said rectangular plates being sufficiently inclined to the plane in which the strip runs in order to be in contact with the lateral parts of said confinement boxes. 17. The installation as claimed in claim 6, which comprises edge confinement pieces placed between said confinement boxes, facing the edges of the strip and extending so as to face part of the outlet orifice of said wiping nozzles. 18. The installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said wiping nozzles are provided with a single outlet orifice in the form of a longitudinal slot with a width at least equal to that of the strip to be coated. 19. A confined wiping device as defined in claim 6. | 1,700 |
2,812 | 14,342,034 | 1,722 | The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media and to high-frequency components comprising same, especially microwave components for high-frequency devices, such as devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, in particular for microwave phased-array antennas. | 1. Liquid-crystalline medium for components, characterized in that it comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
wherein
R11 and R12 are each independently F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—,
—CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
denote independently of one another, in each occurrence,
Z1 denotes a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —C4H9—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—. 2. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of formula II
wherein
R11 and R12 are each independently F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—,
—CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another. 3. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of formula III
wherein
R31 has the meaning indicated for R11 in claim 1,
denote independently of one another, and in case A32 and/or A33 is/are present twice, also these independently of one another denote
wherein
L31 and L32 denote independently of one another H or F,
X31 denotes halogen, halogenated alkyl or alkoxy with 1 to 3 C-atoms or halogenated alkenyl or alkenyloxy with 2 or 3 C-atoms or CN or NCS,
Z31 to Z33 denote independently of one another, and in case Z31 and/or Z32 is/are present twice, also these independently of one another denote —CH2CH2—,
—CF2CF2—, —COO—, trans- —CH═CH—, trans- —CF═CF—, —CH2O—, —CF2O— or a single bond, and
p and q denote independently of one another 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein p+q≧1. 4. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it optionally comprises one or more compounds selected of formulae IV and V
wherein
R41 to R52 independently of one another, denote unfluorinated alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 15 or unfluorinated alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 15,
Z41 and Z53 independently of one another, denote —CH2CH2—, trans- —CH═CH— or a single bond,
independently of one another, denote
independently of one another, denote 5. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one, two or more compounds of the subformulae IA to IC
wherein
R11 and R12 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and
have the meanings indicated in claim 1. 6. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 5 to 80% by weight. 7. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IA in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 20% by weight. 8. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IB in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 5 to 60% by weight. 9. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IC in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 3 to 50% by weight. 10. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula II in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 10 to 80% by weight. 11. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula III in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 30% by weight. 12. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IV and V in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 40% by weight. 13. Process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further liquid-crystalline compound, and additives are optionally added. 14. A compound of formula IB-1c
wherein
R11* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
R12* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L has, each and independently to one another in each occurrence one of the meanings of R11* different from H, and
r denotes, each and independently to one another in each occurrence 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. 15. A compound of formula IB-1e
wherein
R11* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
R12* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L has, each and independently to one another in each occurrence one of the meanings of R11* different from H, and
r denotes, each and independently to one another in each occurrence 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. 16. Component for high-frequency technology, characterized in that it comprises a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 17. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that it is suitable for operation in the microwave range. 18. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that it is a phase shifter. 19. Use of a liquid-crystal medium according to claim 1 in a component for high-frequency technology. 20. Microwave device, characterized in that it comprises one or more components according to claim 16. | The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media and to high-frequency components comprising same, especially microwave components for high-frequency devices, such as devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, in particular for microwave phased-array antennas.1. Liquid-crystalline medium for components, characterized in that it comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
wherein
R11 and R12 are each independently F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—,
—CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
denote independently of one another, in each occurrence,
Z1 denotes a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —C4H9—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—. 2. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of formula II
wherein
R11 and R12 are each independently F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—,
—CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another. 3. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of formula III
wherein
R31 has the meaning indicated for R11 in claim 1,
denote independently of one another, and in case A32 and/or A33 is/are present twice, also these independently of one another denote
wherein
L31 and L32 denote independently of one another H or F,
X31 denotes halogen, halogenated alkyl or alkoxy with 1 to 3 C-atoms or halogenated alkenyl or alkenyloxy with 2 or 3 C-atoms or CN or NCS,
Z31 to Z33 denote independently of one another, and in case Z31 and/or Z32 is/are present twice, also these independently of one another denote —CH2CH2—,
—CF2CF2—, —COO—, trans- —CH═CH—, trans- —CF═CF—, —CH2O—, —CF2O— or a single bond, and
p and q denote independently of one another 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein p+q≧1. 4. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it optionally comprises one or more compounds selected of formulae IV and V
wherein
R41 to R52 independently of one another, denote unfluorinated alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 15 or unfluorinated alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 15,
Z41 and Z53 independently of one another, denote —CH2CH2—, trans- —CH═CH— or a single bond,
independently of one another, denote
independently of one another, denote 5. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one, two or more compounds of the subformulae IA to IC
wherein
R11 and R12 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and
have the meanings indicated in claim 1. 6. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 5 to 80% by weight. 7. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IA in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 20% by weight. 8. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IB in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 5 to 60% by weight. 9. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IC in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 3 to 50% by weight. 10. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula II in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 10 to 80% by weight. 11. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula III in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 30% by weight. 12. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IV and V in the mixture as a whole is in the range from 1 to 40% by weight. 13. Process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further liquid-crystalline compound, and additives are optionally added. 14. A compound of formula IB-1c
wherein
R11* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
R12* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L has, each and independently to one another in each occurrence one of the meanings of R11* different from H, and
r denotes, each and independently to one another in each occurrence 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. 15. A compound of formula IB-1e
wherein
R11* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
R12* is F, Cl, CN, NCS or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 15 C atoms which may be unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or CN, it being also possible for one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups to be replaced, in each occurrence independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C— in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L has, each and independently to one another in each occurrence one of the meanings of R11* different from H, and
r denotes, each and independently to one another in each occurrence 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. 16. Component for high-frequency technology, characterized in that it comprises a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 17. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that it is suitable for operation in the microwave range. 18. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that it is a phase shifter. 19. Use of a liquid-crystal medium according to claim 1 in a component for high-frequency technology. 20. Microwave device, characterized in that it comprises one or more components according to claim 16. | 1,700 |
2,813 | 14,065,172 | 1,723 | A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals. | 1. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled between a first terminal connection and a second terminal connection of the battery module and disposed in a first row, a second row, and a third row, wherein the second row is disposed between and adjacent to the first and third rows, and wherein the battery cells in the second row are offset relative to the battery cells in the first and third rows; wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a first end battery cell electrically coupled to the first terminal connection, a second end battery cell electrically coupled to the second terminal connection, and intermediate battery cells electrically coupled to each other between the first and second end battery cells;
wherein each intermediate battery cell in the first row is electrically coupled to an adjacent battery cell in the first row and to a battery cell in the second row, each intermediate battery cell in the second row is electrically coupled to a battery cell in the first row and to a battery cell in the third row, and each intermediate battery cell in the third row is electrically coupled to a battery cell in the second row and to an adjacent battery cell in the third row. 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover and an integrally formed first terminal that extends from the cover outward, wherein the first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell or to a terminal connection of the battery module. 3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are cylindrical battery cells. 4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprise a total of twelve battery cells with four battery cells in each of the first, second, and third rows. 5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a total of thirteen battery cells with four battery cells in the first row, five battery cells in the second row, and four battery cells in the third row. 6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises:
a housing having a central longitudinal axis; a cover coupled to the housing; a first flange integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery cell, wherein the first flange comprises a first portion that extends generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second portion that extends outwardly beyond the housing in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the housing; and a second terminal extending from the cover and electrically isolated from the first flange. 7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first end battery cell and the second end battery cell are disposed in the same row. 8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first end battery cell is disposed in the second row and the second end battery cell is disposed in the first row or the third row. 9. The battery module of claim 1, comprising a tray with alignment features configured to align the plurality of battery cells and bus bars for electrically coupling the battery cells in a desired orientation relative to each other. 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the tray comprises apertures formed therethrough, wherein the apertures are configured to expose a connection point between the bus bars and the battery cells to facilitate assembly of the battery module. 11. The battery module of claim 1, comprising a lower structure configured to hold the plurality of battery cells therein, wherein the lower structure comprises a chamber for receiving gases vented from one or more of the plurality of battery cells. 12. The battery module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first terminal connection and the second terminal connection comprise a connection between the plurality of battery cells in the battery module and another plurality of battery cells disposed in an adjacent battery module. 13. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows, wherein the battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from one another; wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal extends from the cover outward in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery cell and is coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell; wherein the plurality of battery cells are oriented such that the first terminals corresponding to each pair of adjacent battery cells that are coupled together are offset by an angle of either approximately 60 degrees or approximately 120 degrees. 14. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the first terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells is integrally formed with the corresponding cover. 15. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises twelve battery cells electrically coupled together. 16. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises thirteen battery cells electrically coupled together. 17. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in two rows and the first terminals corresponding to every pair of adjacent battery cells that are coupled together are offset by an angle of approximately 60 degrees. 18. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in three rows comprising a first row, a second row, and a third row. 19. The battery module of claim 18, wherein the battery cells disposed in the first row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the first row and the second row, the battery cells disposed in the second row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the first row and the third row, and the battery cells disposed in the third row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the second row and the third row. 20. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a first end battery cell at one end and a second end battery cell at an opposite end, wherein the first and second end battery cells are configured to be coupled to terminal connections of the battery module. 21. The battery module of claim 20, wherein the terminal connections of the battery module comprise connections to battery cells disposed in adjacent battery modules within a battery system. 22. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows, wherein the battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other; wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal extends from the cover outward to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell; wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals. 23. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in two rows, and wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled in a zigzag pattern that alternates between a battery cell in a first row and a battery cell in a second row. 24. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in three rows, and wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled in a zigzag pattern such that:
a battery cell in a first row is coupled between an adjacent battery cell in the first row and a battery cell in the second row; a battery cell in the second row is coupled between a battery cell in the first row and a battery cell in the third row; and a battery cell in the third row is coupled between a battery cell in the second row and an adjacent battery cell in the third row. 25. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the first terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a flange integrally formed with the cover. 26. The battery module of claim 25, wherein the flange comprises a first portion that extends generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second portion that extends outwardly beyond the housing in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 27. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises twelve or thirteen cylindrical battery cells. | A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals.1. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled between a first terminal connection and a second terminal connection of the battery module and disposed in a first row, a second row, and a third row, wherein the second row is disposed between and adjacent to the first and third rows, and wherein the battery cells in the second row are offset relative to the battery cells in the first and third rows; wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a first end battery cell electrically coupled to the first terminal connection, a second end battery cell electrically coupled to the second terminal connection, and intermediate battery cells electrically coupled to each other between the first and second end battery cells;
wherein each intermediate battery cell in the first row is electrically coupled to an adjacent battery cell in the first row and to a battery cell in the second row, each intermediate battery cell in the second row is electrically coupled to a battery cell in the first row and to a battery cell in the third row, and each intermediate battery cell in the third row is electrically coupled to a battery cell in the second row and to an adjacent battery cell in the third row. 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover and an integrally formed first terminal that extends from the cover outward, wherein the first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell or to a terminal connection of the battery module. 3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are cylindrical battery cells. 4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprise a total of twelve battery cells with four battery cells in each of the first, second, and third rows. 5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a total of thirteen battery cells with four battery cells in the first row, five battery cells in the second row, and four battery cells in the third row. 6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises:
a housing having a central longitudinal axis; a cover coupled to the housing; a first flange integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery cell, wherein the first flange comprises a first portion that extends generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second portion that extends outwardly beyond the housing in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the housing; and a second terminal extending from the cover and electrically isolated from the first flange. 7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first end battery cell and the second end battery cell are disposed in the same row. 8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first end battery cell is disposed in the second row and the second end battery cell is disposed in the first row or the third row. 9. The battery module of claim 1, comprising a tray with alignment features configured to align the plurality of battery cells and bus bars for electrically coupling the battery cells in a desired orientation relative to each other. 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the tray comprises apertures formed therethrough, wherein the apertures are configured to expose a connection point between the bus bars and the battery cells to facilitate assembly of the battery module. 11. The battery module of claim 1, comprising a lower structure configured to hold the plurality of battery cells therein, wherein the lower structure comprises a chamber for receiving gases vented from one or more of the plurality of battery cells. 12. The battery module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first terminal connection and the second terminal connection comprise a connection between the plurality of battery cells in the battery module and another plurality of battery cells disposed in an adjacent battery module. 13. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows, wherein the battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from one another; wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal extends from the cover outward in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery cell and is coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell; wherein the plurality of battery cells are oriented such that the first terminals corresponding to each pair of adjacent battery cells that are coupled together are offset by an angle of either approximately 60 degrees or approximately 120 degrees. 14. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the first terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells is integrally formed with the corresponding cover. 15. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises twelve battery cells electrically coupled together. 16. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises thirteen battery cells electrically coupled together. 17. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in two rows and the first terminals corresponding to every pair of adjacent battery cells that are coupled together are offset by an angle of approximately 60 degrees. 18. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in three rows comprising a first row, a second row, and a third row. 19. The battery module of claim 18, wherein the battery cells disposed in the first row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the first row and the second row, the battery cells disposed in the second row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the first row and the third row, and the battery cells disposed in the third row are electrically coupled between battery cells in the second row and the third row. 20. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises a first end battery cell at one end and a second end battery cell at an opposite end, wherein the first and second end battery cells are configured to be coupled to terminal connections of the battery module. 21. The battery module of claim 20, wherein the terminal connections of the battery module comprise connections to battery cells disposed in adjacent battery modules within a battery system. 22. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows, wherein the battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other; wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cover, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal extends from the cover outward to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell; wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals. 23. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in two rows, and wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled in a zigzag pattern that alternates between a battery cell in a first row and a battery cell in a second row. 24. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells are disposed in three rows, and wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled in a zigzag pattern such that:
a battery cell in a first row is coupled between an adjacent battery cell in the first row and a battery cell in the second row; a battery cell in the second row is coupled between a battery cell in the first row and a battery cell in the third row; and a battery cell in the third row is coupled between a battery cell in the second row and an adjacent battery cell in the third row. 25. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the first terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a flange integrally formed with the cover. 26. The battery module of claim 25, wherein the flange comprises a first portion that extends generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second portion that extends outwardly beyond the housing in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 27. The battery module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises twelve or thirteen cylindrical battery cells. | 1,700 |
2,814 | 14,852,279 | 1,777 | The present disclosure provides facilities having water cooling subsystems and multi-lumen conduits coupled thereto. Also provided are methods of cooling facilities by, for example, receiving cool water into a water cooling subsystem of a facility and outputting warm water from the water cooling subsystem. | 1. A facility comprising:
a water cooling subsystem; and a multi-lumen conduit fluidically coupling the water cooling subsystem and a cool water source. 2. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the water source is an ocean or sea. 3. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the multi-lumen conduit comprises an intake lumen and a discharge lumen. 4. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to receive cool water from the intake lumen and output warm water. 5. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the discharge lumen is configured to discharge a produced fluid. 6. The facility according to claim 5, wherein the produced fluid is brine. 7. The facility according to claim 5, wherein the produced fluid is received from a water desalination plant configured to receive and desalinate water. 8. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the water desalination plant is configured to receive warm water output from the water cooling subsystem. 9. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the water desalination plant is a reverse osmosis desalination plant. 10. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the multi-lumen conduit is configured for simultaneous bi-directional fluid flow. 11. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen comprises an intake terminus and the discharge lumen comprises a discharge terminus at a different location than the intake terminus. 12. (canceled) 13. The facility according to claim 11, wherein the intake terminus is positioned below the photic zone in a water source. 14. (canceled) 15. The facility according to claim 11, wherein the discharge terminus is positioned below the photic zone in a water source. 16. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is substantially co-axial with the discharge lumen. 17. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is adjacent to the discharge lumen within the multi-lumen conduit. 18. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is positioned at least partially within the discharge lumen. 19. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the discharge lumen is positioned at least partially within the intake lumen. 20. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility is a power plant and wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to cool the power plant. 21. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises a server farm and wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to cool the server farm. 22. A method of cooling a facility, the method comprising:
(a) receiving cool water into a water cooling subsystem of the facility via a multi-lumen conduit fluidically coupling the water cooling subsystem and a cool water source; and (b) outputting warm water from the water cooling subsystem. 23-42. (canceled) | The present disclosure provides facilities having water cooling subsystems and multi-lumen conduits coupled thereto. Also provided are methods of cooling facilities by, for example, receiving cool water into a water cooling subsystem of a facility and outputting warm water from the water cooling subsystem.1. A facility comprising:
a water cooling subsystem; and a multi-lumen conduit fluidically coupling the water cooling subsystem and a cool water source. 2. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the water source is an ocean or sea. 3. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the multi-lumen conduit comprises an intake lumen and a discharge lumen. 4. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to receive cool water from the intake lumen and output warm water. 5. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the discharge lumen is configured to discharge a produced fluid. 6. The facility according to claim 5, wherein the produced fluid is brine. 7. The facility according to claim 5, wherein the produced fluid is received from a water desalination plant configured to receive and desalinate water. 8. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the water desalination plant is configured to receive warm water output from the water cooling subsystem. 9. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the water desalination plant is a reverse osmosis desalination plant. 10. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the multi-lumen conduit is configured for simultaneous bi-directional fluid flow. 11. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen comprises an intake terminus and the discharge lumen comprises a discharge terminus at a different location than the intake terminus. 12. (canceled) 13. The facility according to claim 11, wherein the intake terminus is positioned below the photic zone in a water source. 14. (canceled) 15. The facility according to claim 11, wherein the discharge terminus is positioned below the photic zone in a water source. 16. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is substantially co-axial with the discharge lumen. 17. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is adjacent to the discharge lumen within the multi-lumen conduit. 18. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the intake lumen is positioned at least partially within the discharge lumen. 19. The facility according to claim 3, wherein the discharge lumen is positioned at least partially within the intake lumen. 20. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility is a power plant and wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to cool the power plant. 21. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises a server farm and wherein the water cooling subsystem is configured to cool the server farm. 22. A method of cooling a facility, the method comprising:
(a) receiving cool water into a water cooling subsystem of the facility via a multi-lumen conduit fluidically coupling the water cooling subsystem and a cool water source; and (b) outputting warm water from the water cooling subsystem. 23-42. (canceled) | 1,700 |
2,815 | 14,322,686 | 1,798 | A computer implemented method of monitoring a polishing process includes, for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, obtaining a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate, for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences, for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of smallest difference, and determining a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of smallest differences. | 1-17. (canceled) 18. A computer program product encoded a machine-readable storage device, the product comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:
for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, receive a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determine a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determine a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of smallest difference; and determine a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of smallest differences. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect that the sequence of smallest differences has reached a threshold value. 20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to determine whether the sequence of smallest differences has reached a minimum. 21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect whether the sequence of smallest differences has risen to a threshold value above the minimum. 22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to calculate a slope of the sequence of smallest differences. 23. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising instructions to apply a filter to smooth the sequence of smallest differences. 24. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum comprise instructions to calculate a sum of absolute values of differences in intensities over a range of wavelengths between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum. 25. The computer program product of claim 24, comprising instructions to normalize each current spectrum so that a peak-to-trough amplitude of each current spectrum is the same as or similar to a peak-to-trough amplitude of the reference spectrum. 26. The computer program product of claim 18, comprising instructions to, for each zone of a plurality of zones on the substrate for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, obtain the plurality of current spectra, determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum, and determine the smallest difference, are performed. 27. A computer program product encoded a machine-readable storage device, the product comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:
for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, obtaining a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, selecting a best-matching reference spectrum from the plurality of reference spectra, the best-matching reference spectrum having a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of best matching reference spectra; and determining a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of best matching reference spectra. 28. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to determine an index value associated with each best matching reference spectrum of the sequence of best matching reference spectra to generate a sequence of index values. 29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect that the sequence of index values has reached a target value 30. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to apply a filter to smooth the sequence of index values. 31. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the instructions to determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum comprise instructions to calculate a sum of absolute values of differences in intensities over a range of wavelengths between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum. 32. The computer program product of claim 31, comprising instructions to normalize each current spectrum so that a peak-to-trough amplitude of each current spectrum is the same as or similar to a peak-to-trough amplitude of the reference spectrum. 33. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein each reference spectrum of the plurality of reference spectra is associated with a unique index value. 34. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to, for each zone of a plurality of zones on the substrate and for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, obtain the plurality of current spectra, determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum, and select the best-matching reference spectrum determining a smallest difference. | A computer implemented method of monitoring a polishing process includes, for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, obtaining a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate, for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences, for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of smallest difference, and determining a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of smallest differences.1-17. (canceled) 18. A computer program product encoded a machine-readable storage device, the product comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:
for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, receive a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determine a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determine a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of smallest difference; and determine a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of smallest differences. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect that the sequence of smallest differences has reached a threshold value. 20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to determine whether the sequence of smallest differences has reached a minimum. 21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect whether the sequence of smallest differences has risen to a threshold value above the minimum. 22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to calculate a slope of the sequence of smallest differences. 23. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising instructions to apply a filter to smooth the sequence of smallest differences. 24. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum comprise instructions to calculate a sum of absolute values of differences in intensities over a range of wavelengths between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum. 25. The computer program product of claim 24, comprising instructions to normalize each current spectrum so that a peak-to-trough amplitude of each current spectrum is the same as or similar to a peak-to-trough amplitude of the reference spectrum. 26. The computer program product of claim 18, comprising instructions to, for each zone of a plurality of zones on the substrate for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, obtain the plurality of current spectra, determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum, and determine the smallest difference, are performed. 27. A computer program product encoded a machine-readable storage device, the product comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:
for each sweep of a plurality of sweeps of an optical sensor across a substrate undergoing polishing, obtaining a plurality of current spectra, each current spectrum of the plurality of current spectra being a spectrum resulting from reflection of white light from the substrate; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, determining a difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum of a plurality of reference spectra to generate a plurality of differences; for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, selecting a best-matching reference spectrum from the plurality of reference spectra, the best-matching reference spectrum having a smallest difference of the plurality of differences, thus generating a sequence of best matching reference spectra; and determining a polishing endpoint based on the sequence of best matching reference spectra. 28. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to determine an index value associated with each best matching reference spectrum of the sequence of best matching reference spectra to generate a sequence of index values. 29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the instructions to determine the polishing endpoint comprise instructions to detect that the sequence of index values has reached a target value 30. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to apply a filter to smooth the sequence of index values. 31. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the instructions to determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum comprise instructions to calculate a sum of absolute values of differences in intensities over a range of wavelengths between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum. 32. The computer program product of claim 31, comprising instructions to normalize each current spectrum so that a peak-to-trough amplitude of each current spectrum is the same as or similar to a peak-to-trough amplitude of the reference spectrum. 33. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein each reference spectrum of the plurality of reference spectra is associated with a unique index value. 34. The computer program product of claim 27, comprising instructions to, for each zone of a plurality of zones on the substrate and for each sweep of the plurality of sweeps, obtain the plurality of current spectra, determine the difference between each current spectrum and each reference spectrum, and select the best-matching reference spectrum determining a smallest difference. | 1,700 |
2,816 | 15,337,126 | 1,783 | The present invention provides high security polycarbonate laminates integrated with insulated glazing units (IGU) to produce high security windows. The laminate comprises at least nine layers, in the following order: (i) an insulated glazing unit; (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (iii) a polycarbonate; (iv) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (v) a polycarbonate; (vi) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (vii) a glass; (viii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; and (ix) a polycarbonate. A frame may surround and overbite the laminate. An array of framed laminates may be arranged such that one framed laminate may be removed, without removing an adjacent laminate. | 1. A laminate comprising nine layers, in the following order:
(i) an insulated glazing unit; (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (iii) a polycarbonate; (iv) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (v) a polycarbonate; (vi) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (vii) a glass; (viii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; and (ix) a polycarbonate. 2. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the insulated glazing unit is comprised of a glass layer, an insulating layer, and a second glass layer. 3. The laminate of claim 2, wherein the insulating layer comprises air, nitrogen or argon. 4. The laminate of claim 2, wherein the insulating layer comprises gas at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. 5. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the insulated glazing unit is comprised of a glass layer, a signal defense layer, a second glass layer, an insulating layer, and a third glass layer. 6. The laminate of claim 5, wherein the insulating layer comprises air, nitrogen or argon. 7. The laminate of claim 5, wherein the insulating layer comprises gas at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. 8. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane layers are about 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) to about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) in thickness. 9. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate layers are about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) to about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) in thickness. 10. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the glass layer is about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) to about 0.375 inches (9.53 mm) in thickness. 11. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 10,000 g/mol-200,000 g/mol. 12. The laminate of claim 11, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 20,000 g/mol-80,000 g/mol. 13. The laminate of claim 12, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 30,000 g/mol-32,000 g/mol. 14. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the laminate is between 2 and 4 inches (5.08 cm-10.16 cm). 15. The laminate of claim 14, wherein the thickness of the laminate is between 2.4 and 3 inches (6.1 cm and 7.62 cm). 16. A framed laminate, comprising a frame and the laminate of claim 1, wherein the frame substantially surrounds the laminate. 17. The framed laminate of claim 16, wherein the frame overlaps the laminate in a frame bite, and wherein the frame bite is 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm). 18. The framed laminate of claim 17, wherein the frame bite is 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm). 19. The framed laminate of claim 16, further comprising an adhesive disposed in between the frame and the laminate. 20. An array of two or more framed laminates of claim 16 comprising a first framed laminate and a second framed laminate, wherein the first framed laminate is adjacent to the second framed laminate, and wherein the first framed laminate may be removed without removing the second framed laminate. | The present invention provides high security polycarbonate laminates integrated with insulated glazing units (IGU) to produce high security windows. The laminate comprises at least nine layers, in the following order: (i) an insulated glazing unit; (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (iii) a polycarbonate; (iv) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (v) a polycarbonate; (vi) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (vii) a glass; (viii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; and (ix) a polycarbonate. A frame may surround and overbite the laminate. An array of framed laminates may be arranged such that one framed laminate may be removed, without removing an adjacent laminate.1. A laminate comprising nine layers, in the following order:
(i) an insulated glazing unit; (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (iii) a polycarbonate; (iv) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (v) a polycarbonate; (vi) a thermoplastic polyurethane; (vii) a glass; (viii) a thermoplastic polyurethane; and (ix) a polycarbonate. 2. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the insulated glazing unit is comprised of a glass layer, an insulating layer, and a second glass layer. 3. The laminate of claim 2, wherein the insulating layer comprises air, nitrogen or argon. 4. The laminate of claim 2, wherein the insulating layer comprises gas at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. 5. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the insulated glazing unit is comprised of a glass layer, a signal defense layer, a second glass layer, an insulating layer, and a third glass layer. 6. The laminate of claim 5, wherein the insulating layer comprises air, nitrogen or argon. 7. The laminate of claim 5, wherein the insulating layer comprises gas at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. 8. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane layers are about 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) to about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) in thickness. 9. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate layers are about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) to about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) in thickness. 10. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the glass layer is about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) to about 0.375 inches (9.53 mm) in thickness. 11. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 10,000 g/mol-200,000 g/mol. 12. The laminate of claim 11, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 20,000 g/mol-80,000 g/mol. 13. The laminate of claim 12, wherein the polycarbonate has a molecular weight of 30,000 g/mol-32,000 g/mol. 14. The laminate of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the laminate is between 2 and 4 inches (5.08 cm-10.16 cm). 15. The laminate of claim 14, wherein the thickness of the laminate is between 2.4 and 3 inches (6.1 cm and 7.62 cm). 16. A framed laminate, comprising a frame and the laminate of claim 1, wherein the frame substantially surrounds the laminate. 17. The framed laminate of claim 16, wherein the frame overlaps the laminate in a frame bite, and wherein the frame bite is 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm). 18. The framed laminate of claim 17, wherein the frame bite is 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm). 19. The framed laminate of claim 16, further comprising an adhesive disposed in between the frame and the laminate. 20. An array of two or more framed laminates of claim 16 comprising a first framed laminate and a second framed laminate, wherein the first framed laminate is adjacent to the second framed laminate, and wherein the first framed laminate may be removed without removing the second framed laminate. | 1,700 |
2,817 | 13,141,347 | 1,777 | A filter assembly includes a header, a bowl and a replaceable filter element. The bowl is indexed to have a single installed orientation with respect to the header. The filter element is keyed and indexed to both the bowl and the header, with index structures on the filter element engaging complementary coding structures on both the bowl and the header to define a single installed orientation of the filter element with respect to the filter assembly. The filter element lower end cap includes a notch and the filer media defines a longitudinal channel corresponding in position and configuration to the notch in the lower end cap. The lower end cap and channel in the filter media engage a protrusion inside the bowl. The bowl maintains angular orientation (prevents twisting) of the upper and lower end caps when the filter media is exposed to high differential pressures. | 1. A filter element comprising:
filter media at least partially surrounding a central axis and extending between first and second longitudinal ends; a first end cap disposed adjacent the first longitudinal end of the filter media, said first end cap including at least one first indexing structure and defining a fluid flow aperture; and a second end cap disposed adjacent the second longitudinal end of the filter media, said second end cap including at least one second indexing structure, wherein the indexing structures of said first and second end caps have a predetermined angular relationship to each other. 2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said first and second end caps have an outer periphery and said at least one first indexing structure comprises a radial projection on the outer periphery of said first end cap and said at least one second indexing structure defines a void interrupting the outer periphery of said second end cap. 3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media comprises a generally cylindrical configuration of convoluted web of filter material having a length between said first and second longitudinal ends, said at least one second indexing structure defining a void interrupting a peripheral edge of said second end cap, said web of filter material following the shape of said second end cap to define a channel parallel with said axis and aligned with said at least one second indexing structure. 4. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media surrounds said longitudinal axis to define an interior space in communication with said fluid flow aperture, said at least one second indexing structure defining a void interrupting a peripheral edge of said second end cap, said filter media taking the shape of said second end cap to define a longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 5. The filter element of claim 4, wherein said second indexing structure is wedge-shaped and said longitudinally extending channel is also wedge-shaped and generally corresponds in shape and position with said second indexing structure. 6. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media has a generally constant sectional configuration in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said second indexing structure defines a void extending inwardly from an outer periphery of said second end cap and said filter media sectional configuration is generally the same as the shape of said second end cap, thereby defining an inwardly projecting longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 7. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media is an accordion folded web of filter media extending between said first and second longitudinal ends, said folded web including folds parallel with said longitudinal axis, said second indexing structure defining a void extending inwardly from an outer periphery of said second end cap, said second indexing structure separating adjacent folds of said folded web to define a longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 8. A filter element having a longitudinal axis, said filter element comprising:
a convoluted filter media having convolutions generally aligned with said axis, said convoluted filter media at least partially surrounding said axis and extending between first and second longitudinal ends; a first end cap disposed adjacent the first longitudinal end of said convoluted filter media, said first end cap defining a fluid flow aperture and including at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure; a second end cap secured to the second longitudinal end of said convoluted filter media, said second end cap defining a void interrupting a periphery of said second end cap, wherein said convoluted filter media has a substantially constant sectional configuration and defines a longitudinally extending channel aligned with the void interrupting the periphery of said second end cap. 9. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said convoluted filter media is a folded web of filter media having a generally cylindrical shape, said void is wedge-shaped and said second end cap separates adjacent folds in said folded web to define said longitudinally extending channel having a wedge-shape substantially similar to the wedge-shaped void. 10. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said fluid flow aperture is defined in the center of said first end cap and said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure comprises a plurality of angularly spaced supports, each support arranged on a radius of said first end cap. 11. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure comprises a plurality of angularly spaced supports having a first lateral dimension and a plurality of angularly spaced code tabs having a second lateral dimension, said first lateral dimension being different from said second lateral dimension. 12. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure and said void have a predetermined angular relationship to each other. 13. A filter assembly comprising:
a header defining inward and outward fluid flow paths and including a skirt surrounding an upper inside surface of said header, said upper inside surface including at least one first code structure; a bowl configured to releasably mate with said header to define a sealed interior space in communication with said inward and outward fluid flow paths, said bowl including an upper rim having at least one second code structure; and a filter element comprising:
filter media at least partially surrounding a longitudinal axis and extending between first and second ends;
a first end cap disposed adjacent the first end of said filter media, said first end cap defining a fluid flow aperture in communication with one of said inward or outward fluid flow paths and including at least one radially projecting first indexing structure; and
a second end cap disposed adjacent the second end of said filter media,
wherein a single of said at least one radially projecting first indexing structures mates with one of said first code structures and one of said second codes structures to define an installed orientation of said filter element with respect to both said bowl and said header. 14. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said second end cap includes a second indexing structure configured to mate with a complementary third code structure on the inside of said bowl. 15. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said second end cap has a periphery and defines a wedge-shaped void originating at said periphery and converging in a direction toward said axis, and said bowl includes a wedge-shaped projection complementary to said wedge-shaped void, said projection and void mating to define a predetermined, substantially fixed angular orientation of said second end cap with respect to said bowl and first end cap. 16. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second indexing structures mate with complementary second and third code structures on said bowl to define a single installed orientation of said filter element with respect to said bowl. 17. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said bowl comprises an outwardly projecting circumferential shoulder adjacent said upper rim, said shoulder including a stud, said skirt defining a notch complementary to said stud, said stud mating with said notch when said bowl is received in said header to define an installed orientation of said bowl with respect to said header. | A filter assembly includes a header, a bowl and a replaceable filter element. The bowl is indexed to have a single installed orientation with respect to the header. The filter element is keyed and indexed to both the bowl and the header, with index structures on the filter element engaging complementary coding structures on both the bowl and the header to define a single installed orientation of the filter element with respect to the filter assembly. The filter element lower end cap includes a notch and the filer media defines a longitudinal channel corresponding in position and configuration to the notch in the lower end cap. The lower end cap and channel in the filter media engage a protrusion inside the bowl. The bowl maintains angular orientation (prevents twisting) of the upper and lower end caps when the filter media is exposed to high differential pressures.1. A filter element comprising:
filter media at least partially surrounding a central axis and extending between first and second longitudinal ends; a first end cap disposed adjacent the first longitudinal end of the filter media, said first end cap including at least one first indexing structure and defining a fluid flow aperture; and a second end cap disposed adjacent the second longitudinal end of the filter media, said second end cap including at least one second indexing structure, wherein the indexing structures of said first and second end caps have a predetermined angular relationship to each other. 2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said first and second end caps have an outer periphery and said at least one first indexing structure comprises a radial projection on the outer periphery of said first end cap and said at least one second indexing structure defines a void interrupting the outer periphery of said second end cap. 3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media comprises a generally cylindrical configuration of convoluted web of filter material having a length between said first and second longitudinal ends, said at least one second indexing structure defining a void interrupting a peripheral edge of said second end cap, said web of filter material following the shape of said second end cap to define a channel parallel with said axis and aligned with said at least one second indexing structure. 4. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media surrounds said longitudinal axis to define an interior space in communication with said fluid flow aperture, said at least one second indexing structure defining a void interrupting a peripheral edge of said second end cap, said filter media taking the shape of said second end cap to define a longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 5. The filter element of claim 4, wherein said second indexing structure is wedge-shaped and said longitudinally extending channel is also wedge-shaped and generally corresponds in shape and position with said second indexing structure. 6. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media has a generally constant sectional configuration in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said second indexing structure defines a void extending inwardly from an outer periphery of said second end cap and said filter media sectional configuration is generally the same as the shape of said second end cap, thereby defining an inwardly projecting longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 7. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter media is an accordion folded web of filter media extending between said first and second longitudinal ends, said folded web including folds parallel with said longitudinal axis, said second indexing structure defining a void extending inwardly from an outer periphery of said second end cap, said second indexing structure separating adjacent folds of said folded web to define a longitudinally extending channel aligned with said second indexing structure. 8. A filter element having a longitudinal axis, said filter element comprising:
a convoluted filter media having convolutions generally aligned with said axis, said convoluted filter media at least partially surrounding said axis and extending between first and second longitudinal ends; a first end cap disposed adjacent the first longitudinal end of said convoluted filter media, said first end cap defining a fluid flow aperture and including at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure; a second end cap secured to the second longitudinal end of said convoluted filter media, said second end cap defining a void interrupting a periphery of said second end cap, wherein said convoluted filter media has a substantially constant sectional configuration and defines a longitudinally extending channel aligned with the void interrupting the periphery of said second end cap. 9. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said convoluted filter media is a folded web of filter media having a generally cylindrical shape, said void is wedge-shaped and said second end cap separates adjacent folds in said folded web to define said longitudinally extending channel having a wedge-shape substantially similar to the wedge-shaped void. 10. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said fluid flow aperture is defined in the center of said first end cap and said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure comprises a plurality of angularly spaced supports, each support arranged on a radius of said first end cap. 11. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure comprises a plurality of angularly spaced supports having a first lateral dimension and a plurality of angularly spaced code tabs having a second lateral dimension, said first lateral dimension being different from said second lateral dimension. 12. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said at least one outwardly projecting indexing structure and said void have a predetermined angular relationship to each other. 13. A filter assembly comprising:
a header defining inward and outward fluid flow paths and including a skirt surrounding an upper inside surface of said header, said upper inside surface including at least one first code structure; a bowl configured to releasably mate with said header to define a sealed interior space in communication with said inward and outward fluid flow paths, said bowl including an upper rim having at least one second code structure; and a filter element comprising:
filter media at least partially surrounding a longitudinal axis and extending between first and second ends;
a first end cap disposed adjacent the first end of said filter media, said first end cap defining a fluid flow aperture in communication with one of said inward or outward fluid flow paths and including at least one radially projecting first indexing structure; and
a second end cap disposed adjacent the second end of said filter media,
wherein a single of said at least one radially projecting first indexing structures mates with one of said first code structures and one of said second codes structures to define an installed orientation of said filter element with respect to both said bowl and said header. 14. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said second end cap includes a second indexing structure configured to mate with a complementary third code structure on the inside of said bowl. 15. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said second end cap has a periphery and defines a wedge-shaped void originating at said periphery and converging in a direction toward said axis, and said bowl includes a wedge-shaped projection complementary to said wedge-shaped void, said projection and void mating to define a predetermined, substantially fixed angular orientation of said second end cap with respect to said bowl and first end cap. 16. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second indexing structures mate with complementary second and third code structures on said bowl to define a single installed orientation of said filter element with respect to said bowl. 17. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein said bowl comprises an outwardly projecting circumferential shoulder adjacent said upper rim, said shoulder including a stud, said skirt defining a notch complementary to said stud, said stud mating with said notch when said bowl is received in said header to define an installed orientation of said bowl with respect to said header. | 1,700 |
2,818 | 15,787,795 | 1,789 | A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips. | 1. A suspension and transmission strip for use with an elevator system, wherein the strip defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, wherein the strip comprises:
(a) a first component, wherein the first component comprises a composite formed from nonmetallic fiber and a second polymer comprising a thiol-cured epoxy; and (b) a second component, wherein the second component comprises a first polymer, wherein the second component is configured to surround the first component. 2. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second polymer further comprises a compound having unsaturated (groups) to form a hybrid thiol-epoxy/thiol-ene. 3. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the longitudinal direction of the strip. 4. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the transverse direction of the strip. 5. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 6. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises fiber selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, and PBO fiber. 7. The strip of claim 1, wherein the first polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxy and polyurethane. 8. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises a micro-teeth coating. 9. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises an engagement surface configured to contact a traction sheave having a first patterned surface, wherein the engagement surface comprises a second patterned surface complementary to the first patterned surface of the traction sheave. 10. The strip of claim 1, wherein the composite material comprises a plurality of folds. 11. The strip of claim 10, wherein the plurality of folds in the first component extends in the longitudinal direction. 12. The strip of claim 10, wherein the plurality of folds in the first component extends in the transverse direction. 13. The strip of claim 1, wherein the composite material of the first component comprises a thiol-isocyanate-ene ternary network. 14. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises a nonmetallic fiber, wherein the nonmetallic fiber of the second component and the polymer of the second component form a composite. 15. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the longitudinal direction of the strip. 16. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the transverse direction of the strip. 17. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 18. The strip of claim 3, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric 19. The strip of claim 4, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 20. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises fiber selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, and PBO fiber. | A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.1. A suspension and transmission strip for use with an elevator system, wherein the strip defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, wherein the strip comprises:
(a) a first component, wherein the first component comprises a composite formed from nonmetallic fiber and a second polymer comprising a thiol-cured epoxy; and (b) a second component, wherein the second component comprises a first polymer, wherein the second component is configured to surround the first component. 2. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second polymer further comprises a compound having unsaturated (groups) to form a hybrid thiol-epoxy/thiol-ene. 3. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the longitudinal direction of the strip. 4. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the transverse direction of the strip. 5. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 6. The strip of claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises fiber selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, and PBO fiber. 7. The strip of claim 1, wherein the first polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxy and polyurethane. 8. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises a micro-teeth coating. 9. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises an engagement surface configured to contact a traction sheave having a first patterned surface, wherein the engagement surface comprises a second patterned surface complementary to the first patterned surface of the traction sheave. 10. The strip of claim 1, wherein the composite material comprises a plurality of folds. 11. The strip of claim 10, wherein the plurality of folds in the first component extends in the longitudinal direction. 12. The strip of claim 10, wherein the plurality of folds in the first component extends in the transverse direction. 13. The strip of claim 1, wherein the composite material of the first component comprises a thiol-isocyanate-ene ternary network. 14. The strip of claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises a nonmetallic fiber, wherein the nonmetallic fiber of the second component and the polymer of the second component form a composite. 15. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the longitudinal direction of the strip. 16. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber extends parallel with the transverse direction of the strip. 17. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 18. The strip of claim 3, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric 19. The strip of claim 4, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises a woven fabric. 20. The strip of claim 2, wherein the nonmetallic fiber comprises fiber selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, and PBO fiber. | 1,700 |
2,819 | 13,265,774 | 1,791 | The present invention relates to a process to prepare a salt product containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and at least one additive, wherein the salt product has a particle size of from 50 μm to 10 mm, which process comprises the steps of: a) optionally, crushing a sodium chloride-containing material to a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product; b) optionally, crushing the at least one additive starting material to a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles resulting from step a.); c) subsequently, mixing the sodium chloride-containing material particles of a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product, and additive particles of a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2.0 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles; d) subsequently, compacting the particle mixture resulting from step c.) using a pressure of from 40 to 400 MPa; e. subsequently, crushing the compacted salt product to give particles of the desired particle size of 50 μm to 10 mm; wherein the steps are carried out under substantially dry conditions. Additionally, the invention provides the low sodium salt product obtainable by the process and the use thereof for human or animal consumption. | 1-13. (canceled) 14. A process to prepare a salt product containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and at least one additive, wherein the salt product has a particle size of from 50 μm to 10 mm, the process comprising the steps of:
c. mixing a sodium chloride-containing material of a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product, and additive particles of a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2.0 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles;
d. subsequently, compacting the particle mixture resulting from step c.) using a pressure of from 40 to 400 MPa; and
e. subsequently, crushing the compacted salt product to give particles of the desired particle size of 50 μm to 10 mm;
wherein the steps are carried out under substantially dry conditions;
wherein the sodium chloride-containing material additionally contains a sodium chloride-replacing material, and the sodium chloride-replacing material is selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, choline chloride, ammonium chloride, and magnesium sulphate; and wherein at least one additive is added to improve the taste and/or the taste-enhancing properties of the product or to mask the unpleasant taste of the sodium chloride-replacing material. 15. The process of claim 14, further comprising at least one of the following steps:
a. crushing a sodium chloride-containing material to a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product; and b. crushing the at least one additive starting material to a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles resulting from step a.); wherein steps a.) and/or b.) precede or are carried out simultaneously with step c.). 16. The process of claim 14, wherein the at least one additive is an organic additive. 17. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is a taste enhancer. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein the sodium chloride-replacing material is potassium chloride, and the salt product has a weight ratio of Na:K of 80:20 to 20:80. 19. The process of claim 14, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 21. The process of claim 14, wherein after step e.) the material is sieved to remove too fine and/or too coarse particles from the salt product, and these too fine and/or too coarse particles are recycled to the process in steps c.) and e.), respectively. 22. The process of claim 14, wherein a further additive is sprayed onto the product or mixed into the salt mixture of step c.) or e.). 23. A low-sodium salt product obtained by the process according to claim 14. 24. A food product comprising:
a human food product or an animal feed product; and the low sodium salt product of claim 23. 25. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is an organic additive. 26. The process of claim 16, wherein the at least one additive is a taste enhancer. 27. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 28. The process of claim 18, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 29. The process of claim 27, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 30. The process of claim 28, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 31. The process of claim 20, wherein after step e.) the material is sieved to remove too fine and/or too coarse particles from the salt product, and these too fine and/or too coarse particles are recycled to the process in steps c.) and e.), respectively. 32. The process of claim 15, wherein a further additive is sprayed onto the product or mixed into the salt mixture of step c.) or e.). 33. A low-sodium salt product obtained by the process according to claim 18. | The present invention relates to a process to prepare a salt product containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and at least one additive, wherein the salt product has a particle size of from 50 μm to 10 mm, which process comprises the steps of: a) optionally, crushing a sodium chloride-containing material to a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product; b) optionally, crushing the at least one additive starting material to a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles resulting from step a.); c) subsequently, mixing the sodium chloride-containing material particles of a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product, and additive particles of a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2.0 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles; d) subsequently, compacting the particle mixture resulting from step c.) using a pressure of from 40 to 400 MPa; e. subsequently, crushing the compacted salt product to give particles of the desired particle size of 50 μm to 10 mm; wherein the steps are carried out under substantially dry conditions. Additionally, the invention provides the low sodium salt product obtainable by the process and the use thereof for human or animal consumption.1-13. (canceled) 14. A process to prepare a salt product containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and at least one additive, wherein the salt product has a particle size of from 50 μm to 10 mm, the process comprising the steps of:
c. mixing a sodium chloride-containing material of a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product, and additive particles of a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2.0 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles;
d. subsequently, compacting the particle mixture resulting from step c.) using a pressure of from 40 to 400 MPa; and
e. subsequently, crushing the compacted salt product to give particles of the desired particle size of 50 μm to 10 mm;
wherein the steps are carried out under substantially dry conditions;
wherein the sodium chloride-containing material additionally contains a sodium chloride-replacing material, and the sodium chloride-replacing material is selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, choline chloride, ammonium chloride, and magnesium sulphate; and wherein at least one additive is added to improve the taste and/or the taste-enhancing properties of the product or to mask the unpleasant taste of the sodium chloride-replacing material. 15. The process of claim 14, further comprising at least one of the following steps:
a. crushing a sodium chloride-containing material to a particle size that is between 1,000 times smaller and 3 times smaller than the size of the final salt product; and b. crushing the at least one additive starting material to a particle size that is between 0.5 and 2 times the particle size of the sodium chloride-containing material particles resulting from step a.); wherein steps a.) and/or b.) precede or are carried out simultaneously with step c.). 16. The process of claim 14, wherein the at least one additive is an organic additive. 17. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is a taste enhancer. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein the sodium chloride-replacing material is potassium chloride, and the salt product has a weight ratio of Na:K of 80:20 to 20:80. 19. The process of claim 14, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 21. The process of claim 14, wherein after step e.) the material is sieved to remove too fine and/or too coarse particles from the salt product, and these too fine and/or too coarse particles are recycled to the process in steps c.) and e.), respectively. 22. The process of claim 14, wherein a further additive is sprayed onto the product or mixed into the salt mixture of step c.) or e.). 23. A low-sodium salt product obtained by the process according to claim 14. 24. A food product comprising:
a human food product or an animal feed product; and the low sodium salt product of claim 23. 25. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is an organic additive. 26. The process of claim 16, wherein the at least one additive is a taste enhancer. 27. The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 28. The process of claim 18, wherein the at least one additive is an additive suitable for human or animal consumption that can be isolated in a substantially dry form. 29. The process of claim 27, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 30. The process of claim 28, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid; citric acid; amino acids and derivates thereof; glutamates; yeast; yeast extracts; hydrolyzed proteins; peptides; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed fats; ribonucleotides; flavonoids; amides of amino acids with dicarboxylic acids; trehalose; gluconates; and combinations thereof. 31. The process of claim 20, wherein after step e.) the material is sieved to remove too fine and/or too coarse particles from the salt product, and these too fine and/or too coarse particles are recycled to the process in steps c.) and e.), respectively. 32. The process of claim 15, wherein a further additive is sprayed onto the product or mixed into the salt mixture of step c.) or e.). 33. A low-sodium salt product obtained by the process according to claim 18. | 1,700 |
2,820 | 14,390,200 | 1,783 | Laminate panel, which consists at least of a substrate, a decor and a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief with elongate recesses, wherein the recesses have a cross-section with inclined flank portions, the inclination of which is more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel. | 1. Laminate panel, wherein this panel consists at least of a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief comprising elongate recesses, wherein said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks, wherein these lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel. 2. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein the minimum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel, is smaller than half of said maximum distance between these flank portions. 3. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein for said transparent synthetic material layer, use is made of a thermally hardening synthetic material, such as melamine. 4. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein for said decor, use is made of a colored or printed material layer, such as a paper layer. 5. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said elongate recesses have the form of wood pores. 6. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer as such has a gloss degree of more than 10, measured according to DIN 67530. 7. The laminate panel according claim 1, wherein said maximum depth is 0.1 millimeter or more. 8. The laminate panel according claim 1, wherein the deepest point of said recess is located above the horizontal plane in which the decor extends locally. 9. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said lateral flanks at the entrance of said recess and above the respective inclined flank portion are made with a rounding, wherein said rounding has a radius of less than 0.2 millimeters. 10. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein the length of said recess is at least 10 times the aforementioned maximum distance between the respective flank portions. 11. Method for manufacturing a laminate panel, wherein in a first step a press element is manufactured showing a surface relief, and wherein in a second step by means of this press element a relief is formed in a surface of the laminate panel, wherein said surface relief of the press element is provided with protrusions, which during pressing form recesses in said surface of the laminate panel, said recesses imitating wood pores, wherein when manufacturing the press element, at least a number of said protrusions is made elongate and as such are formed substantially or essentially by means of a machining treatment with rotating cutting tools. 12. The method according to claim 11, for producing manufacturing laminate panels consisting of at least of a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief comprising elongate recesses wherein said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks, wherein these lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel, wherein the protrusions, which as such substantially or essentially are formed by means of the machining treatment, lead to a recess in the surface of the laminate panel with the particular cross-section described in any of the claims 1 to 10. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the laminate panel is composed, at least by means of a press treatment, of a substrate and one or more material sheets, wherein in the same press treatment said press element is applied and the respective recesses are formed in the surface of the laminate panel. 14. Press element, more particularly press platen, wherein it shows elongate protrusions, which substantially or essentially are formed by means of rotating cutting tools. 15. A laminate panel comprising:
a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein:
the synthetic material layer comprises a relief comprising elongate recesses;
said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks; and
the lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel. 16. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer comprises a thermally hardening synthetic material. 17. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said decor comprises a colored or printed material layer. 18. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said elongate recesses have the form of wood pores. 19. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer has a gloss degree of more than 10, measured according to DIN 67530. 20. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said lateral flanks at the entrance of said recess and above the respective inclined flank portion comprise a rounding, wherein said rounding has a radius of less than 0.2 millimeters. 21. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein the length of said recess is at least 10 times the aforementioned maximum distance between the respective flank portions. | Laminate panel, which consists at least of a substrate, a decor and a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief with elongate recesses, wherein the recesses have a cross-section with inclined flank portions, the inclination of which is more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel.1. Laminate panel, wherein this panel consists at least of a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief comprising elongate recesses, wherein said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks, wherein these lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel. 2. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein the minimum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel, is smaller than half of said maximum distance between these flank portions. 3. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein for said transparent synthetic material layer, use is made of a thermally hardening synthetic material, such as melamine. 4. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein for said decor, use is made of a colored or printed material layer, such as a paper layer. 5. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said elongate recesses have the form of wood pores. 6. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer as such has a gloss degree of more than 10, measured according to DIN 67530. 7. The laminate panel according claim 1, wherein said maximum depth is 0.1 millimeter or more. 8. The laminate panel according claim 1, wherein the deepest point of said recess is located above the horizontal plane in which the decor extends locally. 9. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein said lateral flanks at the entrance of said recess and above the respective inclined flank portion are made with a rounding, wherein said rounding has a radius of less than 0.2 millimeters. 10. The laminate panel according to claim 1, wherein the length of said recess is at least 10 times the aforementioned maximum distance between the respective flank portions. 11. Method for manufacturing a laminate panel, wherein in a first step a press element is manufactured showing a surface relief, and wherein in a second step by means of this press element a relief is formed in a surface of the laminate panel, wherein said surface relief of the press element is provided with protrusions, which during pressing form recesses in said surface of the laminate panel, said recesses imitating wood pores, wherein when manufacturing the press element, at least a number of said protrusions is made elongate and as such are formed substantially or essentially by means of a machining treatment with rotating cutting tools. 12. The method according to claim 11, for producing manufacturing laminate panels consisting of at least of a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein the synthetic material layer is provided with a relief comprising elongate recesses wherein said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks, wherein these lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel, wherein the protrusions, which as such substantially or essentially are formed by means of the machining treatment, lead to a recess in the surface of the laminate panel with the particular cross-section described in any of the claims 1 to 10. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the laminate panel is composed, at least by means of a press treatment, of a substrate and one or more material sheets, wherein in the same press treatment said press element is applied and the respective recesses are formed in the surface of the laminate panel. 14. Press element, more particularly press platen, wherein it shows elongate protrusions, which substantially or essentially are formed by means of rotating cutting tools. 15. A laminate panel comprising:
a substrate and a decor provided thereon, protected by means of a transparent synthetic material layer, wherein:
the synthetic material layer comprises a relief comprising elongate recesses;
said elongate recesses over the major part of their length have a cross-section which is provided with inclined lateral flanks; and
the lateral flanks both have a flange portion with an inclination of more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth over which said flank portions extend is larger than the maximum distance between the respective flank portions, measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane of said panel. 16. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer comprises a thermally hardening synthetic material. 17. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said decor comprises a colored or printed material layer. 18. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said elongate recesses have the form of wood pores. 19. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said transparent synthetic material layer has a gloss degree of more than 10, measured according to DIN 67530. 20. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein said lateral flanks at the entrance of said recess and above the respective inclined flank portion comprise a rounding, wherein said rounding has a radius of less than 0.2 millimeters. 21. The laminate panel according to claim 16, wherein the length of said recess is at least 10 times the aforementioned maximum distance between the respective flank portions. | 1,700 |
2,821 | 12,668,859 | 1,788 | A method for synthesising mesoporous silica microparticles comprising the steps of: —preparing a sol from an ammonium catalysed hydrolysis and condensation reaction of a pre-sol solution comprising a silica precursor and a structure directing agent dissolved in a mixed solvent system comprising an alcohol and water to produce mesoporous particles of silica with an average diameter of up to about 50 μm; hydrothermally treating the particles to increase the pore size; treating the particles to remove residual structure directing agent; and further increasing the pore size using controlled dissolution. | 1-82. (canceled) 83. A method for synthesizing mesoporous silica microparticles comprising:
preparing a pre-sol solution comprising a silica precursor and a structure directing agent dissolved in a mixed solvent system; catalyzing a hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the pre-solution to produce mesoporous silica microparticles having an average pore diameter; using the structure directing agent as a porogen to increase the size of pores in the microparticles; and treating the resulting mesoporous microparticles to enlarge the average pore diameter. 84. A method according to claim 83 wherein treating the resulting mesoporous microparticles comprises:
hydrothermally treating the microparticles to increase the pore size; treating the microparticles to remove residual structure directing agent; and further increasing the pore size using controlled dissolution. 85. A method according to claim 83, wherein further increasing the pore diameters comprises increasing the average pore diameter to at least 6.8 nm. 86. A method according to claim 83, wherein the microparticles have diameters that vary no more than about 5% from the average diameter. 87. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mixed solvent system comprises an alcohol and water. 88. A method according to claim 87, wherein the alcohol of the mixed solvent system is one or more selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, butanol, 1-butanol, isopropyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol. 89. A method according to claim 84, wherein the porous particles are hydrothermally treated at a temperature between about 70° C. and about 150° C. 90. A method according to claim 89, wherein the porous particles are hydrothermally treated at a temperature of about 110° C. 91. A method according to claim 84, wherein the step of controlled dissolution is repeated at least once to further increase the pore size. 92. A method according to claim 84, wherein hydrothermally treating the microparticles comprises hydrothermally treating in an organic compound-water emulsion. 93. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound to water ratio is between about 1 v/v % and about 10 v/v %. 94. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound is an amine. 95. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is a tertiary amine. 96. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine has the structure:
(CH3)3-zN(CxHy)z wherein: x is an integer between 1 and 20; and y is an integer between 3 and 41. Z=3, 2, 1, 0 97. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is one or more selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethyldecylamine, trioctylamine, trimethylamine, tridodecylamine and triethylamine. 98. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is N,N-Dimethyldecylamine. 99. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound is an alcohol. 100. A method according to claim 99, wherein the alcohol is selected from one or more of the group comprising: hexanol, octanol, decanol and dodecanol. 101. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous silica microparticles have an average diameter of up to about 50 μm. 102. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous particles have an average diameter of at least about 0.1 μm. 103. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous particles have an average diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm. 104. A method according to claim 83, wherein the structure directing agent is a surfactant. 105. A method according to claim 104, wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant. 106. A method according to claim 104, wherein the surfactant has the structure:
(CH3)4-nN+(CxHy)n wherein: n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; x is an integer between 12 and 20; and y is an integer between 23 and 41. 107. A method according to claim 106, wherein the surfactant is cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). 108. A method according to claim 84, wherein the controlled dissolution step comprises an etching process. 109. A method according to claim 108, wherein the etching process utilizes a base catalyst. 110. A method according to claim 109, wherein the base catalyst comprises a basic organic compound or an inorganic base. 111. A method according to claim 109, wherein the base catalyst comprises an inorganic base comprising a hydroxide. 112. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is one or more selected from the group consisting of: ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (KOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and calcium hydroxide. 113. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is present in a concentration of between about 0.01 M and about 1 M. 114. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is present in a concentration of about 0.05 M. 115. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for up to about 12 hours. 116. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for about 1 day to about 5 days. 117. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for about 3 days. 118. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched at a temperature of about 50° C. 119. A method according to claim 108, wherein the etching process comprises a silica chelating or complexing agent. 120. A method according to claim 119, wherein the silica chelating or complexing agent is present in a concentration of about 0.5M. 121. A method according to claim 119, wherein the silica chelating or complexing agent is catechol. 122. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with an agent to remove residual structure directing agent. 123. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with heat to remove residual structure directing agent. 124. A method according to claim 123, wherein the particles are heated to a temperature of about 400° C. to about 800° C. to remove residual structure directing agent. 125. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with microwave irradiation to remove residual structure directing agent. 126. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in air to remove residual structure directing agent. 127. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in an air-ozone mixture to remove residual structure directing agent. 128. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated for about 1 hour to about 24 hours to remove residual structure directing agent. 129. A method according to claim 128, wherein the particles are treated for at least 8 hours to remove residual structure directing agent. 130. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in the presence of an alcohol to remove residual structure directing agent. 131. A method according to claim 130, wherein the alcohol is one or more selected from the group consisting of: ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol. 132. A method according to claim 83, wherein the silica precursor is one or more selected from the group consisting of: tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS), tetrabutoxysilane (TBOS), tetra-acetoxysilane and tetrachlorosilane or an organic derivative thereof. 133. A method according to claim 132, wherein the organic derivative has the formula:
RnSiX(4-n) wherein: R is an organic radical; X is a hydrolysable group selected from one or more of the group comprising: halide, amido, amino, acetoxy, alkoxy, teramethysilane and tetraethysilane; and n is an integer from 1 to 4. 134. A method according to claim 83, wherein the silica precursor is a hybrid silica precursor. 135. A method according to claim 134, wherein the hybrid silica precursor is one or more selected from the group consisting of: dimethyldimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltrimethoxysilane, isobutyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyltriethoxysilane, and iso-octyltrimethoxysilane. 136. A method according to claim 135, wherein the hybrid silica precursor is a bridged hybrid silica precursor having the general formula:
RnX(3-n)Si—R′—Si—RnX(3-n) wherein: R is an organic radical; X is a hydrolysable group such as halide, amido, amino, acetoxy, alkoxy, trimethysilane, or tetraethysilane; R′ is a bridging group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl; and n is 1 or 2. 137. A method according to claim 83, wherein the ammonia catalyst is ammonium hydroxide. 138. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.001 moles to about 0.08 moles of silica precursor. 139. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.001 moles to about 0.006 moles of structure directing agent. 140. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 8 moles to about 14 moles of alcohol. 141. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 2 moles to about 10 moles of water. 142. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.05 moles to about 1.5 moles of ammonia catalyst. 143. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mole ratio of silica precursor:structure directing agent:alcohol:water:ammonia catalyst is about 0.0359:0.0032:12.36:6.153:0.505. 144. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mole ratio of silica precursor:structure directing agent:alcohol:water:ammonia catalyst is 0.0359:0.0032:12.36:0.0159:6.153. 145. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre-sol solution is heated to a temperature of about −5° C. to about 80° C. 146. A method according to claim 145, wherein the pre-sol solution is heated to a temperature of about −5° C. to about 80° C. for up to 2 hours. 147. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre-sol solution is agitated. 148. A method according to claim 83, further comprising the step of adding a dopant compound to the pre-sol solution. 149. A method according to claim 148, wherein the dopant compound comprises aluminium or boron. 150. A method according to claim 148, wherein the dopant compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of: aluminium nitrate, aluminium isopropoxide and triethyl borane. 151. Mesoporous silica microparticles produced by the method according to claim 83. 152. A chromatography stationary phase comprising mesoporous silica microparticles produced by the method according to claim 83. 153. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles with an average particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 50 μm and an average pore diameter of at least 7.1 nm. 154. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm. 155. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average particle diameter of about 3 μm to about 50 μm. 156. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average pore diameter of about 7.1 nm to about 20.1 nm. 157. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average pore volume of about 0.3 cm3g−1 to about 1 cm3g−1. 158. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with a surface area of about 100 m2g−1 to about 1000 m2g−1. 159. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153, wherein the pores of the particles are ordered in a random direction. 160. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153, wherein the particles are in the form of spheres. | A method for synthesising mesoporous silica microparticles comprising the steps of: —preparing a sol from an ammonium catalysed hydrolysis and condensation reaction of a pre-sol solution comprising a silica precursor and a structure directing agent dissolved in a mixed solvent system comprising an alcohol and water to produce mesoporous particles of silica with an average diameter of up to about 50 μm; hydrothermally treating the particles to increase the pore size; treating the particles to remove residual structure directing agent; and further increasing the pore size using controlled dissolution.1-82. (canceled) 83. A method for synthesizing mesoporous silica microparticles comprising:
preparing a pre-sol solution comprising a silica precursor and a structure directing agent dissolved in a mixed solvent system; catalyzing a hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the pre-solution to produce mesoporous silica microparticles having an average pore diameter; using the structure directing agent as a porogen to increase the size of pores in the microparticles; and treating the resulting mesoporous microparticles to enlarge the average pore diameter. 84. A method according to claim 83 wherein treating the resulting mesoporous microparticles comprises:
hydrothermally treating the microparticles to increase the pore size; treating the microparticles to remove residual structure directing agent; and further increasing the pore size using controlled dissolution. 85. A method according to claim 83, wherein further increasing the pore diameters comprises increasing the average pore diameter to at least 6.8 nm. 86. A method according to claim 83, wherein the microparticles have diameters that vary no more than about 5% from the average diameter. 87. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mixed solvent system comprises an alcohol and water. 88. A method according to claim 87, wherein the alcohol of the mixed solvent system is one or more selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, butanol, 1-butanol, isopropyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol. 89. A method according to claim 84, wherein the porous particles are hydrothermally treated at a temperature between about 70° C. and about 150° C. 90. A method according to claim 89, wherein the porous particles are hydrothermally treated at a temperature of about 110° C. 91. A method according to claim 84, wherein the step of controlled dissolution is repeated at least once to further increase the pore size. 92. A method according to claim 84, wherein hydrothermally treating the microparticles comprises hydrothermally treating in an organic compound-water emulsion. 93. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound to water ratio is between about 1 v/v % and about 10 v/v %. 94. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound is an amine. 95. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is a tertiary amine. 96. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine has the structure:
(CH3)3-zN(CxHy)z wherein: x is an integer between 1 and 20; and y is an integer between 3 and 41. Z=3, 2, 1, 0 97. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is one or more selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethyldecylamine, trioctylamine, trimethylamine, tridodecylamine and triethylamine. 98. A method according to claim 94, wherein the amine is N,N-Dimethyldecylamine. 99. A method according to claim 92, wherein the organic compound is an alcohol. 100. A method according to claim 99, wherein the alcohol is selected from one or more of the group comprising: hexanol, octanol, decanol and dodecanol. 101. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous silica microparticles have an average diameter of up to about 50 μm. 102. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous particles have an average diameter of at least about 0.1 μm. 103. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mesoporous particles have an average diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm. 104. A method according to claim 83, wherein the structure directing agent is a surfactant. 105. A method according to claim 104, wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant. 106. A method according to claim 104, wherein the surfactant has the structure:
(CH3)4-nN+(CxHy)n wherein: n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; x is an integer between 12 and 20; and y is an integer between 23 and 41. 107. A method according to claim 106, wherein the surfactant is cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). 108. A method according to claim 84, wherein the controlled dissolution step comprises an etching process. 109. A method according to claim 108, wherein the etching process utilizes a base catalyst. 110. A method according to claim 109, wherein the base catalyst comprises a basic organic compound or an inorganic base. 111. A method according to claim 109, wherein the base catalyst comprises an inorganic base comprising a hydroxide. 112. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is one or more selected from the group consisting of: ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (KOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and calcium hydroxide. 113. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is present in a concentration of between about 0.01 M and about 1 M. 114. A method according to claim 111, wherein the base catalyst is present in a concentration of about 0.05 M. 115. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for up to about 12 hours. 116. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for about 1 day to about 5 days. 117. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched for about 3 days. 118. A method according to claim 108, wherein the particles are etched at a temperature of about 50° C. 119. A method according to claim 108, wherein the etching process comprises a silica chelating or complexing agent. 120. A method according to claim 119, wherein the silica chelating or complexing agent is present in a concentration of about 0.5M. 121. A method according to claim 119, wherein the silica chelating or complexing agent is catechol. 122. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with an agent to remove residual structure directing agent. 123. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with heat to remove residual structure directing agent. 124. A method according to claim 123, wherein the particles are heated to a temperature of about 400° C. to about 800° C. to remove residual structure directing agent. 125. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated with microwave irradiation to remove residual structure directing agent. 126. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in air to remove residual structure directing agent. 127. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in an air-ozone mixture to remove residual structure directing agent. 128. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated for about 1 hour to about 24 hours to remove residual structure directing agent. 129. A method according to claim 128, wherein the particles are treated for at least 8 hours to remove residual structure directing agent. 130. A method according to claim 84, wherein the particles are treated in the presence of an alcohol to remove residual structure directing agent. 131. A method according to claim 130, wherein the alcohol is one or more selected from the group consisting of: ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol. 132. A method according to claim 83, wherein the silica precursor is one or more selected from the group consisting of: tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS), tetrabutoxysilane (TBOS), tetra-acetoxysilane and tetrachlorosilane or an organic derivative thereof. 133. A method according to claim 132, wherein the organic derivative has the formula:
RnSiX(4-n) wherein: R is an organic radical; X is a hydrolysable group selected from one or more of the group comprising: halide, amido, amino, acetoxy, alkoxy, teramethysilane and tetraethysilane; and n is an integer from 1 to 4. 134. A method according to claim 83, wherein the silica precursor is a hybrid silica precursor. 135. A method according to claim 134, wherein the hybrid silica precursor is one or more selected from the group consisting of: dimethyldimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltrimethoxysilane, isobutyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyltriethoxysilane, and iso-octyltrimethoxysilane. 136. A method according to claim 135, wherein the hybrid silica precursor is a bridged hybrid silica precursor having the general formula:
RnX(3-n)Si—R′—Si—RnX(3-n) wherein: R is an organic radical; X is a hydrolysable group such as halide, amido, amino, acetoxy, alkoxy, trimethysilane, or tetraethysilane; R′ is a bridging group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl; and n is 1 or 2. 137. A method according to claim 83, wherein the ammonia catalyst is ammonium hydroxide. 138. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.001 moles to about 0.08 moles of silica precursor. 139. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.001 moles to about 0.006 moles of structure directing agent. 140. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 8 moles to about 14 moles of alcohol. 141. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 2 moles to about 10 moles of water. 142. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre sol solution contains from about 0.05 moles to about 1.5 moles of ammonia catalyst. 143. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mole ratio of silica precursor:structure directing agent:alcohol:water:ammonia catalyst is about 0.0359:0.0032:12.36:6.153:0.505. 144. A method according to claim 83, wherein the mole ratio of silica precursor:structure directing agent:alcohol:water:ammonia catalyst is 0.0359:0.0032:12.36:0.0159:6.153. 145. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre-sol solution is heated to a temperature of about −5° C. to about 80° C. 146. A method according to claim 145, wherein the pre-sol solution is heated to a temperature of about −5° C. to about 80° C. for up to 2 hours. 147. A method according to claim 83, wherein the pre-sol solution is agitated. 148. A method according to claim 83, further comprising the step of adding a dopant compound to the pre-sol solution. 149. A method according to claim 148, wherein the dopant compound comprises aluminium or boron. 150. A method according to claim 148, wherein the dopant compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of: aluminium nitrate, aluminium isopropoxide and triethyl borane. 151. Mesoporous silica microparticles produced by the method according to claim 83. 152. A chromatography stationary phase comprising mesoporous silica microparticles produced by the method according to claim 83. 153. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles with an average particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 50 μm and an average pore diameter of at least 7.1 nm. 154. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm. 155. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average particle diameter of about 3 μm to about 50 μm. 156. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average pore diameter of about 7.1 nm to about 20.1 nm. 157. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with an average pore volume of about 0.3 cm3g−1 to about 1 cm3g−1. 158. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153 with a surface area of about 100 m2g−1 to about 1000 m2g−1. 159. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153, wherein the pores of the particles are ordered in a random direction. 160. Discrete mesoporous silica microparticles according to claim 153, wherein the particles are in the form of spheres. | 1,700 |
2,822 | 13,174,997 | 1,789 | The present invention relates to synthetic fibers and artificial lawn comprising such a fibre. More particularly, the invention relates to grass-like monofilament type fibers having a curved cross section and an artificial grass lawn, especially an artificial grass sports field, comprising such a fibre.
According to an aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness of less than 8, preferably between 4.5 and 3.8, and even more preferably between 4.4 and 4.0.
In an other aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern. | 1. A synthetic fibre of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio of less than 8. 2. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio between 4.5 and 3.8. 3. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio between 4.4 and 4.0. 4. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio of less than 0.9. 5. The synthetic fibre according to claim 4, wherein the convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio is between 0.6 and 0. 6. The synthetic fibre according to claim 4, wherein the convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio is between 0.35 and 0. 7. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a linear mass density between 1000 tex and 2500 tex. 8. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the curved cross section has a central portion having a maximum thickness and tapered edges having a minimum thickness. 9. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a circular segment shaped cross section. 10. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the cross sectional shape has a convex side and a side formed by a straight line. 11. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the synthetic fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern. 12. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fibre. 13. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sine wave shaped pattern. 14. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sickle shaped pattern. 15. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern on a convex side of the curved synthetic fibre has an equal number of antinodes as the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 16. The synthetic fibre according to claim 15, wherein the antinodes of the wave shaped pattern on a convex side are positioned opposite to the nodes of the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 17. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern on a convex side of the curved synthetic fibre has a larger number of antinodes than the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 18. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein at least some waves of the wave shaped pattern have different dimensions seen in the same circumference of the cross section of the fibre. 19. A synthetic fibre of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the synthetic fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern. 20. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fibre. 21. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sine wave shaped pattern. 22. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sickle shaped pattern. 23. An artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, comprising a substrate having artificial fibres according to claim 1. | The present invention relates to synthetic fibers and artificial lawn comprising such a fibre. More particularly, the invention relates to grass-like monofilament type fibers having a curved cross section and an artificial grass lawn, especially an artificial grass sports field, comprising such a fibre.
According to an aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness of less than 8, preferably between 4.5 and 3.8, and even more preferably between 4.4 and 4.0.
In an other aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern.1. A synthetic fibre of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio of less than 8. 2. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio between 4.5 and 3.8. 3. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness ratio between 4.4 and 4.0. 4. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio of less than 0.9. 5. The synthetic fibre according to claim 4, wherein the convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio is between 0.6 and 0. 6. The synthetic fibre according to claim 4, wherein the convex surface radius to concave surface radius ratio is between 0.35 and 0. 7. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a linear mass density between 1000 tex and 2500 tex. 8. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the curved cross section has a central portion having a maximum thickness and tapered edges having a minimum thickness. 9. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a circular segment shaped cross section. 10. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the cross sectional shape has a convex side and a side formed by a straight line. 11. The synthetic fibre according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the synthetic fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern. 12. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fibre. 13. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sine wave shaped pattern. 14. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sickle shaped pattern. 15. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern on a convex side of the curved synthetic fibre has an equal number of antinodes as the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 16. The synthetic fibre according to claim 15, wherein the antinodes of the wave shaped pattern on a convex side are positioned opposite to the nodes of the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 17. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein the wave shaped pattern on a convex side of the curved synthetic fibre has a larger number of antinodes than the wave shaped pattern on the other, concave side of the curved synthetic fibre. 18. The synthetic fibre according to claim 11, wherein at least some waves of the wave shaped pattern have different dimensions seen in the same circumference of the cross section of the fibre. 19. A synthetic fibre of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the synthetic fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern. 20. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fibre. 21. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sine wave shaped pattern. 22. The synthetic fibre according to claim 19, wherein the wave shaped pattern is a sickle shaped pattern. 23. An artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, comprising a substrate having artificial fibres according to claim 1. | 1,700 |
2,823 | 14,796,498 | 1,712 | Coating processes and coated components are disclosed. A coating process includes applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension, applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, wherein solids are maintained on the surface after the applying of the heat, and sintering the solids on the surface to produce a coating. A coated component includes a substrate and a coating formed on the substrate by sintering of solids, the solids being positioned by application and heating of a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension. | 1. A coating process, comprising:
applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension; applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, wherein solids are maintained on the operationally-used surface after the applying of the heat; and sintering the solids on the operationally-used surface to produce a coating. 2. The coating process of claim 1, further comprising vertically-cracking the coating. 3. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the suspension has a composition of, by weight, less than 1% being the dispersant, less than 1% being the binder, and less than 1% being the plasticizer. 4. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solvent includes a higher-flash solvent and a lower-flash solvent, at a concentration, by weight of the entire suspension, of less than 10% being the higher-flash solvent and greater than 25% being the lower-flash solvent. 5. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the applying of the suspension is by spraying, wiping, or brushing. 6. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 80% of the melting temperature of the solids. 7. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 2,400° F. 8. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 2,000° F. 9. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids have a maximum dimension of less than 100 nanometers. 10. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids have a maximum dimension of less than 800 nanometers. 11. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids include yttria-stabilized zirconia. 12. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids include a nickel-based super alloy. 13. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the nano-material includes one or more of powder, spheres, fiber, and rods. 14. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 100 micrometers. 15. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 200 micrometers. 16. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 15 micrometers. 17. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the applying of the suspension is by a technique other than high-velocity oxy fuel spray or plasma spray. 18. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating is a thermal barrier coating positioned on a turbomachinery component. 19. A coating process, comprising:
applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension; applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, the heat being at least 120° F., wherein solids are maintained on the operationally-used surface after the applying of the heat; and sintering the solids on the operationally-used surface to produce a coating. 20. A coated component, comprising:
a substrate; and a coating formed on the substrate by sintering of solids, the solids being positioned by application and heating of a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension. | Coating processes and coated components are disclosed. A coating process includes applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension, applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, wherein solids are maintained on the surface after the applying of the heat, and sintering the solids on the surface to produce a coating. A coated component includes a substrate and a coating formed on the substrate by sintering of solids, the solids being positioned by application and heating of a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension.1. A coating process, comprising:
applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension; applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, wherein solids are maintained on the operationally-used surface after the applying of the heat; and sintering the solids on the operationally-used surface to produce a coating. 2. The coating process of claim 1, further comprising vertically-cracking the coating. 3. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the suspension has a composition of, by weight, less than 1% being the dispersant, less than 1% being the binder, and less than 1% being the plasticizer. 4. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solvent includes a higher-flash solvent and a lower-flash solvent, at a concentration, by weight of the entire suspension, of less than 10% being the higher-flash solvent and greater than 25% being the lower-flash solvent. 5. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the applying of the suspension is by spraying, wiping, or brushing. 6. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 80% of the melting temperature of the solids. 7. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 2,400° F. 8. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the sintering is at a temperature of at least 2,000° F. 9. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids have a maximum dimension of less than 100 nanometers. 10. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids have a maximum dimension of less than 800 nanometers. 11. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids include yttria-stabilized zirconia. 12. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the solids include a nickel-based super alloy. 13. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the nano-material includes one or more of powder, spheres, fiber, and rods. 14. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 100 micrometers. 15. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 200 micrometers. 16. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 15 micrometers. 17. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the applying of the suspension is by a technique other than high-velocity oxy fuel spray or plasma spray. 18. The coating process of claim 1, wherein the coating is a thermal barrier coating positioned on a turbomachinery component. 19. A coating process, comprising:
applying a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension; applying heat to the suspension thereby removing liquids from the suspension, the heat being at least 120° F., wherein solids are maintained on the operationally-used surface after the applying of the heat; and sintering the solids on the operationally-used surface to produce a coating. 20. A coated component, comprising:
a substrate; and a coating formed on the substrate by sintering of solids, the solids being positioned by application and heating of a suspension to an operationally-used surface, the suspension having one or more solvents, nano-materials, a plasticizer, a binder, and a dispersant suspending nano-materials within the suspension. | 1,700 |
2,824 | 14,854,877 | 1,749 | A rubberized reinforcing ply for articles made of an elastomeric material, specifically vehicle tires, which have a plurality of parallel tire cords spaced apart from one another and the tire cords are hybrid cords of at least two multifilament yarns twisted together. The first multifilament yarn is a viscose multifilament yarn and the other multifilament yarn is a non-metallic multifilament yarn made of a material that is not identical to the first multifilament yarn. The viscose multifilament yarn is conditioned in a standard atmosphere according to DIN EN ISO 139-1:2005 and after conditioning has a yarn titer<1100 dtex and a tensile strength≧45 cN/tex. The hybrid cord has a core titer≦3000 dtex. | 1. A rubberized reinforcement ply for articles made of an elastomeric material, the reinforcement ply comprising:
a multiplicity of mutually spaced-apart strength members in a parallel arrangement, wherein the strength members are hybrid cords composed of at least two multifilament yarns twisted with one another, the first multifilament yarn being a viscose multifilament yarn and the further multifilament yarn being a nonmetallic multifilament yarn which is composed of a material not identical with the first multifilament yarn, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn after conditioning in a DIN EN ISO 139-1:2005 standard atmosphere has a yarn linear density<1100 dtex and a tenacity of ≧45 cN/tex, and wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦3000 dtex. 2. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧50 and ≦1800 dtex. 3. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦2500 dtex. 4. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧150 dtex to <1100 dtex and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦60 cN/tex. 5. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 4, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧200 dtex to <800 and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦53 cN/tex. 6. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a filament linear density in the range of 1.2 and 4.0 dtex. 7. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has an elongation at break in the range of ≧5% and ≦20%. 8. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further nonmetallic multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn and/or a polyamide multifilament yarn. 9. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further nonmetallic multifilament yarn is a polyester multifilament yarn. 10. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn and in that the further multifilament yarn is a PA66 multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 780×1+PA66 700×1. 11. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn, and
wherein the further multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 620×1+aramid 550×1. 12. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn,
wherein the second multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn, and wherein the third multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn identical with the first multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 620×1+aramid 550×1+rayon 620×1. 13. A pneumatic vehicle tire comprising at least one reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1. 14. The pneumatic vehicle tire as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reinforcement ply is a carcass and/or a belt bandage and/or a bead reinforcer. 15. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 2, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧200 and ≦1200 dtex. 16. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 2, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧250 and ≦800 dtex. 17. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 3, wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦2000 dtex. 18. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 4, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧170 dtex to <900 dtex and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦56 cN/tex. 19. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 6, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a filament linear density in the range of 2.4 and 3.0 dtex. 20. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 7, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has an elongation at break in the range of ≧6% and ≦15%. | A rubberized reinforcing ply for articles made of an elastomeric material, specifically vehicle tires, which have a plurality of parallel tire cords spaced apart from one another and the tire cords are hybrid cords of at least two multifilament yarns twisted together. The first multifilament yarn is a viscose multifilament yarn and the other multifilament yarn is a non-metallic multifilament yarn made of a material that is not identical to the first multifilament yarn. The viscose multifilament yarn is conditioned in a standard atmosphere according to DIN EN ISO 139-1:2005 and after conditioning has a yarn titer<1100 dtex and a tensile strength≧45 cN/tex. The hybrid cord has a core titer≦3000 dtex.1. A rubberized reinforcement ply for articles made of an elastomeric material, the reinforcement ply comprising:
a multiplicity of mutually spaced-apart strength members in a parallel arrangement, wherein the strength members are hybrid cords composed of at least two multifilament yarns twisted with one another, the first multifilament yarn being a viscose multifilament yarn and the further multifilament yarn being a nonmetallic multifilament yarn which is composed of a material not identical with the first multifilament yarn, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn after conditioning in a DIN EN ISO 139-1:2005 standard atmosphere has a yarn linear density<1100 dtex and a tenacity of ≧45 cN/tex, and wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦3000 dtex. 2. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧50 and ≦1800 dtex. 3. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦2500 dtex. 4. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧150 dtex to <1100 dtex and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦60 cN/tex. 5. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 4, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧200 dtex to <800 and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦53 cN/tex. 6. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a filament linear density in the range of 1.2 and 4.0 dtex. 7. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in 1, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has an elongation at break in the range of ≧5% and ≦20%. 8. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further nonmetallic multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn and/or a polyamide multifilament yarn. 9. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further nonmetallic multifilament yarn is a polyester multifilament yarn. 10. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn and in that the further multifilament yarn is a PA66 multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 780×1+PA66 700×1. 11. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn, and
wherein the further multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 620×1+aramid 550×1. 12. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first viscose multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn,
wherein the second multifilament yarn is an aramid multifilament yarn, and wherein the third multifilament yarn is a rayon multifilament yarn identical with the first multifilament yarn, the construction of the hybrid cord being rayon 620×1+aramid 550×1+rayon 620×1. 13. A pneumatic vehicle tire comprising at least one reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 1. 14. The pneumatic vehicle tire as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reinforcement ply is a carcass and/or a belt bandage and/or a bead reinforcer. 15. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 2, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧200 and ≦1200 dtex. 16. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 2, wherein the further multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧250 and ≦800 dtex. 17. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 3, wherein the hybrid cord has a cord linear density≦2000 dtex. 18. The rubberized reinforcement ply of claim 4, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a yarn linear density in the range of ≧170 dtex to <900 dtex and a tenacity in the range of ≧45 cN/tex to ≦56 cN/tex. 19. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 6, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has a filament linear density in the range of 2.4 and 3.0 dtex. 20. The rubberized reinforcement ply as claimed in claim 7, wherein the viscose multifilament yarn has an elongation at break in the range of ≧6% and ≦15%. | 1,700 |
2,825 | 12,560,194 | 1,726 | An example thermoelectric module of the present disclosure generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. The electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. | 1. A thermoelectric module comprising:
a first laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer; a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer; and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates; wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate; and wherein the electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate; and wherein the thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 2. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the second laminate includes a polymeric dielectric layer. 3. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the second laminate is a ceramic dielectric layer. 4. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first laminate is prefabricated and/or the second laminate is prefabricated. 5. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate has a thickness dimension of at least about 0.002 inches (at least about 0.05 millimeters). 6. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first laminate includes a multilayer circuit and/or the second laminate includes a multilayer circuit. 7. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the first laminate and/or the second laminate includes one or more thermal vias. 8. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled to form two or more electrically independent subcircuits, each subcircuit being coupled to a separate circuit in said multilayer circuit of the first and or second laminate. 9. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate includes one or more additives to provide one or more of enhanced adhesion of the dielectric layer to the electrically conductive layer, enhanced thermal conductivity, and enhanced dielectric strength. 10. The thermoelectric module of claim 9, wherein the one or more additives include thermally conductive filler particles. 11. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second laminate is generally structurally rigid. 12. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate is cured when forming the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate is cured when forming the second laminate. 13. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate being prefabricated to include:
the first electrically conductive layer; the polymeric dielectric layer; and a second electrically conductive layer; wherein said polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers; and wherein the second electrically conductive layer is substantially removed from the prefabricated first laminate. 14. The thermoelectric module of claim 13, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the prefabricated first laminate is one of copper and/or aluminum. 15. The thermoelectric module of claim 13, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the prefabricated first laminate is entirely removed from the first laminate. 16. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate further having a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate such that said polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers. 17. The thermoelectric module of claim 16, wherein the first electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is copper, and wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is one of copper and/or aluminum and/or nickel and/or stainless steel. 18. The thermoelectric module of claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the second laminate further having a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer of the second laminate such that said dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers. 19. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially etched and/or cut to form the electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. 20. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, further comprising:
a third laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer; and thermoelectric elements coupled to the third laminate; wherein the electrically conductive layer of the third laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the third laminate; and wherein the thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the third laminate for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 21. An electronic device including the thermoelectric module of claim 1. 22. A method of making a thermoelectric module, the method comprising coupling multiple thermoelectric elements to first and second laminates such that the multiple thermoelectric elements are disposed generally between the first and second laminates, wherein the first and second laminates each include an electrically conductive layer coupled to a dielectric layer, and wherein the dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate is a polymeric dielectric layer, and wherein the multiple thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising etching and/or cutting at least part of the electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates to form electrically conductive pads on the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the multiple thermoelectric elements together. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein coupling the multiple thermoelectric elements to the first and second laminates includes soldering the multiple thermoelectric elements to the electrically conductive pads of each of the first and second laminates. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate further comprising a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer of the first laminate such that said dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers, the method further comprising substantially removing the second electrically conductive layer from the first laminate. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and/or second electrically conductive layers of the first laminate comprise copper and/or aluminum. 27. The method of claim 22, further comprising coupling the thermoelectric module to an electronic device. 28. A thermoelectric module comprising:
a first laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; a second laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; and multiple thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates; wherein the first electrically conductive layer of the first laminate and the first electrically conductive layer of the second laminate are each at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first and second laminates, the thermoelectric elements being soldered to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 29. The thermoelectric module of claim 28, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is substantially removed from the first laminate and/or the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is substantially removed from the second laminate. 30. The thermoelectric module of claim 29, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is entirely removed from the first laminate and/or the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is entirely removed from the second laminate. 31. The thermoelectric module of claim 29, wherein the first and/or second electrically conductive layers of the first and/or second laminates comprise copper and/or aluminum. 32. The thermoelectric module of claim 28, further comprising:
a third laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; and multiple thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the second and third laminates; wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate and the first electrically conductive layer of the third laminate are each at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second and third laminates, the thermoelectric elements being soldered to the electrically conductive pads of the second and third laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. | An example thermoelectric module of the present disclosure generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. The electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together.1. A thermoelectric module comprising:
a first laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer; a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer; and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates; wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate; and wherein the electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate; and wherein the thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 2. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the second laminate includes a polymeric dielectric layer. 3. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the second laminate is a ceramic dielectric layer. 4. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first laminate is prefabricated and/or the second laminate is prefabricated. 5. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate has a thickness dimension of at least about 0.002 inches (at least about 0.05 millimeters). 6. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first laminate includes a multilayer circuit and/or the second laminate includes a multilayer circuit. 7. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the first laminate and/or the second laminate includes one or more thermal vias. 8. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled to form two or more electrically independent subcircuits, each subcircuit being coupled to a separate circuit in said multilayer circuit of the first and or second laminate. 9. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate includes one or more additives to provide one or more of enhanced adhesion of the dielectric layer to the electrically conductive layer, enhanced thermal conductivity, and enhanced dielectric strength. 10. The thermoelectric module of claim 9, wherein the one or more additives include thermally conductive filler particles. 11. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second laminate is generally structurally rigid. 12. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate is cured when forming the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate is cured when forming the second laminate. 13. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate being prefabricated to include:
the first electrically conductive layer; the polymeric dielectric layer; and a second electrically conductive layer; wherein said polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers; and wherein the second electrically conductive layer is substantially removed from the prefabricated first laminate. 14. The thermoelectric module of claim 13, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the prefabricated first laminate is one of copper and/or aluminum. 15. The thermoelectric module of claim 13, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the prefabricated first laminate is entirely removed from the first laminate. 16. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate further having a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer of the first laminate such that said polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers. 17. The thermoelectric module of claim 16, wherein the first electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is copper, and wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is one of copper and/or aluminum and/or nickel and/or stainless steel. 18. The thermoelectric module of claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the second laminate further having a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer of the second laminate such that said dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers. 19. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially etched and/or cut to form the electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. 20. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, further comprising:
a third laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer; and thermoelectric elements coupled to the third laminate; wherein the electrically conductive layer of the third laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the third laminate; and wherein the thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the third laminate for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 21. An electronic device including the thermoelectric module of claim 1. 22. A method of making a thermoelectric module, the method comprising coupling multiple thermoelectric elements to first and second laminates such that the multiple thermoelectric elements are disposed generally between the first and second laminates, wherein the first and second laminates each include an electrically conductive layer coupled to a dielectric layer, and wherein the dielectric layer of the first laminate and/or the dielectric layer of the second laminate is a polymeric dielectric layer, and wherein the multiple thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising etching and/or cutting at least part of the electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates to form electrically conductive pads on the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the multiple thermoelectric elements together. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein coupling the multiple thermoelectric elements to the first and second laminates includes soldering the multiple thermoelectric elements to the electrically conductive pads of each of the first and second laminates. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is a first electrically conductive layer, the first laminate further comprising a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer of the first laminate such that said dielectric layer is disposed generally between said first and second electrically conductive layers, the method further comprising substantially removing the second electrically conductive layer from the first laminate. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and/or second electrically conductive layers of the first laminate comprise copper and/or aluminum. 27. The method of claim 22, further comprising coupling the thermoelectric module to an electronic device. 28. A thermoelectric module comprising:
a first laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; a second laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; and multiple thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates; wherein the first electrically conductive layer of the first laminate and the first electrically conductive layer of the second laminate are each at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first and second laminates, the thermoelectric elements being soldered to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. 29. The thermoelectric module of claim 28, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is substantially removed from the first laminate and/or the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is substantially removed from the second laminate. 30. The thermoelectric module of claim 29, wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is entirely removed from the first laminate and/or the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is entirely removed from the second laminate. 31. The thermoelectric module of claim 29, wherein the first and/or second electrically conductive layers of the first and/or second laminates comprise copper and/or aluminum. 32. The thermoelectric module of claim 28, further comprising:
a third laminate having a polymeric dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer coupled to the polymeric dielectric layer such that the polymeric dielectric layer is disposed generally between the first and second electrically conductive layers; and multiple thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the second and third laminates; wherein the second electrically conductive layer of the second laminate and the first electrically conductive layer of the third laminate are each at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second and third laminates, the thermoelectric elements being soldered to the electrically conductive pads of the second and third laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. | 1,700 |
2,826 | 14,204,994 | 1,799 | Aspects of the invention include methods of removing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from a CO 2 containing gas. In some instances, the methods include contacting CO 2 containing gas with a bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product. Where desired, the resultant bicarbonate rich product or a component thereof may then be stored or further processed, e.g., combined with a divalent alkaline earth metal cation, under conditions sufficient to produce a solid carbonate composition. Aspects of the invention further include systems for practicing the methods, as well as products produced by the methods. | 1-30. (canceled) 31. A system for removing CO2 from a CO2 containing gas, the system comprising:
a source of the CO2 containing gas; a source of an aqueous medium; and a reactor configured to contact the CO2 containing gas with the aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product. 32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the reactor comprises a catalyst that mediates the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is an enzyme. 34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the enzyme is a carbonic anhydrase. 35. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is a synthetic catalyst. 36. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is a metal colloid catalyst. 37. The system according to claim 31, wherein the source of the CO2 containing gas is an industrial plant. 38. The system according to claim 37, wherein the source of the CO2 containing gas is flue gas. 39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the industrial plant is a power plant. 40. The system according to claim 31, wherein the aqueous medium is sea water or brine water. 41. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system is configured to produce a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product. 42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system further comprises a cation source. 43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the cation source is an alkaline earth metal cation source. 44. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system comprises a first reactor configured to produce a bicarbonate rich product and a second reactor operatively coupled to the first reactor and configured to produce a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product. 45. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system comprises a single reactor that is configured to produce a bicarbonate rich product and a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product in a continuous process. 46. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system is configured to produce a building material from the solid carbonate composition. 47. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system does not include an alkalinity source. 48. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system is co-located with an industrial plant. 49. The system according to claim 48, wherein the industrial plant is a power plant. 50. The system according to claim 48, wherein the industrial plant is a cement plant. 51-54. (canceled) | Aspects of the invention include methods of removing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from a CO 2 containing gas. In some instances, the methods include contacting CO 2 containing gas with a bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product. Where desired, the resultant bicarbonate rich product or a component thereof may then be stored or further processed, e.g., combined with a divalent alkaline earth metal cation, under conditions sufficient to produce a solid carbonate composition. Aspects of the invention further include systems for practicing the methods, as well as products produced by the methods.1-30. (canceled) 31. A system for removing CO2 from a CO2 containing gas, the system comprising:
a source of the CO2 containing gas; a source of an aqueous medium; and a reactor configured to contact the CO2 containing gas with the aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product. 32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the reactor comprises a catalyst that mediates the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is an enzyme. 34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the enzyme is a carbonic anhydrase. 35. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is a synthetic catalyst. 36. The system according to claim 32, wherein the catalyst is a metal colloid catalyst. 37. The system according to claim 31, wherein the source of the CO2 containing gas is an industrial plant. 38. The system according to claim 37, wherein the source of the CO2 containing gas is flue gas. 39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the industrial plant is a power plant. 40. The system according to claim 31, wherein the aqueous medium is sea water or brine water. 41. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system is configured to produce a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product. 42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system further comprises a cation source. 43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the cation source is an alkaline earth metal cation source. 44. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system comprises a first reactor configured to produce a bicarbonate rich product and a second reactor operatively coupled to the first reactor and configured to produce a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product. 45. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system comprises a single reactor that is configured to produce a bicarbonate rich product and a solid carbonate composition from the bicarbonate rich product in a continuous process. 46. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system is configured to produce a building material from the solid carbonate composition. 47. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system does not include an alkalinity source. 48. The system according to claim 31, wherein the system is co-located with an industrial plant. 49. The system according to claim 48, wherein the industrial plant is a power plant. 50. The system according to claim 48, wherein the industrial plant is a cement plant. 51-54. (canceled) | 1,700 |
2,827 | 13,136,641 | 1,745 | A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a vibrating membrane employed in a musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing an image, digitally prepared or otherwise, consisting of a simulated animal skin or another form of graphic; printing the image on a substrate employing a heat transfer ink dye; joining the substrate with the printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of bi-axially oriented non-woven polyester fibers having a plurality of surface pores and vibrating and musical note producing capability; applying a combination of heat and pressure to the joined substrate with the printed image and the membrane to cause the individual surface pores to expand to enable the dye to gasify and permeate the surface pores to transfer the image; and, cooling the membrane to enable the surface pores to seal closed and encase the image within the surface of the membrane to protect against delamination and wear when the membrane vibrates which results from the intense and constant pounding of a drumstick, a mallet, a person's hand or some other rigid-like object. | 1. A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a vibrating membrane employed in a musical instrument comprising the steps of;
providing an image; printing said image onto a first substrate employing a heat transfer ink dye; joining said first substrate and said printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of bi-axially oriented non-woven polyester fibers having a plurality of surface pores and a vibrating and musical note producing capability; applying a combination of heat and pressure to said joined first substrate with said printed image and said membrane to cause said individual surface pores to expand to enable said dye to gasify and permeate said surface pores to transfer said image; and, cooling said membrane to enable said surface pores to seal over and encase said image to integrate said image with said membrane in delamination and wear resistant relation. 2. The method of claim 1, including the step of joining said first substrate and said printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of polyethylene terephthalate film. 3. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of a simulated animal skin. 4. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of graphic art. 5. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of textual material. 6. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a first substrate comprised of a paper material. 7. The method of claim 1 including the- step of providing a first substrate comprised of a polyester material. 8. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a first substrate comprised of synthetic material. 9. The method of claim 2 including the step of providing a first platen and a second platen for applying a combination of heat within a temperature range of 250° to 394° Farenheit and a pressure range of 20 PSI and 100 PSI to said joined first substrate and said sheet of polyester material. 10. The method of claim 2 including the step of providing a roller means for applying a combination of heat and pressure to said joined first substrate and said sheet of polyester material. 11. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image that is digitally prepared. 12. The method of claim 9 including the step of providing said combination of heat and pressure for a period ranging between 30 and 180 seconds. | A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a vibrating membrane employed in a musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing an image, digitally prepared or otherwise, consisting of a simulated animal skin or another form of graphic; printing the image on a substrate employing a heat transfer ink dye; joining the substrate with the printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of bi-axially oriented non-woven polyester fibers having a plurality of surface pores and vibrating and musical note producing capability; applying a combination of heat and pressure to the joined substrate with the printed image and the membrane to cause the individual surface pores to expand to enable the dye to gasify and permeate the surface pores to transfer the image; and, cooling the membrane to enable the surface pores to seal closed and encase the image within the surface of the membrane to protect against delamination and wear when the membrane vibrates which results from the intense and constant pounding of a drumstick, a mallet, a person's hand or some other rigid-like object.1. A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a vibrating membrane employed in a musical instrument comprising the steps of;
providing an image; printing said image onto a first substrate employing a heat transfer ink dye; joining said first substrate and said printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of bi-axially oriented non-woven polyester fibers having a plurality of surface pores and a vibrating and musical note producing capability; applying a combination of heat and pressure to said joined first substrate with said printed image and said membrane to cause said individual surface pores to expand to enable said dye to gasify and permeate said surface pores to transfer said image; and, cooling said membrane to enable said surface pores to seal over and encase said image to integrate said image with said membrane in delamination and wear resistant relation. 2. The method of claim 1, including the step of joining said first substrate and said printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of polyethylene terephthalate film. 3. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of a simulated animal skin. 4. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of graphic art. 5. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image comprised of textual material. 6. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a first substrate comprised of a paper material. 7. The method of claim 1 including the- step of providing a first substrate comprised of a polyester material. 8. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a first substrate comprised of synthetic material. 9. The method of claim 2 including the step of providing a first platen and a second platen for applying a combination of heat within a temperature range of 250° to 394° Farenheit and a pressure range of 20 PSI and 100 PSI to said joined first substrate and said sheet of polyester material. 10. The method of claim 2 including the step of providing a roller means for applying a combination of heat and pressure to said joined first substrate and said sheet of polyester material. 11. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing an image that is digitally prepared. 12. The method of claim 9 including the step of providing said combination of heat and pressure for a period ranging between 30 and 180 seconds. | 1,700 |
2,828 | 13,934,624 | 1,716 | A deposition apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates having an isothermal processing zone comprises a chemical isolation chamber in which semiconductor substrates are processed. A process gas source is in fluid communication with a showerhead module which delivers process gases from the process gas source to the isothermal processing zone wherein the showerhead module includes a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone, a backing plate, and an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate. At least one compression seal is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate which forms a central gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. A substrate pedestal module is configured to heat and support a semiconductor substrate wherein an upper surface of the pedestal module forms a lower wall of the cavity defining the isothermal processing zone within the chemical isolation chamber. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the isothermal processing zone for evacuating process gas from the processing zone. | 1. A deposition apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates having an isothermal processing zone, comprising:
a chemical isolation chamber in which semiconductor substrates are processed; a process gas source in fluid communication with the chemical isolation chamber for supplying a process gas into the chemical isolation chamber; a showerhead module which delivers process gases from the process gas source to the isothermal processing zone wherein the showerhead module includes a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone; a backing plate; an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the isolation ring supports the backing plate; a support element which attaches the faceplate to the backing plate; and at least one compression seal which forms an outer perimeter of a central plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein a contact area between the support element and the faceplate is less than 1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; and a substrate pedestal module configured to heat and support a semiconductor substrate wherein an upper surface of the pedestal module forms a lower wall of the cavity defining the isothermal processing zone within the chemical isolation chamber. 2. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deposition apparatus includes:
(a) an RF energy source adapted to energize the process gas into a plasma state in the isothermal processing zone; (b) a control system configured to control processes performed by the deposition apparatus; (c) a non-transitory computer machine-readable medium comprising program instructions for control of the deposition apparatus; and/or (d) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the isothermal processing zone for evacuating process gas from the isothermal processing zone. 3. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is a ceramic faceplate and the support element comprises:
(a) a plurality of cam lock assemblies wherein each cam lock assembly includes an RF contact electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate; (b) an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate; or (c) at least one upwardly extending projection which contacts the ceramic faceplate wherein the at least one upwardly extending projection is located on an inner annular flange of the isolation ring wherein the inner annular flange of the isolation ring underlies an outer portion of the ceramic faceplate and wherein the deposition apparatus further comprises an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate. 4. The deposition apparatus of claim 3, wherein the annular RF contact:
(a) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium based alloy; (b) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (c) is brazed to an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate; (d) has a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate of about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; (e) has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section and/or (f) forms a friction contact with a metalized surface of the faceplate wherein the metalized surface is in electrical contact with an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate. 5. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compression seal:
(a) comprises an annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate; (b) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium base alloy; (c) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (d) provides a spring force opposing the backing plate and the faceplate; (e) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate is about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; and/or (f) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section. 6. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression seal comprises first and second compression seals wherein:
the first compression seal is a first annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate and forms an inner gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate; and the second compression seal is a second annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the second lever seal surrounds the first lever seal and forms an intermediate gas plenum which surrounds the inner gas plenum, and wherein an outer gas plenum surrounds the intermediate gas plenum. 7. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the total contact area is less than
(a) 0.5% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (b) 0.3% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (c) 0.2% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (d) 0.1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; or (e) 0.05% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 8. The deposition apparatus of claim 3, wherein the contact area between the faceplate and the at least one upwardly extending projection of the isolation ring has a maximum total contact area of:
(a) less than about 0.05 in2; (b) less than about 0.02 in2; or (c) less than about 0.01 in2. 9. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one spacer is included between the faceplate and the backing plate, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to maintain the faceplate parallel with respect to the backing plate. 10. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
(a) the faceplate is formed from aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride and includes an embedded RF electrode therein wherein the embedded RF electrode is electrically connected to an RF contact; (b) the faceplate is formed from a metallic material and is electrically connected to an RF contact; (c) the substrate pedestal module includes a bottom RF electrode wherein an outer periphery of the bottom RF electrode extends outward of the outer periphery of the cavity; (d) the plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate has a height of about 2 to 6 mm; (e) the lower surface of the faceplate forms the upper wall and a sidewall of the cavity; (f) the lower surface of the faceplate includes a ring of like material at an outer periphery thereof wherein an inner surface of the ring forms the sidewall of the cavity; (g) each exposed surface of the cavity is formed from a ceramic material; (h) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the faceplate; (i) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the backing plate; and/or (j) the isolation ring forms an outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. 11. A method of processing a semiconductor substrate in the deposition apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:
supplying the process gas from the process gas source into the isothermal processing zone; and processing a semiconductor substrate in the isothermal processing zone; wherein the processing is at least one of chemical vapor deposition; plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition; atomic layer deposition; plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition; pulsed deposition layer; and/or plasma enhanced pulsed deposition layer. 12. A showerhead module of a plasma processing apparatus configured to deliver process gases to an isothermal processing zone of the plasma processing apparatus comprising:
a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone; a backing plate; an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the isolation ring supports the backing plate; a support element which attaches the faceplate to the backing plate; and at least one compression seal which forms an outer perimeter of a central gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein a contact area between the support element and the faceplate is less than 1% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 13. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the faceplate is a ceramic faceplate and the support element comprises:
(a) a plurality of cam lock assemblies wherein each cam lock assembly includes an RF contact electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate; (b) an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate; or (c) at least one upwardly extending projection which contacts the ceramic faceplate wherein the at least one upwardly extending projection is located on an inner annular flange of the isolation ring wherein the inner annular flange of the isolation ring underlies an outer portion of the ceramic faceplate and wherein the showerhead module further comprises an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate. 14. The showerhead module of claim 13, wherein the annular RF contact:
(a) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium based alloy; (b) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (c) is brazed to an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate; (d) has a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate of about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; (e) has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section; and/or (f) forms a friction contact with a metalized surface of the faceplate wherein the metalized surface is in electrical contact with an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate. 15. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein at least one spacer is included between the faceplate and the backing plate, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain the faceplate parallel with respect to the backing plate. 16. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the compression seal:
(a) comprises an annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate; (b) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium base alloy; (c) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (d) provides a spring force opposing the backing plate and the faceplate; (e) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate is about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; and/or (f) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section. 17. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the at least one compression seal comprises first and second compression seals wherein:
the first compression seal is a first annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate and forms an inner gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate; and the second compression seal is a second annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the second lever seal surrounds the first lever seal and forms an intermediate gas plenum which surrounds the inner gas plenum, and wherein an outer gas plenum surrounds the intermediate gas plenum. 18. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the contact area is less than
(a) 0.5% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (b) 0.3% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (c) 0.2% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (d) 0.1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; or (e) 0.05% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 19. The showerhead module of claim 13, wherein the contact area between the faceplate and the at least one upwardly extending projection of the isolation ring has a maximum total contact area of:
(a) less than about 0.05 in2; (b) less than about 0.02 in2; or (c) less than about 0.01 in2. 20. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein:
(a) the faceplate is formed from aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride and includes an embedded RF electrode therein wherein the embedded RF electrode is electrically connected to an RF contact; (b) the faceplate is formed from a metallic material and is electrically connected to an RF contact; (c) the plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate has a height of about 2 to 6 min; (d) the lower surface of the faceplate forms the upper wall and a sidewall of the cavity; (e) the lower surface of the faceplate includes a ring of like material at an outer periphery thereof wherein an inner surface of the ring forms the sidewall of the cavity; (f) each exposed surface of the cavity is formed from a ceramic material; (g) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the faceplate; (h) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the backing plate; and/or (i) the isolation ring forms an outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. | A deposition apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates having an isothermal processing zone comprises a chemical isolation chamber in which semiconductor substrates are processed. A process gas source is in fluid communication with a showerhead module which delivers process gases from the process gas source to the isothermal processing zone wherein the showerhead module includes a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone, a backing plate, and an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate. At least one compression seal is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate which forms a central gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. A substrate pedestal module is configured to heat and support a semiconductor substrate wherein an upper surface of the pedestal module forms a lower wall of the cavity defining the isothermal processing zone within the chemical isolation chamber. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the isothermal processing zone for evacuating process gas from the processing zone.1. A deposition apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates having an isothermal processing zone, comprising:
a chemical isolation chamber in which semiconductor substrates are processed; a process gas source in fluid communication with the chemical isolation chamber for supplying a process gas into the chemical isolation chamber; a showerhead module which delivers process gases from the process gas source to the isothermal processing zone wherein the showerhead module includes a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone; a backing plate; an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the isolation ring supports the backing plate; a support element which attaches the faceplate to the backing plate; and at least one compression seal which forms an outer perimeter of a central plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein a contact area between the support element and the faceplate is less than 1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; and a substrate pedestal module configured to heat and support a semiconductor substrate wherein an upper surface of the pedestal module forms a lower wall of the cavity defining the isothermal processing zone within the chemical isolation chamber. 2. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deposition apparatus includes:
(a) an RF energy source adapted to energize the process gas into a plasma state in the isothermal processing zone; (b) a control system configured to control processes performed by the deposition apparatus; (c) a non-transitory computer machine-readable medium comprising program instructions for control of the deposition apparatus; and/or (d) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the isothermal processing zone for evacuating process gas from the isothermal processing zone. 3. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is a ceramic faceplate and the support element comprises:
(a) a plurality of cam lock assemblies wherein each cam lock assembly includes an RF contact electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate; (b) an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate; or (c) at least one upwardly extending projection which contacts the ceramic faceplate wherein the at least one upwardly extending projection is located on an inner annular flange of the isolation ring wherein the inner annular flange of the isolation ring underlies an outer portion of the ceramic faceplate and wherein the deposition apparatus further comprises an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate. 4. The deposition apparatus of claim 3, wherein the annular RF contact:
(a) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium based alloy; (b) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (c) is brazed to an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate; (d) has a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate of about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; (e) has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section and/or (f) forms a friction contact with a metalized surface of the faceplate wherein the metalized surface is in electrical contact with an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate. 5. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compression seal:
(a) comprises an annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate; (b) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium base alloy; (c) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (d) provides a spring force opposing the backing plate and the faceplate; (e) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate is about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; and/or (f) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section. 6. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression seal comprises first and second compression seals wherein:
the first compression seal is a first annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate and forms an inner gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate; and the second compression seal is a second annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the second lever seal surrounds the first lever seal and forms an intermediate gas plenum which surrounds the inner gas plenum, and wherein an outer gas plenum surrounds the intermediate gas plenum. 7. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the total contact area is less than
(a) 0.5% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (b) 0.3% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (c) 0.2% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (d) 0.1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; or (e) 0.05% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 8. The deposition apparatus of claim 3, wherein the contact area between the faceplate and the at least one upwardly extending projection of the isolation ring has a maximum total contact area of:
(a) less than about 0.05 in2; (b) less than about 0.02 in2; or (c) less than about 0.01 in2. 9. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one spacer is included between the faceplate and the backing plate, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to maintain the faceplate parallel with respect to the backing plate. 10. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
(a) the faceplate is formed from aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride and includes an embedded RF electrode therein wherein the embedded RF electrode is electrically connected to an RF contact; (b) the faceplate is formed from a metallic material and is electrically connected to an RF contact; (c) the substrate pedestal module includes a bottom RF electrode wherein an outer periphery of the bottom RF electrode extends outward of the outer periphery of the cavity; (d) the plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate has a height of about 2 to 6 mm; (e) the lower surface of the faceplate forms the upper wall and a sidewall of the cavity; (f) the lower surface of the faceplate includes a ring of like material at an outer periphery thereof wherein an inner surface of the ring forms the sidewall of the cavity; (g) each exposed surface of the cavity is formed from a ceramic material; (h) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the faceplate; (i) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the backing plate; and/or (j) the isolation ring forms an outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. 11. A method of processing a semiconductor substrate in the deposition apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:
supplying the process gas from the process gas source into the isothermal processing zone; and processing a semiconductor substrate in the isothermal processing zone; wherein the processing is at least one of chemical vapor deposition; plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition; atomic layer deposition; plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition; pulsed deposition layer; and/or plasma enhanced pulsed deposition layer. 12. A showerhead module of a plasma processing apparatus configured to deliver process gases to an isothermal processing zone of the plasma processing apparatus comprising:
a faceplate wherein a lower surface of the faceplate forms an upper wall of a cavity defining the isothermal processing zone; a backing plate; an isolation ring which surrounds the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the isolation ring supports the backing plate; a support element which attaches the faceplate to the backing plate; and at least one compression seal which forms an outer perimeter of a central gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein a contact area between the support element and the faceplate is less than 1% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 13. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the faceplate is a ceramic faceplate and the support element comprises:
(a) a plurality of cam lock assemblies wherein each cam lock assembly includes an RF contact electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate; (b) an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate; or (c) at least one upwardly extending projection which contacts the ceramic faceplate wherein the at least one upwardly extending projection is located on an inner annular flange of the isolation ring wherein the inner annular flange of the isolation ring underlies an outer portion of the ceramic faceplate and wherein the showerhead module further comprises an annular RF contact made of a metallic strip having at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein the RF contact is electrically connected to an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic faceplate and wherein the annular RF contact forms the outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the backing plate and the ceramic faceplate. 14. The showerhead module of claim 13, wherein the annular RF contact:
(a) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium based alloy; (b) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (c) is brazed to an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate; (d) has a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate of about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; (e) has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section; and/or (f) forms a friction contact with a metalized surface of the faceplate wherein the metalized surface is in electrical contact with an RF electrode embedded in the faceplate. 15. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein at least one spacer is included between the faceplate and the backing plate, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain the faceplate parallel with respect to the backing plate. 16. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the compression seal:
(a) comprises an annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate; (b) comprises tungsten, stainless steel, or an austenitic nickel-chromium base alloy; (c) comprises a metallic material and has a nickel outer coating; (d) provides a spring force opposing the backing plate and the faceplate; (e) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has at least one bend in a cross section thereof wherein a length between a lower free end in contact with the faceplate and an upper free end in contact with the backing plate is about 0.5 to 1.5 inch, and a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.009 inch; and/or (f) comprises a compressible ring of metallic strip material which has an S-shaped, C-shaped, E-shaped, Z-shaped, or V-shaped cross section. 17. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the at least one compression seal comprises first and second compression seals wherein:
the first compression seal is a first annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate and forms an inner gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate; and the second compression seal is a second annular lever seal which is compressed between the faceplate and the backing plate wherein the second lever seal surrounds the first lever seal and forms an intermediate gas plenum which surrounds the inner gas plenum, and wherein an outer gas plenum surrounds the intermediate gas plenum. 18. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein the contact area is less than
(a) 0.5% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (b) 0.3% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (c) 0.2% of the total surface area of the faceplate; (d) 0.1% of the total surface area of the faceplate; or (e) 0.05% of the total surface area of the faceplate. 19. The showerhead module of claim 13, wherein the contact area between the faceplate and the at least one upwardly extending projection of the isolation ring has a maximum total contact area of:
(a) less than about 0.05 in2; (b) less than about 0.02 in2; or (c) less than about 0.01 in2. 20. The showerhead module of claim 12, wherein:
(a) the faceplate is formed from aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride and includes an embedded RF electrode therein wherein the embedded RF electrode is electrically connected to an RF contact; (b) the faceplate is formed from a metallic material and is electrically connected to an RF contact; (c) the plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate has a height of about 2 to 6 min; (d) the lower surface of the faceplate forms the upper wall and a sidewall of the cavity; (e) the lower surface of the faceplate includes a ring of like material at an outer periphery thereof wherein an inner surface of the ring forms the sidewall of the cavity; (f) each exposed surface of the cavity is formed from a ceramic material; (g) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the faceplate; (h) the at least one compression seal comprises an annular lever seal positioned in an annular recess in the backing plate; and/or (i) the isolation ring forms an outer perimeter of an outer gas plenum between the faceplate and the backing plate. | 1,700 |
2,829 | 14,771,291 | 1,777 | The invention relates to a method to purify water and reduce the operation costs by regulating the basicity of the aluminium based coagulants in situ as one of the parameters, such as purification of water in water- or waste water treatment plants. | 1. A method to optimise the chemical precipitation process in a water treatment plant or in a or waste water treatment plant by regulating the basicity of an aluminium based coagulant, wherein
a) the basicity is regulated by the addition of hydroxide ions, wherein the hydroxide ions are added through a solution of a coagulant and b) the regulation occurs in situ and c) the regulation is based upon stored data obtained from on-line measurements of the contamination degree of the water and/or d) the regulation is based from on-line measurements of the contamination degree of incoming untreated and/or outgoing treated water. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a suspension of magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide adds the hydroxide ions. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium based coagulant is monomeric aluminium sulphate and/or aluminium chloride. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the measurements of the contamination degree is performed by using one or more methods selected from the group consisting of turbidity, colour, COD, TOC, aluminium or phosphate within the incoming water and/or after chemical precipitation and separation of the coagulant. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the regulation is dependent on the temperature of the flocculated water. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the flocculation pH is kept between about 5.5 to about 6.5. | The invention relates to a method to purify water and reduce the operation costs by regulating the basicity of the aluminium based coagulants in situ as one of the parameters, such as purification of water in water- or waste water treatment plants.1. A method to optimise the chemical precipitation process in a water treatment plant or in a or waste water treatment plant by regulating the basicity of an aluminium based coagulant, wherein
a) the basicity is regulated by the addition of hydroxide ions, wherein the hydroxide ions are added through a solution of a coagulant and b) the regulation occurs in situ and c) the regulation is based upon stored data obtained from on-line measurements of the contamination degree of the water and/or d) the regulation is based from on-line measurements of the contamination degree of incoming untreated and/or outgoing treated water. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a suspension of magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide adds the hydroxide ions. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium based coagulant is monomeric aluminium sulphate and/or aluminium chloride. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the measurements of the contamination degree is performed by using one or more methods selected from the group consisting of turbidity, colour, COD, TOC, aluminium or phosphate within the incoming water and/or after chemical precipitation and separation of the coagulant. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the regulation is dependent on the temperature of the flocculated water. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the flocculation pH is kept between about 5.5 to about 6.5. | 1,700 |
2,830 | 14,674,855 | 1,774 | A chemical component mixing apparatus for use with a fluid source in creation of a concentrated solution mixture is described. The mixing apparatus includes at least one mixing station. The mixing station includes an injector assembly, where the injector assembly includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one super concentrate chemical component housed within a chemical container, where the chemical container is fluidly connected by a first tube to the at least one venturi chamber via the at least one suction port, a receiving container fluidly connected to the injector assembly via a second tube, and a fluid source inlet introducing a fluid into the at least one mixing station, where the pressure within the at least one mixing station is less than 150 psi. The fluid passes through the at least one venturi chamber, thereby drawing the at least one super concentrate chemical component into the venturi chamber, and the concentrated solution mixture is dispensed from the injector assembly into the receiving container. | 1-18. (canceled) 19. A method for mixing a concentrated chemical solution, comprising:
receiving a base fluid flow into a mixing station having an injector assembly that includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber; regulating the pressure of the base fluid flow to less than 40 psi; providing a source of at least one super concentrate liquid chemical component in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a first tube; providing a receiving container for collection of a final concentrated chemical solution that is in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a second tube; mixing the at least one super concentrate chemical component with the base fluid in the at least one venturi chamber to create a concentrated chemical solution, wherein flow of the base fluid through the at least one venturi chamber of the injector assembly draws the at least one super concentrate liquid chemical component through the at least one suction port and into the flow of the base fluid; and dispensing the concentrated chemical solution into the receiving container. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 5-35 psi. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 10-25 psi. 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising pressurizing the base fluid flow. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the injector assembly includes a multi-port injector. 24. The method of claim 19, further comprising reducing the resistance area of the first tube by increasing the diameter of the first tube. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising at least partially restricting the flow of the at least one super concentrate chemical component flowing into the injector assembly with a metering tip. 26. (canceled) 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 15-20 psi. 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the first tube is ½ inch tubing. 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the ½ inch tubing is connected to an adapter for releasably securing the ½ inch tubing to the at least one suction port of the at least one venturi chamber. 30. The method of claim 19, further comprising termination of base fluid flow to the mixing station when the receiving container is filled with a predetermined amount of the concentrated solution mixture dispensed from the injector assembly. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein termination of base fluid flow is actuated by a float positioned at least partially within the receiving container. | A chemical component mixing apparatus for use with a fluid source in creation of a concentrated solution mixture is described. The mixing apparatus includes at least one mixing station. The mixing station includes an injector assembly, where the injector assembly includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one super concentrate chemical component housed within a chemical container, where the chemical container is fluidly connected by a first tube to the at least one venturi chamber via the at least one suction port, a receiving container fluidly connected to the injector assembly via a second tube, and a fluid source inlet introducing a fluid into the at least one mixing station, where the pressure within the at least one mixing station is less than 150 psi. The fluid passes through the at least one venturi chamber, thereby drawing the at least one super concentrate chemical component into the venturi chamber, and the concentrated solution mixture is dispensed from the injector assembly into the receiving container.1-18. (canceled) 19. A method for mixing a concentrated chemical solution, comprising:
receiving a base fluid flow into a mixing station having an injector assembly that includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber; regulating the pressure of the base fluid flow to less than 40 psi; providing a source of at least one super concentrate liquid chemical component in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a first tube; providing a receiving container for collection of a final concentrated chemical solution that is in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a second tube; mixing the at least one super concentrate chemical component with the base fluid in the at least one venturi chamber to create a concentrated chemical solution, wherein flow of the base fluid through the at least one venturi chamber of the injector assembly draws the at least one super concentrate liquid chemical component through the at least one suction port and into the flow of the base fluid; and dispensing the concentrated chemical solution into the receiving container. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 5-35 psi. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 10-25 psi. 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising pressurizing the base fluid flow. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the injector assembly includes a multi-port injector. 24. The method of claim 19, further comprising reducing the resistance area of the first tube by increasing the diameter of the first tube. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising at least partially restricting the flow of the at least one super concentrate chemical component flowing into the injector assembly with a metering tip. 26. (canceled) 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure is regulated between 15-20 psi. 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the first tube is ½ inch tubing. 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the ½ inch tubing is connected to an adapter for releasably securing the ½ inch tubing to the at least one suction port of the at least one venturi chamber. 30. The method of claim 19, further comprising termination of base fluid flow to the mixing station when the receiving container is filled with a predetermined amount of the concentrated solution mixture dispensed from the injector assembly. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein termination of base fluid flow is actuated by a float positioned at least partially within the receiving container. | 1,700 |
2,831 | 14,773,778 | 1,786 | A single-layer fibrous substrate comprising, by dry weight compared with the weight of the substrate:
between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to above 50° SR; between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide; and between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent. | 1. A fibrous substrate comprising, by dry weight compared to the weight of the substrate:
a) between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95° SR; b) between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and 100 nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and c) between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent. 2. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous substrate has a weight of at least 10 g/m2. 3. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the natural fibers are cellulose fibers and wherein the nanofibrillar polysaccharide is nanofibrillar cellulose. 4. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additive chosen from the group comprising paper wet strength agents, sizing agents, and inorganic salts. 5. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-layer fibrous substrate. 6. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a layer in a multilayer fibrous substrate. 7. A preparation process for a fibrous substrate comprising the steps of:
a) depositing on a continuously moving forming wire a suspension comprising, by weight compared with the dry weight of the suspension:
between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95°SR,
between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and 100 nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and
between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent to form a layer;
b) dewatering the layer to form a first wet sheet; and c) drying the first wet sheet. 8. The preparation process according to claim 7, further comprising, after step b) and before step c), the steps of:
1) applying onto the first wet sheet a second wet sheet; and 2) pressing the first wet sheet and the second wet sheet together to form a multi-layer substrate. 9. The preparation process according to claim 8, wherein the process further comprises:
3) applying onto one of the first wet sheet and the second wet sheet a third wet sheet, and wherein pressing comprises pressing the first wet sheet, the second wet sheet, and the third wet sheet together to form the multilayer substrate. 10. The preparation process according to claim 8, wherein the second wet sheet is formed by steps a) and b). 11. The preparation process according to claim 9, wherein the third wet sheet is formed by steps a) and b). 12. The preparation process according to claim 7, wherein depositing on a continuously moving forming wire comprises depositing on a continuously moving forming wire of a paper machine. 13. A preparation process for a multi-layer fibrous substrate, the process comprising the steps of:
a) depositing simultaneously at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire to form a sheet, at least one of the at least two layers composed of a suspension comprising, by weight compared with the dry weight of the suspension:
between 19.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95° SR;
between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and too nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and
between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent;
b) dewatering the sheet; and c) drying the sheet. 14. The preparation process according to claim 13, wherein depositing simultaneously the at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire comprises depositing simultaneously the at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire of a paper machine. 15. The preparation process as recited in claim 13, wherein dewatering comprises pressing. 16. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a fatty-substance barrier. 17. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a release paper. 18. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substrate for metallization. 19. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substrate for packaging. 20. The fibrous substrate according to claim 6, wherein the multilayer fibrous substrate includes at least one mechanical strengthening layer. | A single-layer fibrous substrate comprising, by dry weight compared with the weight of the substrate:
between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to above 50° SR; between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide; and between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent.1. A fibrous substrate comprising, by dry weight compared to the weight of the substrate:
a) between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95° SR; b) between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and 100 nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and c) between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent. 2. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous substrate has a weight of at least 10 g/m2. 3. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the natural fibers are cellulose fibers and wherein the nanofibrillar polysaccharide is nanofibrillar cellulose. 4. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additive chosen from the group comprising paper wet strength agents, sizing agents, and inorganic salts. 5. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-layer fibrous substrate. 6. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a layer in a multilayer fibrous substrate. 7. A preparation process for a fibrous substrate comprising the steps of:
a) depositing on a continuously moving forming wire a suspension comprising, by weight compared with the dry weight of the suspension:
between 39.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95°SR,
between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and 100 nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and
between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent to form a layer;
b) dewatering the layer to form a first wet sheet; and c) drying the first wet sheet. 8. The preparation process according to claim 7, further comprising, after step b) and before step c), the steps of:
1) applying onto the first wet sheet a second wet sheet; and 2) pressing the first wet sheet and the second wet sheet together to form a multi-layer substrate. 9. The preparation process according to claim 8, wherein the process further comprises:
3) applying onto one of the first wet sheet and the second wet sheet a third wet sheet, and wherein pressing comprises pressing the first wet sheet, the second wet sheet, and the third wet sheet together to form the multilayer substrate. 10. The preparation process according to claim 8, wherein the second wet sheet is formed by steps a) and b). 11. The preparation process according to claim 9, wherein the third wet sheet is formed by steps a) and b). 12. The preparation process according to claim 7, wherein depositing on a continuously moving forming wire comprises depositing on a continuously moving forming wire of a paper machine. 13. A preparation process for a multi-layer fibrous substrate, the process comprising the steps of:
a) depositing simultaneously at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire to form a sheet, at least one of the at least two layers composed of a suspension comprising, by weight compared with the dry weight of the suspension:
between 19.9 and 87.9% natural fibers refined to between 50 and 95° SR;
between 12 and 60% nanofibrillar polysaccharide having a diameter or thickness between 5 and too nanometers, and a length less than 1 micrometer; and
between 0.1 and 4% of at least one retention agent;
b) dewatering the sheet; and c) drying the sheet. 14. The preparation process according to claim 13, wherein depositing simultaneously the at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire comprises depositing simultaneously the at least two layers on a continuously moving forming wire of a paper machine. 15. The preparation process as recited in claim 13, wherein dewatering comprises pressing. 16. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a fatty-substance barrier. 17. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a release paper. 18. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substrate for metallization. 19. The fibrous substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substrate for packaging. 20. The fibrous substrate according to claim 6, wherein the multilayer fibrous substrate includes at least one mechanical strengthening layer. | 1,700 |
2,832 | 12,155,067 | 1,792 | Provided is a method for cooling wax after coextrusion to create wax capsules. The method includes immersing a concentric nozzle of a coextruder in a container of heated alcohol. The container of heated alcohol sits in a water-ice bath to create a temperature gradient. A core material having a wax coating is extruded through a concentric nozzle to form a capsule. The capsule enters the container of hot alcohol where the wax coating is solidified. In an embodiment, the method is a continuous method including a capsule and solvent transfer system. | 1. A method of forming core material containing capsules comprising:
coating a core material with a molten wax to form a capsule having a coating; and contacting said capsule with a heated alcohol to solidify said coating immediately after coating said core material with said molten wax. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said wax is applied to said core material by a coextruder having a concentric nozzle with an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said core material flows through said inner nozzle of said coextruder. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said wax flows through said outer nozzle of said coextruder. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said concentric nozzle is immersed in a container of heated alcohol. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said core material is a hydrophilic substance. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said hydrophilic substance is selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions of flavorants and/or active ingredients, propylene glycol, glycerin, honey and combinations thereof. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, propanol, and combinations thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol has a density lower than that of said wax. 10. The method of claim 5, wherein said container of heated alcohol is immersed in a cooling bath to create a temperature gradient. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said temperature gradient runs vertically from an upper level of the heated alcohol to a lower level of the heated alcohol. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature at the lower level of the heated alcohol is about 0° C. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature at the upper level of the heated alcohol is about 2° C. to 5° C. hotter than the melting point of said wax. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said capsules sink in the heated alcohol. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said wax is selected from the group consisting of beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, paraffin wax, polyethylene waxes, petroleum waxes, and combinations thereof. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol is heated by heating device selected from the group consisting of heating tape, cartridge heater, heating coils and/or combinations thereof. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature of said heated alcohol is controlled by a temperature controller. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said core material containing capsules are substantially spherical and have a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm. 19. The method of claim 1, further including passing said capsule and said heated alcohol into a transfer line leading to a container including a sieve for collecting said capsule and a receptacle for holding said heated alcohol. 20. The method of claim 19, further including reheating said heated alcohol while said alcohol travels through a solvent transfer system. | Provided is a method for cooling wax after coextrusion to create wax capsules. The method includes immersing a concentric nozzle of a coextruder in a container of heated alcohol. The container of heated alcohol sits in a water-ice bath to create a temperature gradient. A core material having a wax coating is extruded through a concentric nozzle to form a capsule. The capsule enters the container of hot alcohol where the wax coating is solidified. In an embodiment, the method is a continuous method including a capsule and solvent transfer system.1. A method of forming core material containing capsules comprising:
coating a core material with a molten wax to form a capsule having a coating; and contacting said capsule with a heated alcohol to solidify said coating immediately after coating said core material with said molten wax. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said wax is applied to said core material by a coextruder having a concentric nozzle with an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said core material flows through said inner nozzle of said coextruder. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said wax flows through said outer nozzle of said coextruder. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said concentric nozzle is immersed in a container of heated alcohol. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said core material is a hydrophilic substance. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said hydrophilic substance is selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions of flavorants and/or active ingredients, propylene glycol, glycerin, honey and combinations thereof. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, propanol, and combinations thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol has a density lower than that of said wax. 10. The method of claim 5, wherein said container of heated alcohol is immersed in a cooling bath to create a temperature gradient. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said temperature gradient runs vertically from an upper level of the heated alcohol to a lower level of the heated alcohol. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature at the lower level of the heated alcohol is about 0° C. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature at the upper level of the heated alcohol is about 2° C. to 5° C. hotter than the melting point of said wax. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said capsules sink in the heated alcohol. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said wax is selected from the group consisting of beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, paraffin wax, polyethylene waxes, petroleum waxes, and combinations thereof. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said heated alcohol is heated by heating device selected from the group consisting of heating tape, cartridge heater, heating coils and/or combinations thereof. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature of said heated alcohol is controlled by a temperature controller. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said core material containing capsules are substantially spherical and have a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm. 19. The method of claim 1, further including passing said capsule and said heated alcohol into a transfer line leading to a container including a sieve for collecting said capsule and a receptacle for holding said heated alcohol. 20. The method of claim 19, further including reheating said heated alcohol while said alcohol travels through a solvent transfer system. | 1,700 |
2,833 | 15,081,593 | 1,747 | The present disclosure relates to an aerosol production assembly. The aerosol production assembly may include a reservoir that contains an aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer that receives the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir and heats the aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. The aerosol production assembly may additionally include a body that directs the aerosol through an outlet. The body may include a surface including a micro-pattern that defines at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. The surface including the micro-pattern may not include a chemical coating that provides these properties. Rather, the surface may define a three-dimensional structure that provides hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial properties. A related assembly method is also provided. | 1. An aerosol production assembly comprising:
an aerosol precursor composition; an atomizer; and a body comprising a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 2. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a mouthpiece defining an outlet. 3. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the micro-pattern is a biomimicry micro-pattern. 4. The aerosol production assembly of claim 3, wherein the surface defines a sharkskin micro-pattern or a lotus leaf micro-pattern. 5. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface does not include a chemical coating. 6. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface is positioned at an inner surface of the body. 7. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface is positioned at an outer surface of the body. 8. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the body is formed in a mold configured to define the micro-pattern at the surface. 9. The aerosol production assembly of claim 8, wherein the mold is etched. 10. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the aerosol production assembly is included in a cartridge or a tank for an aerosol delivery device. 11. A method of forming an aerosol production assembly, the method comprising:
providing an aerosol precursor composition; positioning an atomizer in fluid communication with the aerosol precursor composition; and assembling the atomizer with a body comprising a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein assembling the atomizer with the body comprises positioning the body in fluid communication with the atomizer. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the body including the micro-pattern. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body does not include coating the surface with a chemical. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body comprises forming the micro-pattern at at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the body. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body comprises forming the micro-pattern in a mold. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising etching the mold. 18. A method of improving cleanliness of an aerosol delivery device, the method comprising:
providing the aerosol delivery device with a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the micro-pattern is a biomimicry micro-pattern. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface defines a sharkskin micro-pattern or a lotus leaf micro-pattern. | The present disclosure relates to an aerosol production assembly. The aerosol production assembly may include a reservoir that contains an aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer that receives the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir and heats the aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. The aerosol production assembly may additionally include a body that directs the aerosol through an outlet. The body may include a surface including a micro-pattern that defines at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. The surface including the micro-pattern may not include a chemical coating that provides these properties. Rather, the surface may define a three-dimensional structure that provides hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial properties. A related assembly method is also provided.1. An aerosol production assembly comprising:
an aerosol precursor composition; an atomizer; and a body comprising a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 2. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a mouthpiece defining an outlet. 3. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the micro-pattern is a biomimicry micro-pattern. 4. The aerosol production assembly of claim 3, wherein the surface defines a sharkskin micro-pattern or a lotus leaf micro-pattern. 5. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface does not include a chemical coating. 6. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface is positioned at an inner surface of the body. 7. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface is positioned at an outer surface of the body. 8. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the body is formed in a mold configured to define the micro-pattern at the surface. 9. The aerosol production assembly of claim 8, wherein the mold is etched. 10. The aerosol production assembly of claim 1, wherein the aerosol production assembly is included in a cartridge or a tank for an aerosol delivery device. 11. A method of forming an aerosol production assembly, the method comprising:
providing an aerosol precursor composition; positioning an atomizer in fluid communication with the aerosol precursor composition; and assembling the atomizer with a body comprising a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein assembling the atomizer with the body comprises positioning the body in fluid communication with the atomizer. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the body including the micro-pattern. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body does not include coating the surface with a chemical. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body comprises forming the micro-pattern at at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the body. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the body comprises forming the micro-pattern in a mold. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising etching the mold. 18. A method of improving cleanliness of an aerosol delivery device, the method comprising:
providing the aerosol delivery device with a surface of which at least a portion includes a micro-pattern imparting at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the micro-pattern is a biomimicry micro-pattern. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface defines a sharkskin micro-pattern or a lotus leaf micro-pattern. | 1,700 |
2,834 | 11,688,583 | 1,786 | A method for the manufacture of a reinforced gel-forming fabric composite comprising a reinforcing layer and gel-forming fibre material is characterized in that the gel-forming fibre material in non-woven fabric form is needled into the reinforcing layer from one side so as to penetrate through the reinforcing layer and form a layer of gel-forming fibre material on both sides of the reinforcing layer. The resulting fabric finds use in a wound dressing. | 1. A wound dressing prepared by a process comprising the step of needling a gel-forming fibre material that is in non-woven fabric form into a reinforcing layer from one side of the reinforcing layer so as to penetrate through the reinforcing layer and form a layer of gel-forming fibre material on both sides of the reinforcing layer, wherein essentially all the fibres of the gel-forming fibre material have one or both ends only on one side of the reinforcing layer. 2. A wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is alginate fibre. 3. A wound dressing according to claim 2, wherein the alginate fibre is a calcium alginate fibre or a sodium/calcium alginate fibre. 4. A wound dressing according to claim 3, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is formed by non-woven carding and crossfolding of gel-forming fibre. 5. A wound dressing according to claim 4, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is needled at a needle punch density of from 40 to 200 ncm−2. | A method for the manufacture of a reinforced gel-forming fabric composite comprising a reinforcing layer and gel-forming fibre material is characterized in that the gel-forming fibre material in non-woven fabric form is needled into the reinforcing layer from one side so as to penetrate through the reinforcing layer and form a layer of gel-forming fibre material on both sides of the reinforcing layer. The resulting fabric finds use in a wound dressing.1. A wound dressing prepared by a process comprising the step of needling a gel-forming fibre material that is in non-woven fabric form into a reinforcing layer from one side of the reinforcing layer so as to penetrate through the reinforcing layer and form a layer of gel-forming fibre material on both sides of the reinforcing layer, wherein essentially all the fibres of the gel-forming fibre material have one or both ends only on one side of the reinforcing layer. 2. A wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is alginate fibre. 3. A wound dressing according to claim 2, wherein the alginate fibre is a calcium alginate fibre or a sodium/calcium alginate fibre. 4. A wound dressing according to claim 3, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is formed by non-woven carding and crossfolding of gel-forming fibre. 5. A wound dressing according to claim 4, wherein the gel-forming fibre material is needled at a needle punch density of from 40 to 200 ncm−2. | 1,700 |
2,835 | 13,625,368 | 1,711 | Self-cleaning banknotes are provided using coatings, inks and additives which are photo-active and catalytic to reactions which are effective in breaking up organic contaminants or dirt to allow for the self-cleaning of banknotes by ambient light exposure as well as the cleaning of processed banknotes using equipment with more intense optical excitation, thus increasing their usable life. The invention is usable with all substrates and particularly polymeric substrates such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The invention further discloses a system which allows a certain class of fitness parameters to cause these banknotes to be redirected to a cleaning module, be reevaluated, and then either returned to circulation or rejected and/or destroyed. In addition, inks which are photo-catalytic can be used for extending the life of the banknotes in printed regions. | 1. A substrate material comprising:
a base sheet material; and a photo-catalytic material on or about said base sheet material; wherein said photo-catalytic material, when energized, generates the transfer of electrons and holes that generate hydroxyl and other radicals that in turn cause chemical oxidation and reduction reactions on or about said sheet material. 2. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a banknote. 3. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of: an additive within said base sheet material, a coating on the surface of said base sheet material and an additive within ink used to print on the surface of said base sheet material. 4. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle metal oxide material.
The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is modified TiO2. 5. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle semiconductor material. 6. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is anatase TiO2. 7. The substrate material of claim 6, wherein said anatase TiO2 is in nanoparticle form. 8. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. 9. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 360 nm-400 nm region. 10. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said oxidation and reduction reactions effect a cleaning of the surface of the substrate material. 11. The substrate material of claim 10, further comprising:
a system that employs a sensor to determine fitness data relating to said substrate; said system making a decision based on said fitness data to clean the substrate said system applies energy to initiate photo-catalysis; removes dirt from said substrate using a wash, gas jet, or mechanical means; and reevaluates the fitness of said substrate using a sensor to determine whether to return the substrate to circulation or to destroy or reject the substrate. 12. A system for cleaning a substrate material comprising:
a sensor to determine fitness data relating to said substrate having a photocatalytic material on or about said substrate; making a decision based on said fitness data to clean the substrate; applying energy to excite said photo-catalytic material and initiate photo-catalysis; removing dirt from said substrate using a wash, gas jet, or mechanical means; and reevaluating the fitness of said substrate using a sensor to determine whether to return the substrate to circulation or to reject or destroy the substrate. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said substrate is a banknote. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of: an additive within said base sheet material, a coating on the surface of said base sheet material and an additive within ink used to print on the surface of said base sheet material. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle metal oxide material. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle semiconductor material. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is anatase TiO2. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said anatase TiO2 is in nanoparticle form. 19. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. 20. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. | Self-cleaning banknotes are provided using coatings, inks and additives which are photo-active and catalytic to reactions which are effective in breaking up organic contaminants or dirt to allow for the self-cleaning of banknotes by ambient light exposure as well as the cleaning of processed banknotes using equipment with more intense optical excitation, thus increasing their usable life. The invention is usable with all substrates and particularly polymeric substrates such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The invention further discloses a system which allows a certain class of fitness parameters to cause these banknotes to be redirected to a cleaning module, be reevaluated, and then either returned to circulation or rejected and/or destroyed. In addition, inks which are photo-catalytic can be used for extending the life of the banknotes in printed regions.1. A substrate material comprising:
a base sheet material; and a photo-catalytic material on or about said base sheet material; wherein said photo-catalytic material, when energized, generates the transfer of electrons and holes that generate hydroxyl and other radicals that in turn cause chemical oxidation and reduction reactions on or about said sheet material. 2. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a banknote. 3. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of: an additive within said base sheet material, a coating on the surface of said base sheet material and an additive within ink used to print on the surface of said base sheet material. 4. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle metal oxide material.
The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is modified TiO2. 5. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle semiconductor material. 6. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalytic material is anatase TiO2. 7. The substrate material of claim 6, wherein said anatase TiO2 is in nanoparticle form. 8. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. 9. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 360 nm-400 nm region. 10. The substrate material of claim 1, wherein said oxidation and reduction reactions effect a cleaning of the surface of the substrate material. 11. The substrate material of claim 10, further comprising:
a system that employs a sensor to determine fitness data relating to said substrate; said system making a decision based on said fitness data to clean the substrate said system applies energy to initiate photo-catalysis; removes dirt from said substrate using a wash, gas jet, or mechanical means; and reevaluates the fitness of said substrate using a sensor to determine whether to return the substrate to circulation or to destroy or reject the substrate. 12. A system for cleaning a substrate material comprising:
a sensor to determine fitness data relating to said substrate having a photocatalytic material on or about said substrate; making a decision based on said fitness data to clean the substrate; applying energy to excite said photo-catalytic material and initiate photo-catalysis; removing dirt from said substrate using a wash, gas jet, or mechanical means; and reevaluating the fitness of said substrate using a sensor to determine whether to return the substrate to circulation or to reject or destroy the substrate. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said substrate is a banknote. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of: an additive within said base sheet material, a coating on the surface of said base sheet material and an additive within ink used to print on the surface of said base sheet material. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle metal oxide material. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is a nanoparticle semiconductor material. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalytic material is anatase TiO2. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said anatase TiO2 is in nanoparticle form. 19. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. 20. The system of claim 12, wherein said photo-catalysis is initiated using ultraviolet energy having a wavelength in the 200 nm-400 nm region. | 1,700 |
2,836 | 15,523,780 | 1,736 | Provided are: a cold work tool having excellent wear resistance; and a method for manufacturing the cold work tool. A cold work tool which has an ingredient composition that can be prepared into a martensite structure by quenching and which has a martensite structure, wherein the hardness of the cold work tool is 58 HRC or more, the area ratio of a carbide having an equivalent circle diameter of 5 μm or more in the cross-sectional structure of the cold work tool is 4.0% by area or more, and the carbon solid solution fraction, which is expressed by the ratio of the mass ratio of the amount of carbon that is present in the form of a solid solution in the structure of the cold work tool to the mass ratio of the amount of carbon that is contained in the whole of the cold work tool, is 75.0% or more. A method for manufacturing a cold work tool, which is suitable for manufacturing the aforementioned cold work tool. | 1. A cold work tool having a composition adjustable to have a martensitic structure by quenching and having the martensitic structure, wherein the tool has a hardness of not lower than 58 HRC,
wherein an area ratio of carbides having a circle equivalent diameter of not less than 5 μm in a cross-sectional structure of the tool is not lower than 4.0 area %, and wherein a carbon solid solution ratio is not less than 75.0%, where the carbon solid solution ratio is defined as a ratio, by mass, of an amount of carbon solid-soluted in the structure of the tool to a total amount of carbon included in the tool. 2. The cold work tool according to claim 1, wherein the carbon solid solution ratio is not less than 80.0%. 3. A method for manufacturing a cold work tool according to claim 1, comprising:
a casting step of pouring a molten steel into a mold wherein the steel has the composition and the molten steel has a temperature of 90° C. to 110° C. above a melting point, and cooling the poured molten steel at a cooling rate such that the steel passes a solid-liquid phase coexistence region within 60 minutes to produce a raw material; a hot working step of subjecting the raw material to hot working, and cooling the hot-worked raw material to a temperature generating a martensitic transformation to produce a steel including martensitic transformed from a structure of the raw material; an annealing step of subjecting the steel to annealing to produce a cold work tool material; and a quenching and tempering step of subjecting the cold work tool material to quenching and tempering to produce a cold work tool having a martensitic structure and having a hardness of not lower than 58 HRC. 4. The cold work tool according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises:
by mass, C: 1.30 to 2.40% Cr: 8.0 to 15.0% Mo and W alone or in combination in an amount of (Mo+½W): 0.50 to 3.00% V: 0.10 to 1.50% Si: not more than 2.00% Mn: not more than 1.50% P: not more than 0.050% S: not more than 0.0500% Ni: 0 to 1.00% Nb: 0 to 1.50%, and the balance of Fe and impurities. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises: by mass.
Cr: 8.0 to 15.0% Mo and W alone or in combination in an amount of (Mo+½W): 0.50 to 3.00% V: 0.10 to 1.50% Si: not more than 2.00% Mn: not more than 1.50% P: not more than 0.050% S: not more than 0.0500% Ni: 0 to 1.00% Nb: 0 to 1.50%, and the balance of Fe and impurities. | Provided are: a cold work tool having excellent wear resistance; and a method for manufacturing the cold work tool. A cold work tool which has an ingredient composition that can be prepared into a martensite structure by quenching and which has a martensite structure, wherein the hardness of the cold work tool is 58 HRC or more, the area ratio of a carbide having an equivalent circle diameter of 5 μm or more in the cross-sectional structure of the cold work tool is 4.0% by area or more, and the carbon solid solution fraction, which is expressed by the ratio of the mass ratio of the amount of carbon that is present in the form of a solid solution in the structure of the cold work tool to the mass ratio of the amount of carbon that is contained in the whole of the cold work tool, is 75.0% or more. A method for manufacturing a cold work tool, which is suitable for manufacturing the aforementioned cold work tool.1. A cold work tool having a composition adjustable to have a martensitic structure by quenching and having the martensitic structure, wherein the tool has a hardness of not lower than 58 HRC,
wherein an area ratio of carbides having a circle equivalent diameter of not less than 5 μm in a cross-sectional structure of the tool is not lower than 4.0 area %, and wherein a carbon solid solution ratio is not less than 75.0%, where the carbon solid solution ratio is defined as a ratio, by mass, of an amount of carbon solid-soluted in the structure of the tool to a total amount of carbon included in the tool. 2. The cold work tool according to claim 1, wherein the carbon solid solution ratio is not less than 80.0%. 3. A method for manufacturing a cold work tool according to claim 1, comprising:
a casting step of pouring a molten steel into a mold wherein the steel has the composition and the molten steel has a temperature of 90° C. to 110° C. above a melting point, and cooling the poured molten steel at a cooling rate such that the steel passes a solid-liquid phase coexistence region within 60 minutes to produce a raw material; a hot working step of subjecting the raw material to hot working, and cooling the hot-worked raw material to a temperature generating a martensitic transformation to produce a steel including martensitic transformed from a structure of the raw material; an annealing step of subjecting the steel to annealing to produce a cold work tool material; and a quenching and tempering step of subjecting the cold work tool material to quenching and tempering to produce a cold work tool having a martensitic structure and having a hardness of not lower than 58 HRC. 4. The cold work tool according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises:
by mass, C: 1.30 to 2.40% Cr: 8.0 to 15.0% Mo and W alone or in combination in an amount of (Mo+½W): 0.50 to 3.00% V: 0.10 to 1.50% Si: not more than 2.00% Mn: not more than 1.50% P: not more than 0.050% S: not more than 0.0500% Ni: 0 to 1.00% Nb: 0 to 1.50%, and the balance of Fe and impurities. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises: by mass.
Cr: 8.0 to 15.0% Mo and W alone or in combination in an amount of (Mo+½W): 0.50 to 3.00% V: 0.10 to 1.50% Si: not more than 2.00% Mn: not more than 1.50% P: not more than 0.050% S: not more than 0.0500% Ni: 0 to 1.00% Nb: 0 to 1.50%, and the balance of Fe and impurities. | 1,700 |
2,837 | 14,536,641 | 1,749 | A tyre for motor vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and at least one elastomeric material layer arranged between the carcass structure and the belt structure in which the at least one elastomeric material layer includes inorganic fibres of magnesium and/or aluminium silicates having nanometric dimensions. | 1-21. (canceled) 22. A tire for motorcycle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer; a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure; and at least one elastomeric material layer arranged between said carcass structure and said belt structure,
wherein said elastomeric material layer extends over a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure, and
wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres, said fibres having nanometric dimensions. 23. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a diene elastomeric polymer. 24. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of less than 500 nm. 25. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of less than 100 nm. 26. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 25, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of from 5 to 50 nm. 27. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to 10 μm. 28. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 27, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length of from 0.2 to 10 μm. 29. The tire for motorcycle wheels according claim 22, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres or mixtures thereof. 30. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 29, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 31. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 1 phr to 20 phr. 32. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 31, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 3 phr to 15 phr. 33. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 34. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. 35. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a uniform thickness. 36. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) equal to or higher than 0.20. 37. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 36, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) ranging from 0.25 to 0.35 and capable of equipping a rear wheel. 38. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 36, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) ranging from 0.35 to 0.70 and capable of equipping a front wheel. 39. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, comprising at least one supplemental layer of said elastomeric material arranged between said tread band and said belt structure. 40. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said belt structure comprises rubber-coated cords, arranged substantially parallel and side-by-side to form a plurality of coils substantially oriented according a circumferential direction of the tire. 41. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein at least one additional reinforcing filler is present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 0.1 phr to 120 phr. 42. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 41, wherein said reinforcing filler is silica. | A tyre for motor vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and at least one elastomeric material layer arranged between the carcass structure and the belt structure in which the at least one elastomeric material layer includes inorganic fibres of magnesium and/or aluminium silicates having nanometric dimensions.1-21. (canceled) 22. A tire for motorcycle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer; a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure; and at least one elastomeric material layer arranged between said carcass structure and said belt structure,
wherein said elastomeric material layer extends over a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure, and
wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres, said fibres having nanometric dimensions. 23. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a diene elastomeric polymer. 24. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of less than 500 nm. 25. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of less than 100 nm. 26. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 25, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having an average diameter of from 5 to 50 nm. 27. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to 10 μm. 28. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 27, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length of from 0.2 to 10 μm. 29. The tire for motorcycle wheels according claim 22, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres or mixtures thereof. 30. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 29, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 31. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 1 phr to 20 phr. 32. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 31, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 3 phr to 15 phr. 33. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 34. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. 35. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 33, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a uniform thickness. 36. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) equal to or higher than 0.20. 37. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 36, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) ranging from 0.25 to 0.35 and capable of equipping a rear wheel. 38. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 36, comprising a transverse curvature ratio (f/C) ranging from 0.35 to 0.70 and capable of equipping a front wheel. 39. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, comprising at least one supplemental layer of said elastomeric material arranged between said tread band and said belt structure. 40. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said belt structure comprises rubber-coated cords, arranged substantially parallel and side-by-side to form a plurality of coils substantially oriented according a circumferential direction of the tire. 41. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 22, wherein at least one additional reinforcing filler is present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 0.1 phr to 120 phr. 42. The tire for motorcycle wheels according to claim 41, wherein said reinforcing filler is silica. | 1,700 |
2,838 | 14,532,303 | 1,749 | A pneumatic tire has a radially outer tread. The tread has a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves. The tread includes bottoms and sides of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction, bottoms and sides of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction, and bottoms and sides of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. | 1. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
bottoms and sides of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; bottoms and sides of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and bottoms and sides of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 2. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
bottoms only of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; bottoms only of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and bottoms only of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 3. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
sides only of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; sides only of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and sides only of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 4. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tread has a non-directional tread pattern wherein leading edges of one row of shoulder elements are oriented equal, but oppositely directed, relative to leading edges of another row. 5. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein a leading edge of the shoulder tread elements is inclined 10 degrees or greater relative to a plane perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the pneumatic tire. 6. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tread has a directional tread pattern wherein rows of shoulder tread elements are directionally oriented in the same direction. 7. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 6 wherein a leading edge of a shoulder element is inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or greater relative to a plane perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the pneumatic tire. 8. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 7 wherein the leading edge of the shoulder element is equally oriented another leading edge of another shoulder element. 9. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein the tread has an equatorial centerplane and an apex of a “V” or chevron shape is centered on the equatorial centerplane. 10. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein the tread is asymmetrical having an apex of a “V” or chevron shape lying between a row of shoulder elements and an equatorial centerplane of the tread. 11. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein a leading edge of a shoulder elements is inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or greater relative to a laterally extending line perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the tread. 12. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with concave adjacent arcs. 13. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with convex adjacent arcs. 14. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with concave adjacent spherical surfaces. 15. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with convex adjacent spherical surfaces. | A pneumatic tire has a radially outer tread. The tread has a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves. The tread includes bottoms and sides of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction, bottoms and sides of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction, and bottoms and sides of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction.1. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
bottoms and sides of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; bottoms and sides of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and bottoms and sides of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 2. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
bottoms only of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; bottoms only of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and bottoms only of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 3. A pneumatic tire having a radially outer tread, the tread having a plurality of circumferential grooves, a plurality of lateral grooves, and a plurality of shoulder grooves, the tread comprising:
sides only of each circumferential groove being textured for improving snow traction; sides only of each lateral groove being textured for improving snow traction; and sides only of each shoulder groove being textured for improving snow traction. 4. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tread has a non-directional tread pattern wherein leading edges of one row of shoulder elements are oriented equal, but oppositely directed, relative to leading edges of another row. 5. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein a leading edge of the shoulder tread elements is inclined 10 degrees or greater relative to a plane perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the pneumatic tire. 6. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tread has a directional tread pattern wherein rows of shoulder tread elements are directionally oriented in the same direction. 7. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 6 wherein a leading edge of a shoulder element is inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or greater relative to a plane perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the pneumatic tire. 8. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 7 wherein the leading edge of the shoulder element is equally oriented another leading edge of another shoulder element. 9. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein the tread has an equatorial centerplane and an apex of a “V” or chevron shape is centered on the equatorial centerplane. 10. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein the tread is asymmetrical having an apex of a “V” or chevron shape lying between a row of shoulder elements and an equatorial centerplane of the tread. 11. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 8 wherein a leading edge of a shoulder elements is inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or greater relative to a laterally extending line perpendicular to an equatorial centerplane of the tread. 12. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with concave adjacent arcs. 13. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with convex adjacent arcs. 14. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with concave adjacent spherical surfaces. 15. The pneumatic tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are textured with convex adjacent spherical surfaces. | 1,700 |
2,839 | 14,346,782 | 1,748 | The invention relates to a method and device for generatively producing components, said device comprising a radiation device for selectively radiating a powder bed, and an induction device for inductively heating the component produced by radiating the powder bed, Said induction device comprising at least one voltage source which can simultaneously produce alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies. | 1.-10. (canceled) 11. A method for producing a component, wherein the method comprises selectively radiating a powder bed for producing the component while at the same time inductively heating the component, an excitation of induction being brought about by an alternating voltage that comprises at least two different frequencies. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil to which two or more alternating voltages with different frequencies are applied is employed. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein two or more coils are employed. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein individual alternating voltages that are different from each other are applied to some or all of the two or more coils. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein several alternating voltages with different frequencies are applied to an individual coil in the case of some or all of the two or more coils. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of an arrangement of coils for inductive heating and a choice of frequencies of alternating voltages is such that areas of effect of the inductive heating lie in a region of the component that is being generated. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein at least two coils are employed for inductive heating and are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein at least two coils are employed for inductive heating and are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 23. The method of claim 11, wherein the powder bed is radiated by laser radiation or electron radiation. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the radiation is directed onto the powder bed through a coil for inductive heating. 25. A device for producing a component by means of selectively radiating a powder bed, wherein the device comprises (i) a radiating arrangement for selectively radiating a powder bed and (ii) an induction device for inductively heating the component generated by radiating the powder bed, the induction device comprising at least one voltage source that is capable of generating at the same time alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies and is capable of inductively heating the component. 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil that is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 27. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil for inductive heating that is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 28. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least two coils for inductive heating which are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 29. A device for producing a component by the method of claim 11, wherein the device comprises (i) a radiating arrangement for selectively radiating the powder bed and (ii) an induction device for inductively heating the component generated by radiating the powder bed, the induction device comprising at least one voltage source that is capable of generating at the same time alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies and is capable of inductively heating the component. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil that is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. | The invention relates to a method and device for generatively producing components, said device comprising a radiation device for selectively radiating a powder bed, and an induction device for inductively heating the component produced by radiating the powder bed, Said induction device comprising at least one voltage source which can simultaneously produce alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies.1.-10. (canceled) 11. A method for producing a component, wherein the method comprises selectively radiating a powder bed for producing the component while at the same time inductively heating the component, an excitation of induction being brought about by an alternating voltage that comprises at least two different frequencies. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil to which two or more alternating voltages with different frequencies are applied is employed. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein two or more coils are employed. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein individual alternating voltages that are different from each other are applied to some or all of the two or more coils. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein several alternating voltages with different frequencies are applied to an individual coil in the case of some or all of the two or more coils. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of an arrangement of coils for inductive heating and a choice of frequencies of alternating voltages is such that areas of effect of the inductive heating lie in a region of the component that is being generated. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein at least two coils are employed for inductive heating and are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one coil is employed for inductive heating and is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein at least two coils are employed for inductive heating and are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 23. The method of claim 11, wherein the powder bed is radiated by laser radiation or electron radiation. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the radiation is directed onto the powder bed through a coil for inductive heating. 25. A device for producing a component by means of selectively radiating a powder bed, wherein the device comprises (i) a radiating arrangement for selectively radiating a powder bed and (ii) an induction device for inductively heating the component generated by radiating the powder bed, the induction device comprising at least one voltage source that is capable of generating at the same time alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies and is capable of inductively heating the component. 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil that is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. 27. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil for inductive heating that is arranged in such a way that it is at least partly arranged around the component being generated. 28. The device of claim 25, wherein the induction device comprises at least two coils for inductive heating which are arranged in such a way that they are arranged one inside the other and/or one after the other along an axis of the coils. 29. A device for producing a component by the method of claim 11, wherein the device comprises (i) a radiating arrangement for selectively radiating the powder bed and (ii) an induction device for inductively heating the component generated by radiating the powder bed, the induction device comprising at least one voltage source that is capable of generating at the same time alternating voltages with at least two different frequencies and is capable of inductively heating the component. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the induction device comprises at least one coil that is at least partly arranged above a plane in which the component is generated in the powder bed by radiation. | 1,700 |
2,840 | 14,608,812 | 1,723 | An electrode material having excellent electron conductivity, load characteristics, and cycle characteristics is provided. The electrode material includes an electrode active material represented by Li x Fe y A z BO 4 (here, A represents either or both selected from a group consisting of Mn and Co, B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5) as a main component and nickel, particle surfaces of the electrode active material are coated with a carbonaceous film, and a content of the nickel is in a range of 1 ppm to 100 ppm. | 1. An electrode material comprising:
an electrode active material represented by LixFeyAzBO4 as a main component, wherein A represents either or both selected from a group consisting of Mn and Co, B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5; and nickel, wherein particle surfaces of the electrode active material are coated with a carbonaceous film, and a content of the nickel with respect to the electrode material is in a range of 1 ppm to 100 ppm. 2. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is an electrode active material represented by LixFeyMnzBO4 or LixFey[MnCo]zBO4, wherein B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5. 3. The electrode material according to claim 2,
wherein a content of the manganese is 5000 ppm or less. 4. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is an electrode active material represented by LixFeyCozBO4 or LixFey[MnCo]zBO4, wherein B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5. 5. The electrode material according to claim 4,
wherein a content of the cobalt is 80 ppm or less. 6. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is one or more selected from a group consisting of LiFePO4, Li[FeMn]PO4, and Li[FeCo]PO4. 7. An electrode formed using the electrode material according to claim 1. 8. A lithium ion battery comprising:
a positive electrode made of the electrode according to claim 7. | An electrode material having excellent electron conductivity, load characteristics, and cycle characteristics is provided. The electrode material includes an electrode active material represented by Li x Fe y A z BO 4 (here, A represents either or both selected from a group consisting of Mn and Co, B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5) as a main component and nickel, particle surfaces of the electrode active material are coated with a carbonaceous film, and a content of the nickel is in a range of 1 ppm to 100 ppm.1. An electrode material comprising:
an electrode active material represented by LixFeyAzBO4 as a main component, wherein A represents either or both selected from a group consisting of Mn and Co, B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5; and nickel, wherein particle surfaces of the electrode active material are coated with a carbonaceous film, and a content of the nickel with respect to the electrode material is in a range of 1 ppm to 100 ppm. 2. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is an electrode active material represented by LixFeyMnzBO4 or LixFey[MnCo]zBO4, wherein B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5. 3. The electrode material according to claim 2,
wherein a content of the manganese is 5000 ppm or less. 4. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is an electrode active material represented by LixFeyCozBO4 or LixFey[MnCo]zBO4, wherein B represents one or more selected from a group consisting of P, Si, and S, 0≦x<4, 0<y<1.5, and 0≦z<1.5. 5. The electrode material according to claim 4,
wherein a content of the cobalt is 80 ppm or less. 6. The electrode material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material is one or more selected from a group consisting of LiFePO4, Li[FeMn]PO4, and Li[FeCo]PO4. 7. An electrode formed using the electrode material according to claim 1. 8. A lithium ion battery comprising:
a positive electrode made of the electrode according to claim 7. | 1,700 |
2,841 | 13,260,772 | 1,793 | The object of the present invention is to provide a method of culturing lactic acid bacteria to obtain a lactic acid bacteria culture in which the number of lactic acid bacteria can be stably maintained, and to obtain food and drink products comprising a lactic acid bacteria culture excellent in product stability.
In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a method of culturing lactic acid bacteria comprising inoculating lactic acid bacteria to a medium comprising a milk ingredient having a free phosphoric acid concentration of less than 0.25 wt %, and a phosphate, and food and drink products comprising the lactic acid bacteria culture obtained by this culturing method. | 1. A method for culturing lactic acid bacteria comprising inoculating lactic acid bacteria to a medium comprising a milk ingredient having a free phosphoric acid concentration of less than 0.25 wt % and a phosphate. 2. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1, wherein protein content per solid nonfat milk component (SNF) of the milk ingredient is less than 35 wt %. 3. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the phosphate is water-soluble. 4. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the milk ingredient is a skim milk powder. 5. A food and drink product comprising a lactic acid bacteria culture obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The food and drink product according to claim 5, wherein the product is in the form of a fermented milk product. | The object of the present invention is to provide a method of culturing lactic acid bacteria to obtain a lactic acid bacteria culture in which the number of lactic acid bacteria can be stably maintained, and to obtain food and drink products comprising a lactic acid bacteria culture excellent in product stability.
In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a method of culturing lactic acid bacteria comprising inoculating lactic acid bacteria to a medium comprising a milk ingredient having a free phosphoric acid concentration of less than 0.25 wt %, and a phosphate, and food and drink products comprising the lactic acid bacteria culture obtained by this culturing method.1. A method for culturing lactic acid bacteria comprising inoculating lactic acid bacteria to a medium comprising a milk ingredient having a free phosphoric acid concentration of less than 0.25 wt % and a phosphate. 2. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1, wherein protein content per solid nonfat milk component (SNF) of the milk ingredient is less than 35 wt %. 3. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the phosphate is water-soluble. 4. The method for culturing lactic acid bacteria according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the milk ingredient is a skim milk powder. 5. A food and drink product comprising a lactic acid bacteria culture obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The food and drink product according to claim 5, wherein the product is in the form of a fermented milk product. | 1,700 |
2,842 | 14,575,015 | 1,749 | A tyre for vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and at least one layer of elastomeric material applied in a radially inner position with respect to the tread band; in which the at least one elastomeric material layer includes inorganic fibres of magnesium and/or aluminium silicates of nanometric dimensions. | 1-18. (canceled) 19. A tire for vehicle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer; a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure; and at least one elastomeric material layer disposed between said tread band and said belt structure, wherein said elastomeric material layer extends over a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure or over a portion of a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure, and wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres, said fibres having nanometric dimensions. 20. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a diene elastomeric polymer. 21. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 500 nm. 22. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 100 nm. 23. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of from 5 to 50 nm. 24. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to 10 μm. 25. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 24, wherein said elastomeric material comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length from 0.2 to 5 μm. 26. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres, or mixtures thereof. 27. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 26, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 28. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 1 phr to 20 phr. 29. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 28, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 3 phr to 15 phr. 30. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 31. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. 32. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a uniform thickness. 33. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a variable thickness in the axial direction. 34. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein at least one additional reinforcing filler is present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 0.1 phr to 120 phr. 35. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 35, wherein the additional reinforcing filler is silica. | A tyre for vehicle wheels, includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass layer, a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and at least one layer of elastomeric material applied in a radially inner position with respect to the tread band; in which the at least one elastomeric material layer includes inorganic fibres of magnesium and/or aluminium silicates of nanometric dimensions.1-18. (canceled) 19. A tire for vehicle wheels comprising:
a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass layer; a belt structure applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; a tread band applied in a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure; and at least one elastomeric material layer disposed between said tread band and said belt structure, wherein said elastomeric material layer extends over a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure or over a portion of a surface substantially corresponding to a development surface of said belt structure, and wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres, said fibres having nanometric dimensions. 20. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a diene elastomeric polymer. 21. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 500 nm. 22. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of less than 100 nm. 23. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 22, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a diameter of from 5 to 50 nm. 24. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said elastomeric material comprises magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length less than or equal to 10 μm. 25. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 24, wherein said elastomeric material comprises (b) magnesium and/or aluminium silicates inorganic fibres having a length from 0.2 to 5 μm. 26. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said inorganic fibres are selected from sepiolite fibres, palygorskite fibres, or mixtures thereof. 27. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 26, wherein said inorganic fibres are sepiolite fibres. 28. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 1 phr to 20 phr. 29. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 28, wherein said inorganic fibres are present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 3 phr to 15 phr. 30. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 31. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. 32. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a uniform thickness. 33. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 30, wherein said at least one elastomeric material layer has a variable thickness in the axial direction. 34. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 19, wherein at least one additional reinforcing filler is present in the elastomeric material in an amount of from 0.1 phr to 120 phr. 35. The tire for vehicle wheels according to claim 35, wherein the additional reinforcing filler is silica. | 1,700 |
2,843 | 13,572,745 | 1,792 | A maple sap beverage having an extended shelf life and process for the manufacture thereof in which a maple sap is adjusted to a standard pre-determined Brix value and then subjected to either (a) ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization followed with aseptic packaging or (b) packaging followed by UHT. Additional maple sap products having extended shelf life are also disclosed and claimed. | 1. A maple beverage product comprising
a first maple sap having a Brix value or being adjusted to have a Brix value of from about 0.1 to about 15.0, by
(a) removal therefrom or addition thereto of at least water to obtain a Brix value adjusted sap or
(b) blending of said first maple sap with at least one other maple sap having a Brix value differing from that of said first maple sap to obtain a Brix value adjusted sap,
said first maple sap and, if said at least one other maple sap is used, said at least one other maple sap, or said Brix value adjusted sap having been subjected to
(a) ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization followed by aseptic packaging or
(b) (i) optional aseptic packaging and
(ii) UHT as a terminal sterilization. 2. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the water used to add to said first maple sap in order to adjust said Brix value of said sap is selected from (a) drinking water, (b) distilled water, (c) de-ionized water; (d) sterile water; (e) maple water derived from maple tree sap. 3. The maple beverage product of claim 3 wherein the maple water is derived from
(a) a reverse osmosis process from
(i) said first maple sap or
(ii) a second maple sap or
(b) a process of converting said second maple sap into
(i) a concentrated maple sap or
(ii) a maple syrup; or
(c) converting said second maple sap into maple syrup; or
(d) converting any of said second maple sap, said concentrated maple sap, and said maple syrup into a maple sugar product. 4. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load at the time of bottling after said ultra-high temperature pasteurization and/or said high pressure processing of not more than 10 colony forming units/mL (10 cfu/mL). 5. The maple beverage product of claim 4 having a micro-organism load at the time of bottling after said ultra-high temperature pasteurization of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 6. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 4° C. for a period of 9 months of not more than 10 cfu/mL. 7. The maple beverage product of claim 6 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 4° C. for a period of 24 months of not more than 10 cfu/mL. 8. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at ambient temperature of from about 20 to about 25° C. for a period of 9 months of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 9. The maple beverage product of claim 8 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 21° C. for a period of 24 months of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 10. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a shelf life of at least 6 months post bottling. 11. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a shelf life of at least 24 months post bottling. 12. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the first maple sap is adjusted to a Brix value of 1.4 to 2.2. 13. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 135° C. up to 145° C. for a period of from 2 to 6 seconds. 14. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 135° C. up to 140° C. for a period of from 1 to 10 seconds. 15. The maple beverage product of claim 14 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 137° C. up to 139° C. for a period of from 2 to 4 seconds. 16. A method of making a maple sap beverage product comprising
a) obtaining a maple sap; b) optionally filtering the sap in one or more filtration steps; c) optionally exposing the sap to a first partial sterilization process selected from
(i) ultraviolet (UV) sterilization,
(ii) low temperature pasteurization, and
(iii) one or more of micro and nano filtration;
d) optionally adjusting said maple sap to a standard predefined Brix value; e) optionally adding additional flavorings; and f) subjecting the product to
(a) an ultra-high temperature pasteurization step followed by aseptic packaging or
(b) (i) optionally using aseptic conditions to package said product and
(ii) using UHT as a terminal sterilization step;
wherein said optional step d) and optional step e) can each independently be done at any point after obtaining the sap until after said step f, provided that if steps d and e are performed after step f, that the respective materials and used therein and the conditions of carrying out such steps be aseptic and conducted under aseptic conditions. 17. The method of claim 16 comprising
a) obtaining a maple sap;
b) filtering the sap in one or more steps filtration steps;
c) exposing the sap to an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization;
d) optionally adjusting said maple sap to a standard predefined Brix value;
e) optionally adding additional flavorings; and
f) subjecting the product to an ultra-high temperature pasteurization step; and
g) bottling the final product in an aseptic package under aseptic conditions;
wherein said optional step d) and optional step e) can each independently be done at any point after obtaining the sap until after said step f, provided that if steps d and e are performed after step f, that the respective materials and used therein and the conditions of carrying out such steps be aseptic and conducted under aseptic conditions. 18. The process of claim 16 wherein said filtering in step b is conducted in 1 or more steps and includes at least one filter in the range of 1 micron to 10 micron pore size. 19. The process of claim 16 wherein said UHT is conducted at a temperature of about 130° C. to about 150° C. 20. The process of claim 19 wherein said UHT is conducted at a temperature of about 135° C. to about 145° C. 21. The process of claim 16 wherein said UHT is conducted for a period of about 1 second to about 10 seconds. 22. The process of claim 21 wherein said UHT is conducted for a period of about 2 seconds to about 6 seconds. | A maple sap beverage having an extended shelf life and process for the manufacture thereof in which a maple sap is adjusted to a standard pre-determined Brix value and then subjected to either (a) ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization followed with aseptic packaging or (b) packaging followed by UHT. Additional maple sap products having extended shelf life are also disclosed and claimed.1. A maple beverage product comprising
a first maple sap having a Brix value or being adjusted to have a Brix value of from about 0.1 to about 15.0, by
(a) removal therefrom or addition thereto of at least water to obtain a Brix value adjusted sap or
(b) blending of said first maple sap with at least one other maple sap having a Brix value differing from that of said first maple sap to obtain a Brix value adjusted sap,
said first maple sap and, if said at least one other maple sap is used, said at least one other maple sap, or said Brix value adjusted sap having been subjected to
(a) ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization followed by aseptic packaging or
(b) (i) optional aseptic packaging and
(ii) UHT as a terminal sterilization. 2. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the water used to add to said first maple sap in order to adjust said Brix value of said sap is selected from (a) drinking water, (b) distilled water, (c) de-ionized water; (d) sterile water; (e) maple water derived from maple tree sap. 3. The maple beverage product of claim 3 wherein the maple water is derived from
(a) a reverse osmosis process from
(i) said first maple sap or
(ii) a second maple sap or
(b) a process of converting said second maple sap into
(i) a concentrated maple sap or
(ii) a maple syrup; or
(c) converting said second maple sap into maple syrup; or
(d) converting any of said second maple sap, said concentrated maple sap, and said maple syrup into a maple sugar product. 4. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load at the time of bottling after said ultra-high temperature pasteurization and/or said high pressure processing of not more than 10 colony forming units/mL (10 cfu/mL). 5. The maple beverage product of claim 4 having a micro-organism load at the time of bottling after said ultra-high temperature pasteurization of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 6. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 4° C. for a period of 9 months of not more than 10 cfu/mL. 7. The maple beverage product of claim 6 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 4° C. for a period of 24 months of not more than 10 cfu/mL. 8. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at ambient temperature of from about 20 to about 25° C. for a period of 9 months of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 9. The maple beverage product of claim 8 having a micro-organism load after bottling and having been stored at 21° C. for a period of 24 months of not more than 0 cfu/mL. 10. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a shelf life of at least 6 months post bottling. 11. The maple beverage product of claim 1 having a shelf life of at least 24 months post bottling. 12. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the first maple sap is adjusted to a Brix value of 1.4 to 2.2. 13. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 135° C. up to 145° C. for a period of from 2 to 6 seconds. 14. The maple beverage product of claim 1 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 135° C. up to 140° C. for a period of from 1 to 10 seconds. 15. The maple beverage product of claim 14 wherein the ultra-high temperature pasteurization is conducted at a temperature of at least 137° C. up to 139° C. for a period of from 2 to 4 seconds. 16. A method of making a maple sap beverage product comprising
a) obtaining a maple sap; b) optionally filtering the sap in one or more filtration steps; c) optionally exposing the sap to a first partial sterilization process selected from
(i) ultraviolet (UV) sterilization,
(ii) low temperature pasteurization, and
(iii) one or more of micro and nano filtration;
d) optionally adjusting said maple sap to a standard predefined Brix value; e) optionally adding additional flavorings; and f) subjecting the product to
(a) an ultra-high temperature pasteurization step followed by aseptic packaging or
(b) (i) optionally using aseptic conditions to package said product and
(ii) using UHT as a terminal sterilization step;
wherein said optional step d) and optional step e) can each independently be done at any point after obtaining the sap until after said step f, provided that if steps d and e are performed after step f, that the respective materials and used therein and the conditions of carrying out such steps be aseptic and conducted under aseptic conditions. 17. The method of claim 16 comprising
a) obtaining a maple sap;
b) filtering the sap in one or more steps filtration steps;
c) exposing the sap to an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization;
d) optionally adjusting said maple sap to a standard predefined Brix value;
e) optionally adding additional flavorings; and
f) subjecting the product to an ultra-high temperature pasteurization step; and
g) bottling the final product in an aseptic package under aseptic conditions;
wherein said optional step d) and optional step e) can each independently be done at any point after obtaining the sap until after said step f, provided that if steps d and e are performed after step f, that the respective materials and used therein and the conditions of carrying out such steps be aseptic and conducted under aseptic conditions. 18. The process of claim 16 wherein said filtering in step b is conducted in 1 or more steps and includes at least one filter in the range of 1 micron to 10 micron pore size. 19. The process of claim 16 wherein said UHT is conducted at a temperature of about 130° C. to about 150° C. 20. The process of claim 19 wherein said UHT is conducted at a temperature of about 135° C. to about 145° C. 21. The process of claim 16 wherein said UHT is conducted for a period of about 1 second to about 10 seconds. 22. The process of claim 21 wherein said UHT is conducted for a period of about 2 seconds to about 6 seconds. | 1,700 |
2,844 | 13,675,414 | 1,789 | Viscosity-modified carbohydrate binder compositions are described. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches. | 1. A carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, wherein the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from an amino-amide, an amine salt of an organic acid, an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid, and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound and wherein the binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 2. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate comprises a reducing sugar. 3. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate is chosen from dextrose, fructose, allose, galactose, xylose, ribose, maltose, cellobiose, and lactose. 4. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the amino-amide is a reaction product of an amine and a saturated or unsaturated reactant. 5. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 4, wherein the amine comprises a diamine chosen from ethylene diamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, α,α′-diaminoxylene, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and diamino benzene. 6. (canceled) 7. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the reaction product comprises 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one. 8. (canceled) 9. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid comprises an ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid. 10. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the binder composition further comprises a reaction product of an organic anhydride and an alkanol amine. 11. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises a modified cellulose. 12. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 11, wherein the modified cellulose is chosen from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). 13. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises a polysaccharide. 14. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 13, wherein the polysaccharide is chosen from xanthan gum, guar gum, and starch. 15. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises acrylic acid. 16. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the binder composition. 17. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein:
the carbohydrate comprises dextrose; the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from 1,6-hexanediamine and 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one; and the thickening agent comprises hydroxyethyl cellulose, wherein the hydroxyethyl cellulose has a concentration of 0.05 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the binder composition. 18. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein:
the carbohydrate comprises dextrose; the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from 1,6-hexanediamine and 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one; and the thickening agent comprises xanthan gum, wherein the xanthan gum has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % of the binder composition. 19. A blended carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a second binder composition, wherein the blended carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 20. The blended carbohydrate binder composition of claim 19, wherein the second binder composition is chosen from a latex binder composition and a solution polymer binder composition. 21. A process of making a non-woven glass fiber mat, the process comprising the steps of:
forming an aqueous dispersion of fibers; passing the dispersion through a mat forming screen to form a wet mat; applying a carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat to form a binder-containing wet mat; and curing the binder-containing wet mat to form the non-woven glass fiber mat, wherein the carbohydrate binder composition comprises a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, and wherein the carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the step of applying the carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat comprises curtain coating the carbohydrate binder composition on the wet mat. 23. The process of claim 21, wherein the carbohydrate comprises a reducing sugar, and the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from a diamine and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound. 24. The process of claim 23, wherein the reducing sugar is chosen from dextrose, fructose, allose, galactose, xylose, ribose, maltose, cellobiose, and lactose. 25. The process of claim 23, wherein the diamine is chosen from ethylene diamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, α,α′-diaminoxylene, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and diamino benzene. 26. The process of claim 23, wherein the reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound is 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one. 27. The process of claim 21, wherein the thickening agent is chosen from a modified cellulose and a polysaccharide. 28. The process of claim 27, wherein the modified cellulose is chosen from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). 29. The process of claim 27, wherein the polysaccharide is chosen from xanthan gum, guar gum, and starch. 30. The process of claim 21, wherein the thickening agent has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the carbohydrate binder composition. 31. A glass fiber mat comprising glass fibers and a binder, wherein the binder comprises cured products from a carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, and wherein the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from an amino-amide, an amine salt of an organic acid, an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid, and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound, and wherein the carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 32. The glass fiber mat of claim 31, wherein the glass fiber mat comprises a component of a roofing shingle. 33. The glass fiber mat of claim 31, wherein the glass fiber mat is chosen from a facer, battery separator, a filtration media, and a backing mat. | Viscosity-modified carbohydrate binder compositions are described. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches.1. A carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, wherein the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from an amino-amide, an amine salt of an organic acid, an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid, and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound and wherein the binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 2. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate comprises a reducing sugar. 3. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate is chosen from dextrose, fructose, allose, galactose, xylose, ribose, maltose, cellobiose, and lactose. 4. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the amino-amide is a reaction product of an amine and a saturated or unsaturated reactant. 5. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 4, wherein the amine comprises a diamine chosen from ethylene diamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, α,α′-diaminoxylene, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and diamino benzene. 6. (canceled) 7. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the reaction product comprises 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one. 8. (canceled) 9. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid comprises an ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid. 10. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the binder composition further comprises a reaction product of an organic anhydride and an alkanol amine. 11. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises a modified cellulose. 12. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 11, wherein the modified cellulose is chosen from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). 13. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises a polysaccharide. 14. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 13, wherein the polysaccharide is chosen from xanthan gum, guar gum, and starch. 15. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent comprises acrylic acid. 16. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein the thickening agent has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the binder composition. 17. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein:
the carbohydrate comprises dextrose; the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from 1,6-hexanediamine and 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one; and the thickening agent comprises hydroxyethyl cellulose, wherein the hydroxyethyl cellulose has a concentration of 0.05 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the binder composition. 18. The carbohydrate binder composition of claim 1, wherein:
the carbohydrate comprises dextrose; the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from 1,6-hexanediamine and 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one; and the thickening agent comprises xanthan gum, wherein the xanthan gum has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % of the binder composition. 19. A blended carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a second binder composition, wherein the blended carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 20. The blended carbohydrate binder composition of claim 19, wherein the second binder composition is chosen from a latex binder composition and a solution polymer binder composition. 21. A process of making a non-woven glass fiber mat, the process comprising the steps of:
forming an aqueous dispersion of fibers; passing the dispersion through a mat forming screen to form a wet mat; applying a carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat to form a binder-containing wet mat; and curing the binder-containing wet mat to form the non-woven glass fiber mat, wherein the carbohydrate binder composition comprises a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, and wherein the carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the step of applying the carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat comprises curtain coating the carbohydrate binder composition on the wet mat. 23. The process of claim 21, wherein the carbohydrate comprises a reducing sugar, and the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from a diamine and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound. 24. The process of claim 23, wherein the reducing sugar is chosen from dextrose, fructose, allose, galactose, xylose, ribose, maltose, cellobiose, and lactose. 25. The process of claim 23, wherein the diamine is chosen from ethylene diamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, α,α′-diaminoxylene, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and diamino benzene. 26. The process of claim 23, wherein the reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound is 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one. 27. The process of claim 21, wherein the thickening agent is chosen from a modified cellulose and a polysaccharide. 28. The process of claim 27, wherein the modified cellulose is chosen from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). 29. The process of claim 27, wherein the polysaccharide is chosen from xanthan gum, guar gum, and starch. 30. The process of claim 21, wherein the thickening agent has a concentration of 0.03 wt. % to 0.3 wt. % of the carbohydrate binder composition. 31. A glass fiber mat comprising glass fibers and a binder, wherein the binder comprises cured products from a carbohydrate binder composition comprising a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent, and wherein the nitrogen-containing compound is chosen from an amino-amide, an amine salt of an organic acid, an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid, and a reaction product of a urea compound and an aldehyde-containing compound, and wherein the carbohydrate binder composition has a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. 32. The glass fiber mat of claim 31, wherein the glass fiber mat comprises a component of a roofing shingle. 33. The glass fiber mat of claim 31, wherein the glass fiber mat is chosen from a facer, battery separator, a filtration media, and a backing mat. | 1,700 |
2,845 | 14,721,160 | 1,722 | A fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack includes at least one active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with a first and at least one second channel for conducting a first fluid over the at least one active surface layer of the anode-cathode stack. A first distributor structure for distributing the first fluid into the first and the at least one second channel of the channel structure is provided. The first distributor structure is configured with a first surface region assigned to the first channel and with a second surface region assigned to the second channel. The two surface regions are configured with a flow resistance of differing magnitude for the first fluid distributed in the first distributor structure. | 1. A fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack, comprising:
at least one active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with a first and at least one second channel for conducting a first fluid over the active surface layer of the anode-cathode stack; a first distributor structure configured to distribute the first fluid into the first and the at least one second channel of the first channel structure, wherein the first distributor structure is configured with a first surface region associated with the first channel and a second surface region associated with the at least one second channel, and the first and second surface regions are configured to have a different flow resistance for the first fluid distributed in the first distributor structure. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the different flow resistance of the first surface region and the second surface region is achieved by providing different flow channel thicknesses of the first surface region and the second surface region. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 2, further comprising:
a first inflow line connected to the first distributor structure in order to supply the first fluid to the first distributor structure, wherein the first channel is arranged in a region of the active surface layer further away from the first inflow line than the second channel, and the flow resistance of the first surface region is configured to be lower than the flow resistance of the second surface region. 4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first inflow line connected to the first distributor structure in order to supply the first fluid to the first distributor structure, wherein the first channel is arranged in a region of the active surface layer further away from the first inflow line than the second channel, and the flow resistance of the first surface region is configured to be lower than the flow resistance of the second surface region. 5. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
the first inflow line is arranged centrally on one side of the first distributor structure, the second channel is arranged in an associated central region of the active surface layer, and the first channel is arranged in an edge region of the active surface layer. 6. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein
the first inflow line is arranged centrally on one side of the first distributor structure, the second channel is arranged in an associated central region of the active surface layer, and the first channel is arranged in an edge region of the active surface layer. 7. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the greater flow resistance in the second surface region is achieved by a reduction in the flow layer thickness in the second surface region for the first fluid flowing in the second surface region. 8. The fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the second surface region has a substantially V-shape in a top view. 9. The fuel cell according to claim 8, further comprising:
a first bipolar plate delimiting the first channel structure in relation to a second channel structure having at least two further channels for conducting a second fluid over the active surface layer; and wherein the reduction in the flow layer thickness in the second surface region, which is V-shape in top view, is obtained by a protuberance of the first bipolar plate. 10. The fuel cell according to claim 9, further comprising:
a second bipolar plate delimiting the second channel structure in relation to a third channel structure having at least two further channels for conducting a third fluid over the active surface layer. 11. The fuel cell according to claim 10, wherein a protuberance, having a V-shape in top view, is provided in the second bipolar plate. 12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the protuberance in the second bipolar plate is formed so as to be within the protuberance in the first bipolar plate. 13. A method for operating a fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack, the fuel cell comprising an active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with at least two channels for conducting a first fluid over the active surface layer, the method comprising the acts of:
distributing the first fluid into a first and a second of the at least two channels of the first channel structure via a distributor structure; and conveying the first fluid, by the distributor structure to the first channel, at a flow resistance of a different magnitude than the first fluid conveyed, by the distributor structure, to the second channel. | A fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack includes at least one active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with a first and at least one second channel for conducting a first fluid over the at least one active surface layer of the anode-cathode stack. A first distributor structure for distributing the first fluid into the first and the at least one second channel of the channel structure is provided. The first distributor structure is configured with a first surface region assigned to the first channel and with a second surface region assigned to the second channel. The two surface regions are configured with a flow resistance of differing magnitude for the first fluid distributed in the first distributor structure.1. A fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack, comprising:
at least one active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with a first and at least one second channel for conducting a first fluid over the active surface layer of the anode-cathode stack; a first distributor structure configured to distribute the first fluid into the first and the at least one second channel of the first channel structure, wherein the first distributor structure is configured with a first surface region associated with the first channel and a second surface region associated with the at least one second channel, and the first and second surface regions are configured to have a different flow resistance for the first fluid distributed in the first distributor structure. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the different flow resistance of the first surface region and the second surface region is achieved by providing different flow channel thicknesses of the first surface region and the second surface region. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 2, further comprising:
a first inflow line connected to the first distributor structure in order to supply the first fluid to the first distributor structure, wherein the first channel is arranged in a region of the active surface layer further away from the first inflow line than the second channel, and the flow resistance of the first surface region is configured to be lower than the flow resistance of the second surface region. 4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first inflow line connected to the first distributor structure in order to supply the first fluid to the first distributor structure, wherein the first channel is arranged in a region of the active surface layer further away from the first inflow line than the second channel, and the flow resistance of the first surface region is configured to be lower than the flow resistance of the second surface region. 5. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
the first inflow line is arranged centrally on one side of the first distributor structure, the second channel is arranged in an associated central region of the active surface layer, and the first channel is arranged in an edge region of the active surface layer. 6. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein
the first inflow line is arranged centrally on one side of the first distributor structure, the second channel is arranged in an associated central region of the active surface layer, and the first channel is arranged in an edge region of the active surface layer. 7. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the greater flow resistance in the second surface region is achieved by a reduction in the flow layer thickness in the second surface region for the first fluid flowing in the second surface region. 8. The fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the second surface region has a substantially V-shape in a top view. 9. The fuel cell according to claim 8, further comprising:
a first bipolar plate delimiting the first channel structure in relation to a second channel structure having at least two further channels for conducting a second fluid over the active surface layer; and wherein the reduction in the flow layer thickness in the second surface region, which is V-shape in top view, is obtained by a protuberance of the first bipolar plate. 10. The fuel cell according to claim 9, further comprising:
a second bipolar plate delimiting the second channel structure in relation to a third channel structure having at least two further channels for conducting a third fluid over the active surface layer. 11. The fuel cell according to claim 10, wherein a protuberance, having a V-shape in top view, is provided in the second bipolar plate. 12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the protuberance in the second bipolar plate is formed so as to be within the protuberance in the first bipolar plate. 13. A method for operating a fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack, the fuel cell comprising an active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with at least two channels for conducting a first fluid over the active surface layer, the method comprising the acts of:
distributing the first fluid into a first and a second of the at least two channels of the first channel structure via a distributor structure; and conveying the first fluid, by the distributor structure to the first channel, at a flow resistance of a different magnitude than the first fluid conveyed, by the distributor structure, to the second channel. | 1,700 |
2,846 | 14,472,683 | 1,799 | A dual chamber bioreactor for producing complex, multilayer tissue, organs, organ parts, and skin replacements has been developed. The bioreactor is modular and incorporates a removable tissue culture cassette. By rotating the dual chamber bioreactor along the horizontal axis, different populations of cells with different growth requirements can be cultured on the different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette that are exposed to different media reservoirs. Culturing different populations of cells on different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette enables the production of multilayer tissue and organs. The tissue culture cassette can contain one or more discrete tissue culture sections. | 1. A tissue culture cassette comprising a first and second gasket, wherein the first and second gaskets each comprise an opening that aligns with the opening of the other when the first and second gaskets are combined, and
a cell culture matrix or scaffold sandwiched between the first and second gasket that covers the aligned openings to form an impermeable tissue culture cassette. 2. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the first gasket comprises projections that are matingly received by the second gasket to form the tissue culture cassette, and a reservoir for cell culture matrix or scaffold. 3. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture cassette is configured to align the openings in the gaskets covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold with corresponding openings in first and second media reservoirs to form an impermeable barrier between the openings of the first and second media reservoirs. 4. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture matrix or scaffold comprises decellularized tissue. 5. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the gaskets comprise vinyl polysiloxane. 6. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture cassette comprises a plurality of openings covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold. 7. The tissue culture cassette of claim 6, wherein the plurality of openings includes at least 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 16, 24, 96 openings. 8. A bioreactor comprising a first and second media reservoir, wherein the first and second media reservoir comprise at least one opening on a cell culture surface of the reservoir, wherein the first and second reservoirs are positioned so that the cell culture surfaces containing the opening of each reservoir face each other and the opening of each reservoir aligns with the opening of the other reservoir; and
a tissue culture cassette comprising a first and second gasket, wherein the first and second gaskets each comprise an opening that aligns when the first and second gaskets are combined, and a cell culture matrix or scaffold sandwiched between the first and second gasket that covers the aligned openings of the gaskets to form an impermeable tissue culture cassette, wherein the tissue culture cassette is positioned between the first and second media reservoirs so that the covered openings in the first and second gaskets align with the openings in the cell culture surfaces of the first and second media reservoirs to form an impermeable barrier between the first and second media reservoirs; and a means for applying sufficient pressure on the media reservoirs to produce a seal between the media reservoirs and the tissue culture cassette to prevent media leakage out of the openings in the cell culture surface of the media reservoirs. 9. The bioreactor claim 8, wherein the media reservoirs are standard tissue culture flasks modified to contain an opening in a cell culture surface of the tissue culture flask. 10. The bioreactor claim 8, wherein the means for applying pressure is one or more clamps. 11. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the means for applying pressure is a receiver block. 12. The bioreactor of claim 11, wherein the receive block optionally includes elastomeric bands to increase the pressure. 13. The bioreactor of claim 11, wherein the receiver block comprises one or more observation portals for visual, microscopic, or electromagnetic observation of the media or cells in culture. 14. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the first gasket comprises projections that are matingly received by the second gasket to form the tissue culture cassette. 15. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the tissue culture matrix or scaffold comprises decellularized tissue. 16. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the gaskets comprise vinyl polysiloxane. 17. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the tissue culture cassette comprises a plurality of openings covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold. 18. The bioreactor of claim 17, wherein the plurality of openings includes at least 10 to 100 openings. 19. A method for identifying chemotherapeutic agents effective for a subject in need thereof comprising:
culturing cancer cells obtained from the subject in the bioreactor of claim 8; contacting the cancer cells in culture with a chemotherapeutic agent; and selecting the chemotherapeutic agent that kills or inhibits the growth of the cancer cells in culture. 20. A method for treating a subject with cancer comprising;
identifying an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the cancer using the method of claim 19, and administering the chemotherapeutic agent to the subject, | A dual chamber bioreactor for producing complex, multilayer tissue, organs, organ parts, and skin replacements has been developed. The bioreactor is modular and incorporates a removable tissue culture cassette. By rotating the dual chamber bioreactor along the horizontal axis, different populations of cells with different growth requirements can be cultured on the different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette that are exposed to different media reservoirs. Culturing different populations of cells on different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette enables the production of multilayer tissue and organs. The tissue culture cassette can contain one or more discrete tissue culture sections.1. A tissue culture cassette comprising a first and second gasket, wherein the first and second gaskets each comprise an opening that aligns with the opening of the other when the first and second gaskets are combined, and
a cell culture matrix or scaffold sandwiched between the first and second gasket that covers the aligned openings to form an impermeable tissue culture cassette. 2. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the first gasket comprises projections that are matingly received by the second gasket to form the tissue culture cassette, and a reservoir for cell culture matrix or scaffold. 3. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture cassette is configured to align the openings in the gaskets covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold with corresponding openings in first and second media reservoirs to form an impermeable barrier between the openings of the first and second media reservoirs. 4. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture matrix or scaffold comprises decellularized tissue. 5. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the gaskets comprise vinyl polysiloxane. 6. The tissue culture cassette of claim 1, wherein the tissue culture cassette comprises a plurality of openings covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold. 7. The tissue culture cassette of claim 6, wherein the plurality of openings includes at least 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 16, 24, 96 openings. 8. A bioreactor comprising a first and second media reservoir, wherein the first and second media reservoir comprise at least one opening on a cell culture surface of the reservoir, wherein the first and second reservoirs are positioned so that the cell culture surfaces containing the opening of each reservoir face each other and the opening of each reservoir aligns with the opening of the other reservoir; and
a tissue culture cassette comprising a first and second gasket, wherein the first and second gaskets each comprise an opening that aligns when the first and second gaskets are combined, and a cell culture matrix or scaffold sandwiched between the first and second gasket that covers the aligned openings of the gaskets to form an impermeable tissue culture cassette, wherein the tissue culture cassette is positioned between the first and second media reservoirs so that the covered openings in the first and second gaskets align with the openings in the cell culture surfaces of the first and second media reservoirs to form an impermeable barrier between the first and second media reservoirs; and a means for applying sufficient pressure on the media reservoirs to produce a seal between the media reservoirs and the tissue culture cassette to prevent media leakage out of the openings in the cell culture surface of the media reservoirs. 9. The bioreactor claim 8, wherein the media reservoirs are standard tissue culture flasks modified to contain an opening in a cell culture surface of the tissue culture flask. 10. The bioreactor claim 8, wherein the means for applying pressure is one or more clamps. 11. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the means for applying pressure is a receiver block. 12. The bioreactor of claim 11, wherein the receive block optionally includes elastomeric bands to increase the pressure. 13. The bioreactor of claim 11, wherein the receiver block comprises one or more observation portals for visual, microscopic, or electromagnetic observation of the media or cells in culture. 14. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the first gasket comprises projections that are matingly received by the second gasket to form the tissue culture cassette. 15. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the tissue culture matrix or scaffold comprises decellularized tissue. 16. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the gaskets comprise vinyl polysiloxane. 17. The bioreactor of claim 8, wherein the tissue culture cassette comprises a plurality of openings covered by the cell culture matrix or scaffold. 18. The bioreactor of claim 17, wherein the plurality of openings includes at least 10 to 100 openings. 19. A method for identifying chemotherapeutic agents effective for a subject in need thereof comprising:
culturing cancer cells obtained from the subject in the bioreactor of claim 8; contacting the cancer cells in culture with a chemotherapeutic agent; and selecting the chemotherapeutic agent that kills or inhibits the growth of the cancer cells in culture. 20. A method for treating a subject with cancer comprising;
identifying an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the cancer using the method of claim 19, and administering the chemotherapeutic agent to the subject, | 1,700 |
2,847 | 14,387,341 | 1,793 | Disclosed herein are non-fried potato chips that are produced without frying in oil to reduce an oil content but have a crispy texture and good meltability in the mouth, which cannot be sufficiently achieved by conventional non-fried potato chips, and are therefore comparable to potato chips produced by frying in oil. The inside of the non-fried potato chips is sufficiently puffed, and the non-fried potato chips have a number of pores. More specifically, the non-fried potato chips have 10/mm 2 or more holes with a short diameter of 20 μm or more and a porosity of 35% to 65% when their vertical sections are observed. | 1. Non-fried potato chips whose number of holes with a short diameter of 20 μm or more is 10/mm2 or more and whose porosity is 35% to 65% when vertical sections of the non-fried parato chips are observed. 2. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein an average of average diameters (averages of long diameter and short diameter) of the holes is 300 μor less. 3. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein a coefficient of variation in the average diameters of the holes (standard deviation/average diameter) is 55% or less. 4. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein an average of values of long diameter/short diameter of the holes is 2 or less. 5. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein the number of the holes whose value of long diameter/short diameter is 2 or less is 5/mm2 or more. 6. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, which are produced by a production method comprising a step of heating potato slices and a step of drying the potato slices. 7. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, which have an oil content of 25% or less. | Disclosed herein are non-fried potato chips that are produced without frying in oil to reduce an oil content but have a crispy texture and good meltability in the mouth, which cannot be sufficiently achieved by conventional non-fried potato chips, and are therefore comparable to potato chips produced by frying in oil. The inside of the non-fried potato chips is sufficiently puffed, and the non-fried potato chips have a number of pores. More specifically, the non-fried potato chips have 10/mm 2 or more holes with a short diameter of 20 μm or more and a porosity of 35% to 65% when their vertical sections are observed.1. Non-fried potato chips whose number of holes with a short diameter of 20 μm or more is 10/mm2 or more and whose porosity is 35% to 65% when vertical sections of the non-fried parato chips are observed. 2. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein an average of average diameters (averages of long diameter and short diameter) of the holes is 300 μor less. 3. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein a coefficient of variation in the average diameters of the holes (standard deviation/average diameter) is 55% or less. 4. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein an average of values of long diameter/short diameter of the holes is 2 or less. 5. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, wherein the number of the holes whose value of long diameter/short diameter is 2 or less is 5/mm2 or more. 6. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, which are produced by a production method comprising a step of heating potato slices and a step of drying the potato slices. 7. The non-fried potato chips according to claim 1, which have an oil content of 25% or less. | 1,700 |
2,848 | 14,892,820 | 1,761 | Aqueous solution comprising (A) in the range of from 30 to 60% by weight of a complexing agent, selected from the alkali metal salts of methylglycine diacetic acid and the alkali metal salts of glutamic acid diacetic acid, (B) in the range of from 700 ppm to 7% by weight of a polymer being selected from polyamines, the N atoms being partially or fully substituted with CH 2 COOH groups, partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations, ppm and percentages referring to the total respective aqueous solution | 1. An aqueous solution comprising:
a complexing agent in a range of 30% to 60% by weight, wherein the complexing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt of methylglycine diacetic acid and an alkali metal salt of glutamic acid diacetic acid, a polymer in a range of 700 ppm to 7% by weight, wherein the polymer is a polyamine with N atoms being partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations, wherein ppm and percentages are based on the total weight of the aqueous solution. 2. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polyamine is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylenimine and a polyvinylamine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations. 3. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polyamine is a polyethyleneimine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with Na+. 4. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, which has a pH value in a range of 9 to 13. 5. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein a degree of substitution of the polymer is in a range of mol % to 90 mol %, based on total N atoms in the polymer. 6. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, further comprising:
a salt of an organic acid in a range of 1% to 25% by weight. 7. The aqueous solution according to claim 6, wherein the salt is at least one selected from selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt of acetic acid, an alkali metal salt of tartaric acid, an alkali metal salt of lactic acid, an alkali metal salt of maleic acid, an alkali metal salt of fumaric acid, and an alkali metal salt of malic acid. 8. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, further comprising:
a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight Mn in a range of 400 g/mol to 10,000 g/mol. 9. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a branched polyethyleneimine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with Na+. 10. A process for preparing an aqueous solution according to claim 1, comprising:
combining an aqueous solution of the complexing agent with the polymer. 11. A method of transporting the aqueous solution of claim 1, comprising:
transporting the aqueous solution in a pipe or a container. | Aqueous solution comprising (A) in the range of from 30 to 60% by weight of a complexing agent, selected from the alkali metal salts of methylglycine diacetic acid and the alkali metal salts of glutamic acid diacetic acid, (B) in the range of from 700 ppm to 7% by weight of a polymer being selected from polyamines, the N atoms being partially or fully substituted with CH 2 COOH groups, partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations, ppm and percentages referring to the total respective aqueous solution1. An aqueous solution comprising:
a complexing agent in a range of 30% to 60% by weight, wherein the complexing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt of methylglycine diacetic acid and an alkali metal salt of glutamic acid diacetic acid, a polymer in a range of 700 ppm to 7% by weight, wherein the polymer is a polyamine with N atoms being partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations, wherein ppm and percentages are based on the total weight of the aqueous solution. 2. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polyamine is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylenimine and a polyvinylamine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations. 3. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polyamine is a polyethyleneimine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with Na+. 4. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, which has a pH value in a range of 9 to 13. 5. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein a degree of substitution of the polymer is in a range of mol % to 90 mol %, based on total N atoms in the polymer. 6. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, further comprising:
a salt of an organic acid in a range of 1% to 25% by weight. 7. The aqueous solution according to claim 6, wherein the salt is at least one selected from selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt of acetic acid, an alkali metal salt of tartaric acid, an alkali metal salt of lactic acid, an alkali metal salt of maleic acid, an alkali metal salt of fumaric acid, and an alkali metal salt of malic acid. 8. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, further comprising:
a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight Mn in a range of 400 g/mol to 10,000 g/mol. 9. The aqueous solution according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a branched polyethyleneimine with N atoms partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, which are partially or fully neutralized with Na+. 10. A process for preparing an aqueous solution according to claim 1, comprising:
combining an aqueous solution of the complexing agent with the polymer. 11. A method of transporting the aqueous solution of claim 1, comprising:
transporting the aqueous solution in a pipe or a container. | 1,700 |
2,849 | 14,233,915 | 1,745 | The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a label laminate. The method includes forming at least one water based adhesive layer on a belt, drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, unwinding a first material layer, unwinding a second material layer, attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the surface of the first material layer, and laminating the first material layer comprising at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. The invention also relates to a label laminate and to a system for manufacturing a label laminate. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for manufacturing a label laminate, the method comprising:
forming at least one water based adhesive layer on a belt, drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, unwinding a first material layer, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer, unwinding a second material layer, attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the surface of the first material layer, laminating the first material layer comprising at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film that is oriented from 5 to 8 times in the machine direction. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer or the second material layer is a release liner comprising at least one backing material layer, which is coated with at least one release coating layer. 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer is a face layer and that the second material layer is a release liner. 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the second material layer has at least one plastic film that is oriented from 5 to 8 times in the machine direction. 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the drying of said at least one water based adhesive layer is at least partly based on at least one of induction heating, infrared heating and air dryer. 28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one of the following plastics:
polypropylene (PP), at least one polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene (PE), at least one polyethylene (PE) film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises polypropylene and the amount of the polypropylene (PP) in the first material layer is at least 50 w-%. 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the belt has at least one release coating layer. 31. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second material layer is laminated in a laminating nip together with the first material layer having the at least one water based adhesive layer in such a way that the label laminate comprises the water based adhesive layer between the first material layer and the second material layer. 32. A system for manufacturing a label laminate, the system comprising:
a belt for receiving at least one water based adhesive layer, a coating unit for forming at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, a first unwinder for unwinding a second material layer, a second unwinder for unwinding a first material layer, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer, means for attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the first material layer, and means for laminating the first material layer comprising said at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the belt is a metal belt. 34. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying the at least one water based adhesive layer comprise an induction heating device in order to heat the belt and to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 35. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer comprise an infrared heating device in order to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 36. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer comprise at least one air dryer in order to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 37. The system according to claim 32, wherein the belt comprises at least one release coating layer. 38. A label laminate comprising a first material layer and a second material layer, which layers are laminated together and have at least one water based adhesive layer between them, wherein the first material layer is a release liner comprising
at least one backing material layer comprising at least one polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP) plastic film layer, and at least one release coating layer, which release coating layer is in contact with at least one water based adhesive layer. 39. The label laminate according to claim 38, wherein the second material layer is a face layer comprising at least one polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP) plastic film layer. 40. The label laminate according to claim 38, wherein a thickness of the release liner is between 15 and 60 microns. | The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a label laminate. The method includes forming at least one water based adhesive layer on a belt, drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, unwinding a first material layer, unwinding a second material layer, attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the surface of the first material layer, and laminating the first material layer comprising at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. The invention also relates to a label laminate and to a system for manufacturing a label laminate.1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for manufacturing a label laminate, the method comprising:
forming at least one water based adhesive layer on a belt, drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, unwinding a first material layer, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer, unwinding a second material layer, attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the surface of the first material layer, laminating the first material layer comprising at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film that is oriented from 5 to 8 times in the machine direction. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer or the second material layer is a release liner comprising at least one backing material layer, which is coated with at least one release coating layer. 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer is a face layer and that the second material layer is a release liner. 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the second material layer has at least one plastic film that is oriented from 5 to 8 times in the machine direction. 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the drying of said at least one water based adhesive layer is at least partly based on at least one of induction heating, infrared heating and air dryer. 28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one of the following plastics:
polypropylene (PP), at least one polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene (PE), at least one polyethylene (PE) film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first material layer comprises polypropylene and the amount of the polypropylene (PP) in the first material layer is at least 50 w-%. 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the belt has at least one release coating layer. 31. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second material layer is laminated in a laminating nip together with the first material layer having the at least one water based adhesive layer in such a way that the label laminate comprises the water based adhesive layer between the first material layer and the second material layer. 32. A system for manufacturing a label laminate, the system comprising:
a belt for receiving at least one water based adhesive layer, a coating unit for forming at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt, a first unwinder for unwinding a second material layer, a second unwinder for unwinding a first material layer, wherein the first material layer comprises at least one plastic film layer, means for attaching said at least one dried water based adhesive layer to the first material layer, and means for laminating the first material layer comprising said at least one water based adhesive layer together with the second material layer in order to form the label laminate. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the belt is a metal belt. 34. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying the at least one water based adhesive layer comprise an induction heating device in order to heat the belt and to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 35. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer comprise an infrared heating device in order to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 36. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for drying said at least one water based adhesive layer comprise at least one air dryer in order to remove moisture from said at least one water based adhesive layer on the belt. 37. The system according to claim 32, wherein the belt comprises at least one release coating layer. 38. A label laminate comprising a first material layer and a second material layer, which layers are laminated together and have at least one water based adhesive layer between them, wherein the first material layer is a release liner comprising
at least one backing material layer comprising at least one polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP) plastic film layer, and at least one release coating layer, which release coating layer is in contact with at least one water based adhesive layer. 39. The label laminate according to claim 38, wherein the second material layer is a face layer comprising at least one polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP) plastic film layer. 40. The label laminate according to claim 38, wherein a thickness of the release liner is between 15 and 60 microns. | 1,700 |
2,850 | 14,044,279 | 1,727 | An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst and method for making the catalyst includes a graphitized carbon substrate with an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying the surface of the substrate. The amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure. A catalyst overlies the metal oxide layer. | 1. An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst comprising:
a graphitized carbon substrate; an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying a surface of the substrate wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure; and a catalyst overlying the metal oxide layer. 2. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the graphitized carbon substrate includes nanoparticles. 3. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer is discontinuous. 4. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer is conductive. 5. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer includes a niobium oxide material. 6. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 5, wherein the niobium oxide material has a thickness ranging from 5 to 500 Angstroms. 7. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the catalyst includes a platinum catalyst. 8. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 7 wherein the platinum catalyst has a crystalline 2-D connected film structure. 9. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 8, wherein the platinum catalyst has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 Angstroms. 10. An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst comprising:
a substrate; an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying a surface of a substrate wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure; and a catalyst comprising platinum overlying the metal oxide layer having a crystalline, 2-D connected film structure. 11. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the substrate includes graphitized carbon having nanoparticles. 12. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer includes a niobium oxide material. 13. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 12, wherein the niobium oxide material has a thickness ranging from 5 to 500 Angstroms. 14. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the catalyst includes platinum. 15. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 14, wherein the catalyst has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 Angstroms. 16. A method comprising:
depositing a metal oxide onto a substrate to form a metal oxide layer having a conductive, amorphous worm-like structure; and depositing a crystalline platinum film having a 2-D connected structure onto the metal oxide layer to form an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film includes depositing the crystalline platinum film by a vacuum deposition technique. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the vacuum deposition technique is physical vapor deposition. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film includes sputtering a platinum target to form the crystalline platinum film. 20. The method of claim 16 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film forms a platinum film at an interface of the substrate and the metal oxide layer. | An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst and method for making the catalyst includes a graphitized carbon substrate with an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying the surface of the substrate. The amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure. A catalyst overlies the metal oxide layer.1. An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst comprising:
a graphitized carbon substrate; an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying a surface of the substrate wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure; and a catalyst overlying the metal oxide layer. 2. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the graphitized carbon substrate includes nanoparticles. 3. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer is discontinuous. 4. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer is conductive. 5. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer includes a niobium oxide material. 6. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 5, wherein the niobium oxide material has a thickness ranging from 5 to 500 Angstroms. 7. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 1, wherein the catalyst includes a platinum catalyst. 8. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 7 wherein the platinum catalyst has a crystalline 2-D connected film structure. 9. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 8, wherein the platinum catalyst has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 Angstroms. 10. An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst comprising:
a substrate; an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying a surface of a substrate wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure; and a catalyst comprising platinum overlying the metal oxide layer having a crystalline, 2-D connected film structure. 11. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the substrate includes graphitized carbon having nanoparticles. 12. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the amorphous metal oxide layer includes a niobium oxide material. 13. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 12, wherein the niobium oxide material has a thickness ranging from 5 to 500 Angstroms. 14. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 10, wherein the catalyst includes platinum. 15. The oxygen reduction reaction catalyst of claim 14, wherein the catalyst has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 Angstroms. 16. A method comprising:
depositing a metal oxide onto a substrate to form a metal oxide layer having a conductive, amorphous worm-like structure; and depositing a crystalline platinum film having a 2-D connected structure onto the metal oxide layer to form an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film includes depositing the crystalline platinum film by a vacuum deposition technique. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the vacuum deposition technique is physical vapor deposition. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film includes sputtering a platinum target to form the crystalline platinum film. 20. The method of claim 16 wherein depositing a crystalline platinum film forms a platinum film at an interface of the substrate and the metal oxide layer. | 1,700 |
2,851 | 13,642,926 | 1,792 | A package containing solid raw material for a beverage, wherein the raw material is packed in a water permeable filter bag ( 1 ) and the filter bag is packed in an openable protective package ( 2 ) enclosing the bag and having a front wall ( 2 d ) and a rear wall ( 2 e ) which are connected at their both vertical edges. The protective package ( 2 ) can be opened by forming an opening between the front wall and the rear wall. Both the front wall ( 2 d ) and the rear wall ( 2 e ) end at their respective supporting edges (2 a, 2 b ) at the bottom, and said supporting edges can be brought apart to form a bottom structure to keep the bag upright. At least between the supporting edges, the package material forms a bottom that is liquid tight throughout. | 1. A package comprising:
a water permeable filter bag containing solid raw material for a beverage packed in said filter bag; an openable protective package made of a package material and enclosing the bag packed in said protective package; said protective package having a front wall, and a rear wall, side edges, a lower edge, and a bottom, said front wall and rear wall joining together at their both vertical edges which form the side edges of the protective package, said protective package being openable by forming an opening between the front wall and the rear wall, both the front wall and the rear wall ending at their respective separate supporting edges at the bottom, the lower edge of the package in flat, closed position consisting of said separate supporting edges, which can be brought apart to form an expanded bottom structure which keeps the package upright supported by said supporting edges brought apart, the package material of the protective package forming a bottom that is liquid tight throughout at least between the supporting edges. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the supporting edges can be brought apart by pressing the side edges of the package closer to each other. 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the bottom between the supporting edges in flat, closed position of the package forms a fold extending to the inside of the package. 4. The package according to claim 1, wherein at the vertical edges the front wall and the rear wall are not seamed together at their inner surfaces, whereby the inner dimension of the package in the horizontal direction becomes the whole width of the front and rear walls. 5. The package according to claim 1, wherein when the filter bag is enclosed in the protective package, the horizontal sides of the protective package are longer than the vertical sides, and the filter bag is placed horizontally inside the protective package. 6. The protective package according to claim 3, wherein the filter bag is fitted at its edge between the front wall or the rear wall and the fold provided at the bottom and extending to the inside of the package. 7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the protective package fit inside a rectangle, whose longer sides are smaller than 7.5 cm and shorter sides are smaller than 6.5 cm. 8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package material of the protective package is, on the side of the inner part, coated with a water tight coating, or is made of a water tight material. 9. The package according to claim 7, wherein the protective packaging is a rectangular package whose longer sides are smaller than 7.5 cm and shorter sides are smaller than 6.5 cm. | A package containing solid raw material for a beverage, wherein the raw material is packed in a water permeable filter bag ( 1 ) and the filter bag is packed in an openable protective package ( 2 ) enclosing the bag and having a front wall ( 2 d ) and a rear wall ( 2 e ) which are connected at their both vertical edges. The protective package ( 2 ) can be opened by forming an opening between the front wall and the rear wall. Both the front wall ( 2 d ) and the rear wall ( 2 e ) end at their respective supporting edges (2 a, 2 b ) at the bottom, and said supporting edges can be brought apart to form a bottom structure to keep the bag upright. At least between the supporting edges, the package material forms a bottom that is liquid tight throughout.1. A package comprising:
a water permeable filter bag containing solid raw material for a beverage packed in said filter bag; an openable protective package made of a package material and enclosing the bag packed in said protective package; said protective package having a front wall, and a rear wall, side edges, a lower edge, and a bottom, said front wall and rear wall joining together at their both vertical edges which form the side edges of the protective package, said protective package being openable by forming an opening between the front wall and the rear wall, both the front wall and the rear wall ending at their respective separate supporting edges at the bottom, the lower edge of the package in flat, closed position consisting of said separate supporting edges, which can be brought apart to form an expanded bottom structure which keeps the package upright supported by said supporting edges brought apart, the package material of the protective package forming a bottom that is liquid tight throughout at least between the supporting edges. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the supporting edges can be brought apart by pressing the side edges of the package closer to each other. 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the bottom between the supporting edges in flat, closed position of the package forms a fold extending to the inside of the package. 4. The package according to claim 1, wherein at the vertical edges the front wall and the rear wall are not seamed together at their inner surfaces, whereby the inner dimension of the package in the horizontal direction becomes the whole width of the front and rear walls. 5. The package according to claim 1, wherein when the filter bag is enclosed in the protective package, the horizontal sides of the protective package are longer than the vertical sides, and the filter bag is placed horizontally inside the protective package. 6. The protective package according to claim 3, wherein the filter bag is fitted at its edge between the front wall or the rear wall and the fold provided at the bottom and extending to the inside of the package. 7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the protective package fit inside a rectangle, whose longer sides are smaller than 7.5 cm and shorter sides are smaller than 6.5 cm. 8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package material of the protective package is, on the side of the inner part, coated with a water tight coating, or is made of a water tight material. 9. The package according to claim 7, wherein the protective packaging is a rectangular package whose longer sides are smaller than 7.5 cm and shorter sides are smaller than 6.5 cm. | 1,700 |
2,852 | 14,655,897 | 1,735 | A method and associated system for joining workpieces formed of neutron absorbing materials. The method includes positioning first and second workpieces together to form a joint, heating the first and second workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition, intermingling plastic material from the first and second workpieces together at the joint, and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces. The workpiece material at the joint is not melted by the heating. The heating may be perforated by frictionally heating the materials with a rotary tool, in one non-limiting embodiment, the neutron absorbing workpieces may be formed of metal matrix composites comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy and boron carbide. | 1. A method for joining neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising a neutron absorbing material; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together to form a joint; heating the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are fused together at the joint. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated frictionally to the plastic condition. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the frictional heating is created by a rotary tool engaging the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint with sufficient force to form the plastic condition in the joining portions. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rotary motion tool includes a tool pin having a conical or frustoconical shape which engages the joint during the heating step. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rotary tool rotationally engages the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to create the frictional heating. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the rotary tool contacts the joint with an axial pressure force concurrently with rotationally engaging the first and second metal matrix composites. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an interface of the first and second metal matrix composites at the joint is subjected to pressure in the range of approximately 20-60% of the yield strength of the metal matrix composite material. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the joining portions of first and second metal matrix composite workpieces adjacent the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces in the plastic condition at the joint are not melted by the heating step. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material in the fusion zone has a strength at least as great as base material of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal matrix composite workpieces are comprised of aluminum or aluminum alloy powder mixed with embedded particles of boron carbide. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are abutted together at the joint. 14. A method for welding neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising material including boron carbide; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together to form a joint; frictionally heating joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition, wherein the joining portions are not melted by the frictional heating; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are fused together at the joint. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are each configured as flat plates. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are straight creating a joint having a linear shape. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpiece plates are arranged parallel to each other on opposing sides of the joint. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpiece plates are arranged at an angle to each other on opposing sides of the joint between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. 19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising before the frictional heating step: engaging the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces with a rotary tool; and rotating the rotary tool while maintaining engagement with the joining portions. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the rotary tool engages the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces with sufficient axial force to form the plastic condition in the joining portions. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the rotary motion tool includes a tool pin which enters and frictionally engages the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint during the heating step. 22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the metal matrix composite workpieces are comprised of aluminum or aluminum alloy powder mixed with embedded particles of boron carbide. 23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the joining portions of first and second metal matrix composite workpieces adjacent the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 24. The method according to claim 19, wherein an interface at the joint is subjected to pressure in the range of approximately 20-60% of the yield strength of the metal matrix composite material by the rotary tool. 25. A method for welding neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising a neutron absorbing material; providing a rotary tool having a head configured to engage the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces proximate to each other to form a joint; rotationally engaging the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint with the head of the rotary tool; frictionally heating the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition with the rotating head of the rotary tool, wherein the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are not melted by the frictional heating; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces; wherein material of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 26-32. (canceled) | A method and associated system for joining workpieces formed of neutron absorbing materials. The method includes positioning first and second workpieces together to form a joint, heating the first and second workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition, intermingling plastic material from the first and second workpieces together at the joint, and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces. The workpiece material at the joint is not melted by the heating. The heating may be perforated by frictionally heating the materials with a rotary tool, in one non-limiting embodiment, the neutron absorbing workpieces may be formed of metal matrix composites comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy and boron carbide.1. A method for joining neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising a neutron absorbing material; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together to form a joint; heating the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are fused together at the joint. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated frictionally to the plastic condition. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the frictional heating is created by a rotary tool engaging the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint with sufficient force to form the plastic condition in the joining portions. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rotary motion tool includes a tool pin having a conical or frustoconical shape which engages the joint during the heating step. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rotary tool rotationally engages the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to create the frictional heating. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the rotary tool contacts the joint with an axial pressure force concurrently with rotationally engaging the first and second metal matrix composites. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an interface of the first and second metal matrix composites at the joint is subjected to pressure in the range of approximately 20-60% of the yield strength of the metal matrix composite material. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the joining portions of first and second metal matrix composite workpieces adjacent the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces in the plastic condition at the joint are not melted by the heating step. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material in the fusion zone has a strength at least as great as base material of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal matrix composite workpieces are comprised of aluminum or aluminum alloy powder mixed with embedded particles of boron carbide. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are abutted together at the joint. 14. A method for welding neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising material including boron carbide; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together to form a joint; frictionally heating joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition, wherein the joining portions are not melted by the frictional heating; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are fused together at the joint. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are each configured as flat plates. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are straight creating a joint having a linear shape. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpiece plates are arranged parallel to each other on opposing sides of the joint. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second metal matrix composite workpiece plates are arranged at an angle to each other on opposing sides of the joint between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. 19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising before the frictional heating step: engaging the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces with a rotary tool; and rotating the rotary tool while maintaining engagement with the joining portions. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the rotary tool engages the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces with sufficient axial force to form the plastic condition in the joining portions. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the rotary motion tool includes a tool pin which enters and frictionally engages the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint during the heating step. 22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the metal matrix composite workpieces are comprised of aluminum or aluminum alloy powder mixed with embedded particles of boron carbide. 23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the joining portions of first and second metal matrix composite workpieces adjacent the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 24. The method according to claim 19, wherein an interface at the joint is subjected to pressure in the range of approximately 20-60% of the yield strength of the metal matrix composite material by the rotary tool. 25. A method for welding neutron absorbing materials together, the method comprising:
providing a first and second metal matrix composite workpiece each comprising a neutron absorbing material; providing a rotary tool having a head configured to engage the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces; positioning edges of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces proximate to each other to form a joint; rotationally engaging the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint with the head of the rotary tool; frictionally heating the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint to a plastic condition with the rotating head of the rotary tool, wherein the joining portions of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces are not melted by the frictional heating; intermingling plastic material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces together at the joint; and cooling the intermingled plastic material to a solid state forming a welded fusion zone comprised of material from the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces; wherein material of the first and second metal matrix composite workpieces at the joint are heated to a temperature between and including 400 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 26-32. (canceled) | 1,700 |
2,853 | 13,152,835 | 1,791 | An electrolyte blend is provided having a minimal salty taste in water or other rehydration compositions. One electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate and potassium chloride. An alternate electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate, potassium gluconate, and calcium chloride. The electrolyte blend may be provided as a beverage product, for example a rehydration product containing carbohydrates. In addition, a rehydration beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, sodium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate and monopotassium phosphate. An alternate beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, calcium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, sodium lactate and calcium chloride. | 1. An electrolyte blend consisting essentially of sodium lactate and potassium chloride. 2. The electrolyte blend of claim 1 wherein the blend is a powder for reconstitution into a beverage. 3. A beverage comprising the electrolyte blend of claim 1; and water, wherein the beverage comprises zero calories. 4. The beverage of claim 3, further comprising at least one of maltodextrin, isomaltulose, and dextrose, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 5. The beverage of claim 3, comprising 50 to 220 mg sodium per serving; 20 to 110 mg chloride per serving; and 80 to 100 mg potassium per serving. 6. A beverage comprising water; and an electrolyte blend consisting essentially of sodium lactate and potassium chloride. 7. An electrolyte blend comprising sodium lactate; potassium gluconate; and calcium chloride. 8. The electrolyte blend of claim 7 wherein the blend is a powder for reconstitution into a beverage. 9. A beverage comprising the electrolyte blend of claim 7; and water, wherein the beverage comprises less than 40 calories per 240 ml. 10. The beverage of claim 9, further comprising at least one of maltodextrin, isomaltulose, glycerol, and dextrose. 11. The beverage of claim 9, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 12. A beverage comprising:
water; and the electrolyte blend of claim 7, comprising:
50 to 220 mg sodium per serving;
20 to 110 mg potassium per serving;
80 to 100 mg chloride per serving; and
50 mg calcium per serving;
wherein a serving comprises 240 milliliters of the beverage. 13. The beverage of claim 12, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 14. A beverage comprising:
water; at least one sweetener, the at least one sweetener present in an amount between 0 wt. % and 10 wt. %; at least one acid, the at least one acid present in an amount between 0 wt. % and 1.0 wt. %; and an electrolyte blend comprising:
sodium chloride;
sodium lactate; and
at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate and monopotassium phosphate. 15. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the at least one sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, isomaltulose, rebaudioside A, and combinations thereof. 16. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 17. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste that is lower than a salty taste of the same beverage except that the electrolyte blend consists of sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and potassium phosphate in amounts that provide the same milligrams per serving of sodium, potassium and chloride. 18. The beverage of claim 14, further comprising magnesium and calcium. 19. The beverage of claim 18, wherein the magnesium comprises magnesium oxide and the calcium comprises calcium lactate. 20. The beverage of claim 18, wherein the electrolyte blend provides 50 to 250 mg sodium per serving, 20 to 350 mg potassium per serving, 10 to 250 mg chloride per serving, 10 to 50 mg magnesium per serving and 10 to 50 mg calcium per serving, and wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 5.0 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. | An electrolyte blend is provided having a minimal salty taste in water or other rehydration compositions. One electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate and potassium chloride. An alternate electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate, potassium gluconate, and calcium chloride. The electrolyte blend may be provided as a beverage product, for example a rehydration product containing carbohydrates. In addition, a rehydration beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, sodium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate and monopotassium phosphate. An alternate beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, calcium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, sodium lactate and calcium chloride.1. An electrolyte blend consisting essentially of sodium lactate and potassium chloride. 2. The electrolyte blend of claim 1 wherein the blend is a powder for reconstitution into a beverage. 3. A beverage comprising the electrolyte blend of claim 1; and water, wherein the beverage comprises zero calories. 4. The beverage of claim 3, further comprising at least one of maltodextrin, isomaltulose, and dextrose, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 5. The beverage of claim 3, comprising 50 to 220 mg sodium per serving; 20 to 110 mg chloride per serving; and 80 to 100 mg potassium per serving. 6. A beverage comprising water; and an electrolyte blend consisting essentially of sodium lactate and potassium chloride. 7. An electrolyte blend comprising sodium lactate; potassium gluconate; and calcium chloride. 8. The electrolyte blend of claim 7 wherein the blend is a powder for reconstitution into a beverage. 9. A beverage comprising the electrolyte blend of claim 7; and water, wherein the beverage comprises less than 40 calories per 240 ml. 10. The beverage of claim 9, further comprising at least one of maltodextrin, isomaltulose, glycerol, and dextrose. 11. The beverage of claim 9, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 12. A beverage comprising:
water; and the electrolyte blend of claim 7, comprising:
50 to 220 mg sodium per serving;
20 to 110 mg potassium per serving;
80 to 100 mg chloride per serving; and
50 mg calcium per serving;
wherein a serving comprises 240 milliliters of the beverage. 13. The beverage of claim 12, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 14. A beverage comprising:
water; at least one sweetener, the at least one sweetener present in an amount between 0 wt. % and 10 wt. %; at least one acid, the at least one acid present in an amount between 0 wt. % and 1.0 wt. %; and an electrolyte blend comprising:
sodium chloride;
sodium lactate; and
at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate and monopotassium phosphate. 15. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the at least one sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, isomaltulose, rebaudioside A, and combinations thereof. 16. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. 17. The beverage of claim 14, wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste that is lower than a salty taste of the same beverage except that the electrolyte blend consists of sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and potassium phosphate in amounts that provide the same milligrams per serving of sodium, potassium and chloride. 18. The beverage of claim 14, further comprising magnesium and calcium. 19. The beverage of claim 18, wherein the magnesium comprises magnesium oxide and the calcium comprises calcium lactate. 20. The beverage of claim 18, wherein the electrolyte blend provides 50 to 250 mg sodium per serving, 20 to 350 mg potassium per serving, 10 to 250 mg chloride per serving, 10 to 50 mg magnesium per serving and 10 to 50 mg calcium per serving, and wherein the beverage exhibits a salty taste of less than 5.0 on a scale of 0 to 15 as determined by a trained sensory panel, wherein a salty taste of a 0.70 wt. % solution of sodium chloride in water equals 15 on the scale and a salty taste of water subjected to reverse osmosis equals 0 on the scale. | 1,700 |
2,854 | 13,907,126 | 1,796 | Methods for preparing a polymer membrane on a porous support may include providing a porous support having an outer wall, a first end, a second end, and porous channel surfaces that define a plurality of channels through the porous support from the first end to the second end. The plurality of channels includes membrane channels. The channel surfaces that define the membrane channels are membrane-channel surfaces. The polymer membrane may be coated onto the porous support by first establishing a pressure differential between the outer wall and the plurality of channels. Then, a pre-polymer solution may be applied to the membrane-channel surfaces and, optionally, the first and second ends, by slip coating or emulsion coating while the pressure differential is maintained. This results in formation of a pre-polymer layer on at least the membrane-channel surfaces. Then, the pre-polymer layer may be cured to form the polymer membrane. | 1. A method for preparing a polymer membrane on a porous support, the method comprising:
providing a porous support having an outer wall, a first end, a second end, and porous channel surfaces that define a plurality of channels through the porous support from the first end to the second end, the plurality of channels comprising membrane channels defined by membrane-channel surfaces; establishing a pressure differential between the outer wall and the plurality of channels; applying a pre-polymer coating solution to at least the membrane-channel surfaces while maintaining the pressure differential to form a pre-polymer layer on the membrane-channel surfaces; and curing the pre-polymer layer to form the polymer membrane. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the porous support is a honeycomb monolith. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the porous support comprises a ceramic selected from cordierite, alpha-alumina, mullite, titania, zirconia, ceria, and combinations thereof. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a precoat layer to at least the membrane channel surfaces before establishing the pressure differential and applying the pre-polymer coating solution, the precoat layer having a precoat average pore size less than a support average pore size of the channel surfaces. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the precoat layer comprises ceramic particles selected from the group consisting of cordierite, alumina, mullite, aluminum titanate, titania, zirconia, ceria, and combinations thereof. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution is applied to the membrane-channel surfaces, the first end, and the second end, and the pre-polymer layer forms on membrane-channel surfaces, the first end, and the second end. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises:
placing the porous support in a coating vessel having a chamber defined therein between a first seal at the first end of the porous support and a second seal at the second end of the porous support, at least a portion of the outer wall of the porous support being disposed in the chamber, both the first end and the second end of the porous support being outside the chamber, whereby fluidic communication between the plurality of channels and the chamber occurs only through the outer wall; and applying a vacuum or a backpressure to the chamber. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the coating vessel comprises:
a first port coupled to the first end of the porous support; a second port coupled to the second end of the porous support, such that fluidic communication between the first port and the second port occurs through the plurality of channels; and a third port coupled to the chamber, such that fluidic communication between the third port and the first and second ports occurs only through the outer wall of the porous support. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
repairing defects in the polymer membrane by:
applying at least one additional layer of pre-polymer coating solution to the polymer membrane to form an defect-repair layer on the polymer membrane; and
curing the defect-repair layer to form a repaired polymer membrane. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution comprises a polymer precursor in a water-immiscible organic solvent. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises applying a backpressure to the chamber. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer precursor further comprises amine-functionalized silica particles suspended in the epoxy-diamine mixture. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution is an oil-in-water emulsion comprising:
an aqueous phase; an oil phase dispersed in the aqueous phase and containing the polymer precursor in the water-immiscible organic solvent; and a surfactant. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises applying a vacuum to the chamber. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the membrane-channel surfaces have a membrane-channel pore-size distribution and the oil-in-water emulsion comprises oil-phase particles having an oil-phase particle size distribution substantially overlapping the membrane-channel pore-size distribution. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the surfactant comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate or an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises:
from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of the oil phase based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion, wherein the oil phase comprises from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of the polymer precursor, based on the total weight of the oil phase; and from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % surfactant, based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein:
the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers; the oil-in-water emulsion comprises from 0.2 wt. % to 1 wt. % surfactant, based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion; and the surfactant comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate. | Methods for preparing a polymer membrane on a porous support may include providing a porous support having an outer wall, a first end, a second end, and porous channel surfaces that define a plurality of channels through the porous support from the first end to the second end. The plurality of channels includes membrane channels. The channel surfaces that define the membrane channels are membrane-channel surfaces. The polymer membrane may be coated onto the porous support by first establishing a pressure differential between the outer wall and the plurality of channels. Then, a pre-polymer solution may be applied to the membrane-channel surfaces and, optionally, the first and second ends, by slip coating or emulsion coating while the pressure differential is maintained. This results in formation of a pre-polymer layer on at least the membrane-channel surfaces. Then, the pre-polymer layer may be cured to form the polymer membrane.1. A method for preparing a polymer membrane on a porous support, the method comprising:
providing a porous support having an outer wall, a first end, a second end, and porous channel surfaces that define a plurality of channels through the porous support from the first end to the second end, the plurality of channels comprising membrane channels defined by membrane-channel surfaces; establishing a pressure differential between the outer wall and the plurality of channels; applying a pre-polymer coating solution to at least the membrane-channel surfaces while maintaining the pressure differential to form a pre-polymer layer on the membrane-channel surfaces; and curing the pre-polymer layer to form the polymer membrane. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the porous support is a honeycomb monolith. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the porous support comprises a ceramic selected from cordierite, alpha-alumina, mullite, titania, zirconia, ceria, and combinations thereof. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a precoat layer to at least the membrane channel surfaces before establishing the pressure differential and applying the pre-polymer coating solution, the precoat layer having a precoat average pore size less than a support average pore size of the channel surfaces. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the precoat layer comprises ceramic particles selected from the group consisting of cordierite, alumina, mullite, aluminum titanate, titania, zirconia, ceria, and combinations thereof. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution is applied to the membrane-channel surfaces, the first end, and the second end, and the pre-polymer layer forms on membrane-channel surfaces, the first end, and the second end. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises:
placing the porous support in a coating vessel having a chamber defined therein between a first seal at the first end of the porous support and a second seal at the second end of the porous support, at least a portion of the outer wall of the porous support being disposed in the chamber, both the first end and the second end of the porous support being outside the chamber, whereby fluidic communication between the plurality of channels and the chamber occurs only through the outer wall; and applying a vacuum or a backpressure to the chamber. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the coating vessel comprises:
a first port coupled to the first end of the porous support; a second port coupled to the second end of the porous support, such that fluidic communication between the first port and the second port occurs through the plurality of channels; and a third port coupled to the chamber, such that fluidic communication between the third port and the first and second ports occurs only through the outer wall of the porous support. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
repairing defects in the polymer membrane by:
applying at least one additional layer of pre-polymer coating solution to the polymer membrane to form an defect-repair layer on the polymer membrane; and
curing the defect-repair layer to form a repaired polymer membrane. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution comprises a polymer precursor in a water-immiscible organic solvent. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises applying a backpressure to the chamber. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer precursor further comprises amine-functionalized silica particles suspended in the epoxy-diamine mixture. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-polymer coating solution is an oil-in-water emulsion comprising:
an aqueous phase; an oil phase dispersed in the aqueous phase and containing the polymer precursor in the water-immiscible organic solvent; and a surfactant. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein establishing the pressure differential comprises applying a vacuum to the chamber. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the membrane-channel surfaces have a membrane-channel pore-size distribution and the oil-in-water emulsion comprises oil-phase particles having an oil-phase particle size distribution substantially overlapping the membrane-channel pore-size distribution. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the surfactant comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate or an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises:
from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of the oil phase based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion, wherein the oil phase comprises from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of the polymer precursor, based on the total weight of the oil phase; and from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % surfactant, based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein:
the polymer precursor comprises an epoxy-diamine mixture of 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl)propylene glycol monomers or oligomers; the oil-in-water emulsion comprises from 0.2 wt. % to 1 wt. % surfactant, based on the total weight of the oil-in-water emulsion; and the surfactant comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate. | 1,700 |
2,855 | 13,937,889 | 1,718 | Substrate processing apparatus and gas distribution apparatus are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas distribution apparatus includes a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the first quartz layer; a first plenum fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; a second plenum fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; and one or more outlets disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer to provide a gas to the side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the first quartz layer. | 1. A gas distribution apparatus, comprising:
a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer from a first side to an opposing second side of the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the second side of the first quartz layer; a first plenum fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; a second plenum fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; and one or more outlets disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer to provide a gas to the side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the first quartz layer. 2. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first walls disposed in the first plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the first plenum; and a plurality of second walls disposed in the second plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the second plenum. 3. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more first conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second quartz layer, wherein the one or more first conduits are fluidly coupled to the first plenum through the second quartz layer. 4. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a third quartz layer coupled to the second quartz layer on the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer; and one or more second conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second and third quartz layers, wherein the one or more second conduits are fluidly coupled to the second plenum through the third quartz layer. 5. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
a fourth quartz layer coupled to a side of the third quartz layer opposite the second quartz layer; a third plenum formed between the third quartz layer and a side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer, wherein the third plenum is fluidly coupled to a third set of the plurality of the openings; and a fourth plenum formed between the third quartz layer and the side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer, wherein the fourth is fluidly coupled to a fourth set of the plurality of the openings. 6. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
one or more third conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second, third and fourth quartz layers, wherein the one or more conduits are fluidly coupled to the third plenum through the fourth quartz layer. 7. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:
a fifth quartz layer coupled to the fourth quartz layer on the side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer; and one or more fourth conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second, third, fourth, and fifth quartz layers, wherein the one or more fourth conduits are fluidly coupled to the fourth plenum through the fifth quartz layer. 8. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
a plurality of first walls disposed in the first plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the first plenum; a plurality of first wall conduits disposed through the plurality of first walls to fluidly couple the third plenum to the third set of the plurality of openings; a plurality of second walls disposed in the second plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the second plenum; and a plurality of second wall conduits disposed through the plurality of second walls to fluidly couple the fourth plenum to the fourth set of the plurality of openings. 9. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a conduit disposed through the first quartz layer and fluidly coupled to the one or more outlets. 10. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a conduit fluidly coupled to one or more channels disposed within the gas distribution apparatus to flow a heat transfer fluid through the one or more channels. 11. A substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
a process chamber having a processing volume with a substrate support disposed therein; a gas distribution apparatus disposed above the substrate support to provide one or more gases to a substrate when disposed on the substrate support; and a gas injection system to provide the one or more gases to the gas distribution apparatus, wherein the gas injection system further comprises:
a first injector disposed adjacent to the substrate support to conduct the one or more gases from an external gas source into the process chamber; and
a second injector adjacent to the substrate support to conduct the one or more gases from the first injector to the gas distribution apparatus and to inject the one or more gases into the processing volume. 12. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second injector further comprises:
a first set of a plurality of second injector conduits to provide the one or more gases tangential to a surface of a substrate when present on the substrate support. 13. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first injector further comprises:
a first set of a plurality of first injector conduits to provide the one or more gases from an external gas source to the first set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 14. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second injector further comprises:
a second set of the plurality of second injector conduits to conduct the one or more gases from the first injector to the gas distribution apparatus. 15. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first injector further comprises:
a second set of a plurality of first injector conduits to provide the one or more gases from an external gas source to the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 16. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer from a first side facing the processing volume to an opposing second side of the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the second side of the first quartz layer; a first plenum disposed between the first quartz layer and a side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer, wherein the first plenum is fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings; and a second plenum formed between the first quartz layer and the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer, wherein the second plenum is fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings. 17. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
one or more first conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second quartz layer, wherein the one or more conduits are fluidly coupled to the first plenum through the second quartz layer and wherein the one or more first conduits are coupled to one or more second injector conduits of the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 18. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a third quartz layer coupled to the second quartz layer on the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer; and one or more second conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second and third quartz layers, wherein the one or more second conduits are fluidly coupled to the second plenum through the third quartz layer and wherein the one or more second conduits are coupled to one or more second injector conduits of the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 19. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
one or more openings disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the substrate support to provide a gas to a region of the process chamber between the gas distribution apparatus and a lid of the process chamber. 20. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a conduit fluidly coupled to one or more channels disposed within the gas distribution apparatus to flow a heat transfer fluid therethrough. | Substrate processing apparatus and gas distribution apparatus are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas distribution apparatus includes a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the first quartz layer; a first plenum fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; a second plenum fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; and one or more outlets disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer to provide a gas to the side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the first quartz layer.1. A gas distribution apparatus, comprising:
a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer from a first side to an opposing second side of the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the second side of the first quartz layer; a first plenum fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; a second plenum fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings and disposed between the first quartz layer and the second quartz layer; and one or more outlets disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer to provide a gas to the side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the first quartz layer. 2. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first walls disposed in the first plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the first plenum; and a plurality of second walls disposed in the second plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the second plenum. 3. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more first conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second quartz layer, wherein the one or more first conduits are fluidly coupled to the first plenum through the second quartz layer. 4. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a third quartz layer coupled to the second quartz layer on the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer; and one or more second conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second and third quartz layers, wherein the one or more second conduits are fluidly coupled to the second plenum through the third quartz layer. 5. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
a fourth quartz layer coupled to a side of the third quartz layer opposite the second quartz layer; a third plenum formed between the third quartz layer and a side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer, wherein the third plenum is fluidly coupled to a third set of the plurality of the openings; and a fourth plenum formed between the third quartz layer and the side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer, wherein the fourth is fluidly coupled to a fourth set of the plurality of the openings. 6. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
one or more third conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second, third and fourth quartz layers, wherein the one or more conduits are fluidly coupled to the third plenum through the fourth quartz layer. 7. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:
a fifth quartz layer coupled to the fourth quartz layer on the side of the fourth quartz layer opposite the third quartz layer; and one or more fourth conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second, third, fourth, and fifth quartz layers, wherein the one or more fourth conduits are fluidly coupled to the fourth plenum through the fifth quartz layer. 8. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
a plurality of first walls disposed in the first plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the first plenum; a plurality of first wall conduits disposed through the plurality of first walls to fluidly couple the third plenum to the third set of the plurality of openings; a plurality of second walls disposed in the second plenum to distribute a gas when flowing through the second plenum; and a plurality of second wall conduits disposed through the plurality of second walls to fluidly couple the fourth plenum to the fourth set of the plurality of openings. 9. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a conduit disposed through the first quartz layer and fluidly coupled to the one or more outlets. 10. The gas distribution apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a conduit fluidly coupled to one or more channels disposed within the gas distribution apparatus to flow a heat transfer fluid through the one or more channels. 11. A substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
a process chamber having a processing volume with a substrate support disposed therein; a gas distribution apparatus disposed above the substrate support to provide one or more gases to a substrate when disposed on the substrate support; and a gas injection system to provide the one or more gases to the gas distribution apparatus, wherein the gas injection system further comprises:
a first injector disposed adjacent to the substrate support to conduct the one or more gases from an external gas source into the process chamber; and
a second injector adjacent to the substrate support to conduct the one or more gases from the first injector to the gas distribution apparatus and to inject the one or more gases into the processing volume. 12. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second injector further comprises:
a first set of a plurality of second injector conduits to provide the one or more gases tangential to a surface of a substrate when present on the substrate support. 13. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first injector further comprises:
a first set of a plurality of first injector conduits to provide the one or more gases from an external gas source to the first set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 14. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second injector further comprises:
a second set of the plurality of second injector conduits to conduct the one or more gases from the first injector to the gas distribution apparatus. 15. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first injector further comprises:
a second set of a plurality of first injector conduits to provide the one or more gases from an external gas source to the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 16. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a first quartz layer having a plurality of openings disposed through the first quartz layer from a first side facing the processing volume to an opposing second side of the first quartz layer; a second quartz layer coupled to the second side of the first quartz layer; a first plenum disposed between the first quartz layer and a side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer, wherein the first plenum is fluidly coupled to a first set of the plurality of openings; and a second plenum formed between the first quartz layer and the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer, wherein the second plenum is fluidly coupled to a second set of the plurality of openings. 17. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
one or more first conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second quartz layer, wherein the one or more conduits are fluidly coupled to the first plenum through the second quartz layer and wherein the one or more first conduits are coupled to one or more second injector conduits of the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 18. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a third quartz layer coupled to the second quartz layer on the side of the second quartz layer opposite the first quartz layer; and one or more second conduits disposed through the first quartz layer from the first side to the second side and through the second and third quartz layers, wherein the one or more second conduits are fluidly coupled to the second plenum through the third quartz layer and wherein the one or more second conduits are coupled to one or more second injector conduits of the second set of the plurality of second injector conduits. 19. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
one or more openings disposed on a side of the gas distribution apparatus opposite the substrate support to provide a gas to a region of the process chamber between the gas distribution apparatus and a lid of the process chamber. 20. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas distribution apparatus further comprises:
a conduit fluidly coupled to one or more channels disposed within the gas distribution apparatus to flow a heat transfer fluid therethrough. | 1,700 |
2,856 | 14,148,876 | 1,749 | This invention relates to tacky finishes and to the textile materials and articles treated with the tacky finishes. The tacky finishes provide improved processing features for end-use articles that contain such finishes. The tacky finish may be combined with other adhesion promotion finishes in the treatment of textile materials. The textile materials and articles may be used as rubber reinforcing materials, such as automotive tire cap ply, single end tire cord, carcass reinforcement and side wall reinforcement. End-use articles that contain the treated textile materials include rubber-containing materials such as automobile tires, belts, and hoses. This invention also relates to the methods for manufacturing the treated textile materials and articles. | 1. A cap ply comprising:
a) a textile substrate having a tacky finish, said tacky finish comprising
(i) at least one tacky resin;
(ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and
(iii) at least one adhesion promoter. 2. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky finish further includes at least one solvent. 3. The cap ply of claim 2, wherein the at least one solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene/hydrocarbon solvents, xylene, ethyl acetate, alcohols, ethers, and mixtures thereof. 4. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter includes silica. 5. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky resin is selected from the group consisting of phenol-containing resins, aromatic resins, hydrocarbon resins, terpene resins, indene resins, coumarone resins, rosin-based resins, and mixtures thereof. 6. The cap ply of claim 5, wherein the at least one tacky resin is a rosin ester resin. 7. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one unvulcanized rubber is selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, synthetic trans-rich polyisoprene or cis-rich polyisoprene, natural rubber, poly(styrene-co-butadiene), poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene), chloroprene, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber (polyisobutylene copolymers), halo-butyl rubber, and mixtures thereof. 8. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde-resorcinol condensate and/or resin, formaldehyde-phenol condensate, novolac resins, resole resins, multifunctional epoxy resin, novolac modified epoxy resin, isocyanate compounds, blocked isocyanate resin or compounds, halogenated resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, phenolic resins, halogenated phenolic resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, vinylpyridine rubber latex, methylene donors such as hexamethylenetetramine and hexamethoxymethylmelamine, organofunctional silanes, and mixtures thereof. 12. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the tacky finish further includes at least one antioxidant. 13. The cap ply of claim 12, wherein the at least one antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of hindered phenol compounds, acylphenylenediamine compounds, diphenylamine compounds, mercaptan compounds, thioester compounds, thioether compounds, hydroquinoline compounds, and mixtures thereof. 14. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky resin is rosin ester resin and the at least one adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. 15. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the cap ply further comprises a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex layer disposed between the textile substrate and the tacky finish. 16. A tire comprising a cap ply wound over a steel belt ply, wherein the cap ply comprises:
a) a textile substrate having a tacky finish, said tacky finish comprising:
(i) at least one tacky resin;
(ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and
(iii) at least one adhesion promoter. 17. The tire of claim 16, wherein the cap ply further comprises a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex layer disposed between the textile substrate and the tacky finish. 18. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one tacky resin is a rosin ester resin. 19. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one tacky resin is rosin ester resin and the at least one adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. 20. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter includes silica. | This invention relates to tacky finishes and to the textile materials and articles treated with the tacky finishes. The tacky finishes provide improved processing features for end-use articles that contain such finishes. The tacky finish may be combined with other adhesion promotion finishes in the treatment of textile materials. The textile materials and articles may be used as rubber reinforcing materials, such as automotive tire cap ply, single end tire cord, carcass reinforcement and side wall reinforcement. End-use articles that contain the treated textile materials include rubber-containing materials such as automobile tires, belts, and hoses. This invention also relates to the methods for manufacturing the treated textile materials and articles.1. A cap ply comprising:
a) a textile substrate having a tacky finish, said tacky finish comprising
(i) at least one tacky resin;
(ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and
(iii) at least one adhesion promoter. 2. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky finish further includes at least one solvent. 3. The cap ply of claim 2, wherein the at least one solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene/hydrocarbon solvents, xylene, ethyl acetate, alcohols, ethers, and mixtures thereof. 4. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter includes silica. 5. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky resin is selected from the group consisting of phenol-containing resins, aromatic resins, hydrocarbon resins, terpene resins, indene resins, coumarone resins, rosin-based resins, and mixtures thereof. 6. The cap ply of claim 5, wherein the at least one tacky resin is a rosin ester resin. 7. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one unvulcanized rubber is selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, synthetic trans-rich polyisoprene or cis-rich polyisoprene, natural rubber, poly(styrene-co-butadiene), poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene), chloroprene, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber (polyisobutylene copolymers), halo-butyl rubber, and mixtures thereof. 8. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde-resorcinol condensate and/or resin, formaldehyde-phenol condensate, novolac resins, resole resins, multifunctional epoxy resin, novolac modified epoxy resin, isocyanate compounds, blocked isocyanate resin or compounds, halogenated resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, phenolic resins, halogenated phenolic resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, vinylpyridine rubber latex, methylene donors such as hexamethylenetetramine and hexamethoxymethylmelamine, organofunctional silanes, and mixtures thereof. 12. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the tacky finish further includes at least one antioxidant. 13. The cap ply of claim 12, wherein the at least one antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of hindered phenol compounds, acylphenylenediamine compounds, diphenylamine compounds, mercaptan compounds, thioester compounds, thioether compounds, hydroquinoline compounds, and mixtures thereof. 14. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the at least one tacky resin is rosin ester resin and the at least one adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. 15. The cap ply of claim 1, wherein the cap ply further comprises a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex layer disposed between the textile substrate and the tacky finish. 16. A tire comprising a cap ply wound over a steel belt ply, wherein the cap ply comprises:
a) a textile substrate having a tacky finish, said tacky finish comprising:
(i) at least one tacky resin;
(ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and
(iii) at least one adhesion promoter. 17. The tire of claim 16, wherein the cap ply further comprises a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex layer disposed between the textile substrate and the tacky finish. 18. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one tacky resin is a rosin ester resin. 19. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one tacky resin is rosin ester resin and the at least one adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. 20. The tire of claim 16, wherein the at least one adhesion promoter includes silica. | 1,700 |
2,857 | 14,549,693 | 1,792 | Adapters for consumable product packages and methods of using same are provided. The adapters are designed to provide functional features to packages that are not structurally capable of providing such functions. The functional features may include, for example, spill-resistance, flow-control, ease of use, etc. In a general embodiment, the adapters of the present disclosure include a valve comprising an outlet and a cap that is so constructed and arranged to seal the valve. The valve is so constructed and arranged to provide a functional feature and to attach to a package fitment. In another embodiment, packages are provided that include two-component adapters configured to provide specific functional features to the packages. | 1. An adapter assembly comprising:
an adapter comprising an outlet, wherein the adapter is so constructed and arranged to provide a functional feature and comprises a body portion that is so constructed and arranged to accept at least a portion of a fitment on a package; and a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet. 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm; a rotatable flow-control device; a valve component, a reduced size of the outlet; a contact-to-open valve; an elongated, cylindrical extension; an extension having a substantially duck-bill shape; and combinations thereof. 3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the functional feature is selected from the group consisting of spill-resistance, flow-control, ease of insertion into a consumer's mouth, comfortable insertion into a consumer's mouth, and combinations thereof. 4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the package is a consumable product package comprising a consumable product. 5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises at least one diaphragm having a slit, wherein the slit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a line, an “x,” a crescent, and combinations thereof. 6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the package is a fill-through-fitment package. 7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a connector to connect the adapter to the fitment. 8. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the connector comprises threading on an internal surface of the adapter that is configured to cooperate with threading on an external surface of the fitment to attach the adapter to the fitment. 9. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the connector comprises at least two, opposing, substantially “L”-shaped projections that are so constructed and arranged to snap-fit the adapter on the fitment. 10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises threading on an internal surface thereof that is configured to cooperate with threading on an external surface of the adapter to attach the cap to the adapter. 11. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a valve component comprising a body defining an interior and having an outlet, a connector and a rotatable flow-control device. 12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device extends substantially through a width of the body of the valve component. 13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device comprises a handle for rotating the device. 14. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device comprises a cylinder having an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the valve component. 15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the cylinder comprises a hole extending through the cylinder in a direction that is parallel to a diameter of the cylinder. 16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the hole is so constructed and arranged to align with the interior of the body of the valve component. 17. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the hole may wholly or partially align with the interior of the body of the valve component depending on the rotation of the flow-control device. 18. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises at least one valve component and wherein the flow rate of the product is reduced when compared to a product flow rate exiting the valve component from an outlet that is the size of a diameter of the body of the valve component. 19. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the outlet comprises a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, star, rectangle, square, triangle, semi-circle, oval, trapezoid, crescent, pentagon, letter, number, and combinations thereof. 20. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the valve component is so constructed and arranged to prevent a product from exiting the outlet absent application of a pressure to the valve component. 21. A package comprising:
a flexible pouch; a fitment on the pouch; an adapter, wherein the adapter is selected from those claimed in claim 1-20, a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet wherein the flexible pouch is so constructed and arranged to house a product. 22. The package of claim 21, wherein the package is a consumable product package comprising a consumable product. 23. A method for providing a nutritional composition to an individual, the method comprising:
providing a package comprising a flexible pouch; a fitment on the pouch; an adapter, wherein the adapter is selected from those claimed in claim 1-20, a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet wherein the flexible pouch is so constructed and arranged to house a consumable product package and contains a consumable product; and instructing the individual to consume the nutritional composition themselves or have another consume the nutritional composition. | Adapters for consumable product packages and methods of using same are provided. The adapters are designed to provide functional features to packages that are not structurally capable of providing such functions. The functional features may include, for example, spill-resistance, flow-control, ease of use, etc. In a general embodiment, the adapters of the present disclosure include a valve comprising an outlet and a cap that is so constructed and arranged to seal the valve. The valve is so constructed and arranged to provide a functional feature and to attach to a package fitment. In another embodiment, packages are provided that include two-component adapters configured to provide specific functional features to the packages.1. An adapter assembly comprising:
an adapter comprising an outlet, wherein the adapter is so constructed and arranged to provide a functional feature and comprises a body portion that is so constructed and arranged to accept at least a portion of a fitment on a package; and a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet. 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm; a rotatable flow-control device; a valve component, a reduced size of the outlet; a contact-to-open valve; an elongated, cylindrical extension; an extension having a substantially duck-bill shape; and combinations thereof. 3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the functional feature is selected from the group consisting of spill-resistance, flow-control, ease of insertion into a consumer's mouth, comfortable insertion into a consumer's mouth, and combinations thereof. 4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the package is a consumable product package comprising a consumable product. 5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises at least one diaphragm having a slit, wherein the slit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a line, an “x,” a crescent, and combinations thereof. 6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the package is a fill-through-fitment package. 7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a connector to connect the adapter to the fitment. 8. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the connector comprises threading on an internal surface of the adapter that is configured to cooperate with threading on an external surface of the fitment to attach the adapter to the fitment. 9. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the connector comprises at least two, opposing, substantially “L”-shaped projections that are so constructed and arranged to snap-fit the adapter on the fitment. 10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises threading on an internal surface thereof that is configured to cooperate with threading on an external surface of the adapter to attach the cap to the adapter. 11. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a valve component comprising a body defining an interior and having an outlet, a connector and a rotatable flow-control device. 12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device extends substantially through a width of the body of the valve component. 13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device comprises a handle for rotating the device. 14. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the flow-control device comprises a cylinder having an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the valve component. 15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the cylinder comprises a hole extending through the cylinder in a direction that is parallel to a diameter of the cylinder. 16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the hole is so constructed and arranged to align with the interior of the body of the valve component. 17. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the hole may wholly or partially align with the interior of the body of the valve component depending on the rotation of the flow-control device. 18. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises at least one valve component and wherein the flow rate of the product is reduced when compared to a product flow rate exiting the valve component from an outlet that is the size of a diameter of the body of the valve component. 19. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the outlet comprises a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, star, rectangle, square, triangle, semi-circle, oval, trapezoid, crescent, pentagon, letter, number, and combinations thereof. 20. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the valve component is so constructed and arranged to prevent a product from exiting the outlet absent application of a pressure to the valve component. 21. A package comprising:
a flexible pouch; a fitment on the pouch; an adapter, wherein the adapter is selected from those claimed in claim 1-20, a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet wherein the flexible pouch is so constructed and arranged to house a product. 22. The package of claim 21, wherein the package is a consumable product package comprising a consumable product. 23. A method for providing a nutritional composition to an individual, the method comprising:
providing a package comprising a flexible pouch; a fitment on the pouch; an adapter, wherein the adapter is selected from those claimed in claim 1-20, a cap that is so constructed and arranged to attach to the adapter to close the outlet wherein the flexible pouch is so constructed and arranged to house a consumable product package and contains a consumable product; and instructing the individual to consume the nutritional composition themselves or have another consume the nutritional composition. | 1,700 |
2,858 | 14,776,979 | 1,712 | Disclosed is a method for preparing a plastic film. More particularly, a method is provided for preparing a plastic film of high hardness and excellent processability. The plastic method fabricated by the method is superior in processability with the rare occurrence of curling, and exhibits high hardness. | 1. A method for preparing a plastic film, comprising:
applying a coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to at least one side of a support substrate; and curing the coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing is carried out with light and then with heat. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition comprises a polyester-based polyurethane oligomer, a polyol, and a polyisocyanate. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition comprises the polyester-based polyurethane oligomer in an amount of 10 to 40 weight %, the polyol in an amount of 5 to 30 weight %, and the polyisocyanate in an amount of 50 to 80 weight %, based on a total weight of a solid fraction thereof. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyester-based polyurethane oligomer has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 g/mol. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polyether polyol, polyacryl polyol, polycarbonate polyoldiol, and a combination thereof. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyisocyate is at least one selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexyl diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, α,α-xylylene diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, and a di- or trimer thereof. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer and the thermosetting prepolymer composition are used at a weight ratio of 1:0.01 to 1:3, as measured on the basis of solid components thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition further comprises a catalyst selected from the consisting of dibutyltindilaurate (DBTDL), zinc octoate, iron acetyl acetonate, N,N-dimethyl ethanolamine, triethylene diamine, and a combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer is selected from the group consisting of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), trimethylolpropane ethoxy triacrylate (TMPEOTA), glycerin-propoxylated triacrylate (GPTA), pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA), dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA) and a combination thereof. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particle has a particle size of 100 nm or less. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particle comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a silica particle, an aluminum oxide particle, a titanium oxide particle, and a zinc oxide particle. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating composition comprises the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer in an amount of 40 to 80 weight parts, the thermosetting prepolymer composition in an amount of 5 to 50 weight parts, the photoinitiator in an amount of 0.2 to 5 weight parts, and the inorganic fine particle in an amount of 5 to 40 weight parts, based on 100 weight parts of a solid component including the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, the thermosetting prepolymer composition, the photoinitiator, and the inorganic fine particle. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing with heat is carried out at a temperature of 60 to 140° C. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising:
applying a first coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to one side of a support substrate; and curing the first coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer; applying a second coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to another side of a support substrate; and curing the second coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer. | Disclosed is a method for preparing a plastic film. More particularly, a method is provided for preparing a plastic film of high hardness and excellent processability. The plastic method fabricated by the method is superior in processability with the rare occurrence of curling, and exhibits high hardness.1. A method for preparing a plastic film, comprising:
applying a coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to at least one side of a support substrate; and curing the coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing is carried out with light and then with heat. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition comprises a polyester-based polyurethane oligomer, a polyol, and a polyisocyanate. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition comprises the polyester-based polyurethane oligomer in an amount of 10 to 40 weight %, the polyol in an amount of 5 to 30 weight %, and the polyisocyanate in an amount of 50 to 80 weight %, based on a total weight of a solid fraction thereof. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyester-based polyurethane oligomer has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 g/mol. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polyether polyol, polyacryl polyol, polycarbonate polyoldiol, and a combination thereof. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the polyisocyate is at least one selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexyl diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, α,α-xylylene diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, and a di- or trimer thereof. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer and the thermosetting prepolymer composition are used at a weight ratio of 1:0.01 to 1:3, as measured on the basis of solid components thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermosetting prepolymer composition further comprises a catalyst selected from the consisting of dibutyltindilaurate (DBTDL), zinc octoate, iron acetyl acetonate, N,N-dimethyl ethanolamine, triethylene diamine, and a combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer is selected from the group consisting of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), trimethylolpropane ethoxy triacrylate (TMPEOTA), glycerin-propoxylated triacrylate (GPTA), pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA), dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA) and a combination thereof. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particle has a particle size of 100 nm or less. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particle comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a silica particle, an aluminum oxide particle, a titanium oxide particle, and a zinc oxide particle. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating composition comprises the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer in an amount of 40 to 80 weight parts, the thermosetting prepolymer composition in an amount of 5 to 50 weight parts, the photoinitiator in an amount of 0.2 to 5 weight parts, and the inorganic fine particle in an amount of 5 to 40 weight parts, based on 100 weight parts of a solid component including the tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, the thermosetting prepolymer composition, the photoinitiator, and the inorganic fine particle. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing with heat is carried out at a temperature of 60 to 140° C. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising:
applying a first coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to one side of a support substrate; and curing the first coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer; applying a second coating composition comprising a tri- to hexafunctional acrylate-based monomer, a thermosetting prepolymer composition, an inorganic fine particle, and a photoinitiator to another side of a support substrate; and curing the second coating composition applied to the support substrate with light and heat to form a coating layer. | 1,700 |
2,859 | 13,700,527 | 1,717 | A method for depositing a film includes depositing an oil repellent film having an enhanced abrasion resistance properties and which is suitable for practical use. A film deposition system, wherein a substrate holder having a substrate holding surface for holding a plurality of substrates is provided rotatably to inside a vacuum container, can include an ion source provided to inside the vacuum container to have a configuration and in an arrangement and/or a direction, by which an ion beam can be irradiated only to a partial region of the substrate holding surface. A deposition source can be provided to inside the vacuum container such that a film deposition material of an oil repellent film can be supplied to the whole region of the substrate holding surface. An operation of the ion source can be stopped before starting operation of the deposition source. | 1. A method for depositing a film, comprising the steps of:
irradiating ions to a partial region of a base holding surface of a base holding means, thereby, the ions are irradiated only to a certain base group fed to the region among a plurality of bases held on the base holding surface and rotating; and subsequently, in a state of suspending irradiation of the ions, supplying a film deposition material of an oil repellent film to all the bases by supplying the film deposition material to the whole region on the base holding surface; for depositing an oil repellent film on surfaces of the bases. 2. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein when time of supplying a film deposition material is T1 and irradiation time of ions is T2, ions are irradiated so as to satisfy T2≦((½)×T1) for each base. 3. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein when a region supplied with a film deposition material is A1 and ion irradiation region is A2, ions are irradiated to a base holding surface of a base holding means so as to satisfy A2≦((½)×A1). 4. The method for depositing a film according to claim 3, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 5. The method for depositing a film according to claim 4, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 6. The method for depositing a film according to claim 5, wherein ions having an irradiation ion current of 50 mA to 1500 mA are used. 7. The method for depositing a film according to claim 6, wherein ions containing at least oxygen are used. 8. A film deposition system for depositing an oil repellent film wherein a base holding means having a base holding surface for holding a plurality of bases is provided rotatably in a vacuum container, comprising:
an ion irradiation means provided to inside the vacuum container to have a configuration and in an arrangement and/or a direction, by which ions can be irradiated to a partial region on the base holding surface; and a film deposition means provided in the vacuum container in an arrangement and direction, by which a film deposition material can be supplied to allover the base holding surface; wherein an operation of the ion irradiation means is stopped before starting an operation of the film deposition means. 9. The film deposition system according to claim 8, wherein the ion irradiation means is provided to inside the vacuum container in an arrangement, by which ions can be irradiated half or less of the whole region of the base holding surface. 10. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein when a region supplied with a film deposition material is A1 and ion irradiation region is A2, ions are irradiated to a base holding surface of a base holding means so as to satisfy A2≦((½)×A1). 11. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 12. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 13. The method for depositing a film according to claim 10, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 14. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 15. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 16. The method for depositing a film according to claim 3, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 17. The method for depositing a film according to claim 10, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 18. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions having an irradiation ion current of 50 mA to 1500 mA are used. 19. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions containing at least oxygen are used. | A method for depositing a film includes depositing an oil repellent film having an enhanced abrasion resistance properties and which is suitable for practical use. A film deposition system, wherein a substrate holder having a substrate holding surface for holding a plurality of substrates is provided rotatably to inside a vacuum container, can include an ion source provided to inside the vacuum container to have a configuration and in an arrangement and/or a direction, by which an ion beam can be irradiated only to a partial region of the substrate holding surface. A deposition source can be provided to inside the vacuum container such that a film deposition material of an oil repellent film can be supplied to the whole region of the substrate holding surface. An operation of the ion source can be stopped before starting operation of the deposition source.1. A method for depositing a film, comprising the steps of:
irradiating ions to a partial region of a base holding surface of a base holding means, thereby, the ions are irradiated only to a certain base group fed to the region among a plurality of bases held on the base holding surface and rotating; and subsequently, in a state of suspending irradiation of the ions, supplying a film deposition material of an oil repellent film to all the bases by supplying the film deposition material to the whole region on the base holding surface; for depositing an oil repellent film on surfaces of the bases. 2. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein when time of supplying a film deposition material is T1 and irradiation time of ions is T2, ions are irradiated so as to satisfy T2≦((½)×T1) for each base. 3. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein when a region supplied with a film deposition material is A1 and ion irradiation region is A2, ions are irradiated to a base holding surface of a base holding means so as to satisfy A2≦((½)×A1). 4. The method for depositing a film according to claim 3, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 5. The method for depositing a film according to claim 4, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 6. The method for depositing a film according to claim 5, wherein ions having an irradiation ion current of 50 mA to 1500 mA are used. 7. The method for depositing a film according to claim 6, wherein ions containing at least oxygen are used. 8. A film deposition system for depositing an oil repellent film wherein a base holding means having a base holding surface for holding a plurality of bases is provided rotatably in a vacuum container, comprising:
an ion irradiation means provided to inside the vacuum container to have a configuration and in an arrangement and/or a direction, by which ions can be irradiated to a partial region on the base holding surface; and a film deposition means provided in the vacuum container in an arrangement and direction, by which a film deposition material can be supplied to allover the base holding surface; wherein an operation of the ion irradiation means is stopped before starting an operation of the film deposition means. 9. The film deposition system according to claim 8, wherein the ion irradiation means is provided to inside the vacuum container in an arrangement, by which ions can be irradiated half or less of the whole region of the base holding surface. 10. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein when a region supplied with a film deposition material is A1 and ion irradiation region is A2, ions are irradiated to a base holding surface of a base holding means so as to satisfy A2≦((½)×A1). 11. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 12. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 13. The method for depositing a film according to claim 10, wherein ions are irradiated so that an irradiation region becomes a region surrounded by a longitudinal closed curve along a moving direction of the bases. 14. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 15. The method for depositing a film according to claim 2, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 16. The method for depositing a film according to claim 3, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 17. The method for depositing a film according to claim 10, wherein ions having an accelerating voltage of 50V to 1500V are used. 18. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions having an irradiation ion current of 50 mA to 1500 mA are used. 19. The method for depositing a film according to claim 1, wherein ions containing at least oxygen are used. | 1,700 |
2,860 | 13,985,712 | 1,793 | Stabilized whole grain flours having a fine particle size and which exhibit good baking functionality are produced with high throughput using two bran and germ fractions and an endosperm fraction. One bran and germ fraction is a coarse fraction which is subjected to two stage grinding, but the second bran and germ fraction is a low ash, fine bran and germ fraction which is sufficiently fine so that it does not need to be subjected to grinding thereby reducing starch damage and increasing production with reduced grinding equipment load. Portions of the coarse bran and germ fraction which are ground in the first grinding stage to a sufficient fineness are separated out and not subjected to additional grinding further reducing starch damage and increasing production. The bran and germ fractions may be combined, subjected to stabilization, and combined with the endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. | 1. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and genii fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of the coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, and d) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour having a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S, Standard Sieve, wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight and is not ground thereby reducing starch damage and increasing production efficiency. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction is from 60% by weight to 75% by weight, said low ash fine bran and genii fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight, and said coarse bran and germ fraction is from 10% by weight to 37% by weight, said weight percentages being based upon the total weight of said endosperm fraction, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said coarse bran and germ fraction, and said weight percentages add up to 100% by weight. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction comprises from 85% by weight to 95% by weight starch, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction comprises from 10% by weight to 50% by weight starch, and said coarse bran and germ fraction comprises from 10% by weight to 40% by weight starch, and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction has a fine particle size distribution substantially the same as the particle size distribution of the endosperm fraction. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction has a particle size distribution of at least about 65% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 5% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 65% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 10% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and said coarse bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of greater than or equal to 500 microns, less than or equal to 5% by weight having a particle size of less than 149 microns, and 15% by weight to 25% by weight having a particle size of less than 500 microns but greater than or equal to 149 microns. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction farther comprises the step of obtaining a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and a second ground coarse bran and germ fraction. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction, said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said second ground coarse bran and germ fraction are combined to obtain a combined fine bran and germ fraction. 7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said combined fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 15% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said milling of the whole grains comprises subjecting the whole grains to a plurality of breaking operations, rolling operations, and sifting operations to obtain said endosperm fraction, low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and coarse bran and germ fraction. 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of breaking operations include the use of dull corrugations to reduce starch damage during the breaking operations and to attain a larger particle size distribution for said fractions. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1 Wherein said endosperm fraction is hydrated to obtain a moisture content of from 10% by weight to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of said endosperm fraction, wherein said hydrated endosperm fraction is combined after cooling with said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction to obtain the stabilized whole grain flour. 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said endosperm fraction is cooled to a temperature of less than about 90° F. to obtain a cooled endosperm fraction prior to combining with said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction is cooled to a temperature of less than about 90° F. prior to combining with said. cooled endosperm fraction. 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction are hydrated prior to stabilization. 14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction are hydrated to a moisture content of 10% by weight to 20% by weight. 15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stabilized whole grain flour has a moisture content of 10% by weight to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein stabilizing of said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction reduces the lipase activity to less than about 250 units/g/hour, of the stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, where a unit is the number of micromoles (˜tm) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized fine bran and germ fraction. 17. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein stabilizing of said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction avoids an acrylamide content of greater than about 150 ppb, based upon the weight of said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, wherein the stabilization comprises heating at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 140° C. 18. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 200%, and the stabilized whole grain flour has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 90%, a free fatty acid content of less than about 10% by weight of total flour lipids at three months or less than about 3,000 ppm, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and a hexanal content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 19. A method for producing a stabilized whole grain flour without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction which is not subjected to further particle size reduction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction which is subjected to further particle size reduction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction using a two stage grinding process, wherein a first grinding stage comprises particle-to-particle collisions and a second grinding stage comprises grinding by mechanical size reduction and wherein particles finer than a first particle fineness are not subjected to said second grinding stage, to produce a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) stabilizing said ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 200%, and d) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 90% and a hexanal content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse fraction in a gap mill, wherein a gap mill recycle loop is not employed, and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding in a universal mill. 21. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and the stabilized whole grain flour has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 22. A method for increasing the production of a stabilized bran component without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction which is not subjected to further particle size reduction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction which is subjected to further particle size reduction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and a second ground coarse bran and germ fraction, wherein grinding of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. comprises a first grinding stage and a second grinding stage, said first grinding stage comprising grinding by particle-to-particle collisions, and said second grinding stage comprising grinding by mechanical size reduction, said first grinding stage producing both said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and a first stage ground coarse fraction, wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction is subjected to said second grinding stage to obtain said second ground coarse fraction, and said first ground coarse fraction is not subjected to said second grinding stage, c) combining said low ash bran and germ fraction, said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and said second ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a combined fine bran and germ fraction, and d) stabilizing said combined fine bran and germ fraction to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction. 23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse fraction in a pair of gap mills arranged in parallel with each other and in series with a third gap mill, wherein a gap mill recycle loop is not employed from any of the three gap mills, and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding said first stage ground coarse fraction in a universal mill to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. 24. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 25. A stabilized whole grain flour comprising bran, germ and endosperm, the stabilized whole grain flour having:
a. a lipase activity of less than 250 units/g/hour of the stabilized whole grain flour, where a unit is the number of micromoles (jam) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized whole grain flour, b. an acrylamide content less than 45 ppb, based upon the weight of stabilized whole grain flour, c. a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than 90%, d. a free fatty acid content of less than 10% by weight of total flour lipids at three months or less than 3,000 ppm, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and e. a hexanal content of less than 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 10% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 26. A stabilized whole grain flour as claimed in claim 25 having a particle size distribution of at least 85% by weight through a No. 100 (149 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to 5% by weight greater than 250 microns. 27. A stabilized whole grain flour as claimed in claim 25 which is a whole grain wheat flour. 28. A food product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour as claimed in claim 25. 29. A farinaceous food product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 30. A biscuit product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 31. A food product selected from the group consisting of bakery products and snack foods, wherein he food product includes a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 32. A food product as claimed in claim 31 wherein the food product is a bakery product selected from the group consisting of cookies, crackers, pizza crusts, pie crusts, breads, bagels, pretzels, brownies, muffins, waffles, pastries, cakes, quickbreads, sweet rolls, donuts, fruit and grain bars, tortillas, and parbaked bakery products. 33. A food product as claimed in claim 31 wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of cookies, crackers, and cereal crunch bars. 34. A food product as claimed in claim 33 wherein the food product is a cookie which has a cookie spread of at least 30% of the original prebaked dough diameter, as measured according to the AACC 10-53 bench-top method. 35. A stabilized bran component comprising bran, germ and starch, the amount of bran being at least 50% by weight, and the amount of starch being from 1.0% by weight to 40% by weight, based upon the weight of the stabilized bran component, the stabilized bran component having:
a. a particle size distribution of less than or equal to 15% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and greater than or equal to 75% by weight less than or equal to 149 microns, b. a lipase activity of less than 250 units/Whour of the stabilized bran component, where a unit is the number of micromoles (˜tm) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized bran component, c. an acrylamide content less than or equal to 150 ppb, based upon the weight of the stabilized bran component, d. a starch melting enthalpy of greater than 2 J/g, based upon the weight of the stabilized ground coarse fraction, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), at a peak temperature of from 60° C. to 65° C., and e. a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than 200%. 36. A stabilized bran component as claimed in claim 35 wherein the stabilized bran component is a stabilized wheat bran component. 37. A food product comprising a stabilized bran component as claimed in claim 35. 38. A method for producing stabilized whole grain flour including endosperm, bran and germ, without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction and a coarse bran and germ fraction having a residue of endosperm, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction including said endosperm residue in an amount of 5-10% of the endosperm in the whole grains, to minimize starch damage and produce a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction to a moisture content of 10% to 20% by weight, based upon the weight of the fraction, d) subjecting up to 10% of said endosperm residue from said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to stabilization to avoid starch gelatinization, and e) subjecting 80-100% of the bran and germ to stabilization to reduce lipase and lipxoygenase activity, to produce a stabilized whole grain flour which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 90% and a hexarial content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 39. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, (c) hydrating said endosperm fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of said endosperm fraction, (d) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 20% by weight, based up on the weight of said ground coarse bran and germ fraction; e) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction, and f) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour with reduced starch damage. 40. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction using a two-stage grinding process, wherein a first grinding stage comprises grinding by particle-to-particle collisions and a second grinding stage comprises grinding by mechanical size reduction, wherein particles of a first particle fineness are sorted during or after said first grinding stage and not subjected to said second grinding stage, to create a ground coarse bran and germ fraction with reduced starch damage, d) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction, and e) combining said stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour with reduced starch damage. 41. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said first grinding stage produces both a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and a first stage ground coarse fraction wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction has a particle size coarser than said first particle fineness and is subjected to said second grinding stage to obtain said second ground coarse fraction, and said first ground coarse fraction having a first particle fineness is not subjected to said second grinding stage. 42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction having a particle size distribution of 30% to 60% by weight having a particle size of greater than or equal to 500 microns, less than or equal to 10% by weight having a particle size of less than 149 microns, and 30% to 70% by weight having a particle size of less than 500 microns but greater than or equal to 149 microns. 43. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein the amount of said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction is from 85% by weight to 97% by weight, and the amount of said first stage ground coarse fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight, said percentages being based upon the weight of said coarse bran and germ fraction. 44. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein said coarse bran and germ fraction is ground to obtain said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction having a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 15% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and said
second ground coarse bran and germ fraction having a particle size distribution of at least 60% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, less than or equal to 25% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and up to 25% by weight having a particle size greater than 149 microns but less than or equal to 250 microns. 45. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse bran and germ fraction in a gap mill and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding said first stage ground coarse fraction in a universal mill to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. 46. A method as claimed in claim 45 wherein said output from said universal mill is sifted to obtain said second ground coarse fraction stream and a recycle stream for recycling larger particles back to said gap mill for further grinding. 47. A method as claimed in claim 40, further comprising the step of tempering the whole grain prior to milling. 48. A method of milling bran and germ from whole grain, comprising:
a) milling a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, (c) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 20% by weight, based up on the weight of said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and d) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 200%. | Stabilized whole grain flours having a fine particle size and which exhibit good baking functionality are produced with high throughput using two bran and germ fractions and an endosperm fraction. One bran and germ fraction is a coarse fraction which is subjected to two stage grinding, but the second bran and germ fraction is a low ash, fine bran and germ fraction which is sufficiently fine so that it does not need to be subjected to grinding thereby reducing starch damage and increasing production with reduced grinding equipment load. Portions of the coarse bran and germ fraction which are ground in the first grinding stage to a sufficient fineness are separated out and not subjected to additional grinding further reducing starch damage and increasing production. The bran and germ fractions may be combined, subjected to stabilization, and combined with the endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour.1. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and genii fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of the coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, and d) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour having a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S, Standard Sieve, wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight and is not ground thereby reducing starch damage and increasing production efficiency. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction is from 60% by weight to 75% by weight, said low ash fine bran and genii fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight, and said coarse bran and germ fraction is from 10% by weight to 37% by weight, said weight percentages being based upon the total weight of said endosperm fraction, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said coarse bran and germ fraction, and said weight percentages add up to 100% by weight. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction comprises from 85% by weight to 95% by weight starch, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction comprises from 10% by weight to 50% by weight starch, and said coarse bran and germ fraction comprises from 10% by weight to 40% by weight starch, and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction has a fine particle size distribution substantially the same as the particle size distribution of the endosperm fraction. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endosperm fraction has a particle size distribution of at least about 65% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 5% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, said low ash fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 65% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 10% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and said coarse bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of greater than or equal to 500 microns, less than or equal to 5% by weight having a particle size of less than 149 microns, and 15% by weight to 25% by weight having a particle size of less than 500 microns but greater than or equal to 149 microns. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction farther comprises the step of obtaining a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and a second ground coarse bran and germ fraction. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction, said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said second ground coarse bran and germ fraction are combined to obtain a combined fine bran and germ fraction. 7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said combined fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 15% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said milling of the whole grains comprises subjecting the whole grains to a plurality of breaking operations, rolling operations, and sifting operations to obtain said endosperm fraction, low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and coarse bran and germ fraction. 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of breaking operations include the use of dull corrugations to reduce starch damage during the breaking operations and to attain a larger particle size distribution for said fractions. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1 Wherein said endosperm fraction is hydrated to obtain a moisture content of from 10% by weight to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of said endosperm fraction, wherein said hydrated endosperm fraction is combined after cooling with said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction to obtain the stabilized whole grain flour. 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said endosperm fraction is cooled to a temperature of less than about 90° F. to obtain a cooled endosperm fraction prior to combining with said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction is cooled to a temperature of less than about 90° F. prior to combining with said. cooled endosperm fraction. 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction are hydrated prior to stabilization. 14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction are hydrated to a moisture content of 10% by weight to 20% by weight. 15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stabilized whole grain flour has a moisture content of 10% by weight to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein stabilizing of said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction reduces the lipase activity to less than about 250 units/g/hour, of the stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, where a unit is the number of micromoles (˜tm) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized fine bran and germ fraction. 17. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein stabilizing of said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction avoids an acrylamide content of greater than about 150 ppb, based upon the weight of said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, wherein the stabilization comprises heating at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 140° C. 18. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 200%, and the stabilized whole grain flour has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 90%, a free fatty acid content of less than about 10% by weight of total flour lipids at three months or less than about 3,000 ppm, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and a hexanal content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 19. A method for producing a stabilized whole grain flour without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction which is not subjected to further particle size reduction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction which is subjected to further particle size reduction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction using a two stage grinding process, wherein a first grinding stage comprises particle-to-particle collisions and a second grinding stage comprises grinding by mechanical size reduction and wherein particles finer than a first particle fineness are not subjected to said second grinding stage, to produce a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) stabilizing said ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 200%, and d) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 90% and a hexanal content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse fraction in a gap mill, wherein a gap mill recycle loop is not employed, and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding in a universal mill. 21. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and the stabilized whole grain flour has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 22. A method for increasing the production of a stabilized bran component without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction which is not subjected to further particle size reduction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction which is subjected to further particle size reduction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction and a second ground coarse bran and germ fraction, wherein grinding of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. comprises a first grinding stage and a second grinding stage, said first grinding stage comprising grinding by particle-to-particle collisions, and said second grinding stage comprising grinding by mechanical size reduction, said first grinding stage producing both said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and a first stage ground coarse fraction, wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction is subjected to said second grinding stage to obtain said second ground coarse fraction, and said first ground coarse fraction is not subjected to said second grinding stage, c) combining said low ash bran and germ fraction, said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and said second ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a combined fine bran and germ fraction, and d) stabilizing said combined fine bran and germ fraction to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction. 23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse fraction in a pair of gap mills arranged in parallel with each other and in series with a third gap mill, wherein a gap mill recycle loop is not employed from any of the three gap mills, and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding said first stage ground coarse fraction in a universal mill to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. 24. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction has a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 25. A stabilized whole grain flour comprising bran, germ and endosperm, the stabilized whole grain flour having:
a. a lipase activity of less than 250 units/g/hour of the stabilized whole grain flour, where a unit is the number of micromoles (jam) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized whole grain flour, b. an acrylamide content less than 45 ppb, based upon the weight of stabilized whole grain flour, c. a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than 90%, d. a free fatty acid content of less than 10% by weight of total flour lipids at three months or less than 3,000 ppm, based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and e. a hexanal content of less than 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour, and a particle size distribution of 0% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to about 10% by weight on a No. 70 (210 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve. 26. A stabilized whole grain flour as claimed in claim 25 having a particle size distribution of at least 85% by weight through a No. 100 (149 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and less than or equal to 5% by weight greater than 250 microns. 27. A stabilized whole grain flour as claimed in claim 25 which is a whole grain wheat flour. 28. A food product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour as claimed in claim 25. 29. A farinaceous food product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 30. A biscuit product comprising a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 31. A food product selected from the group consisting of bakery products and snack foods, wherein he food product includes a stabilized whole grain wheat flour of claim 25. 32. A food product as claimed in claim 31 wherein the food product is a bakery product selected from the group consisting of cookies, crackers, pizza crusts, pie crusts, breads, bagels, pretzels, brownies, muffins, waffles, pastries, cakes, quickbreads, sweet rolls, donuts, fruit and grain bars, tortillas, and parbaked bakery products. 33. A food product as claimed in claim 31 wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of cookies, crackers, and cereal crunch bars. 34. A food product as claimed in claim 33 wherein the food product is a cookie which has a cookie spread of at least 30% of the original prebaked dough diameter, as measured according to the AACC 10-53 bench-top method. 35. A stabilized bran component comprising bran, germ and starch, the amount of bran being at least 50% by weight, and the amount of starch being from 1.0% by weight to 40% by weight, based upon the weight of the stabilized bran component, the stabilized bran component having:
a. a particle size distribution of less than or equal to 15% by weight on a No. 35 (500 micron) U.S. Standard Sieve, and greater than or equal to 75% by weight less than or equal to 149 microns, b. a lipase activity of less than 250 units/Whour of the stabilized bran component, where a unit is the number of micromoles (˜tm) of 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanonate (4-MUH) hydrolyzed per hour per gram of stabilized bran component, c. an acrylamide content less than or equal to 150 ppb, based upon the weight of the stabilized bran component, d. a starch melting enthalpy of greater than 2 J/g, based upon the weight of the stabilized ground coarse fraction, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), at a peak temperature of from 60° C. to 65° C., and e. a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than 200%. 36. A stabilized bran component as claimed in claim 35 wherein the stabilized bran component is a stabilized wheat bran component. 37. A food product comprising a stabilized bran component as claimed in claim 35. 38. A method for producing stabilized whole grain flour including endosperm, bran and germ, without substantially damaging starch comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction and a coarse bran and germ fraction having a residue of endosperm, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction including said endosperm residue in an amount of 5-10% of the endosperm in the whole grains, to minimize starch damage and produce a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, c) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction and said low ash fine bran and germ fraction to a moisture content of 10% to 20% by weight, based upon the weight of the fraction, d) subjecting up to 10% of said endosperm residue from said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to stabilization to avoid starch gelatinization, and e) subjecting 80-100% of the bran and germ to stabilization to reduce lipase and lipxoygenase activity, to produce a stabilized whole grain flour which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity of less than 90% and a hexarial content of less than about 10 ppm after 1 month accelerated storage at 95° C., based upon the weight of the stabilized whole grain flour. 39. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, (c) hydrating said endosperm fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 14.5% by weight, based upon the weight of said endosperm fraction, (d) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 20% by weight, based up on the weight of said ground coarse bran and germ fraction; e) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction, and f) combining said stabilized fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour with reduced starch damage. 40. A method for the production of stabilized whole grain flour comprising:
a) milling whole grains to obtain an endosperm fraction, a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction using a two-stage grinding process, wherein a first grinding stage comprises grinding by particle-to-particle collisions and a second grinding stage comprises grinding by mechanical size reduction, wherein particles of a first particle fineness are sorted during or after said first grinding stage and not subjected to said second grinding stage, to create a ground coarse bran and germ fraction with reduced starch damage, d) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction, and e) combining said stabilized combined fine bran and germ fraction with said endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour with reduced starch damage. 41. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said first grinding stage produces both a first ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and a first stage ground coarse fraction wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction has a particle size coarser than said first particle fineness and is subjected to said second grinding stage to obtain said second ground coarse fraction, and said first ground coarse fraction having a first particle fineness is not subjected to said second grinding stage. 42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein said first stage ground coarse fraction having a particle size distribution of 30% to 60% by weight having a particle size of greater than or equal to 500 microns, less than or equal to 10% by weight having a particle size of less than 149 microns, and 30% to 70% by weight having a particle size of less than 500 microns but greater than or equal to 149 microns. 43. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein the amount of said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction is from 85% by weight to 97% by weight, and the amount of said first stage ground coarse fraction is from 3% by weight to 15% by weight, said percentages being based upon the weight of said coarse bran and germ fraction. 44. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein said coarse bran and germ fraction is ground to obtain said first ground coarse bran and germ fraction having a particle size distribution of at least 75% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, and less than or equal to 15% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and said
second ground coarse bran and germ fraction having a particle size distribution of at least 60% by weight having a particle size of less than or equal to 149 microns, less than or equal to 25% by weight having a particle size of greater than 250 microns, and up to 25% by weight having a particle size greater than 149 microns but less than or equal to 250 microns. 45. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said first grinding stage comprises grinding the coarse bran and germ fraction in a gap mill and wherein said second grinding stage comprises grinding said first stage ground coarse fraction in a universal mill to obtain said second ground coarse fraction. 46. A method as claimed in claim 45 wherein said output from said universal mill is sifted to obtain said second ground coarse fraction stream and a recycle stream for recycling larger particles back to said gap mill for further grinding. 47. A method as claimed in claim 40, further comprising the step of tempering the whole grain prior to milling. 48. A method of milling bran and germ from whole grain, comprising:
a) milling a low ash fine bran and germ fraction, and a coarse bran and germ fraction, b) grinding said coarse bran and germ fraction without substantially damaging starch of said coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a ground coarse bran and germ fraction, (c) hydrating said ground coarse bran and germ fraction to obtain a moisture content of from 10% to 20% by weight, based up on the weight of said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, and d) stabilizing said low ash fine bran and germ fraction and said ground coarse bran and germ fraction, to obtain a stabilized fine bran and germ fraction, which has a sodium carbonate-water solvent retention capacity (SRC sodium carbonate) of less than about 200%. | 1,700 |
2,861 | 13,924,154 | 1,712 | By flowing an amount of hydrogen gas (25-75% of total flow), the stress of thin carbon films (100 nm-10 μm) can be reduced. The films are deposited by chemical vapor deposition (800° C.-1100° C.) using an ethylene source gas (remainder of total flow). Carbon nanotube structures infiltrated with carbon by this method will not delaminate from the growth substrate, allowing for a range of post-processing methods. One process that can be performed is to etch the carbon “floor layer”, coat the structures in a Formvar film, and then release the structures using a chemical etch. Thin films (5-100 nm) can then be deposited on the substrate-defined Formvar surface. The Formvar can be removed by a thermal annealing step (400-600° C.), or a chemical etch step, either of which will leave suspended thin films over the open portions of the structures. | 1. A method of adding a thin film onto and between gaps in a structure patterned onto a surface comprising:
obtaining a structure attached to a substrate, the structure having one or more gaps; coating structure with a protective layer; removing the substrate; depositing the thin film onto the structure and between the gaps in the structure, wherein the thin film is deposited on the side of the structure that was defined by the substrate; and removing the protective layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises infiltrated carbon nanotubes. 3. The method as in claim 2, wherein the substrate is also coated with the protective layer when the carbon nanotubes are coated with the protective layer. 4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the protective layer comprises Formvar. 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed by thermal annealing in an argon atmosphere. 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed by immersion in a solvent. 7. The method as in claim 2, wherein the thin film is selected from the group consisting of amorphous carbon, silicon dioxide, alumina and boron carbide. 8. The method as in claim 7, wherein the carbon nanotubes that include the thin film are used as a Transmission Electron Microscope grid. 9. A method for infiltrating carbon or another material onto carbon nanotubes comprising:
obtaining carbon nanotubes on a substrate; heating the carbon nanotubes with ethylene gas and hydrogen gas within a furnace, wherein when removed from the furnace, the carbon nanotubes does not delaminate from the substrate. 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the heating heats the carbon nanotubes to a temperature of about 800 to 1100° C. 11. The method as in claim 10, wherein the step of obtaining carbon nanotubes on a substrate comprises:
obtaining a substrate comprising silicon; forming the carbon nanotubes by a first deposition of vaporized carbon onto the substrate using a catalyst, wherein hydrogen gas is present during the depositing; and cooling the carbon nanotubes. 12. The method as in claim 9, wherein when the carbon nanotubes are heated with ethylene gas and hydrogen gas, the amount of hydrogen is between 25 to 75% of the total gas flow. | By flowing an amount of hydrogen gas (25-75% of total flow), the stress of thin carbon films (100 nm-10 μm) can be reduced. The films are deposited by chemical vapor deposition (800° C.-1100° C.) using an ethylene source gas (remainder of total flow). Carbon nanotube structures infiltrated with carbon by this method will not delaminate from the growth substrate, allowing for a range of post-processing methods. One process that can be performed is to etch the carbon “floor layer”, coat the structures in a Formvar film, and then release the structures using a chemical etch. Thin films (5-100 nm) can then be deposited on the substrate-defined Formvar surface. The Formvar can be removed by a thermal annealing step (400-600° C.), or a chemical etch step, either of which will leave suspended thin films over the open portions of the structures.1. A method of adding a thin film onto and between gaps in a structure patterned onto a surface comprising:
obtaining a structure attached to a substrate, the structure having one or more gaps; coating structure with a protective layer; removing the substrate; depositing the thin film onto the structure and between the gaps in the structure, wherein the thin film is deposited on the side of the structure that was defined by the substrate; and removing the protective layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises infiltrated carbon nanotubes. 3. The method as in claim 2, wherein the substrate is also coated with the protective layer when the carbon nanotubes are coated with the protective layer. 4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the protective layer comprises Formvar. 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed by thermal annealing in an argon atmosphere. 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed by immersion in a solvent. 7. The method as in claim 2, wherein the thin film is selected from the group consisting of amorphous carbon, silicon dioxide, alumina and boron carbide. 8. The method as in claim 7, wherein the carbon nanotubes that include the thin film are used as a Transmission Electron Microscope grid. 9. A method for infiltrating carbon or another material onto carbon nanotubes comprising:
obtaining carbon nanotubes on a substrate; heating the carbon nanotubes with ethylene gas and hydrogen gas within a furnace, wherein when removed from the furnace, the carbon nanotubes does not delaminate from the substrate. 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the heating heats the carbon nanotubes to a temperature of about 800 to 1100° C. 11. The method as in claim 10, wherein the step of obtaining carbon nanotubes on a substrate comprises:
obtaining a substrate comprising silicon; forming the carbon nanotubes by a first deposition of vaporized carbon onto the substrate using a catalyst, wherein hydrogen gas is present during the depositing; and cooling the carbon nanotubes. 12. The method as in claim 9, wherein when the carbon nanotubes are heated with ethylene gas and hydrogen gas, the amount of hydrogen is between 25 to 75% of the total gas flow. | 1,700 |
2,862 | 13,881,620 | 1,781 | A composite material structure that can be made lighter in weight is provided, with the stress concentration at peripheral edge regions around holes being taken into consideration. A wing ( 1 ) that is a composite material structure is of a composite material that extends in one direction, has access holes ( 5 ) formed therein, and is made of fiber reinforced plastic. A lower surface outer plate ( 3 ) of the wing ( 1 ) is subjected to a tensile load in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal tensile stiffness of peripheral edge regions ( 3 a ) around the access holes ( 5 ) is lower than the longitudinal tensile stiffness of other regions ( 3 b ) surrounding the peripheral edge regions ( 3 a ). | 1. A composite material structure that is of a composite material that extends in one direction, has a hole formed therein, and is made of fiber reinforced plastic, and is subjected to a tensile load and/or a compressive load in the one direction, wherein
tensile stiffness and/or compressive stiffness in the one direction in a peripheral edge region around the hole are lower than tensile stiffness and/or compressive stiffness in the one direction in another region surrounding the peripheral edge region. 2. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein, when the one direction is the direction of 0°, the peripheral edge region is of a composite material mainly made of fiber oriented in directions of ±30° to ±60°, and preferably, in the direction of ±45°. 3. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein
a peripheral edge region fiber sheet to be the peripheral edge region and another region fiber sheet to be the other region have divided fiber sheets at predetermined lamination positions, the divided fiber sheets being placed adjacent to the fiber sheets via splice positions in an extending direction of the fiber sheets, and the splice position of one of the divided fiber sheets is placed at a deviated position in an extending direction of the divided fiber sheets from the splice position of another one of the divided fiber sheets. 4. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole is an access hole formed in a lower surface outer plate of a wing of an aircraft. 5. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole is a window hole formed in an outer plate of a fuselage of an aircraft. 6. An aircraft wing comprising the composite material structure according to claim 4. 7. An aircraft fuselage comprising the composite material structure according to claim 5. | A composite material structure that can be made lighter in weight is provided, with the stress concentration at peripheral edge regions around holes being taken into consideration. A wing ( 1 ) that is a composite material structure is of a composite material that extends in one direction, has access holes ( 5 ) formed therein, and is made of fiber reinforced plastic. A lower surface outer plate ( 3 ) of the wing ( 1 ) is subjected to a tensile load in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal tensile stiffness of peripheral edge regions ( 3 a ) around the access holes ( 5 ) is lower than the longitudinal tensile stiffness of other regions ( 3 b ) surrounding the peripheral edge regions ( 3 a ).1. A composite material structure that is of a composite material that extends in one direction, has a hole formed therein, and is made of fiber reinforced plastic, and is subjected to a tensile load and/or a compressive load in the one direction, wherein
tensile stiffness and/or compressive stiffness in the one direction in a peripheral edge region around the hole are lower than tensile stiffness and/or compressive stiffness in the one direction in another region surrounding the peripheral edge region. 2. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein, when the one direction is the direction of 0°, the peripheral edge region is of a composite material mainly made of fiber oriented in directions of ±30° to ±60°, and preferably, in the direction of ±45°. 3. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein
a peripheral edge region fiber sheet to be the peripheral edge region and another region fiber sheet to be the other region have divided fiber sheets at predetermined lamination positions, the divided fiber sheets being placed adjacent to the fiber sheets via splice positions in an extending direction of the fiber sheets, and the splice position of one of the divided fiber sheets is placed at a deviated position in an extending direction of the divided fiber sheets from the splice position of another one of the divided fiber sheets. 4. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole is an access hole formed in a lower surface outer plate of a wing of an aircraft. 5. The composite material structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole is a window hole formed in an outer plate of a fuselage of an aircraft. 6. An aircraft wing comprising the composite material structure according to claim 4. 7. An aircraft fuselage comprising the composite material structure according to claim 5. | 1,700 |
2,863 | 14,925,498 | 1,715 | A method for forming a metal oxide film, the method including: forming a source solution containing metal into a mist, heating a substrate, supplying the source solution formed into a mist onto a first main surface of the substrate through a first supply path, and supplying hydrogen peroxide through a second path different from the first supply path onto the first main surface of the substrate, where the method further includes, in the following order, preliminarily preparing data showing a relationship among a molar ratio of an amount of the hydrogen peroxide to an amount of the zinc in the source solution, a carrier concentration of the metal oxide film, and a mobility of the metal oxide film, determining an amount of the hydrogen peroxide supplied with the data, and supplying the determined amount of the hydrogen peroxide through the second path onto the first main surface of the substrate. | 1. A method for forming a metal oxide film, the method comprising:
forming a source solution comprising metal into a mist; heating a substrate; supplying the source solution formed into a mist onto a first main surface of the substrate in the heating, through a first supply path; and supplying hydrogen peroxide through a second path different from the first supply path onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating, wherein the method further comprises, in the following order: preliminarily preparing data showing a relationship among a molar ratio of an amount of the hydrogen peroxide to an amount of the zinc in the source solution, a carrier concentration of the metal oxide film, and a mobility of the metal oxide film; determining an amount of the hydrogen peroxide supplied with the data, and supplying the determined amount of the hydrogen peroxide through the second path onto the first main surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate is arranged under atmospheric pressure, the source solution is converted into a mist by an ultrasonic atomizer, and the metal is zinc. 2-3. (canceled) 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source solution further comprises ammonia. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source solution further comprises ethylenediamine. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising supplying ozone onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein
the supplying of the source solution and the supplying of hydrogen peroxide do not comprise supplying ozone onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating, and the molar ratio is 20 or smaller. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying of the hydrogen peroxide further comprises supplying a dopant of a predetermined conductivity type onto the first main surface of the substrate with the hydrogen peroxide through the second path. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the source solution comprises boron, nitrogen, fluorine, aluminum, phosphorus, gallium, arsenic, niobium, indium, antimony, bismuth, vanadium, tantalum, or any combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the source solution comprises water, an alcohol, or a mixed solution thereof. | A method for forming a metal oxide film, the method including: forming a source solution containing metal into a mist, heating a substrate, supplying the source solution formed into a mist onto a first main surface of the substrate through a first supply path, and supplying hydrogen peroxide through a second path different from the first supply path onto the first main surface of the substrate, where the method further includes, in the following order, preliminarily preparing data showing a relationship among a molar ratio of an amount of the hydrogen peroxide to an amount of the zinc in the source solution, a carrier concentration of the metal oxide film, and a mobility of the metal oxide film, determining an amount of the hydrogen peroxide supplied with the data, and supplying the determined amount of the hydrogen peroxide through the second path onto the first main surface of the substrate.1. A method for forming a metal oxide film, the method comprising:
forming a source solution comprising metal into a mist; heating a substrate; supplying the source solution formed into a mist onto a first main surface of the substrate in the heating, through a first supply path; and supplying hydrogen peroxide through a second path different from the first supply path onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating, wherein the method further comprises, in the following order: preliminarily preparing data showing a relationship among a molar ratio of an amount of the hydrogen peroxide to an amount of the zinc in the source solution, a carrier concentration of the metal oxide film, and a mobility of the metal oxide film; determining an amount of the hydrogen peroxide supplied with the data, and supplying the determined amount of the hydrogen peroxide through the second path onto the first main surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate is arranged under atmospheric pressure, the source solution is converted into a mist by an ultrasonic atomizer, and the metal is zinc. 2-3. (canceled) 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source solution further comprises ammonia. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source solution further comprises ethylenediamine. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising supplying ozone onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein
the supplying of the source solution and the supplying of hydrogen peroxide do not comprise supplying ozone onto the first main surface of the substrate in the heating, and the molar ratio is 20 or smaller. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying of the hydrogen peroxide further comprises supplying a dopant of a predetermined conductivity type onto the first main surface of the substrate with the hydrogen peroxide through the second path. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the source solution comprises boron, nitrogen, fluorine, aluminum, phosphorus, gallium, arsenic, niobium, indium, antimony, bismuth, vanadium, tantalum, or any combination thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the source solution comprises water, an alcohol, or a mixed solution thereof. | 1,700 |
2,864 | 14,932,220 | 1,721 | The present invention discloses a conductive paste comprising a conductive metal or a derivative thereof, and a lead-free glass frit dispersed in an organic vehicle, wherein said lead-free glass frit comprises tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide. The conductive paste of the present invention can be used in the preparation of an electrode of a solar cell with excellent energy conversion efficiency. | 1. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein tellurium oxide is present in an amount of about 55 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, bismuth oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, zinc oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % and tungsten oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % in the lead-free glass frit. 2. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of bismuth oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.05 to 0.23. 3. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of zinc oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.05 to 0.22. 4. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of tungsten oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.01 to 0.22. 5. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the conductive paste or the derivative comprise silver powder. 6. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, which further comprises one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), silver oxide (Ag2O), erbium oxide (Er2O3), tin oxide (SnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), selenium dioxide (SeO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), potassium oxide (K2O), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), molybdenum dioxide (MoO2), manganese dioxide (MnO2), nickel oxide (NiO), lithium oxide (Li2O), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), germanium dioxide (GeO2), indium oxide (In2O3), gallium oxide (Ga2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3). 7. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the lead-free glass frit further comprises one or more metals selected from the following group or the oxide thereof: phosphorus (P), barium (Ba), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), aluminum (Al), lithium (Li), potassium (K), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), indium (In), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), silver (Ag), silicon (Si), erbium (Er), germanium (Ge), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), cerium (Ce), niobium (Nb), samarium (Sm) and lanthanum (La) in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the lead-free glass frit. 8. The conductive paste according to claim any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic vehicle is a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent. 9. The conductive paste according to claim any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic vehicle further comprises one or more functional additives selected from the group consisting of a viscosity modifier, a dispersing agent, a thixotropic agent and a wetting agent. 10. An article comprising a semiconductor substrate and a conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4 applied onto the semiconductor substrate. 11. The article according to claim 10, which further comprises one or more antireflective coatings applied onto the semiconductor substrate; and
wherein the conductive paste contacts the antireflective coating(s) and has electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. 12. The article according to claim 11, which is a semiconductor device. 13. The article according to claim 12, wherein the semiconductor device is a solar cell. | The present invention discloses a conductive paste comprising a conductive metal or a derivative thereof, and a lead-free glass frit dispersed in an organic vehicle, wherein said lead-free glass frit comprises tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide. The conductive paste of the present invention can be used in the preparation of an electrode of a solar cell with excellent energy conversion efficiency.1. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein tellurium oxide is present in an amount of about 55 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, bismuth oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, zinc oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % and tungsten oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % in the lead-free glass frit. 2. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of bismuth oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.05 to 0.23. 3. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of zinc oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.05 to 0.22. 4. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b); wherein the weight ratio of tungsten oxide to tellurium oxide in the tellurium-bismuth-zinc-tungsten-oxide is within the range of 0.01 to 0.22. 5. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the conductive paste or the derivative comprise silver powder. 6. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, which further comprises one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), silver oxide (Ag2O), erbium oxide (Er2O3), tin oxide (SnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), selenium dioxide (SeO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), potassium oxide (K2O), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), molybdenum dioxide (MoO2), manganese dioxide (MnO2), nickel oxide (NiO), lithium oxide (Li2O), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), germanium dioxide (GeO2), indium oxide (In2O3), gallium oxide (Ga2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3). 7. The conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the lead-free glass frit further comprises one or more metals selected from the following group or the oxide thereof: phosphorus (P), barium (Ba), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), aluminum (Al), lithium (Li), potassium (K), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), indium (In), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), silver (Ag), silicon (Si), erbium (Er), germanium (Ge), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), cerium (Ce), niobium (Nb), samarium (Sm) and lanthanum (La) in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the lead-free glass frit. 8. The conductive paste according to claim any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic vehicle is a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent. 9. The conductive paste according to claim any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic vehicle further comprises one or more functional additives selected from the group consisting of a viscosity modifier, a dispersing agent, a thixotropic agent and a wetting agent. 10. An article comprising a semiconductor substrate and a conductive paste according to any one of claims 1-4 applied onto the semiconductor substrate. 11. The article according to claim 10, which further comprises one or more antireflective coatings applied onto the semiconductor substrate; and
wherein the conductive paste contacts the antireflective coating(s) and has electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. 12. The article according to claim 11, which is a semiconductor device. 13. The article according to claim 12, wherein the semiconductor device is a solar cell. | 1,700 |
2,865 | 15,173,007 | 1,724 | A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool). | 1. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing that includes a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a different material than the housing. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is located within a top housing of the housing. 3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the support member is insert molded within the top housing. 4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is attached to a top housing of the housing. 5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is made of a metallic material. 6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion. 7. The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the first portion is approximately parallel to the second portion and the third portion is approximately parallel to the fourth portion. 8. The battery pack of claim 7, further comprising a fifth portion that is approximately perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion, and parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is the same size as the support portion. 11. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a plurality of perforations. 12. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing that includes a top housing, the top housing including a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a metallic material. 13. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion. 14. The battery pack of claim 13, wherein the first portion is approximately parallel to the second portion and the third portion is approximately parallel to the fourth portion. 15. The battery pack of claim 14, further comprising a fifth portion that is approximately perpendicular to the first portion and second portion and approximately parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 16. The battery pack of claim 15, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. 17. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member is the same size as the support portion. 18. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member includes a plurality of perforations. 19. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing including a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a different material than the top housing and including a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion, the first portion approximately parallel to the second portion, the third portion approximately parallel to the fourth portion, the fifth portion approximately perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion and approximately parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 20. The battery pack of claim 19, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. | A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).1. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing that includes a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a different material than the housing. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is located within a top housing of the housing. 3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the support member is insert molded within the top housing. 4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is attached to a top housing of the housing. 5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is made of a metallic material. 6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion. 7. The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the first portion is approximately parallel to the second portion and the third portion is approximately parallel to the fourth portion. 8. The battery pack of claim 7, further comprising a fifth portion that is approximately perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion, and parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member is the same size as the support portion. 11. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a plurality of perforations. 12. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing that includes a top housing, the top housing including a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a metallic material. 13. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion. 14. The battery pack of claim 13, wherein the first portion is approximately parallel to the second portion and the third portion is approximately parallel to the fourth portion. 15. The battery pack of claim 14, further comprising a fifth portion that is approximately perpendicular to the first portion and second portion and approximately parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 16. The battery pack of claim 15, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. 17. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member is the same size as the support portion. 18. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the support member includes a plurality of perforations. 19. A battery pack connectable to and supportable by a power tool, the battery pack comprising:
a housing including a support portion operable to interface the battery pack with the power tool, the support portion including a support member operable to reinforce the support portion, the support member made of a different material than the top housing and including a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion, the first portion and the second portion approximately perpendicular to the third portion and the fourth portion, the first portion approximately parallel to the second portion, the third portion approximately parallel to the fourth portion, the fifth portion approximately perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion and approximately parallel to the third portion and the fourth portion. 20. The battery pack of claim 19, wherein the fifth portion is integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with the third portion and the fourth portion, respectively. | 1,700 |
2,866 | 13,326,607 | 1,792 | The rate of degradation of a cooked food product that is maintained at an elevated temperature can be reduced by the use of an encapsulated environment food holder. The encapsulated environment is a small, airtight or semi-airtight containment vessel that retains compositions that escape from a cooked food product over time. By holding single servings or portions of a cooked food product in a small, encapsulated environment palatability or taste of a cooked food product can be extended. | 1. A method of reducing cooked food degradation comprising:
providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment; and maintaining the cooked food product at an elevated temperature within the encapsulated environment device for a predetermined length of time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing an encapsulated environment capable of maintaining contact between the cooked food product and cooked food product compositions that accumulate inside the encapsulated environment. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing an encapsulated environment capable of separating the cooked food product from cooked food product compositions that accumulate inside the encapsulated environment. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing a single serving of a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment having sufficient headspace for the single serving. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the headspace is between one and ten-times the volume of the cooked food product. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooked food product has a first shape and a first volume and wherein providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device, the semi-airtight second volume having a shape substantially similar to the first shape but greater than the first volume. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooked food product has a first shape and a first volume and wherein providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device, the semi-airtight second volume having a second shape dissimilar to the first shape but greater than the first volume. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment, includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide an airtight volume, and which is less than or equal to, ten-times the volume of the cooked food product. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the cooked food product at an elevated temperature within an encapsulated environment device includes the step of:
maintaining the temperature of the cooked food product inside the encapsulated environment device at a temperature that is equal to or greater than one-hundred forty degrees F., for a holding period that is at least thirty minutes. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the holding period is at least sixty minutes. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the holding period is at least ninety minutes. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of providing a cooked food product to a thermally-conductive encapsulated environment. 14. A method of preserving the palatability of a single serving or portion of a cooked food product having a first shape and a first volume, the method comprising:
providing the single serving or portion of a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment having an open interior shape similar to the first shape and having an open volume greater than the first volume; and maintaining the encapsulated environment and the single serving or portion of a cooked food product therein at an elevated temperature for a first time period; and serving the single serving or portion of a cooked food product prior to expiration of the first predetermined time. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the storage temperature is greater than or equal to one-hundred forty degrees F. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of maintaining the encapsulated environment and the cooked food product at an elevated temperature, includes the step of providing heat to the encapsulated environment using at least one of:
a heated food holding cabinet; a heated tray; a heat lamp; a heated platen; a heated grill; and a solar oven. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of maintaining the encapsulated environment and the cooked food product at a storage temperature, includes the step of accumulating compositions that accumulate inside the semi-airtight volume during the time that the cooked food product is inside the encapsulated environment. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the accumulated compositions are comprised of: water, protein degradation products, volatile organic compounds, fats, including gases released from the single serving or portion of a cooked food product, will remain in an encapsulated environment for at least a non-zero length of time but not necessarily indefinitely. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the open interior shape is substantially cylindrical. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the thermally-conductive encapsulated environment has an interior volume greater than one hundred percent of the first volume but less than ten times the first volume. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the first time period is at least thirty minutes. | The rate of degradation of a cooked food product that is maintained at an elevated temperature can be reduced by the use of an encapsulated environment food holder. The encapsulated environment is a small, airtight or semi-airtight containment vessel that retains compositions that escape from a cooked food product over time. By holding single servings or portions of a cooked food product in a small, encapsulated environment palatability or taste of a cooked food product can be extended.1. A method of reducing cooked food degradation comprising:
providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment; and maintaining the cooked food product at an elevated temperature within the encapsulated environment device for a predetermined length of time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing an encapsulated environment capable of maintaining contact between the cooked food product and cooked food product compositions that accumulate inside the encapsulated environment. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing an encapsulated environment capable of separating the cooked food product from cooked food product compositions that accumulate inside the encapsulated environment. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing a single serving of a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment having sufficient headspace for the single serving. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the headspace is between one and ten-times the volume of the cooked food product. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooked food product has a first shape and a first volume and wherein providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device, the semi-airtight second volume having a shape substantially similar to the first shape but greater than the first volume. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooked food product has a first shape and a first volume and wherein providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide a semi-airtight second volume inside the encapsulated environment device, the semi-airtight second volume having a second shape dissimilar to the first shape but greater than the first volume. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment, includes the step of:
providing the cooked food product to an encapsulated environment configured to provide an airtight volume, and which is less than or equal to, ten-times the volume of the cooked food product. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the cooked food product at an elevated temperature within an encapsulated environment device includes the step of:
maintaining the temperature of the cooked food product inside the encapsulated environment device at a temperature that is equal to or greater than one-hundred forty degrees F., for a holding period that is at least thirty minutes. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the holding period is at least sixty minutes. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the holding period is at least ninety minutes. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment includes the step of providing a cooked food product to a thermally-conductive encapsulated environment. 14. A method of preserving the palatability of a single serving or portion of a cooked food product having a first shape and a first volume, the method comprising:
providing the single serving or portion of a cooked food product to an encapsulated environment having an open interior shape similar to the first shape and having an open volume greater than the first volume; and maintaining the encapsulated environment and the single serving or portion of a cooked food product therein at an elevated temperature for a first time period; and serving the single serving or portion of a cooked food product prior to expiration of the first predetermined time. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the storage temperature is greater than or equal to one-hundred forty degrees F. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of maintaining the encapsulated environment and the cooked food product at an elevated temperature, includes the step of providing heat to the encapsulated environment using at least one of:
a heated food holding cabinet; a heated tray; a heat lamp; a heated platen; a heated grill; and a solar oven. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of maintaining the encapsulated environment and the cooked food product at a storage temperature, includes the step of accumulating compositions that accumulate inside the semi-airtight volume during the time that the cooked food product is inside the encapsulated environment. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the accumulated compositions are comprised of: water, protein degradation products, volatile organic compounds, fats, including gases released from the single serving or portion of a cooked food product, will remain in an encapsulated environment for at least a non-zero length of time but not necessarily indefinitely. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the open interior shape is substantially cylindrical. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the thermally-conductive encapsulated environment has an interior volume greater than one hundred percent of the first volume but less than ten times the first volume. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the first time period is at least thirty minutes. | 1,700 |
2,867 | 14,270,784 | 1,771 | A process to produce polyalpha-olefins includes contacting a feed stream of at least one alpha-olefin monomer having 4 to 25 carbon atoms with a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound, under polymerizations conditions in a reactor. The alpha-olefin monomer is present at 10% volume or more in the reactor and the feed stream includes less than 600 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds. The process further includes obtaining a polyalpha-olefin with at least 50 mole % C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer and kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 5000 cSt or less. | 1.-120. (canceled) 121. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin comprising:
contacting a feed stream comprising at least one alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms with a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound, under polymerization conditions wherein the alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms is present at 10 volume % or more (based upon the total volume of the catalyst, monomers, and any diluents or solvents present) in the reactor and where the feed stream comprises less than 600 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds; and obtaining a polyalpha-olefin comprising at least 50 mole % of a C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer where the polyalpha-olefin has Kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 5000 cSt or less. 122. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene catalyst compound is a racemic, bridged metallocene catalyst compound. 123. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene comprises one or more of dimethylsilylbis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; isopropylidenebis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; rac-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride; rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride; diphenylmethylidene(cylcopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride; cyclopentadienyl(indenyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(1,2,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; or bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride. 124. The process of claim 121 where the metallocene is selected from the group consisting of rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)ZrX2, meso-ethylidenebis(indenyl)ZrX2, (RnCp)2ZrX2 or (RmInd)2ZrX2), ethylidenebis(RnCp)2ZrX2, dimethylsilylbis(RnCp)2ZrX2, ethylidenebis(RnInd)2ZrX2, dimethylsilylbis(RnInd)2ZrX2,
wherein X is a halogen, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a C1 to C20 alkyl, Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring, R is a C1 to C20 alkyl group, n is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Cp and is a number from 0 to 5, Ind is an indenyl ring, m is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Ind and is a number from 0 to 7. 125. The process of claim 121 further comprising:
optionally treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm;
optionally separating the polyalpha-olefins from solvents or diluents;
contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst; and
obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8. 126. The process of claim 125 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is treated to remove heteroatom containing compounds prior to contacting with the hydrogen and or the hydrogenation catalyst and wherein the treated polyalpha-olefin comprises 10 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds or less. 127. The process of claim 121 wherein the activator comprises methylalumoxane and or modified methylalumoxane. 128. The process of claim 121 wherein the activator comprises one or more of N,N-dimethylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylphenylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), trityl tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, tri-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), tetra-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group). 129. The process of claim 121 wherein the process is a continuous process comprising:
continuously introducing a feed stream comprising at least 10 mole % of the one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefins into a reactor,
continuously introducing the metallocene compound and the activator into the reactor,
optionally continuously introducing co-activator into the reactor, and
continuously withdrawing the polyalpha-olefin from the reactor. 130. The process of claim 129 further comprising maintaining a concentration of hydrogen in the reactor of 1000 ppm or less by weight. 131. The process of claim 129 wherein the process further comprises:
optionally, continuously treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm;
continuously contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst; and
continuously obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8. 132. The process of claim 121 wherein two monomers having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are present in the polyalpha-olefin. 133. The process of claim 121 wherein the temperature is from 70° C. to 150° C. 134. The process of claim 133 wherein the pressure is from 1 to 50 atmospheres. 135. The process of claim 134 wherein the feed stream, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 1 minute to 1 hour. 136. The process of claim 121 wherein solvent or diluent selected from the group consisting of butanes, pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, nonanes, decanes, undecanes, dodecanes, tridecanes, tetradecanes, pentadecanes, hexadecanes, benzene, toluene, o-xylenes, m-xylenes, p-xylenes, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, and n-butylbenzene is present. 137. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene and activator are combined prior to entering the reactor with an alkylaluminum compound represented by the formula: R3Al, wherein each R is independently a C1 to C20 alkyl group and can be n-alkyl or iso-alkyl group. 138. The process of claim 137 wherein the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, n-pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, n-hexyl, heptyl, octyl, isocotyl, n-octyl, nonyl, isononyl, n-nonyl, decyl, isodecyl, n-cecyl, undecyl, isoundecyl, n-undecyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, and n-dodecyl. 139. The process of claim 121 wherein ethylene is present in the monomer feed at from 0.5 to 10 mole %. 140. The process of claim 121 where the feed olefins are contacted with molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel, oxygen removing catalyst, and or purifying clays to reduce the heteroatom-containing compounds in the feed to below 10 ppm. 141. The process of claim 121 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature from 100 to 300° C., for a time period from 5 minutes to 24 hours, and at a hydrogen pressure of from 100 to 2000 psi. 142. The process of claim 141 wherein the hydrogenation catalyst is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Ni, Pd, Pt, Co, Rh, Fe, Ru, Os, Cr, Mo, and W, supported on silica, alumina, clay, titania, zirconia, or mixed metal oxide supports. 143. A process to reduce the mole % of mm triad groups in a hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin comprising contacting a polyalpha-olefin with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen and recovering the hydrogentated polyalpha-olefin having from 1 to 80% less mm triad groups than the polyalpha-olefin prior to contact with the hydrogen and hydrogenation catalyst;
wherein the polyalpha-olefin comprises more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula:
where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and
where Z=8.420*Log(V)−4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100° C. in cSt. 144. The process of claim 143 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has from 25 to 70 mole % mm triads. 145. The process of claim 144 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has a bromine number of less than 0.5. | A process to produce polyalpha-olefins includes contacting a feed stream of at least one alpha-olefin monomer having 4 to 25 carbon atoms with a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound, under polymerizations conditions in a reactor. The alpha-olefin monomer is present at 10% volume or more in the reactor and the feed stream includes less than 600 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds. The process further includes obtaining a polyalpha-olefin with at least 50 mole % C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer and kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 5000 cSt or less.1.-120. (canceled) 121. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin comprising:
contacting a feed stream comprising at least one alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms with a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound, under polymerization conditions wherein the alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms is present at 10 volume % or more (based upon the total volume of the catalyst, monomers, and any diluents or solvents present) in the reactor and where the feed stream comprises less than 600 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds; and obtaining a polyalpha-olefin comprising at least 50 mole % of a C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer where the polyalpha-olefin has Kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 5000 cSt or less. 122. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene catalyst compound is a racemic, bridged metallocene catalyst compound. 123. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene comprises one or more of dimethylsilylbis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; isopropylidenebis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; rac-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride; rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride; diphenylmethylidene(cylcopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride; cyclopentadienyl(indenyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(1,2,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; bis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; or bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride. 124. The process of claim 121 where the metallocene is selected from the group consisting of rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)ZrX2, meso-ethylidenebis(indenyl)ZrX2, (RnCp)2ZrX2 or (RmInd)2ZrX2), ethylidenebis(RnCp)2ZrX2, dimethylsilylbis(RnCp)2ZrX2, ethylidenebis(RnInd)2ZrX2, dimethylsilylbis(RnInd)2ZrX2,
wherein X is a halogen, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a C1 to C20 alkyl, Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring, R is a C1 to C20 alkyl group, n is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Cp and is a number from 0 to 5, Ind is an indenyl ring, m is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Ind and is a number from 0 to 7. 125. The process of claim 121 further comprising:
optionally treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm;
optionally separating the polyalpha-olefins from solvents or diluents;
contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst; and
obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8. 126. The process of claim 125 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is treated to remove heteroatom containing compounds prior to contacting with the hydrogen and or the hydrogenation catalyst and wherein the treated polyalpha-olefin comprises 10 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds or less. 127. The process of claim 121 wherein the activator comprises methylalumoxane and or modified methylalumoxane. 128. The process of claim 121 wherein the activator comprises one or more of N,N-dimethylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylphenylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), trityl tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, tri-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), tetra-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group). 129. The process of claim 121 wherein the process is a continuous process comprising:
continuously introducing a feed stream comprising at least 10 mole % of the one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefins into a reactor,
continuously introducing the metallocene compound and the activator into the reactor,
optionally continuously introducing co-activator into the reactor, and
continuously withdrawing the polyalpha-olefin from the reactor. 130. The process of claim 129 further comprising maintaining a concentration of hydrogen in the reactor of 1000 ppm or less by weight. 131. The process of claim 129 wherein the process further comprises:
optionally, continuously treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm;
continuously contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst; and
continuously obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8. 132. The process of claim 121 wherein two monomers having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are present in the polyalpha-olefin. 133. The process of claim 121 wherein the temperature is from 70° C. to 150° C. 134. The process of claim 133 wherein the pressure is from 1 to 50 atmospheres. 135. The process of claim 134 wherein the feed stream, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 1 minute to 1 hour. 136. The process of claim 121 wherein solvent or diluent selected from the group consisting of butanes, pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, nonanes, decanes, undecanes, dodecanes, tridecanes, tetradecanes, pentadecanes, hexadecanes, benzene, toluene, o-xylenes, m-xylenes, p-xylenes, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, and n-butylbenzene is present. 137. The process of claim 121 wherein the metallocene and activator are combined prior to entering the reactor with an alkylaluminum compound represented by the formula: R3Al, wherein each R is independently a C1 to C20 alkyl group and can be n-alkyl or iso-alkyl group. 138. The process of claim 137 wherein the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, n-pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, n-hexyl, heptyl, octyl, isocotyl, n-octyl, nonyl, isononyl, n-nonyl, decyl, isodecyl, n-cecyl, undecyl, isoundecyl, n-undecyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, and n-dodecyl. 139. The process of claim 121 wherein ethylene is present in the monomer feed at from 0.5 to 10 mole %. 140. The process of claim 121 where the feed olefins are contacted with molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel, oxygen removing catalyst, and or purifying clays to reduce the heteroatom-containing compounds in the feed to below 10 ppm. 141. The process of claim 121 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature from 100 to 300° C., for a time period from 5 minutes to 24 hours, and at a hydrogen pressure of from 100 to 2000 psi. 142. The process of claim 141 wherein the hydrogenation catalyst is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Ni, Pd, Pt, Co, Rh, Fe, Ru, Os, Cr, Mo, and W, supported on silica, alumina, clay, titania, zirconia, or mixed metal oxide supports. 143. A process to reduce the mole % of mm triad groups in a hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin comprising contacting a polyalpha-olefin with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen and recovering the hydrogentated polyalpha-olefin having from 1 to 80% less mm triad groups than the polyalpha-olefin prior to contact with the hydrogen and hydrogenation catalyst;
wherein the polyalpha-olefin comprises more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula:
where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and
where Z=8.420*Log(V)−4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100° C. in cSt. 144. The process of claim 143 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has from 25 to 70 mole % mm triads. 145. The process of claim 144 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has a bromine number of less than 0.5. | 1,700 |
2,868 | 14,119,252 | 1,767 | A composite material comprising a first component directly bonded to a second component, the first component comprising a peroxide cured fluoroelastomer having a temperature reflection TR-10 of −19 C or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprising a polyamide resin, and methods of making such composite materials and shaped articles containing the composite materials. | 1. A composite material comprising a first component directly bonded to a second component, the first component comprising a peroxide cured fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprising a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. 2. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer has a temperature retraction TR-10 of −25° C. 3. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin has a heat deflection temperature of at least 190° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. 4. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the second component has a heat deflection temperature of at least 230° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa or 1.8 MPa measured according to ASTMD 648. 5. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin contains repeating units selected from:
—NH—(CH2)6—NH—CO—(CH2)4—CO—,
—NH—(CH2)5—CO—, and
—HN—(CH2)4—NH—CO—(CH2)4—CO—. 6. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is selected from PA 6, PA 6.6, PA 4.6, PA 6.66 and PA 66.610. 7. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a polyphthalamide. 8. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a polyamide imide. 9. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a reinforced polyamide. 10. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer comprises repeating units derived from the monomer combinations selected from a) VDF, TFE and optionally at least one perfluorinated olefinic ether and b) HFP and VDF and optionally at least one optionally perfluorinated olefinic ether. 11. A shaped article comprising the composite material according to claim 1. 12. The shaped article according to claim 11 wherein the article is selected from bearings and seals comprising at least one surface exposed to a fuel or fumes thereof. 13. A method of making a composite material comprising
i) providing a) a first component comprising a peroxide curable fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or less and further comprising at least one peroxide curing agent; b) a second component comprising a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648, ii) forming a direct bond between first and second component by contacting the first component with the second component and curing the fluoroelastomer. 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least the surface of the second component that is to contact the first component has been brought to a temperature of at least 100° C. when step ii) is carried out. 15. (canceled) 16. A method comprising increasing the heat stability of a bond between a first component and a second component, the method comprising bringing the first and second components into intimate contact, wherein the first component comprises a peroxide curable fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprises a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. | A composite material comprising a first component directly bonded to a second component, the first component comprising a peroxide cured fluoroelastomer having a temperature reflection TR-10 of −19 C or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprising a polyamide resin, and methods of making such composite materials and shaped articles containing the composite materials.1. A composite material comprising a first component directly bonded to a second component, the first component comprising a peroxide cured fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprising a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. 2. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer has a temperature retraction TR-10 of −25° C. 3. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin has a heat deflection temperature of at least 190° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. 4. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the second component has a heat deflection temperature of at least 230° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa or 1.8 MPa measured according to ASTMD 648. 5. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin contains repeating units selected from:
—NH—(CH2)6—NH—CO—(CH2)4—CO—,
—NH—(CH2)5—CO—, and
—HN—(CH2)4—NH—CO—(CH2)4—CO—. 6. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is selected from PA 6, PA 6.6, PA 4.6, PA 6.66 and PA 66.610. 7. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a polyphthalamide. 8. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a polyamide imide. 9. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the polyamide resin is a reinforced polyamide. 10. The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer comprises repeating units derived from the monomer combinations selected from a) VDF, TFE and optionally at least one perfluorinated olefinic ether and b) HFP and VDF and optionally at least one optionally perfluorinated olefinic ether. 11. A shaped article comprising the composite material according to claim 1. 12. The shaped article according to claim 11 wherein the article is selected from bearings and seals comprising at least one surface exposed to a fuel or fumes thereof. 13. A method of making a composite material comprising
i) providing a) a first component comprising a peroxide curable fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or less and further comprising at least one peroxide curing agent; b) a second component comprising a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648, ii) forming a direct bond between first and second component by contacting the first component with the second component and curing the fluoroelastomer. 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least the surface of the second component that is to contact the first component has been brought to a temperature of at least 100° C. when step ii) is carried out. 15. (canceled) 16. A method comprising increasing the heat stability of a bond between a first component and a second component, the method comprising bringing the first and second components into intimate contact, wherein the first component comprises a peroxide curable fluoroelastomer having a temperature retraction TR-10 of −19° C. or lower as measured according to ASTM D 1329 and the second component comprises a polyamide resin having a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 130° C. under a load of 0.45 MPa measured according to ASTM D648. | 1,700 |
2,869 | 14,669,583 | 1,732 | The present disclosure provides compositions including method of producing H 2 , variable volume reactors, methods of using variable volume reactors, and the like. | 1. A method of generating H2 in a variable volume reactor, comprising a cycle with the following steps executed in sequence:
a) introducing a hydrocarbon fuel and a gas at a ratio into the variable volume reactor; b) causing the fuel and gas to react with assistance of a catalyst to produce H2 and CO2 products; c) increasing a rate of fuel conversion reaction by actively decreasing a volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein H2 permeates through a selectively H2 permeable membrane and is removed from the variable volume reactor, wherein CO2 is adsorbed by a sorbent material; d) increasing the volume of the variable volume reactor causing the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by decreasing the partial pressure of CO2; and e) decreasing the volume of the variable volume reactor causing the CO2 to be flowed out of the variable volume reactor through a valve. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the variable volume reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor; a structure that includes the catalyst domain, the sorbent material domain, and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from the variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure out of the variable volume reactor, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause an increase in H2 partial pressure and permeation through the H2 permeable membrane domain out of the variable volume reactor. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein during step b) the catalyst and H2 permeable membrane domains are heated from outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and the rate of H2 transfer from the catalyst domain through the H2 permeable membrane domain. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor structure, comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor; a structure that includes the catalyst and the sorbent material; and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is positioned adjacent the structure that is on the opposite side of the active piston so the structure is between the active piston and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and increase rate of permeation through the structure and the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2 in the variable reactor volume. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein step d) includes heating the structure to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein step e) include moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane and the catalyst domain are heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase rate of reaction and to cause an increase of rate of H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; a catalyst structure that includes the catalyst, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the catalyst structure; a CO2 membrane disposed adjacent the catalyst structure that is on the side opposite the active piston; and a sorbent material structure that includes the sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material structure is disposed adjacent the CO2 membrane on the side opposite the catalyst structure. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and its permeation through the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor and to cause the increase in CO2 partial pressure and its permeation through the CO2 permeable membrane to pre-concentrate CO2 in contract with the sorbent structure to increase equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity by the sorbent material. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2 in the variable volume reactor. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane is heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to cause H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein during step b) the catalyst domain is heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to cause an increase of rate of reaction. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor, comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; and a structure that includes the catalyst and the sorbent material, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the structure. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and rate of H2 permeation through the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane and the catalyst are heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and to cause H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature during step b) is about 150 to 800° C. 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the variable volume reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a sorbent material domain; a structure that includes the catalyst domain and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure so H2 permeates out of the variable volume reactor, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and permeation through the H2 permeable membrane domain out of the variable volume reactor. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 33. The method of claim 28, wherein during step b) a structure including catalyst and H2 permeable membrane domains is heated using steam from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and the rate of H2 transfer from the catalyst domain through the H2 permeable membrane domain. 34. The method of claim 1, further comprising step c′ after step c and before step d, wherein unreacted fuel, unpermeated residual products, or non-adsorbed residual products are flowed out of the variable volume reactor and into a second variable volume reactor and steps b-e are conducted. 35. The method of claim 1, wherein steps d and e are repeated to remove CO2 not previously desorbed. 36. A reactor structure, comprising:
an active piston that changes a volume of a variable volume reactor; and a structure that includes at least one of: a catalyst, a sorbent material, and a H2 permeable membrane, wherein the sorbent material is present in the reactor structure, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the structure, wherein the variable volume reactor is configured so that products, CO2 and H2, are formed due to reaction of fuel, wherein the CO2 is adsorbed by the sorbent material, and H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane to outside the variable volume reactor, and wherein the variable volume reactor is configured so that movement of the active piston sequentially first decreases the volume and increases H2 partial pressure in the reactor volume, which causes an increase of the rate of reaction and hydrogen permeation through H2 membrane and second increases the volume and decreases the partial pressure of CO2 in the variable volume reactor, which causes the CO2 to desorb from the sorbent material and be removed from the variable volume reactor using an open exhaust valve by movement of the active piston to decrease the volume and pushing the CO2 out of the variable volume reactor. 37. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the structure that includes the catalyst domain, the sorbent material domain, and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from the variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure to outside the variable volume reactor. 38. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the structure includes the catalyst and the sorbent material, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is positioned adjacent the structure that is on the opposite side of the active piston so the structure is between the active piston and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the volume is in a space between the active piston and the structure. 39. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes the H2 permeable membrane; wherein the catalyst is part of a catalyst structure, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the catalyst structure; wherein the reactor structure further comprises a CO2 membrane disposed adjacent the catalyst structure that it is on the side opposite the active piston; and wherein the sorbent material is part of a sorbent material structure, wherein the sorbent material structure is disposed adjacent the CO2 membrane on the side opposite the catalyst structure. 40. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; and wherein the structure includes the catalyst and the sorbent material. 41. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes the sorbent material; and the structure includes a catalyst domain and a H2 permeable membrane domain. | The present disclosure provides compositions including method of producing H 2 , variable volume reactors, methods of using variable volume reactors, and the like.1. A method of generating H2 in a variable volume reactor, comprising a cycle with the following steps executed in sequence:
a) introducing a hydrocarbon fuel and a gas at a ratio into the variable volume reactor; b) causing the fuel and gas to react with assistance of a catalyst to produce H2 and CO2 products; c) increasing a rate of fuel conversion reaction by actively decreasing a volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein H2 permeates through a selectively H2 permeable membrane and is removed from the variable volume reactor, wherein CO2 is adsorbed by a sorbent material; d) increasing the volume of the variable volume reactor causing the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by decreasing the partial pressure of CO2; and e) decreasing the volume of the variable volume reactor causing the CO2 to be flowed out of the variable volume reactor through a valve. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the variable volume reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor; a structure that includes the catalyst domain, the sorbent material domain, and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from the variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure out of the variable volume reactor, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause an increase in H2 partial pressure and permeation through the H2 permeable membrane domain out of the variable volume reactor. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein during step b) the catalyst and H2 permeable membrane domains are heated from outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and the rate of H2 transfer from the catalyst domain through the H2 permeable membrane domain. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor structure, comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor; a structure that includes the catalyst and the sorbent material; and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is positioned adjacent the structure that is on the opposite side of the active piston so the structure is between the active piston and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and increase rate of permeation through the structure and the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2 in the variable reactor volume. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein step d) includes heating the structure to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein step e) include moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane and the catalyst domain are heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase rate of reaction and to cause an increase of rate of H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; a catalyst structure that includes the catalyst, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the catalyst structure; a CO2 membrane disposed adjacent the catalyst structure that is on the side opposite the active piston; and a sorbent material structure that includes the sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material structure is disposed adjacent the CO2 membrane on the side opposite the catalyst structure. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and its permeation through the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor and to cause the increase in CO2 partial pressure and its permeation through the CO2 permeable membrane to pre-concentrate CO2 in contract with the sorbent structure to increase equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity by the sorbent material. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2 in the variable volume reactor. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane is heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to cause H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein during step b) the catalyst domain is heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to cause an increase of rate of reaction. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor, comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; and a structure that includes the catalyst and the sorbent material, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the structure. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and rate of H2 permeation through the H2 permeable membrane out of the variable volume reactor. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume of the variable volume reactor to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein during step b) the H2 permeable membrane and the catalyst are heated from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and to cause H2 transfer through the H2 permeable membrane. 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature during step b) is about 150 to 800° C. 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the variable volume reactor comprises:
an active piston that changes the volume of the variable volume reactor, wherein the active piston includes a sorbent material domain; a structure that includes the catalyst domain and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure so H2 permeates out of the variable volume reactor, wherein the volume is a space between the active piston and the structure. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein step b) includes moving the active piston to reduce the volume to cause the increase in H2 partial pressure and permeation through the H2 permeable membrane domain out of the variable volume reactor. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein step d) includes moving the active piston to increase the volume to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the partial pressure of the CO2. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein step d) includes heating the sorbent domain to cause the CO2 to be desorbed from the sorbent material by reducing the equilibrium CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent material. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein step e) includes moving the active piston to decrease the volume to cause the CO2 to be flowed out of the of the variable volume reactor through the open exhaust valve. 33. The method of claim 28, wherein during step b) a structure including catalyst and H2 permeable membrane domains is heated using steam from contact outside of the variable volume reactor to increase the rate of reaction and the rate of H2 transfer from the catalyst domain through the H2 permeable membrane domain. 34. The method of claim 1, further comprising step c′ after step c and before step d, wherein unreacted fuel, unpermeated residual products, or non-adsorbed residual products are flowed out of the variable volume reactor and into a second variable volume reactor and steps b-e are conducted. 35. The method of claim 1, wherein steps d and e are repeated to remove CO2 not previously desorbed. 36. A reactor structure, comprising:
an active piston that changes a volume of a variable volume reactor; and a structure that includes at least one of: a catalyst, a sorbent material, and a H2 permeable membrane, wherein the sorbent material is present in the reactor structure, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the structure, wherein the variable volume reactor is configured so that products, CO2 and H2, are formed due to reaction of fuel, wherein the CO2 is adsorbed by the sorbent material, and H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane to outside the variable volume reactor, and wherein the variable volume reactor is configured so that movement of the active piston sequentially first decreases the volume and increases H2 partial pressure in the reactor volume, which causes an increase of the rate of reaction and hydrogen permeation through H2 membrane and second increases the volume and decreases the partial pressure of CO2 in the variable volume reactor, which causes the CO2 to desorb from the sorbent material and be removed from the variable volume reactor using an open exhaust valve by movement of the active piston to decrease the volume and pushing the CO2 out of the variable volume reactor. 37. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is a H2 permeable membrane domain, and the sorbent material is a sorbent material domain; and wherein the structure that includes the catalyst domain, the sorbent material domain, and the H2 permeable membrane domain, wherein the H2 permeable membrane domain extends through the structure so the H2 permeates through the H2 permeable membrane domain from the variable volume reactor to the other side of the structure to outside the variable volume reactor. 38. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the structure includes the catalyst and the sorbent material, wherein the H2 permeable membrane is positioned adjacent the structure that is on the opposite side of the active piston so the structure is between the active piston and the H2 permeable membrane, wherein the volume is in a space between the active piston and the structure. 39. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes the H2 permeable membrane; wherein the catalyst is part of a catalyst structure, wherein the volume is the space between the active piston and the catalyst structure; wherein the reactor structure further comprises a CO2 membrane disposed adjacent the catalyst structure that it is on the side opposite the active piston; and wherein the sorbent material is part of a sorbent material structure, wherein the sorbent material structure is disposed adjacent the CO2 membrane on the side opposite the catalyst structure. 40. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes a H2 permeable membrane; and wherein the structure includes the catalyst and the sorbent material. 41. The reactor structure of claim 36, wherein the active piston includes the sorbent material; and the structure includes a catalyst domain and a H2 permeable membrane domain. | 1,700 |
2,870 | 15,269,050 | 1,774 | A polyolefin production system including: a first reactor configured to produce a first discharge slurry having a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second discharge slurry having a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone having at least a separation vessel configured to receive the second discharge slurry or both the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry. | 1. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first reactor configured to produce a first reactor discharge comprising a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second reactor discharge comprising a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone configured to receive the first reactor discharge and the second reactor discharge, wherein the first and second reactors are configured to allow the first reactor discharge to be (a) transferred to the second reactor and, alternatively, (b) diverted to by-pass the second reactor and fed into the post-reactor treatment zone wherein to the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the post-reactor treatment zone, wherein the first polyolefin is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of the second polyolefin. 2. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor and the second reactor each comprise a loop reactor. 3. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the separation vessel such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the separation vessel. 4. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a purge column; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the purge column such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the purge column. 5. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder feed tank such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the extruder feed tank. 6. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted at the inlet of and blended in the extruder. 7. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first and second polyolefins are polyethylene. 8. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the second polyolefin. 9. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the second polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the first polyolefin. 10. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first polyolefin has a different density than the second polyolefin. 11. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first and second polyolefins consist essentially of polyethylene. 12. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank and an extruder, and wherein performance additives are added into at least one of the extruder feed tank or the extruder. 13. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first-reactor configured to produce a first reactor discharge comprising polyolefin and non-polyolefin components; a second reactor configured to produce a second reactor discharge which is fed into the first reactor; and a post-reactor treatment zone configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a first extruded polyolefin and a second extruded polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin in the first reactor discharge is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of polyolefin in the second reactor discharge. 14. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce first and second separation-vessel product streams. 15. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel and a purge column, wherein: the separation vessel is configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a separation-vessel product stream, and the purge column is configured to receive the separation-vessel product stream and produce first and second purge-column product streams. 16. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel, a purge column, and an extruder feed tank; the separation vessel is configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a separation-vessel product stream, the purge column is configured to receive the separation-vessel product stream and produce a purge-column product stream, and the extruder feed tank is configured to receive the purge-column product stream and produce first and second extruder-tank product streams. 17. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin in the second reactor discharge has a higher average molecular weight than polyolefin in the first reactor discharge. 18. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin the first reactor discharge has a higher average molecular weight than polyolefin the second reactor discharge. 19. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin in the second reactor discharge has a different density than polyolefin in the first reactor discharge. 20. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the polyolefin in the first reactor discharge and the polyolefin in the second reactor discharge consist essentially of polyethylene. 21. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the first extruded polyolefin and the second extruded polyolefin comprise different additive packages. 22. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the different additive packages comprise surface modifiers, UV inhibitors, antioxidants, colorants, pigments, or any combination thereof. 23. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first reactor configured to produce a first discharge slurry comprising a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second discharge slurry comprising a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone comprising a separation vessel configured to receive as separate feeds the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry, wherein the first polyolefin is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of the second polyolefin. 24. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second reactors are configured to allow the first discharge slurry to be (a) transferred to the second reactor and, alternatively, (b) diverted to by-pass the second reactor and fed into the post-reactor treatment zone. 25. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry initially meet in the separation vessel. 26. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry do not meet upstream of the separation vessel. 27. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry do not initially meet in a conduit. 28. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the separation vessel such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in the separation vessel. 29. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a purge column; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the purge column such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the purge column or in the purge column. 30. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder feed tank such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the extruder feed tank or in the extruder feed tank. 31. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the extruder or in the extruder, and are blended in the extruder. 32. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the second polyolefin. 33. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the second polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the first polyolefin. 34. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first polyolefin has a different density than the second polyolefin. 35. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second polyolefins consist essentially of polyethylene. | A polyolefin production system including: a first reactor configured to produce a first discharge slurry having a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second discharge slurry having a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone having at least a separation vessel configured to receive the second discharge slurry or both the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry.1. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first reactor configured to produce a first reactor discharge comprising a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second reactor discharge comprising a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone configured to receive the first reactor discharge and the second reactor discharge, wherein the first and second reactors are configured to allow the first reactor discharge to be (a) transferred to the second reactor and, alternatively, (b) diverted to by-pass the second reactor and fed into the post-reactor treatment zone wherein to the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the post-reactor treatment zone, wherein the first polyolefin is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of the second polyolefin. 2. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor and the second reactor each comprise a loop reactor. 3. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the separation vessel such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the separation vessel. 4. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a purge column; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the purge column such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the purge column. 5. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder feed tank such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted in the extruder feed tank. 6. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder such that the first and second polyolefins are first contacted at the inlet of and blended in the extruder. 7. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first and second polyolefins are polyethylene. 8. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the second polyolefin. 9. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the second polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the first polyolefin. 10. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first polyolefin has a different density than the second polyolefin. 11. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the first and second polyolefins consist essentially of polyethylene. 12. The polyolefin production system of claim 1, wherein the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank and an extruder, and wherein performance additives are added into at least one of the extruder feed tank or the extruder. 13. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first-reactor configured to produce a first reactor discharge comprising polyolefin and non-polyolefin components; a second reactor configured to produce a second reactor discharge which is fed into the first reactor; and a post-reactor treatment zone configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a first extruded polyolefin and a second extruded polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin in the first reactor discharge is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of polyolefin in the second reactor discharge. 14. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce first and second separation-vessel product streams. 15. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel and a purge column, wherein: the separation vessel is configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a separation-vessel product stream, and the purge column is configured to receive the separation-vessel product stream and produce first and second purge-column product streams. 16. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a separation vessel, a purge column, and an extruder feed tank; the separation vessel is configured to receive the first reactor discharge and produce a separation-vessel product stream, the purge column is configured to receive the separation-vessel product stream and produce a purge-column product stream, and the extruder feed tank is configured to receive the purge-column product stream and produce first and second extruder-tank product streams. 17. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin in the second reactor discharge has a higher average molecular weight than polyolefin in the first reactor discharge. 18. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin the first reactor discharge has a higher average molecular weight than polyolefin the second reactor discharge. 19. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein polyolefin in the second reactor discharge has a different density than polyolefin in the first reactor discharge. 20. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the polyolefin in the first reactor discharge and the polyolefin in the second reactor discharge consist essentially of polyethylene. 21. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the first extruded polyolefin and the second extruded polyolefin comprise different additive packages. 22. The polyolefin production system of claim 13, wherein the different additive packages comprise surface modifiers, UV inhibitors, antioxidants, colorants, pigments, or any combination thereof. 23. A polyolefin production system comprising:
a first reactor configured to produce a first discharge slurry comprising a first polyolefin; a second reactor configured to produce a second discharge slurry comprising a second polyolefin; and a post-reactor treatment zone comprising a separation vessel configured to receive as separate feeds the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry, wherein the first polyolefin is 30 weight % to 70 weight % of the second polyolefin. 24. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second reactors are configured to allow the first discharge slurry to be (a) transferred to the second reactor and, alternatively, (b) diverted to by-pass the second reactor and fed into the post-reactor treatment zone. 25. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry initially meet in the separation vessel. 26. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry do not meet upstream of the separation vessel. 27. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first discharge slurry and the second discharge slurry do not initially meet in a conduit. 28. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the separation vessel such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in the separation vessel. 29. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises a purge column; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the purge column such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the purge column or in the purge column. 30. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder feed tank; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder feed tank such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the extruder feed tank or in the extruder feed tank. 31. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein:
the post-reactor treatment zone comprises an extruder; and the first and second polyolefins are transferred to the extruder such that the first and second polyolefins initially meet in inlet piping of the extruder or in the extruder, and are blended in the extruder. 32. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the second polyolefin. 33. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the second polyolefin has a higher average molecular weight than the first polyolefin. 34. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first polyolefin has a different density than the second polyolefin. 35. The polyolefin production system of claim 23, wherein the first and second polyolefins consist essentially of polyethylene. | 1,700 |
2,871 | 13,493,364 | 1,712 | A thermal spray system may include a thermal spray torch configured to produce an emission of material, at least one camera configured to capture an image of the emission of material emitted by the thermal spray torch, a diagnostic device communicatively coupled to the at least one camera, and a controller communicatively coupled to the diagnostic device. The camera may be configured to transmit an image of the emission of material to a diagnostic device that may be configured to determine a characteristic of the emission of material based on the image. The diagnostic device may transmit the characteristic to a controller that may control a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. | 1. A thermal spray system, comprising:
a thermal spray torch configured to produce an emission of material; at least one camera configured to capture an image of the emission of the material by the thermal spray torch; a diagnostic device communicatively coupled to the at least one camera; and a controller communicatively coupled to the diagnostic device,
wherein the at least one camera is configured to transmit the image to a diagnostic device,
wherein the diagnostic device is configured to determine a characteristic of the emission of the material based on the image and transmit the characteristic to a controller, and
wherein the controller is configured to control a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 2. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the emission of material comprises at least one of a center point of the emission of material, a width of the emission of the material, a size of the emission of the material, or a shape of the emission of the material. 3. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic device configured to determine the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises the diagnostic device configured to determine coordinates associated with the characteristic. 4. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera comprises a first camera configured to capture a first image of the emission of the material and a second camera configured to capture a second image of the emission of the material. 5. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the controller configured to control the position of the thermal spray torch comprises the controller configured to adjust a path of travel of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 6. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the image of the emission of the material comprises an image of a point of reference. 7. The thermal spray system of claim 6, wherein the point of reference is one of a laser beam or a fiducial mark. 8. A method of operating a thermal spray system, comprising:
producing an emission of material toward a surface with a thermal spray torch; capturing an image of the emission of the material; determining a characteristic of the emission of the material based on the image; and adjusting a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the image is captured by at least one line scan camera. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises at least one of a center point of the emission of the material, a width of the emission of the material, a size of the emission of the material, or a shape of the emission of the material. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises determining coordinates associated with the characteristic. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the characteristic is a center point of the emission of the material, and wherein adjusting the position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic comprises adjusting the thermal point spray torch such that the center point of emission of the material is changed to a predetermined center point of the emission. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising emitting a laser beam onto the surface as a point of reference. 14. The method of claim 13, where the image of the emission of the material comprises an image of the laser beam. 15. A method operating a thermal spray system, comprising:
producing an emission of material toward a surface with a thermal spray torch; capturing an image of the emission of the material; determining a center point of the emission of the material based on the image; determining a correct center point of emission; and adjusting the thermal spray torch based on the center point of the emission of the material such that a center point of the emission of the material is aligned with the correct center point of emission. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising emitting the material onto an item with the thermal spray torch. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a coordinate system for the surface. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the center point of the emission of the material comprises determining coordinates for the center point of the emission of material within the coordinate system. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein capturing the image of the emission of the material comprises:
capturing a first image of the emission of the material with a first camera configured to scan the emission of the material in a first direction; and capturing a second image of the emission of the material with a second line scan camera configured to scan the emission of the material in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a path of travel of the thermal spray torch. | A thermal spray system may include a thermal spray torch configured to produce an emission of material, at least one camera configured to capture an image of the emission of material emitted by the thermal spray torch, a diagnostic device communicatively coupled to the at least one camera, and a controller communicatively coupled to the diagnostic device. The camera may be configured to transmit an image of the emission of material to a diagnostic device that may be configured to determine a characteristic of the emission of material based on the image. The diagnostic device may transmit the characteristic to a controller that may control a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic.1. A thermal spray system, comprising:
a thermal spray torch configured to produce an emission of material; at least one camera configured to capture an image of the emission of the material by the thermal spray torch; a diagnostic device communicatively coupled to the at least one camera; and a controller communicatively coupled to the diagnostic device,
wherein the at least one camera is configured to transmit the image to a diagnostic device,
wherein the diagnostic device is configured to determine a characteristic of the emission of the material based on the image and transmit the characteristic to a controller, and
wherein the controller is configured to control a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 2. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the emission of material comprises at least one of a center point of the emission of material, a width of the emission of the material, a size of the emission of the material, or a shape of the emission of the material. 3. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic device configured to determine the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises the diagnostic device configured to determine coordinates associated with the characteristic. 4. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera comprises a first camera configured to capture a first image of the emission of the material and a second camera configured to capture a second image of the emission of the material. 5. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the controller configured to control the position of the thermal spray torch comprises the controller configured to adjust a path of travel of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 6. The thermal spray system of claim 1, wherein the image of the emission of the material comprises an image of a point of reference. 7. The thermal spray system of claim 6, wherein the point of reference is one of a laser beam or a fiducial mark. 8. A method of operating a thermal spray system, comprising:
producing an emission of material toward a surface with a thermal spray torch; capturing an image of the emission of the material; determining a characteristic of the emission of the material based on the image; and adjusting a position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the image is captured by at least one line scan camera. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises at least one of a center point of the emission of the material, a width of the emission of the material, a size of the emission of the material, or a shape of the emission of the material. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the characteristic of the emission of the material comprises determining coordinates associated with the characteristic. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the characteristic is a center point of the emission of the material, and wherein adjusting the position of the thermal spray torch based on the characteristic comprises adjusting the thermal point spray torch such that the center point of emission of the material is changed to a predetermined center point of the emission. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising emitting a laser beam onto the surface as a point of reference. 14. The method of claim 13, where the image of the emission of the material comprises an image of the laser beam. 15. A method operating a thermal spray system, comprising:
producing an emission of material toward a surface with a thermal spray torch; capturing an image of the emission of the material; determining a center point of the emission of the material based on the image; determining a correct center point of emission; and adjusting the thermal spray torch based on the center point of the emission of the material such that a center point of the emission of the material is aligned with the correct center point of emission. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising emitting the material onto an item with the thermal spray torch. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a coordinate system for the surface. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the center point of the emission of the material comprises determining coordinates for the center point of the emission of material within the coordinate system. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein capturing the image of the emission of the material comprises:
capturing a first image of the emission of the material with a first camera configured to scan the emission of the material in a first direction; and capturing a second image of the emission of the material with a second line scan camera configured to scan the emission of the material in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a path of travel of the thermal spray torch. | 1,700 |
2,872 | 14,058,376 | 1,781 | A product that includes a soft nonwoven web is disclosed. The nonwoven web includes a first fibrous layer made of a first composition and a second fibrous layer made of a second composition. The second composition is different from the first composition. | 1. An article comprising:
a liquid pervious layer; a liquid impervious layer; an absorbent core disposed between said liquid pervious layer and said liquid impervious layer; and a nonwoven web comprising:
at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin; and
at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer. 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of fibers is disposed between said first layer of fibers and said absorbent core. 3. The article of claim 2 wherein the fibers of said first and said second layers are spunbond fibers. 4. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises a plurality of calendering bonds that provide said nonwoven web with a first textured surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. 5. The article of claim 4 wherein said first layer of fibers is disposed at said first textured surface and said second layer of fibers is disposed at said second surface. 6. The article of claim 4 wherein said nonwoven web is joined to said impervious layer such that said second surface of said nonwoven web is disposed between a garment facing surface of said liquid impervious layer and said first textured surface of said nonwoven web. 7. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first composition used to make said fibers of said first layer comprises between 5% and 25% of said second polyolefin and between 0.01% to 10% of softness enhancer additive by weight of said fibers. 8. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least an intermediate fibrous layer present between said first and second fibrous layers wherein said intermediate fibrous layer comprises fibers that are made of a third composition. 9. The article of claim 8 wherein said third composition comprises less than 10% by weight of said third composition of a propylene copolymer. 10. The article of claim 8 wherein said third composition comprises more than 10% by weight of said third composition of a propylene copolymer. 11. The article of claim 1 wherein said softness enhancer additive comprises at least one of oleamide, erucamide, and or stearamide. 12. The article of claim 4 wherein said first layer of fibers is disposed at said second surface and said second layer of fibers is disposed at said first textured surface. 13. The article of claim 1 wherein each of said liquid impervious layer and said liquid pervious layer comprises a nonwoven web comprising at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin and at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer and wherein said nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of fibers is disposed between said first layer of fibers and said absorbent core. 14. The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid pervious layer comprises said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web is disposed at a body facing surface of said article. 15. The article of claim 14 wherein said nonwoven web comprises a surfactant. 16. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web is joined to said liquid impervious layer such that said at least second layer of fibers is disposed between said at least first layer of fibers and said liquid impervious layer. 17. The article of claim 1 wherein said second composition comprises a polypropylene homopolymer in an amount greater than 80% by weight of said second composition. 18. The article of claim 14 comprising a second nonwoven web that comprises at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin and at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer, and wherein said second nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of spunbond fibers of said second nonwoven web is disposed between said first layer of spunbond fibers of said second nonwoven web and said absorbent core. 19. The article of claim 18 wherein said second nonwoven web is joined to said liquid impervious layer such that said at least second layer of fibers of said second nonwoven web is disposed between said at least first layer of fibers and said liquid impervious layer. 20. The article of claim 18 wherein said liquid impervious layer comprises a film and said at least second layer of fibers of said second nonwoven web is joined to said film with an adhesive. | A product that includes a soft nonwoven web is disclosed. The nonwoven web includes a first fibrous layer made of a first composition and a second fibrous layer made of a second composition. The second composition is different from the first composition.1. An article comprising:
a liquid pervious layer; a liquid impervious layer; an absorbent core disposed between said liquid pervious layer and said liquid impervious layer; and a nonwoven web comprising:
at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin; and
at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer. 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of fibers is disposed between said first layer of fibers and said absorbent core. 3. The article of claim 2 wherein the fibers of said first and said second layers are spunbond fibers. 4. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises a plurality of calendering bonds that provide said nonwoven web with a first textured surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. 5. The article of claim 4 wherein said first layer of fibers is disposed at said first textured surface and said second layer of fibers is disposed at said second surface. 6. The article of claim 4 wherein said nonwoven web is joined to said impervious layer such that said second surface of said nonwoven web is disposed between a garment facing surface of said liquid impervious layer and said first textured surface of said nonwoven web. 7. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first composition used to make said fibers of said first layer comprises between 5% and 25% of said second polyolefin and between 0.01% to 10% of softness enhancer additive by weight of said fibers. 8. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least an intermediate fibrous layer present between said first and second fibrous layers wherein said intermediate fibrous layer comprises fibers that are made of a third composition. 9. The article of claim 8 wherein said third composition comprises less than 10% by weight of said third composition of a propylene copolymer. 10. The article of claim 8 wherein said third composition comprises more than 10% by weight of said third composition of a propylene copolymer. 11. The article of claim 1 wherein said softness enhancer additive comprises at least one of oleamide, erucamide, and or stearamide. 12. The article of claim 4 wherein said first layer of fibers is disposed at said second surface and said second layer of fibers is disposed at said first textured surface. 13. The article of claim 1 wherein each of said liquid impervious layer and said liquid pervious layer comprises a nonwoven web comprising at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin and at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer and wherein said nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of fibers is disposed between said first layer of fibers and said absorbent core. 14. The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid pervious layer comprises said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web is disposed at a body facing surface of said article. 15. The article of claim 14 wherein said nonwoven web comprises a surfactant. 16. The article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web is joined to said liquid impervious layer such that said at least second layer of fibers is disposed between said at least first layer of fibers and said liquid impervious layer. 17. The article of claim 1 wherein said second composition comprises a polypropylene homopolymer in an amount greater than 80% by weight of said second composition. 18. The article of claim 14 comprising a second nonwoven web that comprises at least a first layer of fibers that are made of a first composition comprising a first polyolefin, a second polyolefin, and a softness enhancer additive, wherein said second polyolefin is a propylene copolymer and wherein said second polyolefin is a different polyolefin than said first polyolefin and at least a second layer of fibers that are made of a second composition comprising less than 10% by weight of said second composition of a propylene copolymer, and wherein said second nonwoven web is present in said absorbent article such that said second layer of spunbond fibers of said second nonwoven web is disposed between said first layer of spunbond fibers of said second nonwoven web and said absorbent core. 19. The article of claim 18 wherein said second nonwoven web is joined to said liquid impervious layer such that said at least second layer of fibers of said second nonwoven web is disposed between said at least first layer of fibers and said liquid impervious layer. 20. The article of claim 18 wherein said liquid impervious layer comprises a film and said at least second layer of fibers of said second nonwoven web is joined to said film with an adhesive. | 1,700 |
2,873 | 12,794,332 | 1,791 | A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.
In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate. | 1. A method of processing meat comprising:
(a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reddening agent is allergen-free. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reddening agent is derived from plant material selected from the group consisting of: Apium gravelolens Rapaceum Group (celery root); Apium gravelolens Vulce Group (celery stalks); Beta vulgaris (beet); Brassica rapa (broccoli/turnip); Veronia calvoana (bitterleaf); Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group (Brussels sprouts, cabbage); Eruca sativa (rocket/arugula); Brassica oleracea Capitata Group (cabbage); Daucus carota (carrot); Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group (cauliflower); Brassica oleracea Acephala Group (kale/collard greens); Pastinaca sativa (parsnip); Allium cepa (garden onion); Allium ampeloprasum (leek); Allium sativum (garlic); Cucumis sativus (cucumber); Solanum melongena (eggplant); Solanum lycopersicum (tomato); Solanum tuberosum (potato); Lactuca sativa (lettuce); Cucurbita maxima (buttercup squash); Cucurbita mixta (cushaw squash); Cucurbita moschata (butternut squash); Cucurbita pepo (pumpkins/zucchini/acorn squash); Raphanus sativus (radish); Cynara cardunculus (artichoke); Agaricus bisporus (mushroom); Phaseolus vulgaris (common green bean); Cichorium endivia (endive); Zea mays (corn); Abelmoschus esculentus (okra); Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean); Vigna unguiculata unguiculata (black eyed pea); Spinacia oleracea (spinach); and combinations thereof. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reddening agent is derived from plant material by contacting the plant material with an organism which converts nitrate to nitrite. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the organism is selected from the group consisting of: S. carnosus, M. varians, Paracoccus pantotrophus, E.coli, Haemophylus influenzae, Bacillus subtilis, cyanobacteria, Haloarcula, Thermus thermophilus, Synechococcus, Pseudomonas, Campylobacter jejunii, Wollinella succinogenes, Wautersia eutropha, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Shewanella oneidensis, Rhodobacter capsulatus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haloferax, Desulfitobacterium hafniense, Streptococcus, lactic acid bacteria, and combinations thereof. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the body of meat is heated in a vessel prior to introduction to the treating vessel. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the body of meat is heated by contact with a solution prior to introduction to the treating vessel. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the vinegar-derived food additive is produced by:
(a) treating vinegar with a basic neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the vinegar to a pH of below about 7.0; (b) evaporating water from and drying the product of step (a) to produce a food additive buffer consisting of an acetate; and (c) adding untreated vinegar to the product of step (b) to produce an acetate-vinegar dry powder or solution having a pH of about 4.5 to 7.0. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vinegar-derived food additive is produced by:
(a) treating vinegar with a basic neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the vinegar to a pH of below about 7.0; (b) evaporating water from and drying the product of step (a) to produce an acetate; and (c) adding untreated vinegar to the product of step (b) to produce an acetate-vinegar dry powder or solution having a pH of about 7.0 to 10.0. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the basic neutralizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the basic neutralizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the acetate is selected from the group consisting of: sodium acetate and potassium acetate. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the acetate is selected from the group consisting of: sodium acetate and potassium acetate. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is about 45° F. to about 80° F. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is about 25° F. to about 50° F. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is the same as the third temperature. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is about 25° F. to about 50° F. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the body of meat with the brine solution of step (b) comprises injecting the body of meat with the brine solution. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the body of meat with the brine solution of step (f) comprises massaging the body of meat while in contact with the brine solution. | A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.
In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.1. A method of processing meat comprising:
(a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reddening agent is allergen-free. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reddening agent is derived from plant material selected from the group consisting of: Apium gravelolens Rapaceum Group (celery root); Apium gravelolens Vulce Group (celery stalks); Beta vulgaris (beet); Brassica rapa (broccoli/turnip); Veronia calvoana (bitterleaf); Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group (Brussels sprouts, cabbage); Eruca sativa (rocket/arugula); Brassica oleracea Capitata Group (cabbage); Daucus carota (carrot); Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group (cauliflower); Brassica oleracea Acephala Group (kale/collard greens); Pastinaca sativa (parsnip); Allium cepa (garden onion); Allium ampeloprasum (leek); Allium sativum (garlic); Cucumis sativus (cucumber); Solanum melongena (eggplant); Solanum lycopersicum (tomato); Solanum tuberosum (potato); Lactuca sativa (lettuce); Cucurbita maxima (buttercup squash); Cucurbita mixta (cushaw squash); Cucurbita moschata (butternut squash); Cucurbita pepo (pumpkins/zucchini/acorn squash); Raphanus sativus (radish); Cynara cardunculus (artichoke); Agaricus bisporus (mushroom); Phaseolus vulgaris (common green bean); Cichorium endivia (endive); Zea mays (corn); Abelmoschus esculentus (okra); Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean); Vigna unguiculata unguiculata (black eyed pea); Spinacia oleracea (spinach); and combinations thereof. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reddening agent is derived from plant material by contacting the plant material with an organism which converts nitrate to nitrite. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the organism is selected from the group consisting of: S. carnosus, M. varians, Paracoccus pantotrophus, E.coli, Haemophylus influenzae, Bacillus subtilis, cyanobacteria, Haloarcula, Thermus thermophilus, Synechococcus, Pseudomonas, Campylobacter jejunii, Wollinella succinogenes, Wautersia eutropha, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Shewanella oneidensis, Rhodobacter capsulatus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haloferax, Desulfitobacterium hafniense, Streptococcus, lactic acid bacteria, and combinations thereof. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the body of meat is heated in a vessel prior to introduction to the treating vessel. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the body of meat is heated by contact with a solution prior to introduction to the treating vessel. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the vinegar-derived food additive is produced by:
(a) treating vinegar with a basic neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the vinegar to a pH of below about 7.0; (b) evaporating water from and drying the product of step (a) to produce a food additive buffer consisting of an acetate; and (c) adding untreated vinegar to the product of step (b) to produce an acetate-vinegar dry powder or solution having a pH of about 4.5 to 7.0. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vinegar-derived food additive is produced by:
(a) treating vinegar with a basic neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the vinegar to a pH of below about 7.0; (b) evaporating water from and drying the product of step (a) to produce an acetate; and (c) adding untreated vinegar to the product of step (b) to produce an acetate-vinegar dry powder or solution having a pH of about 7.0 to 10.0. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the basic neutralizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the basic neutralizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the acetate is selected from the group consisting of: sodium acetate and potassium acetate. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the acetate is selected from the group consisting of: sodium acetate and potassium acetate. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is about 45° F. to about 80° F. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is about 25° F. to about 50° F. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is the same as the third temperature. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is about 25° F. to about 50° F. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the body of meat with the brine solution of step (b) comprises injecting the body of meat with the brine solution. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the body of meat with the brine solution of step (f) comprises massaging the body of meat while in contact with the brine solution. | 1,700 |
2,874 | 14,422,947 | 1,791 | The present invention is directed to a water-dispersible colorant formulation comprising a mixture of (a) a solid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids with (b) a liquid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids, wherein the average particle size in said solid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 600 nm, wherein the average droplet size of the liquid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 200 nm, and wherein the carotenoids are selected from the group consisting of β-carotene and lutein. | 1. A water-dispersible colorant formulation comprising a mixture of (a) a solid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids with (b) a liquid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids, wherein the average particle size in said solid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 600 nm, wherein the average droplet size of the liquid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 200 nm, and wherein the carotenoids are selected from the group consisting of β-carotene and lutein. 2. The water dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoids in the solid-in-liquid dispersion are unencapsulated. 3. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the solid in liquid dispersion comprises carotenoid crystals in an aqueous medium, and wherein said aqueous medium may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants. 4. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the liquid in liquid dispersion comprises a carotenoid mixed in an oil, dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising one or more of a sugar ester, a saponin, a fatty polyglycerol ester, a hydrocolloid and a polyol. 5. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoid is β-carotene. 6. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoid is lutein. 7. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoids comprise β-carotene and lutein. 8. The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said formulation is in liquid form. 9. The formulation according to claim 1, wherein said formulation is in a dry powder form. 10. A process for preparing a colorant formulation, wherein the hue of said formulation may be controlled, comprising the steps of:
a) preparing a carotenoid solid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average particle size of less than 600 nm, and wherein the solid carotenoid particles are not encapsulated in hydrocolloids; b) preparing a carotenoid liquid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average droplet size of less than 200 nm; c) mixing said solid-in-liquid dispersion with said liquid-in-liquid dispersion;
wherein the hue of said formulation is controlled by means of altering the ratio of the solid-in-liquid dispersion to the liquid-in-liquid dispersion in the mixture obtained in step (c), in order to obtain the desired hue, and wherein said carotenoid is β-carotene, lutein or a mixture thereof. 11. The process according to claim 10, wherein the carotenoid is β-carotene. 12. A dispersible β-carotene formulation according to claim 1 for use in coloring food or beverage products. 13. A kit for use in preparing a water-dispersible β-carotene formulation of a desired hue comprising:
a) a container of a β-carotene liquid-in-liquid dispersion, said dispersion having an average droplet size below 200 nm;
b) a container of a β-carotene solid-in-liquid dispersion of solid in liquid, said dispersion having an average particle size below 600 nm, wherein the β-carotene is not encapsulated in a hydrocolloid; and
c) instructions for combining the contents of said two containers in order to obtain a formulation of the desired hue. 14. A food or beverage product comprising a water-dispersible β-carotene formulation according to claim 1. 15. A method for coloring a food or beverage product, wherein the hue of said product may be controlled, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) providing a β-carotene solid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average particle size of less than 600 nm, and wherein said β-carotene is not encapsulated in a hydrocolloid; b) providing a β-carotene liquid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average droplet size of less than 200 nm; c) adding the two dispersions defined in steps (a) and (b) to the food or beverage product to be colored; wherein the addition of the dispersions in step (c) may be accomplished either by mixing each dispersion together prior to said addition, or, alternatively, by adding each dispersion separately to said food or beverage product;
and wherein the hue of said formulation is controlled by means of altering the ratio of the solid-in-liquid dispersion to the liquid-in-liquid dispersion that is added to the food or beverage product in step (c), in order to obtain the desired hue. | The present invention is directed to a water-dispersible colorant formulation comprising a mixture of (a) a solid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids with (b) a liquid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids, wherein the average particle size in said solid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 600 nm, wherein the average droplet size of the liquid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 200 nm, and wherein the carotenoids are selected from the group consisting of β-carotene and lutein.1. A water-dispersible colorant formulation comprising a mixture of (a) a solid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids with (b) a liquid-in-liquid dispersion of one or more carotenoids, wherein the average particle size in said solid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 600 nm, wherein the average droplet size of the liquid-in-liquid dispersion is less than about 200 nm, and wherein the carotenoids are selected from the group consisting of β-carotene and lutein. 2. The water dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoids in the solid-in-liquid dispersion are unencapsulated. 3. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the solid in liquid dispersion comprises carotenoid crystals in an aqueous medium, and wherein said aqueous medium may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants. 4. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the liquid in liquid dispersion comprises a carotenoid mixed in an oil, dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising one or more of a sugar ester, a saponin, a fatty polyglycerol ester, a hydrocolloid and a polyol. 5. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoid is β-carotene. 6. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoid is lutein. 7. The water-dispersible colorant formulation according to claim 1, wherein the carotenoids comprise β-carotene and lutein. 8. The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said formulation is in liquid form. 9. The formulation according to claim 1, wherein said formulation is in a dry powder form. 10. A process for preparing a colorant formulation, wherein the hue of said formulation may be controlled, comprising the steps of:
a) preparing a carotenoid solid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average particle size of less than 600 nm, and wherein the solid carotenoid particles are not encapsulated in hydrocolloids; b) preparing a carotenoid liquid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average droplet size of less than 200 nm; c) mixing said solid-in-liquid dispersion with said liquid-in-liquid dispersion;
wherein the hue of said formulation is controlled by means of altering the ratio of the solid-in-liquid dispersion to the liquid-in-liquid dispersion in the mixture obtained in step (c), in order to obtain the desired hue, and wherein said carotenoid is β-carotene, lutein or a mixture thereof. 11. The process according to claim 10, wherein the carotenoid is β-carotene. 12. A dispersible β-carotene formulation according to claim 1 for use in coloring food or beverage products. 13. A kit for use in preparing a water-dispersible β-carotene formulation of a desired hue comprising:
a) a container of a β-carotene liquid-in-liquid dispersion, said dispersion having an average droplet size below 200 nm;
b) a container of a β-carotene solid-in-liquid dispersion of solid in liquid, said dispersion having an average particle size below 600 nm, wherein the β-carotene is not encapsulated in a hydrocolloid; and
c) instructions for combining the contents of said two containers in order to obtain a formulation of the desired hue. 14. A food or beverage product comprising a water-dispersible β-carotene formulation according to claim 1. 15. A method for coloring a food or beverage product, wherein the hue of said product may be controlled, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) providing a β-carotene solid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average particle size of less than 600 nm, and wherein said β-carotene is not encapsulated in a hydrocolloid; b) providing a β-carotene liquid-in-liquid dispersion in a liquid medium, wherein said dispersion has an average droplet size of less than 200 nm; c) adding the two dispersions defined in steps (a) and (b) to the food or beverage product to be colored; wherein the addition of the dispersions in step (c) may be accomplished either by mixing each dispersion together prior to said addition, or, alternatively, by adding each dispersion separately to said food or beverage product;
and wherein the hue of said formulation is controlled by means of altering the ratio of the solid-in-liquid dispersion to the liquid-in-liquid dispersion that is added to the food or beverage product in step (c), in order to obtain the desired hue. | 1,700 |
2,875 | 13,117,286 | 1,726 | A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured. | 1. A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries, the process comprising:
determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material; determining a range of values of matrix grain size and matrix grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques; calculating a plurality of Seebeck coefficients for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a plurality of electrical resistivity values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a plurality of thermal conductivity values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a range of figure of merit values for the material composition as a function of the calculated Seebeck coefficients, calculated electrical resistivity values and calculated thermal conductivity values; determining a generally maximum range of figure of merit values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; and manufacturing a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to maximum range of figure of merit values. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the material composition is a matrix thermoelectric material composition. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the material composition is a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the range of values of matrix grain size is between 5 and 100 nanometers. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the range of values of grain boundary barrier height is between 10 and 300 meV. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the matrix groin size of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by consolidating a plurality of nanoparticles having a mean diameter generally equal to the matrix grain size. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the grain boundary barrier height of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by doping of the thermoelectric material. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the grain boundary barrier height of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by altering a surface of a plurality of nanoparticles used to manufacture the thermoelectric material. 9. The process of claim 8, wherein altering the surface of the plurality of nanoparticles includes applying a coating on the surface of the plurality of nanoparticles. | A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured.1. A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries, the process comprising:
determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material; determining a range of values of matrix grain size and matrix grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques; calculating a plurality of Seebeck coefficients for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a plurality of electrical resistivity values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a plurality of thermal conductivity values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; calculating a range of figure of merit values for the material composition as a function of the calculated Seebeck coefficients, calculated electrical resistivity values and calculated thermal conductivity values; determining a generally maximum range of figure of merit values for the material composition as a function of the range of values of grain size and grain boundary barrier height; and manufacturing a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to maximum range of figure of merit values. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the material composition is a matrix thermoelectric material composition. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the material composition is a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the range of values of matrix grain size is between 5 and 100 nanometers. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the range of values of grain boundary barrier height is between 10 and 300 meV. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the matrix groin size of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by consolidating a plurality of nanoparticles having a mean diameter generally equal to the matrix grain size. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the grain boundary barrier height of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by doping of the thermoelectric material. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the grain boundary barrier height of the manufactured thermoelectric material is obtained by altering a surface of a plurality of nanoparticles used to manufacture the thermoelectric material. 9. The process of claim 8, wherein altering the surface of the plurality of nanoparticles includes applying a coating on the surface of the plurality of nanoparticles. | 1,700 |
2,876 | 14,106,165 | 1,734 | Systems and methods for improving leach solution drainage in a stockpile leach operation are provided. In various embodiments, methods are provided comprising placement of a drainage measure or a system of drainage measures in a leach stockpile to improve leach solution flow through the stockpile. A system for recovery of metal values from a leach stockpile comprising a leach stockpile, a leach solution, a leach solution delivery system, a leach solution drainage system, and a leach solution recovery system are also provided. | 1. A process comprising:
identifying a zone of low solution permeability in a leach stockpile; placing a drainage measure in the zone of low solution permeability, wherein the drainage measure comprises a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, and wherein the drainage measure is disposed to place the proximal terminus of the drainage measure on a first side of the zone of low solution permeability and the distal terminus of the drainage measure on an opposite side of the zone of low solution permeability. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure comprises a non-tubular configuration. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from a leach solution distribution system. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the zone of low solution permeability is identified by at least one of identifying a zone of saturation, identifying a zone of increased material density, and performing core penetration testing. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure is placed in the leach stockpile following leaching of at least a portion of the leach stockpile. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein placing a drainage measure in the zone of low solution permeability reduces a hydraulic pressure of the leach solution in the leach stockpile. 7. A process for producing enhanced leach solution drainage in a leach stockpile comprising:
delivering a leach solution to a leach stockpile with a leach solution delivery system; applying the leach solution to at least a portion of the leach stockpile; and installing a drainage measure in a leach stockpile; wherein the drainage measure is selected from a group consisting of: wick drains, pipe drains, perforated pipe drains, sheet drains, strip drains, chimney drains, combination drains, drain holes, and pumps; wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from the leach solution delivery system; and wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from a leach solution collection system. 8. The process of claim 7, further comprising applying the leach solution to at least a portion of the leach stockpile to produce a partially leached stockpile and installing the drainage measure in the partially leached stockpile. 9. The process of claim 7, wherein installation of the drainage measure decreases a moisture content of a first region of the leach stockpile adjacent to a first portion of the drainage measure. 10. The process of claim 7, wherein installation of the drainage measure produces solution transfer from a first region of the leach stockpile to a second region of the leach stockpile. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the first region has a higher moisture content than the second region. 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the first region and the second region are separated by a zone of low solution permeability. 13. The process of claim 12, wherein solution transfer to the second region produces increased leaching of metal values from a metal-bearing stockpile material in the second region. 14. The process of claim 7, further comprising installing a system of drainage measures in the leach stockpile. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the system of drainage measures comprises a plurality of wick drains installed substantially vertically in the leach stockpile and wherein the plurality of wick drains are arranged in a predetermined configuration across the leach stockpile based on hydraulic properties of a stockpile material. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the plurality of wick drains are installed in an order based on identification of at least one of a zone of saturation or a zone of low solution permeability in the leach stockpile, and wherein the order comprises preferentially placing a wick drain at the at least one identified zone. 17. A system for recovery of metal values from a leach stockpile comprising:
a leach stockpile comprising a plurality of stockpile lifts; a leach solution; a leach solution delivery system coupled to the leach solution and configured to deliver the leach solution to the leach stockpile; a leach solution drainage system disposed in the leach stockpile and configured to facilitate leach solution transfer across zones of decreased leach solution permeability; and a leach solution collection system disposed at the bottom of the leach stockpile and configured to collect pregnant leach solution flowing out of the leach stockpile. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the leach solution drainage system comprises a plurality of wick drains. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of wick drains is configured to facilitate leach solution transfer between a first stockpile lift and a second stockpile lift. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of wick drains are disposed substantially vertically in the leach stockpile and wherein each of the plurality of wick drains is configured to extend from a top surface of the leach stockpile into a bottom lift of the leach stockpile. | Systems and methods for improving leach solution drainage in a stockpile leach operation are provided. In various embodiments, methods are provided comprising placement of a drainage measure or a system of drainage measures in a leach stockpile to improve leach solution flow through the stockpile. A system for recovery of metal values from a leach stockpile comprising a leach stockpile, a leach solution, a leach solution delivery system, a leach solution drainage system, and a leach solution recovery system are also provided.1. A process comprising:
identifying a zone of low solution permeability in a leach stockpile; placing a drainage measure in the zone of low solution permeability, wherein the drainage measure comprises a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, and wherein the drainage measure is disposed to place the proximal terminus of the drainage measure on a first side of the zone of low solution permeability and the distal terminus of the drainage measure on an opposite side of the zone of low solution permeability. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure comprises a non-tubular configuration. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from a leach solution distribution system. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the zone of low solution permeability is identified by at least one of identifying a zone of saturation, identifying a zone of increased material density, and performing core penetration testing. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the drainage measure is placed in the leach stockpile following leaching of at least a portion of the leach stockpile. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein placing a drainage measure in the zone of low solution permeability reduces a hydraulic pressure of the leach solution in the leach stockpile. 7. A process for producing enhanced leach solution drainage in a leach stockpile comprising:
delivering a leach solution to a leach stockpile with a leach solution delivery system; applying the leach solution to at least a portion of the leach stockpile; and installing a drainage measure in a leach stockpile; wherein the drainage measure is selected from a group consisting of: wick drains, pipe drains, perforated pipe drains, sheet drains, strip drains, chimney drains, combination drains, drain holes, and pumps; wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from the leach solution delivery system; and wherein the drainage measure is physically separate from a leach solution collection system. 8. The process of claim 7, further comprising applying the leach solution to at least a portion of the leach stockpile to produce a partially leached stockpile and installing the drainage measure in the partially leached stockpile. 9. The process of claim 7, wherein installation of the drainage measure decreases a moisture content of a first region of the leach stockpile adjacent to a first portion of the drainage measure. 10. The process of claim 7, wherein installation of the drainage measure produces solution transfer from a first region of the leach stockpile to a second region of the leach stockpile. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the first region has a higher moisture content than the second region. 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the first region and the second region are separated by a zone of low solution permeability. 13. The process of claim 12, wherein solution transfer to the second region produces increased leaching of metal values from a metal-bearing stockpile material in the second region. 14. The process of claim 7, further comprising installing a system of drainage measures in the leach stockpile. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the system of drainage measures comprises a plurality of wick drains installed substantially vertically in the leach stockpile and wherein the plurality of wick drains are arranged in a predetermined configuration across the leach stockpile based on hydraulic properties of a stockpile material. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the plurality of wick drains are installed in an order based on identification of at least one of a zone of saturation or a zone of low solution permeability in the leach stockpile, and wherein the order comprises preferentially placing a wick drain at the at least one identified zone. 17. A system for recovery of metal values from a leach stockpile comprising:
a leach stockpile comprising a plurality of stockpile lifts; a leach solution; a leach solution delivery system coupled to the leach solution and configured to deliver the leach solution to the leach stockpile; a leach solution drainage system disposed in the leach stockpile and configured to facilitate leach solution transfer across zones of decreased leach solution permeability; and a leach solution collection system disposed at the bottom of the leach stockpile and configured to collect pregnant leach solution flowing out of the leach stockpile. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the leach solution drainage system comprises a plurality of wick drains. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of wick drains is configured to facilitate leach solution transfer between a first stockpile lift and a second stockpile lift. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of wick drains are disposed substantially vertically in the leach stockpile and wherein each of the plurality of wick drains is configured to extend from a top surface of the leach stockpile into a bottom lift of the leach stockpile. | 1,700 |
2,877 | 13,147,724 | 1,716 | A plasma coating plant for coating or treating the surface of a substrate having a work chamber which can be evacuated and into which the substrate can be placed, and having a plasma torch for generating a plasma jet by heating a process gas, wherein the plasma torch has a nozzle through which the plasma jet can exit the plasma torch and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) into the work chamber, wherein a mechanical limiting apparatus is provided downstream of the nozzle in the work chamber, which mechanical limiting apparatus extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and protects the plasma jet against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 1. A plasma coating plant for coating or treating the surface of a substrate, having a work chamber which can be evacuated and into which the substrate can be placed, and having a plasma torch for generating a plasma jet by heating a process gas, wherein the plasma torch has a nozzle through which the plasma jet can exit the plasma torch and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) into the work chamber wherein a mechanical limiting apparatus is provided downstream of the nozzle in the work chamber, which mechanical limiting apparatus extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and protects the plasma jet against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles. 2. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is arranged directly downstream of the nozzle of the plasma torch. 3. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is at least one of a tube and a metallic tube. 4. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is configured as a cylindrical tube whose diameter (E) is at most the ten-fold of the diameter of the nozzle at its outlet opening. 5. The plasma coating plant according to claim, wherein an injection apparatus is further provided to inject a reactive fluid into the plasma jet. 6. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 5, wherein the injection apparatus includes a ring-shaped injection nozzle which is arranged in the limiting apparatus. 7. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate holder for holding a substrate, wherein the limiting apparatus extends over at least 80% of the distance between the nozzle and the substrate holder. 8. A method of coating or treating the surface of a substrate by means of a plasma coating plant in which the substrate is placed into a work chamber, the work chamber is evacuated to a pressure of less than 1 bar, a plasma jet is generated by means of a plasma torch by heating a process gas, which plasma jet exits the plasma torch through a nozzle and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) in the work chamber wherein the plasma jet is protected against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles by a mechanical limiting apparatus which extends along the longitudinal axis (A). 9. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein a reactive fluid is injected into the plasma jet by means of an injection apparatus. 10. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plasma jet is protected by the limiting apparatus over at least 80% of its length between the nozzle and the substrate (3). 11. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 100 mbar on coating. 12. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is configured as a cylindrical tube whose diameter (E) is at most the five-fold of the diameter of the nozzle at its outlet opening. 13. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate holder for holding a substrate, wherein the limiting apparatus extends over at least 90% of the distance between the nozzle and the substrate holder. 14. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plasma jet is protected by the limiting apparatus over at least 90% of its length between the nozzle and the substrate (3). 15. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 50 mbar on coating. 16. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 30 mbar on coating. | A plasma coating plant for coating or treating the surface of a substrate having a work chamber which can be evacuated and into which the substrate can be placed, and having a plasma torch for generating a plasma jet by heating a process gas, wherein the plasma torch has a nozzle through which the plasma jet can exit the plasma torch and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) into the work chamber, wherein a mechanical limiting apparatus is provided downstream of the nozzle in the work chamber, which mechanical limiting apparatus extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and protects the plasma jet against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles. A corresponding method is also disclosed.1. A plasma coating plant for coating or treating the surface of a substrate, having a work chamber which can be evacuated and into which the substrate can be placed, and having a plasma torch for generating a plasma jet by heating a process gas, wherein the plasma torch has a nozzle through which the plasma jet can exit the plasma torch and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) into the work chamber wherein a mechanical limiting apparatus is provided downstream of the nozzle in the work chamber, which mechanical limiting apparatus extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and protects the plasma jet against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles. 2. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is arranged directly downstream of the nozzle of the plasma torch. 3. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is at least one of a tube and a metallic tube. 4. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is configured as a cylindrical tube whose diameter (E) is at most the ten-fold of the diameter of the nozzle at its outlet opening. 5. The plasma coating plant according to claim, wherein an injection apparatus is further provided to inject a reactive fluid into the plasma jet. 6. The plasma coating plant in accordance with claim 5, wherein the injection apparatus includes a ring-shaped injection nozzle which is arranged in the limiting apparatus. 7. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate holder for holding a substrate, wherein the limiting apparatus extends over at least 80% of the distance between the nozzle and the substrate holder. 8. A method of coating or treating the surface of a substrate by means of a plasma coating plant in which the substrate is placed into a work chamber, the work chamber is evacuated to a pressure of less than 1 bar, a plasma jet is generated by means of a plasma torch by heating a process gas, which plasma jet exits the plasma torch through a nozzle and can extend along a longitudinal axis (A) in the work chamber wherein the plasma jet is protected against an unwanted lateral intrusion of particles by a mechanical limiting apparatus which extends along the longitudinal axis (A). 9. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein a reactive fluid is injected into the plasma jet by means of an injection apparatus. 10. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plasma jet is protected by the limiting apparatus over at least 80% of its length between the nozzle and the substrate (3). 11. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 100 mbar on coating. 12. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus is configured as a cylindrical tube whose diameter (E) is at most the five-fold of the diameter of the nozzle at its outlet opening. 13. The plasma coating plant according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate holder for holding a substrate, wherein the limiting apparatus extends over at least 90% of the distance between the nozzle and the substrate holder. 14. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plasma jet is protected by the limiting apparatus over at least 90% of its length between the nozzle and the substrate (3). 15. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 50 mbar on coating. 16. The method in accordance with claim 8, in which a process pressure in the work chamber is at most 30 mbar on coating. | 1,700 |
2,878 | 15,218,689 | 1,784 | A manufacturing line includes a tape of green material that is directed through a furnace so that the furnace burns off organic binder material and then partially sinters the tape without the use of a setter board. Sintered articles resulting from the manufacturing line may be thin with relatively large surface areas; and, while substantially unpolished, have few sintering-induced surface defects. Tension may be applied to the partially sintered tape as it passes through a second furnace on the manufacturing line to shape resulting sintered articles. | 1. A manufacturing line, comprising:
a tape including a green section thereof comprising grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder; and a furnace comprising:
a guide that defines a passage, wherein the passage includes a binder burn-off location and a sintering location, and
a heater that achieves temperature of at least three-hundred degrees Celsius in the sintering location of the passage;
wherein the binder burn-off location chars or burns the organic binder from the green section to form an unbound section of the tape that is not yet sintered but has charred or no binder;
wherein the sintering location at least partially sinters the inorganic material to form an at least partially sintered section of the tape; and
wherein the unbound section supports weight of the tape physically connected and adjacent thereto. 2. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the furnace is a first furnace, the manufacturing line further comprising:
a second furnace, wherein the second furnace further sinters the inorganic material of the at least partially-sintered tape to form a fully sintered article; and a tension regulator, wherein the tension regulator influences tension in the tape to facilitate shaping of the at least partially-sintered section during the further sintering of the second furnace. 3. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the passage of the furnace is oriented such that the tape passes generally vertically through the furnace. 4. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the passage extends in a straight path. 5. The manufacturing line of claim 4, wherein the passage has depth dimension that extends through the furnace, a width dimension orthogonal to the depth dimension, and a gap dimension orthogonal to both the depth dimension and the width dimension, wherein the depth dimension is greater than the width dimension, and wherein the width dimension is greater than the gap dimension. 6. The manufacturing line of claim 5, wherein the gap dimension is at least one millimeter. 7. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the heater heats both the binder burn- off location and the sintering location of the furnace. 8. The manufacturing line of claim 7, wherein the heater is positioned adjacent to and at least partially surrounds the sintering location, yet is spaced vertically apart from the binder burn-off location. 9. A process of sintering a tape, comprising steps of:
(a) moving a green section of the tape through a first furnace location of a furnace, the green section comprising inorganic grains supported by an organic binder; (b) burning off or charring the organic binder from the green section as the green section passes through the first furnace location to form an unbound section of the tape; (c) moving the unbound section through a second furnace location; and (d) at least partially sintering the inorganic grains as the unbound section passes through the second furnace location to form an at least partially sintered section of the tape, wherein the step of moving the unbound section through the second furnace location occurs without a setter board supporting the unbound section of the tape. 10. The process of claim 9, wherein the green section of the tape is free of contact with surfaces of the furnace as the green section passes through the first furnace location during the step of burning off or charring the organic binder from the green section. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the unbound section of the tape is free of contact with surfaces of the furnace as the unbound section passes through the second furnace location during the step of at least partially sintering the inorganic grains. 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the inorganic grains are grains of a material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral. 13. The process of claim 11, wherein the tape is unitary such that the green section, the unbound section, and the at least partially sintered section are contiguous with one another during steps (a) to (d) of the process. 14. A sintered article, comprising:
a first surface, a second surface, and a body of material extending therebetween, wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the sintered article from the first surface such that a thickness of the sintered article is defined as a distance between the first and second surfaces, a width of the sintered article is defined as a first dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to the thickness, and a length of the sintered article is defined as a second dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to both the thickness and the width of the sintered article, wherein the body of material comprises an inorganic material; wherein the length of the sintered article is greater than or equal to the width of the sintered article, and wherein the sintered article is thin such that the width of the sintered article is greater than five times the thickness of the sintered article, the thickness of the sintered article being no more than one millimeter; wherein the sintered article is substantially unpolished such that the first and second surfaces each have a granular profile; wherein the sintered article has high surface quality such that the first and second surfaces both have at least a square centimeter of area having fewer than ten surface defects from adhesion or abrasion with a dimension greater than five micrometers, the high surface quality facilitating strength of the sintered article; and wherein the sintered article has consistent surface quality on both the first and second surfaces such that an average area per square centimeter of the first surface of surface defects from adhesion or abrasion having a dimension greater than 5 micrometers is within plus or minus fifty percent of an average area per square centimeter of the second surface of surface defects from adhesion or abrasion having a dimension greater than 5 micrometers. 15. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the granular profile includes grains with a height in a range from twenty-five nanometers to one-hundred-and-fifty micrometers relative to recessed portions of the first and second surfaces at boundaries between the respective grains. 16. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the article has a flatness in the range of one hundred nanometers to fifty micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 17. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein, while being substantially unpolished, at least one of the first and second surfaces has a roughness in the range of one nanometer to ten micrometers over a distance of one centimeter measured along a profile in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 18. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the article is both particularly thin and elongate such that the length of the article is greater than five times the width of the article and the width of the article is greater than ten times the thickness of the article. 19. The sintered article of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the body is less than half a millimeter and the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than thirty square centimeters. 20. The sintered article of claim 19, wherein the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than one hundred square centimeters. 21. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the inorganic material is inorganic material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral. 22. A sintered article, comprising:
wherein the sintered article is a sheet comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a body of material extending therebetween, wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the sheet from the first surface such that a thickness of the sheet is defined as a distance between the first and second surfaces, a width of the sheet is defined as a first dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to the thickness, and a length of the sheet is defined as a second dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to both the thickness and the width of the sheet, wherein the body of material is of material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral, and wherein the material is in a sintered form such that grains of the material are fused to one another; wherein the first and second surfaces of the sheet are substantially unpolished such that each has a granular profile that includes grains with a height in a range from twenty-five nanometers to one-hundred-and-fifty micrometers relative to recessed portions of the respective surface at boundaries between the grains; wherein the sheet is thin and elongate such that the length of the sheet is greater than five times the width of the sheet, the width of the sheet is greater than five times the thickness of the sheet, and wherein the thickness of the sheet is no more than one millimeter and the area of each of the first and second surfaces is greater than ten square centimeters; wherein the sheet has high surface quality such that the first and second surfaces both have at least ten square centimeters of area having fewer than one hundred surface defects from adhesion or abrasion with a dimension greater than five micrometers; and wherein the sheet has a flatness in the range of one hundred nanometers to fifty micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 23. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein, in addition to being material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral, the material of the body of material is also a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, spinel, and garnet. 24. The sintered article of claim 23, wherein the thickness of the sheet is no more than five-hundred micrometers. 25. The sintered article of claim 24, wherein the sheet is at least partially transparent have a total transmittance of at least thirty percent at wavelengths from about three-hundred nanometers to about eight-hundred nanometers. 26. The sintered article of claim 23, wherein the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than one hundred square centimeters. 27. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein, while being substantially unpolished, at least one of the first and second surfaces has a roughness in the range of one nanometer to ten micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 28. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein the sintered article is a ceramic tape, wherein the body of material is a ceramic selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, and wherein the material is in a sintered form such that grains of the material are fused to one another; 29. The sintered article of claim 28, wherein the ceramic tape has bulges, wherein at least some of the bulges have a maximum surface dimension between 100 micrometers and about 1 mm, wherein the bulges are have smoothly continuous curvature with respect to surrounding, adjoining surfaces such that borders of the bulges are no generally characterized by adhesion or abrasion; and 30. The sintered article of claim 29, wherein, when resting unconstrained on a flat surface, the ceramic tape has a camber about an axis along the length of the ceramic tape. | A manufacturing line includes a tape of green material that is directed through a furnace so that the furnace burns off organic binder material and then partially sinters the tape without the use of a setter board. Sintered articles resulting from the manufacturing line may be thin with relatively large surface areas; and, while substantially unpolished, have few sintering-induced surface defects. Tension may be applied to the partially sintered tape as it passes through a second furnace on the manufacturing line to shape resulting sintered articles.1. A manufacturing line, comprising:
a tape including a green section thereof comprising grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder; and a furnace comprising:
a guide that defines a passage, wherein the passage includes a binder burn-off location and a sintering location, and
a heater that achieves temperature of at least three-hundred degrees Celsius in the sintering location of the passage;
wherein the binder burn-off location chars or burns the organic binder from the green section to form an unbound section of the tape that is not yet sintered but has charred or no binder;
wherein the sintering location at least partially sinters the inorganic material to form an at least partially sintered section of the tape; and
wherein the unbound section supports weight of the tape physically connected and adjacent thereto. 2. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the furnace is a first furnace, the manufacturing line further comprising:
a second furnace, wherein the second furnace further sinters the inorganic material of the at least partially-sintered tape to form a fully sintered article; and a tension regulator, wherein the tension regulator influences tension in the tape to facilitate shaping of the at least partially-sintered section during the further sintering of the second furnace. 3. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the passage of the furnace is oriented such that the tape passes generally vertically through the furnace. 4. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the passage extends in a straight path. 5. The manufacturing line of claim 4, wherein the passage has depth dimension that extends through the furnace, a width dimension orthogonal to the depth dimension, and a gap dimension orthogonal to both the depth dimension and the width dimension, wherein the depth dimension is greater than the width dimension, and wherein the width dimension is greater than the gap dimension. 6. The manufacturing line of claim 5, wherein the gap dimension is at least one millimeter. 7. The manufacturing line of claim 1, wherein the heater heats both the binder burn- off location and the sintering location of the furnace. 8. The manufacturing line of claim 7, wherein the heater is positioned adjacent to and at least partially surrounds the sintering location, yet is spaced vertically apart from the binder burn-off location. 9. A process of sintering a tape, comprising steps of:
(a) moving a green section of the tape through a first furnace location of a furnace, the green section comprising inorganic grains supported by an organic binder; (b) burning off or charring the organic binder from the green section as the green section passes through the first furnace location to form an unbound section of the tape; (c) moving the unbound section through a second furnace location; and (d) at least partially sintering the inorganic grains as the unbound section passes through the second furnace location to form an at least partially sintered section of the tape, wherein the step of moving the unbound section through the second furnace location occurs without a setter board supporting the unbound section of the tape. 10. The process of claim 9, wherein the green section of the tape is free of contact with surfaces of the furnace as the green section passes through the first furnace location during the step of burning off or charring the organic binder from the green section. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the unbound section of the tape is free of contact with surfaces of the furnace as the unbound section passes through the second furnace location during the step of at least partially sintering the inorganic grains. 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the inorganic grains are grains of a material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral. 13. The process of claim 11, wherein the tape is unitary such that the green section, the unbound section, and the at least partially sintered section are contiguous with one another during steps (a) to (d) of the process. 14. A sintered article, comprising:
a first surface, a second surface, and a body of material extending therebetween, wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the sintered article from the first surface such that a thickness of the sintered article is defined as a distance between the first and second surfaces, a width of the sintered article is defined as a first dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to the thickness, and a length of the sintered article is defined as a second dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to both the thickness and the width of the sintered article, wherein the body of material comprises an inorganic material; wherein the length of the sintered article is greater than or equal to the width of the sintered article, and wherein the sintered article is thin such that the width of the sintered article is greater than five times the thickness of the sintered article, the thickness of the sintered article being no more than one millimeter; wherein the sintered article is substantially unpolished such that the first and second surfaces each have a granular profile; wherein the sintered article has high surface quality such that the first and second surfaces both have at least a square centimeter of area having fewer than ten surface defects from adhesion or abrasion with a dimension greater than five micrometers, the high surface quality facilitating strength of the sintered article; and wherein the sintered article has consistent surface quality on both the first and second surfaces such that an average area per square centimeter of the first surface of surface defects from adhesion or abrasion having a dimension greater than 5 micrometers is within plus or minus fifty percent of an average area per square centimeter of the second surface of surface defects from adhesion or abrasion having a dimension greater than 5 micrometers. 15. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the granular profile includes grains with a height in a range from twenty-five nanometers to one-hundred-and-fifty micrometers relative to recessed portions of the first and second surfaces at boundaries between the respective grains. 16. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the article has a flatness in the range of one hundred nanometers to fifty micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 17. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein, while being substantially unpolished, at least one of the first and second surfaces has a roughness in the range of one nanometer to ten micrometers over a distance of one centimeter measured along a profile in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 18. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the article is both particularly thin and elongate such that the length of the article is greater than five times the width of the article and the width of the article is greater than ten times the thickness of the article. 19. The sintered article of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the body is less than half a millimeter and the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than thirty square centimeters. 20. The sintered article of claim 19, wherein the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than one hundred square centimeters. 21. The sintered article of claim 14, wherein the inorganic material is inorganic material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral. 22. A sintered article, comprising:
wherein the sintered article is a sheet comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a body of material extending therebetween, wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the sheet from the first surface such that a thickness of the sheet is defined as a distance between the first and second surfaces, a width of the sheet is defined as a first dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to the thickness, and a length of the sheet is defined as a second dimension of one of the first or second surfaces orthogonal to both the thickness and the width of the sheet, wherein the body of material is of material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral, and wherein the material is in a sintered form such that grains of the material are fused to one another; wherein the first and second surfaces of the sheet are substantially unpolished such that each has a granular profile that includes grains with a height in a range from twenty-five nanometers to one-hundred-and-fifty micrometers relative to recessed portions of the respective surface at boundaries between the grains; wherein the sheet is thin and elongate such that the length of the sheet is greater than five times the width of the sheet, the width of the sheet is greater than five times the thickness of the sheet, and wherein the thickness of the sheet is no more than one millimeter and the area of each of the first and second surfaces is greater than ten square centimeters; wherein the sheet has high surface quality such that the first and second surfaces both have at least ten square centimeters of area having fewer than one hundred surface defects from adhesion or abrasion with a dimension greater than five micrometers; and wherein the sheet has a flatness in the range of one hundred nanometers to fifty micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 23. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein, in addition to being material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline ceramic and synthetic mineral, the material of the body of material is also a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, spinel, and garnet. 24. The sintered article of claim 23, wherein the thickness of the sheet is no more than five-hundred micrometers. 25. The sintered article of claim 24, wherein the sheet is at least partially transparent have a total transmittance of at least thirty percent at wavelengths from about three-hundred nanometers to about eight-hundred nanometers. 26. The sintered article of claim 23, wherein the area of one of the first and second surfaces is greater than one hundred square centimeters. 27. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein, while being substantially unpolished, at least one of the first and second surfaces has a roughness in the range of one nanometer to ten micrometers over a distance of one centimeter in a lengthwise direction along either the first or second surface. 28. The sintered article of claim 22, wherein the sintered article is a ceramic tape, wherein the body of material is a ceramic selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, and wherein the material is in a sintered form such that grains of the material are fused to one another; 29. The sintered article of claim 28, wherein the ceramic tape has bulges, wherein at least some of the bulges have a maximum surface dimension between 100 micrometers and about 1 mm, wherein the bulges are have smoothly continuous curvature with respect to surrounding, adjoining surfaces such that borders of the bulges are no generally characterized by adhesion or abrasion; and 30. The sintered article of claim 29, wherein, when resting unconstrained on a flat surface, the ceramic tape has a camber about an axis along the length of the ceramic tape. | 1,700 |
2,879 | 14,767,918 | 1,736 | Methods for the production of carbon black using an extender fluid(s) are provided as well as methods to control one or more particle properties of carbon black utilizing extender fluids and other techniques. | 1. A method for producing carbon black comprising:
introducing a heated gas stream into a carbon black reactor; combining at least one extender fluid with at least one carbon black feedstock to form a fluid-feedstock mixture such that the at least one extender fluid increases the momentum of the at least one carbon black feedstock in a direction that is axial or substantially axial to at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor;
supplying said fluid-feedstock mixture to said at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor,
combining at least said fluid-feedstock mixture through the at least one introduction point to said carbon black reactor with the heated gas stream to form a reaction stream in which carbon black is formed in said carbon black reactor; and
recovering the carbon black in the reaction stream. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is chemically inert to the carbon black feedstock or said extender fluid is uniformly distributed in said carbon black feedstock, or both. 3. (canceled) 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said supplying of the fluid-feedstock mixture is in the form of one or more jets, and the one or more jets of fluid-feedstock mixture contain sufficient extender fluid to propel the carbon black feedstock into an interior portion of the heated gas stream. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is at least one inert gas. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is steam, water, air, carbon dioxide, natural gas, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon black tailgas, nitrogen, or any combinations thereof. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is nitrogen. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is introduced into said carbon black feedstock at a pressure sufficient to penetrate into said carbon black feedstock to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is introduced into said carbon black feedstock at a pressure of from about 1 lb/in2 to about 350 lb/in2 to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said carbon black feedstock is atomized prior to said combining with said extender fluid. 11-13. (canceled) 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is present in said fluid-feedstock mixture in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 400 wt %, based on the weight of the carbon black feedstock. 15. (canceled) 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a temperature of greater than about 300° C. prior to combining with said extender fluid to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 17. (canceled) 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a first temperature of from about 300° C. to about 850° C. prior to combining with said extender fluid to form said fluid-feedstock mixture, and then heating said fluid-feedstock mixture to a second temperature that is higher than said first temperature, where each of said heating steps occurs prior to introduction into said carbon black reactor. 19-21. (canceled) 22. The method of claim 4, wherein extender fluid adjustments are made to control choke flow velocity or critical velocity or both, of the one or more jets of the fluid-feedstock mixture, thereby altering penetration of the fluid-feedstock mixture into the heated gas stream. 23. A method for controlling at least one particle property of a carbon black comprising:
combining at least one extender fluid with at least one carbon black feedstock to form a fluid-feedstock mixture and supplying said fluid-feedstock mixture into a carbon black reactor; and wherein said supplying of the fluid-feedstock mixture is in the form of one or more jets and controlling the amount of extender fluid present in said fluid-feedstock mixture to control said at least one particle property. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one particle property is tint. 25-45. (canceled) 46. A method for producing carbon black comprising:
introducing a heated gas stream into a carbon black reactor; supplying at least one carbon black feedstock to at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor;
supplying at least one extender fluid to at least one introduction point to the carbon black reactor wherein the at least one introduction point for the extender fluid is located such that the at least one extender fluid increases the momentum of the at least one carbon black feedstock as the carbon black feedstock impacts the heated gas stream;
combining said at least one carbon black feedstock and said at least one extender fluid, with the heated gas stream to form a reaction stream in which carbon black is formed in said carbon black reactor; and
recovering the carbon black in the reaction stream. 47-49. (canceled) 50. The method of claim 46, wherein said supplying of the carbon black feedstock and the supplying of the extender fluid is in the form of a pair of one or more jets adjacent to each other, wherein one jet in each pair supplies said carbon black feedstock and the other jet in each pair supplies said extender fluid. 51. The method of claim 46, wherein said extender fluid is introduced at a pressure sufficient to penetrate into said carbon black feedstock. 52-53. (canceled) 54. A method for controlling at least one particle property of a carbon black comprising:
separately supplying a) at least one extender fluid adjacent to b) at least one carbon black feedstock into a carbon black reactor and wherein said supplying of a) and b) is in the form of one or more jets, and controlling the amount of extender fluid present to control said at least one particle property. 55. (canceled) 56. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said extender fluid to a first temperature prior to combining with said carbon black feedstock to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 57. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a first temperature prior to combining with said extender fluid and heating said extender fluid to a second temperature prior to combining with said carbon black feedstock, and then combining to form said fluid-feedstock mixture, and then heating said fluid-feedstock mixture to a third temperature that is higher than said first temperature and up to about 950° C., where each of said heating steps occurs prior to introduction into said carbon black reactor. 58. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one particle property is surface area. 59-61. (canceled) | Methods for the production of carbon black using an extender fluid(s) are provided as well as methods to control one or more particle properties of carbon black utilizing extender fluids and other techniques.1. A method for producing carbon black comprising:
introducing a heated gas stream into a carbon black reactor; combining at least one extender fluid with at least one carbon black feedstock to form a fluid-feedstock mixture such that the at least one extender fluid increases the momentum of the at least one carbon black feedstock in a direction that is axial or substantially axial to at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor;
supplying said fluid-feedstock mixture to said at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor,
combining at least said fluid-feedstock mixture through the at least one introduction point to said carbon black reactor with the heated gas stream to form a reaction stream in which carbon black is formed in said carbon black reactor; and
recovering the carbon black in the reaction stream. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is chemically inert to the carbon black feedstock or said extender fluid is uniformly distributed in said carbon black feedstock, or both. 3. (canceled) 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said supplying of the fluid-feedstock mixture is in the form of one or more jets, and the one or more jets of fluid-feedstock mixture contain sufficient extender fluid to propel the carbon black feedstock into an interior portion of the heated gas stream. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is at least one inert gas. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is steam, water, air, carbon dioxide, natural gas, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon black tailgas, nitrogen, or any combinations thereof. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is nitrogen. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is introduced into said carbon black feedstock at a pressure sufficient to penetrate into said carbon black feedstock to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is introduced into said carbon black feedstock at a pressure of from about 1 lb/in2 to about 350 lb/in2 to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said carbon black feedstock is atomized prior to said combining with said extender fluid. 11-13. (canceled) 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said extender fluid is present in said fluid-feedstock mixture in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 400 wt %, based on the weight of the carbon black feedstock. 15. (canceled) 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a temperature of greater than about 300° C. prior to combining with said extender fluid to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 17. (canceled) 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a first temperature of from about 300° C. to about 850° C. prior to combining with said extender fluid to form said fluid-feedstock mixture, and then heating said fluid-feedstock mixture to a second temperature that is higher than said first temperature, where each of said heating steps occurs prior to introduction into said carbon black reactor. 19-21. (canceled) 22. The method of claim 4, wherein extender fluid adjustments are made to control choke flow velocity or critical velocity or both, of the one or more jets of the fluid-feedstock mixture, thereby altering penetration of the fluid-feedstock mixture into the heated gas stream. 23. A method for controlling at least one particle property of a carbon black comprising:
combining at least one extender fluid with at least one carbon black feedstock to form a fluid-feedstock mixture and supplying said fluid-feedstock mixture into a carbon black reactor; and wherein said supplying of the fluid-feedstock mixture is in the form of one or more jets and controlling the amount of extender fluid present in said fluid-feedstock mixture to control said at least one particle property. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one particle property is tint. 25-45. (canceled) 46. A method for producing carbon black comprising:
introducing a heated gas stream into a carbon black reactor; supplying at least one carbon black feedstock to at least one feedstock introduction point to the carbon black reactor;
supplying at least one extender fluid to at least one introduction point to the carbon black reactor wherein the at least one introduction point for the extender fluid is located such that the at least one extender fluid increases the momentum of the at least one carbon black feedstock as the carbon black feedstock impacts the heated gas stream;
combining said at least one carbon black feedstock and said at least one extender fluid, with the heated gas stream to form a reaction stream in which carbon black is formed in said carbon black reactor; and
recovering the carbon black in the reaction stream. 47-49. (canceled) 50. The method of claim 46, wherein said supplying of the carbon black feedstock and the supplying of the extender fluid is in the form of a pair of one or more jets adjacent to each other, wherein one jet in each pair supplies said carbon black feedstock and the other jet in each pair supplies said extender fluid. 51. The method of claim 46, wherein said extender fluid is introduced at a pressure sufficient to penetrate into said carbon black feedstock. 52-53. (canceled) 54. A method for controlling at least one particle property of a carbon black comprising:
separately supplying a) at least one extender fluid adjacent to b) at least one carbon black feedstock into a carbon black reactor and wherein said supplying of a) and b) is in the form of one or more jets, and controlling the amount of extender fluid present to control said at least one particle property. 55. (canceled) 56. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said extender fluid to a first temperature prior to combining with said carbon black feedstock to form said fluid-feedstock mixture. 57. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating said carbon black feedstock to a first temperature prior to combining with said extender fluid and heating said extender fluid to a second temperature prior to combining with said carbon black feedstock, and then combining to form said fluid-feedstock mixture, and then heating said fluid-feedstock mixture to a third temperature that is higher than said first temperature and up to about 950° C., where each of said heating steps occurs prior to introduction into said carbon black reactor. 58. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one particle property is surface area. 59-61. (canceled) | 1,700 |
2,880 | 13,549,953 | 1,798 | Disclosed is a sample analysis device provided with: a first sample processing portion which is disposed in a first layer and performs some of a plurality of processes on a sample in a container; a second sample processing portion which is disposed in a second layer located above or under the first layer and performs at least some other processes among the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the some of the plurality of processes having been performed on the sample; and a container transfer portion which transfers the container, which contains the sample on which the some of the processes have been performed, from the first layer to the second layer. | 1. A sample analysis device that analyzes a sample by carrying out a plurality of processes on the sample in a container and has a plurality of layers, comprising:
a first sample processing portion that is arranged in a first layer and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container; a second sample processing portion that is arranged in a second layer positioned above or under the first layer and that is configured to carry out at least another part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the one part of the plurality of processes having been carried out on the sample in the container; and a container transfer portion configured to transfer the container, which contains the sample on which the one part of the plurality of processes has been carried out, from the first layer to the second layer. 2. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first base, and a second base arranged above or under the first base, wherein the first sample processing portion is arranged on the first base, and the second sample processing portion is arranged on the second base. 3. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer and the second layer are so arranged that substantially all areas overlap with each other in plan view. 4. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a reagent set unit on which a reagent employed for analyzing the sample is set by a user, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the reagent set on the reagent set unit into the container. 5. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a sample set unit on which a sample container storing the sample is set by a user, and a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample in the sample container set on the sample set unit into the container. 6. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a container set unit on which the container is set by a user, and a dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or a reagent into the container. 7. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the second sample processing portion includes no dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or the reagent into the container. 8. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and a first reaction unit configured to carry out a process of reacting the sample with one reagent in the container, the second sample processing portion includes: a second reaction unit configured to carry out a process of reacting the sample with another reagent in the container, and a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and the reagents, the sample analysis device further comprises a control unit configured to control the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit to carry out the process of dispensing the sample into the container and the process of dispensing the one reagent into the container and to carry out the process of dispensing the another reagent into the container after the reaction process of the sample and the one reagent is carried out, the container transfer portion is configured to transfer the container, into which the one reagent and the another reagent have been dispensed by the reagent dispensing unit, to the second layer, and the detection unit is configured to carry out a process of detecting the prescribed component in the measurement specimen in the container prepared by reaction in the second reaction unit. 9. The sample analysis device according to claim 8, wherein
the sample is a blood specimen, the one reagent contains a capturing antibody for capturing an antigen in the blood specimen and magnetic particles bound to the capturing antibody, the another reagent contains an enzyme bound to the antigen in the blood specimen and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme, the first reaction unit is an antigen-antibody reaction unit for causing antigen-antibody reaction between the antigen and the capturing antibody in the container, the first sample processing portion further includes a separation processing unit configured to carry out a process of separating a composite of the antigen, the capturing antibody and the magnetic particles from a reaction specimen after the antigen-antibody reaction in the container, and the second reaction unit is an enzyme reaction unit for causing enzyme reaction between the enzyme and the substrate in the container. 10. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the reagent dispensing unit is configured to dispense the reagent into the container retained by the container transfer portion. 11. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the second sample processing portion includes a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and a reagent, the detection unit is an optical detection unit configured to detect light emitted from the measurement specimen, and the second layer is provided under the first layer. 12. The sample analysis device according to claim 11, wherein
the first layer is so configured that light is transmitted from outside to inside, and the second layer is so configured that light from outside to inside is blocked. 13. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a third sample processing portion that is arranged in a third layer positioned above or under the second layer and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes, wherein
the container transfer portion transfers the container from the second layer to the third layer. 14. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a lower set layer arranged under the first layer and the second layer, wherein
the lower set layer includes a set region for setting a liquid container storing a liquid used for analyzing the sample. 15. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the container transfer portion includes a container retention portion configured to retain the container and a raising/lowering mechanism configured to transfer the container from the first layer to the second layer by vertically raising/lowering the container retention portion. 16. A sample analysis device that analyzes a sample by carrying out a plurality of processes on the sample in a container, comprising:
a first base; a first sample processing portion that is arranged on the first base and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container; a second base arranged above or under the first base; and a second sample processing portion that is arranged on the second base and that is configured to carry out at least another part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the one part of the plurality of processes having been carried out on the sample in the container; and a container transfer portion configured to transfer the container, which contains the sample on which the one part of the plurality of processes has been carried out, from the first sample processing portion to the second sample processing portion. 17. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the second sample processing portion includes no dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or the reagent into the container. 18. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the reagent dispensing unit is configured to dispense the reagent into the container retained by the container transfer portion. 19. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the second sample processing portion includes a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and a reagent, the detection unit is an optical detection unit configured to detect light emitted from the measurement specimen, and the second base is provided under the first base. 20. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the container transfer portion includes a container retention portion configured to retain the container and a raising/lowering mechanism configured to transfer the container from the first processing portion to the second processing portion by vertically raising/lowering the container retention portion. | Disclosed is a sample analysis device provided with: a first sample processing portion which is disposed in a first layer and performs some of a plurality of processes on a sample in a container; a second sample processing portion which is disposed in a second layer located above or under the first layer and performs at least some other processes among the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the some of the plurality of processes having been performed on the sample; and a container transfer portion which transfers the container, which contains the sample on which the some of the processes have been performed, from the first layer to the second layer.1. A sample analysis device that analyzes a sample by carrying out a plurality of processes on the sample in a container and has a plurality of layers, comprising:
a first sample processing portion that is arranged in a first layer and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container; a second sample processing portion that is arranged in a second layer positioned above or under the first layer and that is configured to carry out at least another part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the one part of the plurality of processes having been carried out on the sample in the container; and a container transfer portion configured to transfer the container, which contains the sample on which the one part of the plurality of processes has been carried out, from the first layer to the second layer. 2. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first base, and a second base arranged above or under the first base, wherein the first sample processing portion is arranged on the first base, and the second sample processing portion is arranged on the second base. 3. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer and the second layer are so arranged that substantially all areas overlap with each other in plan view. 4. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a reagent set unit on which a reagent employed for analyzing the sample is set by a user, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the reagent set on the reagent set unit into the container. 5. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a sample set unit on which a sample container storing the sample is set by a user, and a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample in the sample container set on the sample set unit into the container. 6. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first layer is an uppermost layer, and the first sample processing portion includes: a container set unit on which the container is set by a user, and a dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or a reagent into the container. 7. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the second sample processing portion includes no dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or the reagent into the container. 8. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and a first reaction unit configured to carry out a process of reacting the sample with one reagent in the container, the second sample processing portion includes: a second reaction unit configured to carry out a process of reacting the sample with another reagent in the container, and a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and the reagents, the sample analysis device further comprises a control unit configured to control the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit to carry out the process of dispensing the sample into the container and the process of dispensing the one reagent into the container and to carry out the process of dispensing the another reagent into the container after the reaction process of the sample and the one reagent is carried out, the container transfer portion is configured to transfer the container, into which the one reagent and the another reagent have been dispensed by the reagent dispensing unit, to the second layer, and the detection unit is configured to carry out a process of detecting the prescribed component in the measurement specimen in the container prepared by reaction in the second reaction unit. 9. The sample analysis device according to claim 8, wherein
the sample is a blood specimen, the one reagent contains a capturing antibody for capturing an antigen in the blood specimen and magnetic particles bound to the capturing antibody, the another reagent contains an enzyme bound to the antigen in the blood specimen and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme, the first reaction unit is an antigen-antibody reaction unit for causing antigen-antibody reaction between the antigen and the capturing antibody in the container, the first sample processing portion further includes a separation processing unit configured to carry out a process of separating a composite of the antigen, the capturing antibody and the magnetic particles from a reaction specimen after the antigen-antibody reaction in the container, and the second reaction unit is an enzyme reaction unit for causing enzyme reaction between the enzyme and the substrate in the container. 10. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the reagent dispensing unit is configured to dispense the reagent into the container retained by the container transfer portion. 11. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the second sample processing portion includes a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and a reagent, the detection unit is an optical detection unit configured to detect light emitted from the measurement specimen, and the second layer is provided under the first layer. 12. The sample analysis device according to claim 11, wherein
the first layer is so configured that light is transmitted from outside to inside, and the second layer is so configured that light from outside to inside is blocked. 13. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a third sample processing portion that is arranged in a third layer positioned above or under the second layer and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes, wherein
the container transfer portion transfers the container from the second layer to the third layer. 14. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a lower set layer arranged under the first layer and the second layer, wherein
the lower set layer includes a set region for setting a liquid container storing a liquid used for analyzing the sample. 15. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein
the container transfer portion includes a container retention portion configured to retain the container and a raising/lowering mechanism configured to transfer the container from the first layer to the second layer by vertically raising/lowering the container retention portion. 16. A sample analysis device that analyzes a sample by carrying out a plurality of processes on the sample in a container, comprising:
a first base; a first sample processing portion that is arranged on the first base and that is configured to carry out one part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container; a second base arranged above or under the first base; and a second sample processing portion that is arranged on the second base and that is configured to carry out at least another part of the plurality of processes on the sample in the container, the one part of the plurality of processes having been carried out on the sample in the container; and a container transfer portion configured to transfer the container, which contains the sample on which the one part of the plurality of processes has been carried out, from the first sample processing portion to the second sample processing portion. 17. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes: a sample dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample into the container, and a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the second sample processing portion includes no dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing the sample or the reagent into the container. 18. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the first sample processing portion includes a reagent dispensing unit configured to carry out a process of dispensing a reagent into the container, and the reagent dispensing unit is configured to dispense the reagent into the container retained by the container transfer portion. 19. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the second sample processing portion includes a detection unit configured to carry out a process of detecting a prescribed component in a measurement specimen in the container prepared from the sample and a reagent, the detection unit is an optical detection unit configured to detect light emitted from the measurement specimen, and the second base is provided under the first base. 20. The sample analysis device according to claim 16, wherein
the container transfer portion includes a container retention portion configured to retain the container and a raising/lowering mechanism configured to transfer the container from the first processing portion to the second processing portion by vertically raising/lowering the container retention portion. | 1,700 |
2,881 | 13,735,552 | 1,783 | The performance of an AB x type metal hydride alloy is improved by adding an element to the alloy which element is operative to enhance the surface area morphology of the alloy. The alloy may include surface regions of differing morphologies. | 1. A hydrogen storage material having a bulk region and an interface oxide region, said oxide region characterized by metallic catalytic nickel particles having an average particle size of 5-15 angstroms and said particles are distributed throughout the oxide. 2. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 2, wherein the average particle size is 7-12 angstroms. 3. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 1, wherein the nickel particles are nickel alloys. 4. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 3, wherein interface oxide region further includes channels having a cross-sectional dimension greater than 20 angstroms. 5. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 4, wherein said channels have a length greater than their cross-sectional dimension. 6. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the nickel particles extend into and/or are supported in the interior of said channels. | The performance of an AB x type metal hydride alloy is improved by adding an element to the alloy which element is operative to enhance the surface area morphology of the alloy. The alloy may include surface regions of differing morphologies.1. A hydrogen storage material having a bulk region and an interface oxide region, said oxide region characterized by metallic catalytic nickel particles having an average particle size of 5-15 angstroms and said particles are distributed throughout the oxide. 2. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 2, wherein the average particle size is 7-12 angstroms. 3. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 1, wherein the nickel particles are nickel alloys. 4. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 3, wherein interface oxide region further includes channels having a cross-sectional dimension greater than 20 angstroms. 5. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 4, wherein said channels have a length greater than their cross-sectional dimension. 6. A hydrogen storage material as in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the nickel particles extend into and/or are supported in the interior of said channels. | 1,700 |
2,882 | 15,506,559 | 1,732 | A method including contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a temperature, and adjusting the temperature to affect the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst. | 1. A method of preparing a chromium-based catalyst for the polymerization of an olefin into a polyolefin, the method comprising:
contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises a chromium oxide catalyst; drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a drying line-out temperature; and adjusting the drying line-out temperature to change the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises an organoaluminum compound, and wherein the solvent comprises an alkane. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises diethylaluminum ethoxide (DEAlE). 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises triethyl aluminum (TEAL). 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 1.1 to about 1.8 cubic centimeters (cm3)/g and a surface area of about 245 to about 375 square meters (m2)/g. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 2.4 to about 3.7 cm3/g and a surface area of about 410 to about 620 m2/g. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 0.9 to about 1.4 cm3/g and a surface area of about 390 to about 590 m2/g. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an activated and supported chromium-based catalyst, and wherein drying comprises evaporating at least a majority of the solvent. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the chromium-based catalyst with the reducing agent allows the chromium-based catalyst to react with the reducing agent to give the reduced chromium-based catalyst. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting comprises contacting the chromium-based catalyst with the reducing agent in the solvent at a reaction temperature lower than the drying line-out temperature, and wherein the reaction temperature is in the range of 20° C. to 60° C., and the drying line-out temperature is in the range of 40° C. to 90° C. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein drying comprises reducing a pressure of a mixture of the reduced chromium-based catalyst and the solvent. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the drying is initiated after substantially all of the reducing agent contacted with the chromium-based catalyst has been consumed in a reaction of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst. 14. The method of claim 1, comprising collecting the reduced chromium-based catalyst for supply to a polymerization reactor. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising feeding the reduced chromium-based catalyst to a polymerization reactor to polymerize an olefin into a polyolefin. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein drying comprises filtering the reduced chromium-based catalyst to remove solvent at a temperature of less than 30° C. 17.-26. (canceled) | A method including contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a temperature, and adjusting the temperature to affect the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst.1. A method of preparing a chromium-based catalyst for the polymerization of an olefin into a polyolefin, the method comprising:
contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises a chromium oxide catalyst; drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a drying line-out temperature; and adjusting the drying line-out temperature to change the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises an organoaluminum compound, and wherein the solvent comprises an alkane. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises diethylaluminum ethoxide (DEAlE). 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises triethyl aluminum (TEAL). 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 1.1 to about 1.8 cubic centimeters (cm3)/g and a surface area of about 245 to about 375 square meters (m2)/g. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 2.4 to about 3.7 cm3/g and a surface area of about 410 to about 620 m2/g. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide support having a pore volume of about 0.9 to about 1.4 cm3/g and a surface area of about 390 to about 590 m2/g. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromium-based catalyst comprises an activated and supported chromium-based catalyst, and wherein drying comprises evaporating at least a majority of the solvent. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting the chromium-based catalyst with the reducing agent allows the chromium-based catalyst to react with the reducing agent to give the reduced chromium-based catalyst. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting comprises contacting the chromium-based catalyst with the reducing agent in the solvent at a reaction temperature lower than the drying line-out temperature, and wherein the reaction temperature is in the range of 20° C. to 60° C., and the drying line-out temperature is in the range of 40° C. to 90° C. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein drying comprises reducing a pressure of a mixture of the reduced chromium-based catalyst and the solvent. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the drying is initiated after substantially all of the reducing agent contacted with the chromium-based catalyst has been consumed in a reaction of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst. 14. The method of claim 1, comprising collecting the reduced chromium-based catalyst for supply to a polymerization reactor. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising feeding the reduced chromium-based catalyst to a polymerization reactor to polymerize an olefin into a polyolefin. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein drying comprises filtering the reduced chromium-based catalyst to remove solvent at a temperature of less than 30° C. 17.-26. (canceled) | 1,700 |
2,883 | 13,575,774 | 1,786 | A cable includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one electrically insulating layer surrounding the electrical conductor, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer includes: (a) a thermoplastic polymer material selected from: at least one copolymer (i) of propylene with at least one olefin comonomer selected from ethylene and an V-olefin other than propylene, the copolymer having a melting point greater than or equal to 130° C. and a melting enthalpy of from 20 J/g to 90 J/g; a blend of at least one copolymer (i) with at least one copolymer (ii) of ethylene with at least one V-olefin, the copolymer (ii) having a melting enthalpy of from 0 J/g to 70 J/g; a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); (b) at least one nano-sized filler; wherein at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is a heterophasic copolymer. | 1-25. (canceled) 26. A cable comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one electrically insulating layer surrounding said electrical conductor, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer comprises:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer material selected from:
at least one copolymer (i) of propylene with at least one olefin comonomer selected from ethylene and an a-olefin other than propylene, said copolymer having a melting point greater than or equal to 130° C. and a melting enthalpy of 20 J/g to 90 J/g;
a blend of at least one copolymer (i) with at least one copolymer (ii) of ethylene with at least one V-olefin, said copolymer (ii) having a melting enthalpy of 0 J/g to 70 J/g; and
a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); and
(b) at least one nano-sized filler, wherein at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is a heterophasic copolymer. 27. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is untreated. 28. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer is substantially devoid of any compatibilizer. 29. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the copolymer (i) is a propylene/ethylene copolymer. 30. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (i) is present in an amount equal to or lower than 15 mol %. 31. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (i) is present in an amount equal to or lower than 10 mol %. 32. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) is a random copolymer. 33. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, in the copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) or both, when heterophasic, an elastomeric phase is present in an amount equal to or greater than 45 wt % with respect to the total weight of the copolymer. 34. The cable according to claim 33, wherein the elastomeric phase comprises an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and propylene comprising 15 wt % to 50 wt % of ethylene and 50 wt % to 85 wt % of propylene with respect to the weight of the elastomeric phase. 35. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (ii) is propylene, 1-hexene or 1-octene. 36. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i), copolymer (ii) or both have a melting point of 140° C. to 180° C. 37. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i) has a melting enthalpy of 25 J/g to 80 J/g. 38. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (ii) has a melting enthalpy of 10 J/g to 30 J/g. 39. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the copolymer (ii) has a melting enthalpy lower than the melting enthalpy of the copolymer (i). 40. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the ratio between copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is 1:9 to 8:2. 41. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of propylene homopolymer and at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the ratio between the propylene homopolymer and copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) or both is 0.5:9 to 5:5. 42. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer further comprises at least one dielectric fluid (c), intimately admixed with the thermoplastic material. 43. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the concentration by weight of said at least one dielectric fluid in said thermoplastic polymer material is lower than the saturation concentration of said dielectric fluid in said thermoplastic polymer material. 44. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the weight ratio between the at least one dielectric fluid (c) and the thermoplastic polymer material (a) is 1:99 to 25:75. 45. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the at least one dielectric fluid (c) has a melting point or a pour point of −130° C. to +80° C. 46. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the at least one dielectric fluid (c) is selected from mineral oils; mineral oils containing at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; liquid paraffins; vegetable oils; oligomeric aromatic polyolefins; paraffinic waxes; and synthetic oils. 47. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) has an average particle size (at least in one dimension) equal to or lower than 2000 nm. 48. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) has an average particle size (at least in one dimension) of 1 to 500 nm. 49. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is selected from metal oxides, titanates, and silicates. 50. The cable according to claim 49, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is selected from: ZnO, MgO, TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3, BaTiO3, SnO, MnO2, BiO3, CuO, In2O3, La2O3, NiO, Sb2O3, SnO2, SrTiO3, Y2O3, and W2O3. 51. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is present in an amount of 0.2 wt % to 5 wt %, with respect to the weight of the thermoplastic polymer material (a). 52. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is present in an amount of 0.5 wt % to 2 wt %, with respect to the weight of the thermoplastic polymer material (a). 53. The cable according to claim 26, comprising at least one semiconductive layer further comprising (d) at least one conductive filler. 54. The cable according to claim 53, wherein the at least one conductive filler (d) is a carbon black filler. 55. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the weight ratio between the at least one dielectric fluid (c) and the thermoplastic polymer material (a) is 2:98 to 15:85. | A cable includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one electrically insulating layer surrounding the electrical conductor, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer includes: (a) a thermoplastic polymer material selected from: at least one copolymer (i) of propylene with at least one olefin comonomer selected from ethylene and an V-olefin other than propylene, the copolymer having a melting point greater than or equal to 130° C. and a melting enthalpy of from 20 J/g to 90 J/g; a blend of at least one copolymer (i) with at least one copolymer (ii) of ethylene with at least one V-olefin, the copolymer (ii) having a melting enthalpy of from 0 J/g to 70 J/g; a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); (b) at least one nano-sized filler; wherein at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is a heterophasic copolymer.1-25. (canceled) 26. A cable comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one electrically insulating layer surrounding said electrical conductor, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer comprises:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer material selected from:
at least one copolymer (i) of propylene with at least one olefin comonomer selected from ethylene and an a-olefin other than propylene, said copolymer having a melting point greater than or equal to 130° C. and a melting enthalpy of 20 J/g to 90 J/g;
a blend of at least one copolymer (i) with at least one copolymer (ii) of ethylene with at least one V-olefin, said copolymer (ii) having a melting enthalpy of 0 J/g to 70 J/g; and
a blend of at least one propylene homopolymer with at least one copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii); and
(b) at least one nano-sized filler, wherein at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is a heterophasic copolymer. 27. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is untreated. 28. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer is substantially devoid of any compatibilizer. 29. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the copolymer (i) is a propylene/ethylene copolymer. 30. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (i) is present in an amount equal to or lower than 15 mol %. 31. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (i) is present in an amount equal to or lower than 10 mol %. 32. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) is a random copolymer. 33. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, in the copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) or both, when heterophasic, an elastomeric phase is present in an amount equal to or greater than 45 wt % with respect to the total weight of the copolymer. 34. The cable according to claim 33, wherein the elastomeric phase comprises an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and propylene comprising 15 wt % to 50 wt % of ethylene and 50 wt % to 85 wt % of propylene with respect to the weight of the elastomeric phase. 35. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the olefin comonomer in copolymer (ii) is propylene, 1-hexene or 1-octene. 36. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i), copolymer (ii) or both have a melting point of 140° C. to 180° C. 37. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (i) has a melting enthalpy of 25 J/g to 80 J/g. 38. The cable according to claim 26, wherein copolymer (ii) has a melting enthalpy of 10 J/g to 30 J/g. 39. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the copolymer (ii) has a melting enthalpy lower than the melting enthalpy of the copolymer (i). 40. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the ratio between copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii) is 1:9 to 8:2. 41. The cable according to claim 26, wherein, when the thermoplastic material of the insulating layer comprises a blend of propylene homopolymer and at least one of copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii), the ratio between the propylene homopolymer and copolymer (i) or copolymer (ii) or both is 0.5:9 to 5:5. 42. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one electrically insulating layer further comprises at least one dielectric fluid (c), intimately admixed with the thermoplastic material. 43. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the concentration by weight of said at least one dielectric fluid in said thermoplastic polymer material is lower than the saturation concentration of said dielectric fluid in said thermoplastic polymer material. 44. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the weight ratio between the at least one dielectric fluid (c) and the thermoplastic polymer material (a) is 1:99 to 25:75. 45. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the at least one dielectric fluid (c) has a melting point or a pour point of −130° C. to +80° C. 46. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the at least one dielectric fluid (c) is selected from mineral oils; mineral oils containing at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; liquid paraffins; vegetable oils; oligomeric aromatic polyolefins; paraffinic waxes; and synthetic oils. 47. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) has an average particle size (at least in one dimension) equal to or lower than 2000 nm. 48. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) has an average particle size (at least in one dimension) of 1 to 500 nm. 49. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is selected from metal oxides, titanates, and silicates. 50. The cable according to claim 49, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is selected from: ZnO, MgO, TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3, BaTiO3, SnO, MnO2, BiO3, CuO, In2O3, La2O3, NiO, Sb2O3, SnO2, SrTiO3, Y2O3, and W2O3. 51. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is present in an amount of 0.2 wt % to 5 wt %, with respect to the weight of the thermoplastic polymer material (a). 52. The cable according to claim 26, wherein the at least one nano-sized filler (b) is present in an amount of 0.5 wt % to 2 wt %, with respect to the weight of the thermoplastic polymer material (a). 53. The cable according to claim 26, comprising at least one semiconductive layer further comprising (d) at least one conductive filler. 54. The cable according to claim 53, wherein the at least one conductive filler (d) is a carbon black filler. 55. The cable according to claim 42, wherein the weight ratio between the at least one dielectric fluid (c) and the thermoplastic polymer material (a) is 2:98 to 15:85. | 1,700 |
2,884 | 14,604,184 | 1,779 | An inline thickener including a cylinder, a wiper inside the cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder, an outer housing, a sludge inlet for inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder, a sludge outlet at a second end of the cylinder, and a filtrate outlet for allowing a portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline thickener. The pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet are measured and controlled to allow for a selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge entering the inline thickener to be removed from the sludge. The sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener. | 1. An inline thickener comprising:
a cylinder; a wiper inside the cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder; an outer housing; a sludge inlet for inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder; a sludge outlet at a second end of the cylinder; and a filtrate outlet for allowing a portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline thickener; wherein the pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet are measured and controlled to allow for a selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge entering the inline thickener to be removed from the sludge; and wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener. 2. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a cylindrical screen. 3. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a virtual cylinder formed by openings in a plurality of fixed mount plates and a plurality of wiggle plates located between each pair of adjacent mount plates. 4. The inline thickener of claim 3, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprise a disc having radially extending slots on at least one surface of the disc. 5. The inline thickener of claim 4, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 6. The inline thickener of claim 3, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprises a disc having radially extending slots on opposite surfaces of the disc. 7. The inline thickener of claim 6, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 8. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the outer housing surrounds the cylinder and the filtrate outlet extends from the outer housing, with the selected percentage of the liquid removed from the sludge passing through the cylinder and exiting the inline thickener through the filtrate outlet. 9. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the wiper includes an axle and a helical fin extending from the axle, an outer edge of the helical fin scraping against the interior surface of the cylinder during rotation of the axle. 10. The inline thickener of claim 9, wherein:
each turn of the helical fin has the same pitch. 11. A method of removing a selected percentage of liquid from sludge while maintaining a path for the selected percentage of the liquid removed from free of blockage, the method comprising:
providing an outer housing; providing a cylinder within the outer housing; positioning a wiper inside the cylinder; rotating the wiper relative to the cylinder thereby cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder; inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder; forcing the sludge through an interior of the cylinder; removing the selected percentage of liquid from the sludge passing through the cylinder; outletting the sludge with the selected percentage of the liquid removed therefrom at a second end of the cylinder through a sludge outlet; outletting the selected percentage of the liquid removed from the sludge through a filtrate outlet; and measuring and controlling the pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet to control the selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge removed from the sludge; wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a cylindrical screen. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a virtual cylinder formed by openings in a plurality of fixed mount plates and a plurality of wiggle plates located between each pair of adjacent mount plates. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprise a disc having radially extending slots on at least one surface of the disc. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprises a disc having radially extending slots on opposite surfaces of the disc. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the wiper includes an axle and a helical fin extending from the axle, an outer edge of the helical fin scraping against the interior surface of the cylinder during rotation of the axle. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
each turn of the helical fin has the same pitch. 20. An inline dewatering system comprising the inline thickener of claim 1 connected to an inline press, the inline press being connected to the sludge outlet of the inline thickener, the inline press including a press cylinder, a press wiper inside the press cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an press interior surface of the press cylinder, a press outer housing, a press sludge inlet for inserting sludge from the sludge outlet of the inline thickener into a press first end of the press cylinder, a press sludge outlet at a press second end of the press cylinder, and a press filtrate outlet for allowing a further portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline press, wherein pressure of the press filtrate outlet is not controlled and wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline press. | An inline thickener including a cylinder, a wiper inside the cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder, an outer housing, a sludge inlet for inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder, a sludge outlet at a second end of the cylinder, and a filtrate outlet for allowing a portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline thickener. The pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet are measured and controlled to allow for a selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge entering the inline thickener to be removed from the sludge. The sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener.1. An inline thickener comprising:
a cylinder; a wiper inside the cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder; an outer housing; a sludge inlet for inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder; a sludge outlet at a second end of the cylinder; and a filtrate outlet for allowing a portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline thickener; wherein the pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet are measured and controlled to allow for a selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge entering the inline thickener to be removed from the sludge; and wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener. 2. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a cylindrical screen. 3. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a virtual cylinder formed by openings in a plurality of fixed mount plates and a plurality of wiggle plates located between each pair of adjacent mount plates. 4. The inline thickener of claim 3, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprise a disc having radially extending slots on at least one surface of the disc. 5. The inline thickener of claim 4, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 6. The inline thickener of claim 3, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprises a disc having radially extending slots on opposite surfaces of the disc. 7. The inline thickener of claim 6, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 8. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the outer housing surrounds the cylinder and the filtrate outlet extends from the outer housing, with the selected percentage of the liquid removed from the sludge passing through the cylinder and exiting the inline thickener through the filtrate outlet. 9. The inline thickener of claim 1, wherein:
the wiper includes an axle and a helical fin extending from the axle, an outer edge of the helical fin scraping against the interior surface of the cylinder during rotation of the axle. 10. The inline thickener of claim 9, wherein:
each turn of the helical fin has the same pitch. 11. A method of removing a selected percentage of liquid from sludge while maintaining a path for the selected percentage of the liquid removed from free of blockage, the method comprising:
providing an outer housing; providing a cylinder within the outer housing; positioning a wiper inside the cylinder; rotating the wiper relative to the cylinder thereby cleaning an interior surface of the cylinder; inserting sludge under pressure into a first end of the cylinder; forcing the sludge through an interior of the cylinder; removing the selected percentage of liquid from the sludge passing through the cylinder; outletting the sludge with the selected percentage of the liquid removed therefrom at a second end of the cylinder through a sludge outlet; outletting the selected percentage of the liquid removed from the sludge through a filtrate outlet; and measuring and controlling the pressure of the sludge inlet, the sludge outlet and the filtrate outlet to control the selected percentage of the liquid in the sludge removed from the sludge; wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline thickener. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a cylindrical screen. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cylinder comprises a virtual cylinder formed by openings in a plurality of fixed mount plates and a plurality of wiggle plates located between each pair of adjacent mount plates. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprise a disc having radially extending slots on at least one surface of the disc. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein:
each of the wiggle plates comprises a disc having radially extending slots on opposite surfaces of the disc. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein:
the slots taper and have a smaller cross-sectional area at an inner entrance and a larger cross-sectional area at an outer exit. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the wiper includes an axle and a helical fin extending from the axle, an outer edge of the helical fin scraping against the interior surface of the cylinder during rotation of the axle. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
each turn of the helical fin has the same pitch. 20. An inline dewatering system comprising the inline thickener of claim 1 connected to an inline press, the inline press being connected to the sludge outlet of the inline thickener, the inline press including a press cylinder, a press wiper inside the press cylinder and rotating relative thereto for cleaning an press interior surface of the press cylinder, a press outer housing, a press sludge inlet for inserting sludge from the sludge outlet of the inline thickener into a press first end of the press cylinder, a press sludge outlet at a press second end of the press cylinder, and a press filtrate outlet for allowing a further portion of liquid removed from the sludge to exit the inline press, wherein pressure of the press filtrate outlet is not controlled and wherein the sludge is not mechanically compacted within the inline press. | 1,700 |
2,885 | 14,678,163 | 1,781 | An abrasion resistant flooring covering formed from a UV curable coating composition having binder and diamond particles—the abrasion resistant flooring covering used to overcoat the surface of flooring products or various abrasion heavy surfaces to protect such a products or surfaces from damage by abrasion or scratch. | 1. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer comprising:
a coating matrix formed from a curable coating composition comprising a binder,
wherein the coating matrix has an average coating matrix thickness; and
diamond particles that have an average particle size and a narrow distribution of particle sizes, the narrow distribution of particle sizes has a standard deviation less than 35% of the average particle size;
wherein a ratio of the average coating matrix thickness to average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1. 2. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the coating layer comprises less than 5.5 wt. % of diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 3. The floor covering of claim 2 wherein the coating layer comprises at least 1.5 wt. % of diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 4. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from about 4 μm to about 40 μm. 5. The floor covering of claim 4 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from about 6 μm to about 20 μm. 6. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 6 μm. 7. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 18 μm. 8. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles protrude from the top surface of the coating matrix at a distance ranging from about 1% to about 50% of the coating matrix thickness. 9. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles are submerged beneath the top surface of the coating matrix at a distance that is about 1% to about 50% of the coating matrix thickness. 10. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles are submerged beneath the top surface of the coating matrix at a first distance that is about 1% to about 25% of the coating matrix thickness and the diamond particles are vertically offset from the bottom surface of the coating matrix by a second distance that is about 1% to about 25% of the coating matrix thickness. 11. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer comprising:
a coating matrix formed from a curable coating composition comprising a binder; and
diamond particles that have an average particle size ranging from about 2 μm to about 50 μm;
wherein the diamond particles have an average distance between two adjacently placed particles of from 20 μm to 75 μm. 12. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the coating layer comprises about 1.5 wt. % to about 5.5 wt. % of the diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 13. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating matrix thickness and a ratio of the average coating matrix thickness to the average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1 14. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from 4 μm to 40 μm. 15. The floor covering of claim 14 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from 6 μm to 20 μm. 16. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 6 μm. 17. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 18 μm. 18. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer formed from a curable coating composition comprising:
a binder, and
abrasion resistant particles consisting essentially of diamond particles that have an average particle size and a narrow distribution of particle sizes, the narrow distribution of particle sizes has a standard deviation less than 35% of the average particle size;
wherein the diamond particles are present in an amount ranging from about 2 wt. % to about 5.5 wt. % based on the total weight of the coating layer. 19. The floor covering of claim 18 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating thickness ranging from about 4 μm to about 40 μm. 20. The floor covering of claim 18 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating thickness between 6 μm and 20 μm. 21. A method of forming a multi-layer floor covering comprising:
a) providing a first coating composition comprising a curable binder and a curing initiator and a second coating composition comprising a curable binder and a curing initiator; b) applying a first layer of the first coating composition on a substrate, the first layer applied such that the first coating composition exhibits a first average coating thickness as measured from a top surface and a bottom surface of the first layer; c) partially or fully curing the first coating composition; d) applying a second layer of the second coating composition to the top surface of the first layer, the second layer applied such that the second coating composition exhibits a second average coating thickness as measured from a top surface and a bottom surface of the second layer; e) partially or fully curing the second coating composition;
wherein at least one of the first and the second coating compositions comprise diamond particles having an average particle size, and for each of the first and second coating compositions that contain diamond particles, a ratio for each of the first average coating thickness and the second average coating thickness to the average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1; and
wherein for each of the first and the second coating compositions that contain the abrasion resistant particles, the curing of the first and the second coating compositions that contain diamond particles results in the diamond particle being vertically offset from at least one of the respective bottom surfaces of the first coating composition and the second coating compositions by a length greater than zero. | An abrasion resistant flooring covering formed from a UV curable coating composition having binder and diamond particles—the abrasion resistant flooring covering used to overcoat the surface of flooring products or various abrasion heavy surfaces to protect such a products or surfaces from damage by abrasion or scratch.1. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer comprising:
a coating matrix formed from a curable coating composition comprising a binder,
wherein the coating matrix has an average coating matrix thickness; and
diamond particles that have an average particle size and a narrow distribution of particle sizes, the narrow distribution of particle sizes has a standard deviation less than 35% of the average particle size;
wherein a ratio of the average coating matrix thickness to average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1. 2. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the coating layer comprises less than 5.5 wt. % of diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 3. The floor covering of claim 2 wherein the coating layer comprises at least 1.5 wt. % of diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 4. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from about 4 μm to about 40 μm. 5. The floor covering of claim 4 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from about 6 μm to about 20 μm. 6. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 6 μm. 7. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 18 μm. 8. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles protrude from the top surface of the coating matrix at a distance ranging from about 1% to about 50% of the coating matrix thickness. 9. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles are submerged beneath the top surface of the coating matrix at a distance that is about 1% to about 50% of the coating matrix thickness. 10. The floor covering of claim 1 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is measured from a top surface of the coating matrix to a bottom surface of the coating matrix and the diamond particles are submerged beneath the top surface of the coating matrix at a first distance that is about 1% to about 25% of the coating matrix thickness and the diamond particles are vertically offset from the bottom surface of the coating matrix by a second distance that is about 1% to about 25% of the coating matrix thickness. 11. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer comprising:
a coating matrix formed from a curable coating composition comprising a binder; and
diamond particles that have an average particle size ranging from about 2 μm to about 50 μm;
wherein the diamond particles have an average distance between two adjacently placed particles of from 20 μm to 75 μm. 12. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the coating layer comprises about 1.5 wt. % to about 5.5 wt. % of the diamond particles based on the weight of the coating layer. 13. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating matrix thickness and a ratio of the average coating matrix thickness to the average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1 14. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from 4 μm to 40 μm. 15. The floor covering of claim 14 wherein the average coating matrix thickness ranges from 6 μm to 20 μm. 16. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 6 μm. 17. The floor covering of claim 11 wherein the average coating matrix thickness is about 18 μm. 18. A floor covering comprising
a substrate, and a coating layer formed from a curable coating composition comprising:
a binder, and
abrasion resistant particles consisting essentially of diamond particles that have an average particle size and a narrow distribution of particle sizes, the narrow distribution of particle sizes has a standard deviation less than 35% of the average particle size;
wherein the diamond particles are present in an amount ranging from about 2 wt. % to about 5.5 wt. % based on the total weight of the coating layer. 19. The floor covering of claim 18 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating thickness ranging from about 4 μm to about 40 μm. 20. The floor covering of claim 18 wherein the coating matrix has an average coating thickness between 6 μm and 20 μm. 21. A method of forming a multi-layer floor covering comprising:
a) providing a first coating composition comprising a curable binder and a curing initiator and a second coating composition comprising a curable binder and a curing initiator; b) applying a first layer of the first coating composition on a substrate, the first layer applied such that the first coating composition exhibits a first average coating thickness as measured from a top surface and a bottom surface of the first layer; c) partially or fully curing the first coating composition; d) applying a second layer of the second coating composition to the top surface of the first layer, the second layer applied such that the second coating composition exhibits a second average coating thickness as measured from a top surface and a bottom surface of the second layer; e) partially or fully curing the second coating composition;
wherein at least one of the first and the second coating compositions comprise diamond particles having an average particle size, and for each of the first and second coating compositions that contain diamond particles, a ratio for each of the first average coating thickness and the second average coating thickness to the average particle size ranges from 0.6:1 to 2:1; and
wherein for each of the first and the second coating compositions that contain the abrasion resistant particles, the curing of the first and the second coating compositions that contain diamond particles results in the diamond particle being vertically offset from at least one of the respective bottom surfaces of the first coating composition and the second coating compositions by a length greater than zero. | 1,700 |
2,886 | 14,760,595 | 1,711 | The present application relates to a hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface. The tube extends into the reservoir and comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing. In one embodiment, the tube inlet comprises a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet. In an alternate embodiment, the appliance may be provided with a single valve member that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via a first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through a second opening. | 1. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a portion that extends into the reservoir, wherein the tube comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing, the tube inlet also comprising a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet. 2. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein each valve assembly comprises a housing and a single valve member movable within the housing between a first position in which the tube inlet is open to allow water to flow past the single valve member into the tube inlet and a second position in which the inlet is closed to prevent the passage of air into the tube inlet. 3. A hand-held appliance according to claim 2, wherein the valve member drops under its own weight into its first position and in a direction away from its associated inlet. 4. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein each valve assembly is removably mounted to an end of the tube over the tube inlet. 5. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein the tube portion comprises a primary tube portion extending into the reservoir and a secondary tube portion attached to a free end of the primary tube portion at a junction, a separate valve assembly being mounted to each end of the secondary tube portion remote from said junction. 6. A hand-held appliance according to claim 5, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises two inlets and is integrally formed with a connector for attachment to said free end of the primary tube portion to effect fluid communication between the secondary tube portion and the primary tube portion. 7. A hand-held appliance according to claim 5, wherein the secondary tube portion is formed of a plurality of independent sections, each section being attached to said free end of the primary tube portion via a connecting element to effect fluid communication between each independent section and the primary tube portion. 8. A hand-held appliance according to claim 7, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises two independent sections and the connecting element is substantially T-shaped so that each independent section extends away from each other in opposite directions and the primary tube portion extends substantially at right-angles to each independent section. 9. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a portion that extends into the reservoir, wherein the tube comprises two inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, at least one of said inlets is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing, the tube portion comprising a valve assembly having and outlet, first and second openings and a single valve member within said assembly that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via the first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through the second opening, the valve member being configured such that it drops under its own weight into an alternate position in response to a change in the orientation of the steamer to allow water to flow through said second opening via one of said inlets whilst preventing the flow of air through said first opening via the other of said inlets. 10. A hand-held appliance according to claim 9, wherein the tube portion comprises a primary tube portion, a free end of said primary tube portion being in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve assembly, and a secondary tube portion extending from each of the first and second openings of the valve assembly, said secondary tube portions being configured such that the valve member drops in a direction toward the opening from which a secondary tube portion having the uppermost inlet extends, depending upon the orientation of the hand-held appliance, to prevent the flow of air through said opening from said secondary tube portion. 11. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a tube portion that extends into the reservoir and comprises a primary tube portion and a secondary tube portion connected to a free end of the primary tube portion, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises an inlet at each end spaced from each other within the reservoir, and a valve element received within the secondary tube portion, said valve element being slideable under its own weight in response to a change in orientation so that, depending upon the orientation of the steamer, an uppermost inlet is closed to prevent the flow of air into the secondary tube portion and the lowermost inlet is open to allow the flow of water into the secondary tube portion. 12. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, comprising a heating chamber, wherein the tube is configured to convey water from the reservoir to the heating chamber to generate steam prior to delivery to a surface. | The present application relates to a hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface. The tube extends into the reservoir and comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing. In one embodiment, the tube inlet comprises a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet. In an alternate embodiment, the appliance may be provided with a single valve member that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via a first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through a second opening.1. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a portion that extends into the reservoir, wherein the tube comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing, the tube inlet also comprising a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet. 2. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein each valve assembly comprises a housing and a single valve member movable within the housing between a first position in which the tube inlet is open to allow water to flow past the single valve member into the tube inlet and a second position in which the inlet is closed to prevent the passage of air into the tube inlet. 3. A hand-held appliance according to claim 2, wherein the valve member drops under its own weight into its first position and in a direction away from its associated inlet. 4. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein each valve assembly is removably mounted to an end of the tube over the tube inlet. 5. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, wherein the tube portion comprises a primary tube portion extending into the reservoir and a secondary tube portion attached to a free end of the primary tube portion at a junction, a separate valve assembly being mounted to each end of the secondary tube portion remote from said junction. 6. A hand-held appliance according to claim 5, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises two inlets and is integrally formed with a connector for attachment to said free end of the primary tube portion to effect fluid communication between the secondary tube portion and the primary tube portion. 7. A hand-held appliance according to claim 5, wherein the secondary tube portion is formed of a plurality of independent sections, each section being attached to said free end of the primary tube portion via a connecting element to effect fluid communication between each independent section and the primary tube portion. 8. A hand-held appliance according to claim 7, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises two independent sections and the connecting element is substantially T-shaped so that each independent section extends away from each other in opposite directions and the primary tube portion extends substantially at right-angles to each independent section. 9. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a portion that extends into the reservoir, wherein the tube comprises two inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, at least one of said inlets is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing, the tube portion comprising a valve assembly having and outlet, first and second openings and a single valve member within said assembly that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via the first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through the second opening, the valve member being configured such that it drops under its own weight into an alternate position in response to a change in the orientation of the steamer to allow water to flow through said second opening via one of said inlets whilst preventing the flow of air through said first opening via the other of said inlets. 10. A hand-held appliance according to claim 9, wherein the tube portion comprises a primary tube portion, a free end of said primary tube portion being in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve assembly, and a secondary tube portion extending from each of the first and second openings of the valve assembly, said secondary tube portions being configured such that the valve member drops in a direction toward the opening from which a secondary tube portion having the uppermost inlet extends, depending upon the orientation of the hand-held appliance, to prevent the flow of air through said opening from said secondary tube portion. 11. A hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface, wherein the tube has a tube portion that extends into the reservoir and comprises a primary tube portion and a secondary tube portion connected to a free end of the primary tube portion, wherein the secondary tube portion comprises an inlet at each end spaced from each other within the reservoir, and a valve element received within the secondary tube portion, said valve element being slideable under its own weight in response to a change in orientation so that, depending upon the orientation of the steamer, an uppermost inlet is closed to prevent the flow of air into the secondary tube portion and the lowermost inlet is open to allow the flow of water into the secondary tube portion. 12. A hand-held appliance according to claim 1, comprising a heating chamber, wherein the tube is configured to convey water from the reservoir to the heating chamber to generate steam prior to delivery to a surface. | 1,700 |
2,887 | 14,610,489 | 1,716 | The present disclosure relates to a corner spoiler designed to decrease high deposition rates on corner regions of substrates by changing the gas flow. In one embodiment, a corner spoiler for a processing chamber includes an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is configured to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber. The L-shaped body includes a first and second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner of the L-shaped body. The length of the first or second leg is twice the distance defined between the first or second leg and the inside corner. In another embodiment, a shadow frame for a depositing chamber includes a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough, and one or more corner spoilers coupled to the rectangular shaped body at corners of the rectangular shaped body. | 1. A corner spoiler for a processing chamber, comprising:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber, and wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and
a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is about twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 2. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide. 3. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is polytetrafluoroethylene. 4. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the corner spoiler has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 5. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is between about 70 mm and about 110 mm. 6. A shadow frame for a processing chamber, comprising:
a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough; and one or more corner spoilers coupled to the rectangular shaped body at one or more corners of the rectangular shaped body, wherein the one or more corner spoilers comprises:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber. 7. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 8. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide. 9. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material is polytetrafluoroethylene. 10. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the one or more corner spoilers has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 11. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the distance between the rectangular shaped body and the one or more corner spoilers is between about 0 mm and about 12 mm. 12. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the distance between an inside of the first and second legs and an inside edge of the shadow frame is between about 2 mm and about 15 mm. 13. A processing chamber, comprising:
a corner spoiler, comprising:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber, and wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and
a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is about twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 14. The processing chamber of claim 13, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide or polytetrafluoroethylene. 15. The processing chamber of claim 13, wherein the one or more corner spoilers has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 16. The processing chamber of claim 13, further comprising:
a shadow frame, comprising:
a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough, wherein one or more corner spoilers is coupled to the rectangular shaped body at one or more corners of the rectangular shaped body 17. The processing chamber of claim 16, wherein the shadow frame comprises aluminum oxide or polytetrafluoroethylene. 18. The processing chamber of claim 13, further comprising:
a diffuser disposed opposite the substrate. 19. The processing chamber of claim 18, wherein the diffuser comprises a center region having a first thickness and a peripheral region having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness. 20. The processing chamber of claim 18, wherein the distance between the diffuser and the substrate is between about 400 mm and about 1200 mm. | The present disclosure relates to a corner spoiler designed to decrease high deposition rates on corner regions of substrates by changing the gas flow. In one embodiment, a corner spoiler for a processing chamber includes an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is configured to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber. The L-shaped body includes a first and second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner of the L-shaped body. The length of the first or second leg is twice the distance defined between the first or second leg and the inside corner. In another embodiment, a shadow frame for a depositing chamber includes a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough, and one or more corner spoilers coupled to the rectangular shaped body at corners of the rectangular shaped body.1. A corner spoiler for a processing chamber, comprising:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber, and wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and
a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is about twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 2. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide. 3. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is polytetrafluoroethylene. 4. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the corner spoiler has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 5. The corner spoiler of claim 1, wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is between about 70 mm and about 110 mm. 6. A shadow frame for a processing chamber, comprising:
a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough; and one or more corner spoilers coupled to the rectangular shaped body at one or more corners of the rectangular shaped body, wherein the one or more corner spoilers comprises:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber. 7. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 8. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide. 9. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material is polytetrafluoroethylene. 10. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the one or more corner spoilers has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 11. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the distance between the rectangular shaped body and the one or more corner spoilers is between about 0 mm and about 12 mm. 12. The shadow frame of claim 6, wherein the distance between an inside of the first and second legs and an inside edge of the shadow frame is between about 2 mm and about 15 mm. 13. A processing chamber, comprising:
a corner spoiler, comprising:
an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is positioned to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber, and wherein the L-shaped body comprises:
a first leg; and
a second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner and an outside corner of the L-shaped body, and wherein the distance from the end of the first leg to the outside corner is twice the distance from the end of the first leg to the inside corner, and the distance from the end of the second leg to the outside corner is about twice the distance from the end of the second leg to the inside corner. 14. The processing chamber of claim 13, wherein the dielectric material is aluminum oxide or polytetrafluoroethylene. 15. The processing chamber of claim 13, wherein the one or more corner spoilers has a uniform thickness between about 3 mm and about 9 mm. 16. The processing chamber of claim 13, further comprising:
a shadow frame, comprising:
a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough, wherein one or more corner spoilers is coupled to the rectangular shaped body at one or more corners of the rectangular shaped body 17. The processing chamber of claim 16, wherein the shadow frame comprises aluminum oxide or polytetrafluoroethylene. 18. The processing chamber of claim 13, further comprising:
a diffuser disposed opposite the substrate. 19. The processing chamber of claim 18, wherein the diffuser comprises a center region having a first thickness and a peripheral region having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness. 20. The processing chamber of claim 18, wherein the distance between the diffuser and the substrate is between about 400 mm and about 1200 mm. | 1,700 |
2,888 | 14,363,092 | 1,782 | A polyethylene composition comprising a granular polyethylene resin characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm 3 , a ratio of intraparticle void volume to interparticle void volume of from 0.33 to 0.67, and a total resin porosity, Φtotal, of equal to or greater than 0.45 is provided. Further provided are articles made from the polyethylene composition | 1. A polyethylene composition comprising: a granular polyethylene resin characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm3, a ratio of intraparticle porosity to interparticle porosity of from 0.33 to 0.67, and a total resin porosity, Φtotal, of equal to or greater than 0.45. 2. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.955 to 0.96 g/cm3 and a granular resin settled bulk density (SBDPE) of from 435 kg/m3 to 495 kg/m3. 3. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is a high molecular weight resin characterized by a melt index, I21, of from 2 to 4 dg/min and a ratio I21/I5 of from 20 to 40. 4. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin particle size distribution polydispersity of from 0.6 to 1.2. 5. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin average particle size (APSPE) of from 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm. 6. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a mass median diameter (D50PE) of from 0.45 mm to 0.85 mm. 7. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a granular resin total void volume (νtotal) of equal to or greater than 0.9 cm3/g. 8. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by the ability to absorb equal to or greater than 45% by volume butanol based on the volume of the granular polyethylene resin. 9. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is produced by a particle forming polymerization process utilizing a spray-dried Cr-based catalyst. 10. The polyethylene composition according to claim 9, wherein the spray-dried Cr-based catalyst has a Cr content of equal to or greater than 0.1% by weight and equal to or lesser than 0.25% by weight. 11. The polyethylene composition according to claim 9, wherein the spray-dried Cr-based catalyst has a mass median diameter (D50CAT) of from 45 μm to 65 μm. 12. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene resin is produced using a gas phase polymerization process utilizing a chromium oxide catalyst comprising a spray-dried silica support and equal to or greater than 0.1 wt % chromium, wherein the polymerization process comprises oxygen add back and with a steady-state residence time of less than 9 hours. 13. An article comprising the polyethylene composition according to claim 1 crosslinked with one or more absorbable crosslinking agents selected from the group consisting of peroxides, azides, and silanes. 14. The article according to claim 13, wherein the article is a pipe. 15. The article according to claim 13, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pigments, pipe liners, plumbing appurtenances and wire and cable applications. | A polyethylene composition comprising a granular polyethylene resin characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm 3 , a ratio of intraparticle void volume to interparticle void volume of from 0.33 to 0.67, and a total resin porosity, Φtotal, of equal to or greater than 0.45 is provided. Further provided are articles made from the polyethylene composition1. A polyethylene composition comprising: a granular polyethylene resin characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm3, a ratio of intraparticle porosity to interparticle porosity of from 0.33 to 0.67, and a total resin porosity, Φtotal, of equal to or greater than 0.45. 2. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.955 to 0.96 g/cm3 and a granular resin settled bulk density (SBDPE) of from 435 kg/m3 to 495 kg/m3. 3. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is a high molecular weight resin characterized by a melt index, I21, of from 2 to 4 dg/min and a ratio I21/I5 of from 20 to 40. 4. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin particle size distribution polydispersity of from 0.6 to 1.2. 5. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a resin average particle size (APSPE) of from 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm. 6. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a mass median diameter (D50PE) of from 0.45 mm to 0.85 mm. 7. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by a granular resin total void volume (νtotal) of equal to or greater than 0.9 cm3/g. 8. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is further characterized by the ability to absorb equal to or greater than 45% by volume butanol based on the volume of the granular polyethylene resin. 9. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the granular polyethylene resin is produced by a particle forming polymerization process utilizing a spray-dried Cr-based catalyst. 10. The polyethylene composition according to claim 9, wherein the spray-dried Cr-based catalyst has a Cr content of equal to or greater than 0.1% by weight and equal to or lesser than 0.25% by weight. 11. The polyethylene composition according to claim 9, wherein the spray-dried Cr-based catalyst has a mass median diameter (D50CAT) of from 45 μm to 65 μm. 12. The polyethylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene resin is produced using a gas phase polymerization process utilizing a chromium oxide catalyst comprising a spray-dried silica support and equal to or greater than 0.1 wt % chromium, wherein the polymerization process comprises oxygen add back and with a steady-state residence time of less than 9 hours. 13. An article comprising the polyethylene composition according to claim 1 crosslinked with one or more absorbable crosslinking agents selected from the group consisting of peroxides, azides, and silanes. 14. The article according to claim 13, wherein the article is a pipe. 15. The article according to claim 13, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pigments, pipe liners, plumbing appurtenances and wire and cable applications. | 1,700 |
2,889 | 15,011,731 | 1,788 | An absorbent polymer has an absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranging from 20 to 45 g/g; a phase angle (67 ) of swollen gel ranging from 3 to 30 degrees; and a decrease in phase angle ranging from 3 to 35%. Thereby, the absorbent polymer may have favorable gel elasticity under pressure after swelling, so as to reduce adhesion between swollen particles. Accordingly, even after absorbing the liquid to swell the absorbent polymer, the polymer may maintain excellent flow conductivity, thereby reducing a decrease in absorption ability of the absorbent polymer. | 1. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, the method comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition, which includes acrylic monomer, polysaccharide and a cross-linking agent; and drying and grinding a hydrogel obtained by the above polymerization, wherein the polysaccharide is included in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight to the acrylic monomer in the polymer composition. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide is at least one selected from a group consisting of alginate, kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, pectin, konjac (agar) and cellulose. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 4. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition, which includes acrylic monomer and a cross-linking agent; mixing a hydrogel obtained by the polymerization with polysaccharide and kneading the same; and drying and grinding the kneaded hydrogel, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the polysaccharide is at least one selected from a group consisting of alginate, kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, pectin, konjac (agar) and cellulose. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 7. An absorbent polymer, having: an absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranging from 20 to 45 g/g;
a phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranging from 3 to 30 degrees; and a decrease in phase angle ranging from 3 to 35%. 8. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranges from 30 to 45 g/g. 9. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranges from 3 to 20 degrees. 10. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranges from 3 to 10 degrees. 11. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the decrease in phase angle ranges from 5 to 35%. 12. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the decrease in phase angle ranges from 10 to 35%. 13. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, having a particle size distribution ranging from 100 to 1000 μm. | An absorbent polymer has an absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranging from 20 to 45 g/g; a phase angle (67 ) of swollen gel ranging from 3 to 30 degrees; and a decrease in phase angle ranging from 3 to 35%. Thereby, the absorbent polymer may have favorable gel elasticity under pressure after swelling, so as to reduce adhesion between swollen particles. Accordingly, even after absorbing the liquid to swell the absorbent polymer, the polymer may maintain excellent flow conductivity, thereby reducing a decrease in absorption ability of the absorbent polymer.1. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, the method comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition, which includes acrylic monomer, polysaccharide and a cross-linking agent; and drying and grinding a hydrogel obtained by the above polymerization, wherein the polysaccharide is included in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight to the acrylic monomer in the polymer composition. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide is at least one selected from a group consisting of alginate, kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, pectin, konjac (agar) and cellulose. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 4. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition, which includes acrylic monomer and a cross-linking agent; mixing a hydrogel obtained by the polymerization with polysaccharide and kneading the same; and drying and grinding the kneaded hydrogel, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the polysaccharide is at least one selected from a group consisting of alginate, kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, pectin, konjac (agar) and cellulose. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the polymer composition includes the polysaccharide in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight to the acrylic monomer. 7. An absorbent polymer, having: an absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranging from 20 to 45 g/g;
a phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranging from 3 to 30 degrees; and a decrease in phase angle ranging from 3 to 35%. 8. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the absorbency under pressure (AUL) ranges from 30 to 45 g/g. 9. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranges from 3 to 20 degrees. 10. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the phase angle (δ) of swollen gel ranges from 3 to 10 degrees. 11. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the decrease in phase angle ranges from 5 to 35%. 12. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, wherein the decrease in phase angle ranges from 10 to 35%. 13. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, having a particle size distribution ranging from 100 to 1000 μm. | 1,700 |
2,890 | 14,317,092 | 1,729 | A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing includes a cover and a case. The electrode assembly includes an anode tab and a cathode tab that are coupled to the cover and to a feedthrough pin disposed on the cover. The coupling of the anode tab to the cover defines an anode terminal while the coupling of the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin defines the cathode terminal. The anode and cathode tabs are aligned with the feedthrough pin and the connection point at the cover such that the tabs and feedthrough pin overlap each other along a common plane that is perpendicular to a plane that is defined by a major surface of the cover. | 1. A battery, comprising:
a case having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of sides extending from the bottom to define a cavity; a cover configured to enclose the top end of the case and having a feedthrough pin; an electrode assembly disposed within the cavity, the electrode assembly having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte; and an anode tab coupled to the anode and a cathode tab coupled to the cathode,
wherein the anode tab is electrically coupled to the cover and the cathode tab is electrically coupled to the feedthrough pin, and
wherein at least a predefined width of the anode tab is configured to overlap a segment of the cathode tab along a plane that is perpendicular to a plane oriented along the bottom end. 2. The battery of claim 1, further comprising an anode weld joint electrically coupling the anode tab to the cover and a cathode weld joint electrically coupling the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin. 3. The battery of claim 2, wherein the anode tab and the cathode tab are oriented such that the anode weld joint and the cathode weld joint are operably formed simultaneously via a resistance spot welding coupling. 4. The battery of claim 2, wherein the feedthrough pin includes a first connection portion that is oriented along a first plane with respect to a second connection portion of the anode tab so that the first connection portion and the second connection portion are aligned to overlap along a plane that is common with a plane defined by the cathode weld joint and the anode weld joint. 5. The battery of claim 2, wherein the anode weld joint and the cathode weld joint are aligned along a plane that is perpendicular to the plane that is perpendicular to the bottom end. 6. The battery of claim 1, wherein the anode tab is directly coupled to the cover and the cathode tab is directly coupled to the feedthrough pin. 7. The battery of claim 1, further comprising an electrical insulator disposed between the case and the electrode assembly. 8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the electrical insulator is configured having a tab separator that includes a predetermined spacing such that the tab separator is positioned between the anode tab and the cathode tab. 9. The battery of claim 1, wherein a first coupling joint defined at the intersection of the anode tab to the cover and a second coupling joint defined at the intersection of the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin are located along a first plane that is perpendicular to the bottom end. 10. The battery of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is configured in a coiled structure. 11. The battery of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is a stacked plate assembly of the one or more electrodes. 12. The battery of claim 1, wherein the feedthrough pin and the cathode tab are formed from dissimilar materials. 13. A method of manufacturing a battery, comprising:
providing an electrode assembly including a first tab and a second tab extending therefrom; providing a battery cover having a feedthrough assembly, the feedthrough assembly having a feedthrough pin extending therefrom; aligning the electrode assembly with the battery cover such that the feedthrough pin intersects the first tab at a first connection point and the second tab intersects the battery cover at a second connection point that overlaps with the first connection point; and connecting the electrode assembly to the battery cover to form a joint unit whereby the feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to the first tab at the first connection point and the second tab is electrically coupled to the cover at the second connection point. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the feedthrough pin to the first tab is performed simultaneously with the connecting of the second tab to the cover. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the feedthrough pin to the first tab and connecting the second tab to the cover involves simultaneous welding at the first connection point and the second connection point. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the simultaneous welding is performed by a resistance spot welding operation. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the aligning comprises manipulating at least a first major surface and a second minor surface of the electrode assembly. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the electrode assembly involves orienting the feedthrough pin so that the feedthrough pin extends across the first tab in at least one position, wherein the at least one position lies within a 90 degree orientation on the first tab. 19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a fixture having a platform for holding the cover and a moveable head for positioning the electrode assembly over the cover. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the moveable head has a plurality of securing mechanisms configured to align the electrode assembly with the battery cover. 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the alignment of the electrode assembly with the battery cover further comprises aligning an external perimeter of the electrode assembly with the battery cover and compressing the electrode assembly to a pre-determined thickness that substantially corresponds to an interior dimension of the battery case. | A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing includes a cover and a case. The electrode assembly includes an anode tab and a cathode tab that are coupled to the cover and to a feedthrough pin disposed on the cover. The coupling of the anode tab to the cover defines an anode terminal while the coupling of the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin defines the cathode terminal. The anode and cathode tabs are aligned with the feedthrough pin and the connection point at the cover such that the tabs and feedthrough pin overlap each other along a common plane that is perpendicular to a plane that is defined by a major surface of the cover.1. A battery, comprising:
a case having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of sides extending from the bottom to define a cavity; a cover configured to enclose the top end of the case and having a feedthrough pin; an electrode assembly disposed within the cavity, the electrode assembly having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte; and an anode tab coupled to the anode and a cathode tab coupled to the cathode,
wherein the anode tab is electrically coupled to the cover and the cathode tab is electrically coupled to the feedthrough pin, and
wherein at least a predefined width of the anode tab is configured to overlap a segment of the cathode tab along a plane that is perpendicular to a plane oriented along the bottom end. 2. The battery of claim 1, further comprising an anode weld joint electrically coupling the anode tab to the cover and a cathode weld joint electrically coupling the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin. 3. The battery of claim 2, wherein the anode tab and the cathode tab are oriented such that the anode weld joint and the cathode weld joint are operably formed simultaneously via a resistance spot welding coupling. 4. The battery of claim 2, wherein the feedthrough pin includes a first connection portion that is oriented along a first plane with respect to a second connection portion of the anode tab so that the first connection portion and the second connection portion are aligned to overlap along a plane that is common with a plane defined by the cathode weld joint and the anode weld joint. 5. The battery of claim 2, wherein the anode weld joint and the cathode weld joint are aligned along a plane that is perpendicular to the plane that is perpendicular to the bottom end. 6. The battery of claim 1, wherein the anode tab is directly coupled to the cover and the cathode tab is directly coupled to the feedthrough pin. 7. The battery of claim 1, further comprising an electrical insulator disposed between the case and the electrode assembly. 8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the electrical insulator is configured having a tab separator that includes a predetermined spacing such that the tab separator is positioned between the anode tab and the cathode tab. 9. The battery of claim 1, wherein a first coupling joint defined at the intersection of the anode tab to the cover and a second coupling joint defined at the intersection of the cathode tab to the feedthrough pin are located along a first plane that is perpendicular to the bottom end. 10. The battery of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is configured in a coiled structure. 11. The battery of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is a stacked plate assembly of the one or more electrodes. 12. The battery of claim 1, wherein the feedthrough pin and the cathode tab are formed from dissimilar materials. 13. A method of manufacturing a battery, comprising:
providing an electrode assembly including a first tab and a second tab extending therefrom; providing a battery cover having a feedthrough assembly, the feedthrough assembly having a feedthrough pin extending therefrom; aligning the electrode assembly with the battery cover such that the feedthrough pin intersects the first tab at a first connection point and the second tab intersects the battery cover at a second connection point that overlaps with the first connection point; and connecting the electrode assembly to the battery cover to form a joint unit whereby the feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to the first tab at the first connection point and the second tab is electrically coupled to the cover at the second connection point. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the feedthrough pin to the first tab is performed simultaneously with the connecting of the second tab to the cover. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the feedthrough pin to the first tab and connecting the second tab to the cover involves simultaneous welding at the first connection point and the second connection point. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the simultaneous welding is performed by a resistance spot welding operation. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the aligning comprises manipulating at least a first major surface and a second minor surface of the electrode assembly. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein connecting the electrode assembly involves orienting the feedthrough pin so that the feedthrough pin extends across the first tab in at least one position, wherein the at least one position lies within a 90 degree orientation on the first tab. 19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a fixture having a platform for holding the cover and a moveable head for positioning the electrode assembly over the cover. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the moveable head has a plurality of securing mechanisms configured to align the electrode assembly with the battery cover. 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the alignment of the electrode assembly with the battery cover further comprises aligning an external perimeter of the electrode assembly with the battery cover and compressing the electrode assembly to a pre-determined thickness that substantially corresponds to an interior dimension of the battery case. | 1,700 |
2,891 | 13,257,716 | 1,795 | A composition for filling submicrometer sized features having an aperture size of 30 nanometers or less comprising a source of copper ions, and at least one suppressing agent selected from compounds of formula (I) wherein the R1 radicals are each independently selected from a copolymer of ethylene oxide and at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide, said copolymer being a random copolymer. the R2 radicals are each independently selected from R1 or alkyl. X and Y are spacer groups independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, selected from C1 to C6 alkylen and Z—(O—Z)m wherein the Z radicals are each independently selected from C2 to C6 alkylen, n is an integer equal to or greater than 0. m is an integer equal to or greater than 1. | 1-14. (canceled) 15. A process for electrodepositing copper on a substrate comprising at least one submicrometer sized feature having an aperture size of 30 nanometers or less, the process comprising
a) contacting a copper plating bath comprising a copper ion source, at least one accelerator, and at least one suppressing agent of formula (I)
wherein
the R1 radicals are each independently a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide,
the R2 radicals are each independently R1 or alkyl,
X and Y are spacer groups independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 alkylene and Z—(O—Z)m, wherein the Z radicals are each independently at least one C2 to C6 alkylene,
n is an integer equal to or greater than 0,
m is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and
wherein a content of ethylene oxide in the copolymer of ethylene oxide and the at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide, is from 30 to 70%.
with the substrate, and
b) applying a current density to the substrate for a time sufficient to fill the at least one submicron size feature with copper. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein X and Y are independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, a C1 to C4 alkylene. 17. The process of claim 15, wherein an amine compound, comprised in reacted form in the at least one suppressing agent, is at least one selected from methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, tert-butylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, neopentanediamine, isophoronediamine, 4,9-dioxadecane-1,12-diamine, 4,7,10-trioxyamidecane-1,13-diamine, triethylene glycol diamine, diethylene triamine, (3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylamine, 3,3′-iminodi(propylamine), N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)amine, triethylenetetraamine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine. 18. The process of claim 15, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 19. The process of claim 15, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is from 7000 to 19000 g/mol. 21. The process of claim 19, wherein the molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is from 9000 to 18000 g/mol. 22. The process of claim 15, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. 23. The process of claim 15, wherein the copper plating bath further comprises at least one leveling agent. 24. The process of claim 15, wherein the features have an aspect ratio of 4 or more. 25. The process of claim 15, wherein in the suppressing agent of formula (I), m is 1 to 10. 26. The process of claim 15, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide consists essentially of propylene oxide. 27. The process of claim 16, wherein an amine compound, comprised in reacted form in the at least one suppressing agent, is at least one selected from methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, tert-butylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, neopentanediamine, isophoronediamine, 4,9-dioxadecane-1,12-diamine, 4,7,10-trioxyamidecane-1,13-diamine, triethylene glycol diamine, diethylene triamine, (3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylamine, 3,3′-iminodi(propylamine), N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)amine, triethylenetetraamine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine. 28. The process of claim 16, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 29. The process of claim 17, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 30. The process of claim 16, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 31. The process of claim 17, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 32. The process of claim 18, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 33. The process of claim 16, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. 34. The process of claim 17, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. | A composition for filling submicrometer sized features having an aperture size of 30 nanometers or less comprising a source of copper ions, and at least one suppressing agent selected from compounds of formula (I) wherein the R1 radicals are each independently selected from a copolymer of ethylene oxide and at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide, said copolymer being a random copolymer. the R2 radicals are each independently selected from R1 or alkyl. X and Y are spacer groups independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, selected from C1 to C6 alkylen and Z—(O—Z)m wherein the Z radicals are each independently selected from C2 to C6 alkylen, n is an integer equal to or greater than 0. m is an integer equal to or greater than 1.1-14. (canceled) 15. A process for electrodepositing copper on a substrate comprising at least one submicrometer sized feature having an aperture size of 30 nanometers or less, the process comprising
a) contacting a copper plating bath comprising a copper ion source, at least one accelerator, and at least one suppressing agent of formula (I)
wherein
the R1 radicals are each independently a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide,
the R2 radicals are each independently R1 or alkyl,
X and Y are spacer groups independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 alkylene and Z—(O—Z)m, wherein the Z radicals are each independently at least one C2 to C6 alkylene,
n is an integer equal to or greater than 0,
m is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and
wherein a content of ethylene oxide in the copolymer of ethylene oxide and the at least one further C3 to C4 alkylene oxide, is from 30 to 70%.
with the substrate, and
b) applying a current density to the substrate for a time sufficient to fill the at least one submicron size feature with copper. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein X and Y are independently, and X for each repeating unit independently, a C1 to C4 alkylene. 17. The process of claim 15, wherein an amine compound, comprised in reacted form in the at least one suppressing agent, is at least one selected from methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, tert-butylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, neopentanediamine, isophoronediamine, 4,9-dioxadecane-1,12-diamine, 4,7,10-trioxyamidecane-1,13-diamine, triethylene glycol diamine, diethylene triamine, (3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylamine, 3,3′-iminodi(propylamine), N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)amine, triethylenetetraamine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine. 18. The process of claim 15, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 19. The process of claim 15, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is from 7000 to 19000 g/mol. 21. The process of claim 19, wherein the molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is from 9000 to 18000 g/mol. 22. The process of claim 15, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. 23. The process of claim 15, wherein the copper plating bath further comprises at least one leveling agent. 24. The process of claim 15, wherein the features have an aspect ratio of 4 or more. 25. The process of claim 15, wherein in the suppressing agent of formula (I), m is 1 to 10. 26. The process of claim 15, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide consists essentially of propylene oxide. 27. The process of claim 16, wherein an amine compound, comprised in reacted form in the at least one suppressing agent, is at least one selected from methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, tert-butylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, neopentanediamine, isophoronediamine, 4,9-dioxadecane-1,12-diamine, 4,7,10-trioxyamidecane-1,13-diamine, triethylene glycol diamine, diethylene triamine, (3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylamine, 3,3′-iminodi(propylamine), N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)amine, triethylenetetraamine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine. 28. The process of claim 16, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 29. The process of claim 17, wherein the C3 to C4 alkylene oxide comprises propylene oxide. 30. The process of claim 16, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 31. The process of claim 17, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 32. The process of claim 18, wherein a molecular weight Mw of the suppressing agent is 6000 g/mol or more. 33. The process of claim 16, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. 34. The process of claim 17, wherein the suppressing agent comprises, in reacted form, at least one amine compound comprising at least 3 active amino groups. | 1,700 |
2,892 | 14,806,102 | 1,741 | The use of a mixture (M) comprising
(a) from 40 to 70% by volume of an inorganic powder (IP) based on the total volume of the mixture (M), (b) from 30 to 60% by volume based on the total volume of the mixture (M) of a binder (B) comprising
(b1) from 50 to 96% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene (POM) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b2) from 2 to 35% by weight of at least one polyolefin (PO) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b3) from 2 to 40% by weight of at least one further polymer (FP) based on the total weight of the binder (B)
in a fused filament fabrication process. | 1. (canceled) 2. The process according to claim 7, wherein the mixture (M) further comprises as a component (c) from 0.1 to 5% by volume of at least one dispersant based on the total volume of the mixture (M). 3. The process according to claim 7, wherein the inorganic powder (IP) is a powder of at least one inorganic material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy and a ceramic material. 4. The process according to claim 7, wherein component (b1) is a polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymer which is prepared by polymerization of
from at least 50 mol-% of a formaldehyde source (b1a), from 0.01 to 20 mol-% of at least one first comonomer (b1b) of formula (II)
wherein
R1 to R4 are each independently of one another selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4-alkyl and halogen-substituted C1-C4-alkyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond, a (—CR5aR5b—) group and a (—CR5aR5bO—) group,
wherein
R5a and R5b are each independently of one another selected from the group consisting of H and unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-C4-alkyl,
wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, OH and C1-C4-alkyl;
n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
and
from 0 to 20 mol-% of at least one second comonomer (b1c) selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula (III) and a compound of formula (IV)
wherein
Z is selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond, an (—O—) group and an (—O—R6—O—) group,
wherein
R6 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted C-C8-alkylene and C3-C8-cycloalkylene. 5. The process according to claim 7, wherein the further polymer (FP) is at least one further polymer (FP) selected from the group consisting of a polyether, a polyurethane, a polyepoxide, a polyamide, a vinyl aromatic polymer, a poly(vinyl ester), a poly(vinyl ether), a poly(alkyl(meth)acrylate) and copolymers thereof. 6. The process according to claim 7, wherein the particle size of the inorganic powder (IP) is from 0.1 to 80 μm. 7. A process for the production of a three-dimensional green body by a fused filament fabrication process comprising:
heating a mixture (M) to a temperature (TM), and depositing the mixture (M) into a build chamber using a layer-based additive technique to form the three-dimensional green body, wherein the mixture (M) comprises: (a) from 40 to 70% by volume of an inorganic powder (IP) based on the total volume of the mixture (M), (b) from 30 to 60% by volume based on the total volume of the mixture (M) of a binder (B) comprising
(b1) from 50 to 96% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene (POM) based on the total weight of the binder (B),
(b2) from 2 to 35% by weight of at least one polyolefin (PO) based on the total weight of the binder (B),
(b3) from 2 to 40% by weight of at least one further polymer (FP) based on the total weight of the binder (B). 8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the temperature (TM) in during the heating is from 140 to 240° C. 9. The process according to claim 7, further comprising, after the depositing, removing at least part of the binder (B) is removed from the three-dimensional green body to form a three-dimensional brown body. 10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the removing of the binder (B) comprises removal by an acidic treatment. 11. The process according to claim 9, wherein the removing of the binder (B) is performed at a temperature below the melting point of the binder (B). 12. The process according to claim 9, further comprising, after the removing of the binder (B), sintering the three-dimensional brown body to form a three-dimensional sintered body. | The use of a mixture (M) comprising
(a) from 40 to 70% by volume of an inorganic powder (IP) based on the total volume of the mixture (M), (b) from 30 to 60% by volume based on the total volume of the mixture (M) of a binder (B) comprising
(b1) from 50 to 96% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene (POM) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b2) from 2 to 35% by weight of at least one polyolefin (PO) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b3) from 2 to 40% by weight of at least one further polymer (FP) based on the total weight of the binder (B)
in a fused filament fabrication process.1. (canceled) 2. The process according to claim 7, wherein the mixture (M) further comprises as a component (c) from 0.1 to 5% by volume of at least one dispersant based on the total volume of the mixture (M). 3. The process according to claim 7, wherein the inorganic powder (IP) is a powder of at least one inorganic material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy and a ceramic material. 4. The process according to claim 7, wherein component (b1) is a polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymer which is prepared by polymerization of
from at least 50 mol-% of a formaldehyde source (b1a), from 0.01 to 20 mol-% of at least one first comonomer (b1b) of formula (II)
wherein
R1 to R4 are each independently of one another selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4-alkyl and halogen-substituted C1-C4-alkyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond, a (—CR5aR5b—) group and a (—CR5aR5bO—) group,
wherein
R5a and R5b are each independently of one another selected from the group consisting of H and unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-C4-alkyl,
wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, OH and C1-C4-alkyl;
n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
and
from 0 to 20 mol-% of at least one second comonomer (b1c) selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula (III) and a compound of formula (IV)
wherein
Z is selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond, an (—O—) group and an (—O—R6—O—) group,
wherein
R6 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted C-C8-alkylene and C3-C8-cycloalkylene. 5. The process according to claim 7, wherein the further polymer (FP) is at least one further polymer (FP) selected from the group consisting of a polyether, a polyurethane, a polyepoxide, a polyamide, a vinyl aromatic polymer, a poly(vinyl ester), a poly(vinyl ether), a poly(alkyl(meth)acrylate) and copolymers thereof. 6. The process according to claim 7, wherein the particle size of the inorganic powder (IP) is from 0.1 to 80 μm. 7. A process for the production of a three-dimensional green body by a fused filament fabrication process comprising:
heating a mixture (M) to a temperature (TM), and depositing the mixture (M) into a build chamber using a layer-based additive technique to form the three-dimensional green body, wherein the mixture (M) comprises: (a) from 40 to 70% by volume of an inorganic powder (IP) based on the total volume of the mixture (M), (b) from 30 to 60% by volume based on the total volume of the mixture (M) of a binder (B) comprising
(b1) from 50 to 96% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene (POM) based on the total weight of the binder (B),
(b2) from 2 to 35% by weight of at least one polyolefin (PO) based on the total weight of the binder (B),
(b3) from 2 to 40% by weight of at least one further polymer (FP) based on the total weight of the binder (B). 8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the temperature (TM) in during the heating is from 140 to 240° C. 9. The process according to claim 7, further comprising, after the depositing, removing at least part of the binder (B) is removed from the three-dimensional green body to form a three-dimensional brown body. 10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the removing of the binder (B) comprises removal by an acidic treatment. 11. The process according to claim 9, wherein the removing of the binder (B) is performed at a temperature below the melting point of the binder (B). 12. The process according to claim 9, further comprising, after the removing of the binder (B), sintering the three-dimensional brown body to form a three-dimensional sintered body. | 1,700 |
2,893 | 12,711,401 | 1,745 | An elongate thermoplastic composite member is fabricated by a continuous molding process. A pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate is softened by heating it to a temperature below its melting layup, and is fed substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies. The tool dies incrementally mold portions of softened laminate over a mandrel to form the laminate into a shape having a closed cross section. | 1. A method of fabricating a composite part, comprising:
producing a pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate; feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through a forming zone; heating the pre-consolidated laminate to a temperature sufficient to allow forming of the laminate but below the melting temperature of the laminate; and incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate as the heated laminate is being fed through the forming zone. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the features have been formed into the laminate. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate includes:
forming a layup of multiple plies of a reinforced thermoplastic, molding at least one shape into the layup, consolidating the shaped layup. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein:
heating the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time, and cooling the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate is performed using by a set of individual tool dies to respectively mold portions of the feature into the laminate. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate includes forming portions of the heated laminate over a mandrel. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through a forming zone is performed along a curved path; 8. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate includes molding a curvature into the laminate along its length. 9. A composite part formed by the method of claim 1. 10. A method of fabricating a composite part, comprising:
laying up a multi-ply thermoplastic laminate; consolidating the laminate layup; heating the consolidated laminate to a preselected temperature below its melting point but sufficient to soften the laminate for molding; feeding the heated laminate substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies; and, using the tool dies to mold at least one feature into the heated laminate as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the tool dies, including using each of the tool dies to partially mold the feature into the heated laminate. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the feature has been molded into the laminate; and curing the laminate. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
using the tool dies to mold a curvature into the laminate along its length. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
heating the laminate is performed a section at a time and includes limiting the time during which each section of the laminate is heated to the preselected temperature for a period that results in maintenance of the structural properties of the consolidated laminate prior to being heated, and cooling the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein:
using the tool dies to mold at least one feature into the heated laminate includes forming the heated laminate over a mandrel, and the laminate is maintained at the preselected temperature during the period that the laminate is being formed over the mandrel. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
forming at least one shape into the consolidated laminate along its length before the feature is molded into the laminate. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein molding the feature includes forming the consolidated laminate into a closed cross sectional shape. 17. A composite part made by the method of claim 10. 18. A method for continuously producing an elongate part having a closed cross section, comprising:
feeding a pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate substantially continuously through a compression molding machine; softening the laminate by heating the laminate to a temperature below its melting point; and molding portions of features into the softened laminate sequentially using differing tool dies in the machine as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the machine, including molding portions of the heated laminate around a mandrel to at least partially close the cross section of the molded part. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the features have been molded into the laminate. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
molding at least one shape into the laminate before the laminate is fed into the machine. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through the compression molding machine is performed along a curved path. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein molding portions of features into the softened laminate includes molding a curvature into the laminate along its length. 23. A composite part produced by the method of claim 18. 24. A method of fabricating an elongate composite part having a closed cross sectional shape, comprising:
laying up a length of a multi-ply thermoplastic laminate; forming a shape into the laid up laminate along its length; consolidating the shaped laminate, including heating the laminate to at least its melting point and then cooling the laminate; reheating the consolidated laminate to a temperature below its melting point but sufficient to soften the laminate for molding; feeding the heated laminate substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies; and, using the tool dies to mold the softened laminate over a mandrel to form the closed cross section shape as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the tool dies, including using each of the tool dies to partially mold the feature into the heated laminate. | An elongate thermoplastic composite member is fabricated by a continuous molding process. A pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate is softened by heating it to a temperature below its melting layup, and is fed substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies. The tool dies incrementally mold portions of softened laminate over a mandrel to form the laminate into a shape having a closed cross section.1. A method of fabricating a composite part, comprising:
producing a pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate; feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through a forming zone; heating the pre-consolidated laminate to a temperature sufficient to allow forming of the laminate but below the melting temperature of the laminate; and incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate as the heated laminate is being fed through the forming zone. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the features have been formed into the laminate. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate includes:
forming a layup of multiple plies of a reinforced thermoplastic, molding at least one shape into the layup, consolidating the shaped layup. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein:
heating the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time, and cooling the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate is performed using by a set of individual tool dies to respectively mold portions of the feature into the laminate. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate includes forming portions of the heated laminate over a mandrel. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through a forming zone is performed along a curved path; 8. The method of claim 1, wherein incrementally forming features into sections of the heated laminate includes molding a curvature into the laminate along its length. 9. A composite part formed by the method of claim 1. 10. A method of fabricating a composite part, comprising:
laying up a multi-ply thermoplastic laminate; consolidating the laminate layup; heating the consolidated laminate to a preselected temperature below its melting point but sufficient to soften the laminate for molding; feeding the heated laminate substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies; and, using the tool dies to mold at least one feature into the heated laminate as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the tool dies, including using each of the tool dies to partially mold the feature into the heated laminate. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the feature has been molded into the laminate; and curing the laminate. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
using the tool dies to mold a curvature into the laminate along its length. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
heating the laminate is performed a section at a time and includes limiting the time during which each section of the laminate is heated to the preselected temperature for a period that results in maintenance of the structural properties of the consolidated laminate prior to being heated, and cooling the pre-consolidated laminate is performed a section at a time. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein:
using the tool dies to mold at least one feature into the heated laminate includes forming the heated laminate over a mandrel, and the laminate is maintained at the preselected temperature during the period that the laminate is being formed over the mandrel. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
forming at least one shape into the consolidated laminate along its length before the feature is molded into the laminate. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein molding the feature includes forming the consolidated laminate into a closed cross sectional shape. 17. A composite part made by the method of claim 10. 18. A method for continuously producing an elongate part having a closed cross section, comprising:
feeding a pre-consolidated thermoplastic laminate substantially continuously through a compression molding machine; softening the laminate by heating the laminate to a temperature below its melting point; and molding portions of features into the softened laminate sequentially using differing tool dies in the machine as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the machine, including molding portions of the heated laminate around a mandrel to at least partially close the cross section of the molded part. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
cooling the laminate after the features have been molded into the laminate. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
molding at least one shape into the laminate before the laminate is fed into the machine. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein feeding the pre-consolidated laminate substantially continuously through the compression molding machine is performed along a curved path. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein molding portions of features into the softened laminate includes molding a curvature into the laminate along its length. 23. A composite part produced by the method of claim 18. 24. A method of fabricating an elongate composite part having a closed cross sectional shape, comprising:
laying up a length of a multi-ply thermoplastic laminate; forming a shape into the laid up laminate along its length; consolidating the shaped laminate, including heating the laminate to at least its melting point and then cooling the laminate; reheating the consolidated laminate to a temperature below its melting point but sufficient to soften the laminate for molding; feeding the heated laminate substantially continuously through multiple sets of tool dies; and, using the tool dies to mold the softened laminate over a mandrel to form the closed cross section shape as the laminate is being fed substantially continuously through the tool dies, including using each of the tool dies to partially mold the feature into the heated laminate. | 1,700 |
2,894 | 12,980,713 | 1,727 | A method for manufacturing a lithium ion polymer battery is provided in which in injecting electrolyte into a lithium ion polymer battery, the battery cell is immersed in an electrolyte impregnation bath to allow the electrolyte to be impregnated into the cell. The electrolyte can be impregnated simultaneously, and as the battery cell is activated, the electrolyte is settled down in the interior of the battery cell. Thus, when the battery cell is sealed, a phenomenon that the electrolyte is present at the sealed portion can be prevented. | 1. A method for manufacturing a lithium ion polymer battery, wherein a battery cell including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator are immersed in an electrolytic bath to allow electrolyte to be impregnated to the interior of the battery cell. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte impregnation occurs in a state in which the entirety of the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator of the battery cell is immersed in the electrolyte. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte impregnation comprises a wetting process performed under a pressure of 90 KPa to 100 KPa. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the electrolyte impregnation, a forming process is performed in a state in which the battery cell is taken out of the electrolytic bath and mounted. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming process is performed at an SOC (State of Charge) 30% to SOC 50%. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the electrolyte impregnation, the battery cell is activated and the activate battery cell is inserted into a pouch and then sealed. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein, after the battery cell is activated, an electrolyte aging process is performed so that the electrolyte within the battery cell can reach a certain amount of electrolyte impregnation. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aging process is performed at 19° C. to 25° C. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein extra electrolyte is removed from the battery cell after the aging process. 10. A battery cell including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator, wherein a jelly type electrolyte is contained in the interior of the cell. 11. A lithium ion polymer battery manufactured by inputting the battery cell according to claim 1 into a packing material and then vacuum-sealing the same. 12. The battery of claim 11, wherein a charge and discharge efficiency of the battery cell ranges from 99.7% to 99.9%. 13. The battery of claim 11, wherein an electrolyte leakage amount of the battery cell ranges from 0.2% to 0.5%. | A method for manufacturing a lithium ion polymer battery is provided in which in injecting electrolyte into a lithium ion polymer battery, the battery cell is immersed in an electrolyte impregnation bath to allow the electrolyte to be impregnated into the cell. The electrolyte can be impregnated simultaneously, and as the battery cell is activated, the electrolyte is settled down in the interior of the battery cell. Thus, when the battery cell is sealed, a phenomenon that the electrolyte is present at the sealed portion can be prevented.1. A method for manufacturing a lithium ion polymer battery, wherein a battery cell including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator are immersed in an electrolytic bath to allow electrolyte to be impregnated to the interior of the battery cell. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte impregnation occurs in a state in which the entirety of the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator of the battery cell is immersed in the electrolyte. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte impregnation comprises a wetting process performed under a pressure of 90 KPa to 100 KPa. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the electrolyte impregnation, a forming process is performed in a state in which the battery cell is taken out of the electrolytic bath and mounted. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming process is performed at an SOC (State of Charge) 30% to SOC 50%. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the electrolyte impregnation, the battery cell is activated and the activate battery cell is inserted into a pouch and then sealed. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein, after the battery cell is activated, an electrolyte aging process is performed so that the electrolyte within the battery cell can reach a certain amount of electrolyte impregnation. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aging process is performed at 19° C. to 25° C. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein extra electrolyte is removed from the battery cell after the aging process. 10. A battery cell including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator, wherein a jelly type electrolyte is contained in the interior of the cell. 11. A lithium ion polymer battery manufactured by inputting the battery cell according to claim 1 into a packing material and then vacuum-sealing the same. 12. The battery of claim 11, wherein a charge and discharge efficiency of the battery cell ranges from 99.7% to 99.9%. 13. The battery of claim 11, wherein an electrolyte leakage amount of the battery cell ranges from 0.2% to 0.5%. | 1,700 |
2,895 | 13,730,796 | 1,771 | The present technology describes various embodiments of methods and systems for improved coke quenching. More specifically, some embodiments are directed to methods and systems for improving the coke quenching process by partially cracking coke before it is quenched. In one embodiment, coke is partially cracked when placed in horizontal communication with one or more uneven surfaces. In another embodiment, a coke loaf is partially broken when dropped a vertical distance that is less than the height of the coke loaf. In another embodiment, a mass of coke is partially broken when first placed in vertical communication with one or more uneven surfaces and then placed in horizontal communication with the same or different one or more uneven surfaces. In some embodiments, the one or more uneven surfaces may be mounted to a coke oven, train car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench car. | 1. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven located at a first location; heating the amount of coal to produce coke; cracking the coke at a second location, wherein the cracking comprises placing the coke in communication with an uneven surface having a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more bumps attached to the base, each bump having a rounded portion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more angle ramps attached to the base, each angle ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion and a side portion of the base. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion of the base. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a coke oven. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a train car. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a hot car. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a quench car. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a combined hot car/quench car. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location are substantially parallel. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises an angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises one or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 15. A system for producing quenched coke, comprising:
a coke oven for receiving an amount of coal and heating the amount of coal to produce coke; one or more uneven surfaces for cracking the coke when the coke is put into communication with the one or more uneven surfaces, the one or more uneven surfaces having a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; a quenching tower for receiving the coke and quenching the coke; and one or more train cars for transporting the coke from the coke oven to the quenching tower. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more bumps attached to a base, each bump having a rounded portion. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more angle ramps attached to a base, each angle ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion and a side portion of the base. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion of the base. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a coke oven. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a hot car. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a train car. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a quench car. 23. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a combined hot car/quench car. 24. The system of claim 15, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 25. The system of claim 15, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 26. The system of claim 15, wherein the coke oven and the uneven surfaces are substantially parallel. 27. The system of claim 15 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises an angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 28. The system of claim 15 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises one or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 29. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal onto a coke oven; heating the amount of coal to produce a coke loaf having a height; transferring the coke loaf from a first location having a first elevation to a second location having a second elevation, wherein the difference in height between the first elevation and the second elevation is less than the height of the coke cake, and further wherein the transferring includes cracking the coke loaf by placing the coke loaf in vertical communication with the second location; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a train car. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a hot car. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a quench car. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a combined hot car/quench car. 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a first train car and the second location is a second train car. 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a hot car and the second location is a quench car. 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 37. The method of claim 29, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 39. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven; heating the amount of coal to produce coke; transporting the coke from the coke oven to a train car, wherein the transporting includes cracking the coke by placing the coke in communication with an uneven surface mounted in the train car as the coke travels from the coke oven to the train car, wherein the uneven surface has a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; transporting the cracked coke to a quench tower; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. | The present technology describes various embodiments of methods and systems for improved coke quenching. More specifically, some embodiments are directed to methods and systems for improving the coke quenching process by partially cracking coke before it is quenched. In one embodiment, coke is partially cracked when placed in horizontal communication with one or more uneven surfaces. In another embodiment, a coke loaf is partially broken when dropped a vertical distance that is less than the height of the coke loaf. In another embodiment, a mass of coke is partially broken when first placed in vertical communication with one or more uneven surfaces and then placed in horizontal communication with the same or different one or more uneven surfaces. In some embodiments, the one or more uneven surfaces may be mounted to a coke oven, train car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench car.1. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven located at a first location; heating the amount of coal to produce coke; cracking the coke at a second location, wherein the cracking comprises placing the coke in communication with an uneven surface having a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more bumps attached to the base, each bump having a rounded portion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more angle ramps attached to the base, each angle ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion and a side portion of the base. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion of the base. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a coke oven. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a train car. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a hot car. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a quench car. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the uneven surface is coupled to a combined hot car/quench car. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location are substantially parallel. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises an angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises one or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 15. A system for producing quenched coke, comprising:
a coke oven for receiving an amount of coal and heating the amount of coal to produce coke; one or more uneven surfaces for cracking the coke when the coke is put into communication with the one or more uneven surfaces, the one or more uneven surfaces having a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; a quenching tower for receiving the coke and quenching the coke; and one or more train cars for transporting the coke from the coke oven to the quenching tower. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more bumps attached to a base, each bump having a rounded portion. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more angle ramps attached to a base, each angle ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion and a side portion of the base. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more raised portions comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp being attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to a front portion of the base. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a coke oven. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a hot car. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a train car. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a quench car. 23. The system of claim 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a combined hot car/quench car. 24. The system of claim 15, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 25. The system of claim 15, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 26. The system of claim 15, wherein the coke oven and the uneven surfaces are substantially parallel. 27. The system of claim 15 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises an angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 28. The system of claim 15 further comprising cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car, wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate comprises one or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke. 29. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal onto a coke oven; heating the amount of coal to produce a coke loaf having a height; transferring the coke loaf from a first location having a first elevation to a second location having a second elevation, wherein the difference in height between the first elevation and the second elevation is less than the height of the coke cake, and further wherein the transferring includes cracking the coke loaf by placing the coke loaf in vertical communication with the second location; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a train car. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a hot car. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a quench car. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven and the second location is a combined hot car/quench car. 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a first train car and the second location is a second train car. 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the first location is a hot car and the second location is a quench car. 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the amount of coal is stamp charged. 37. The method of claim 29, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped charged. 39. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven; heating the amount of coal to produce coke; transporting the coke from the coke oven to a train car, wherein the transporting includes cracking the coke by placing the coke in communication with an uneven surface mounted in the train car as the coke travels from the coke oven to the train car, wherein the uneven surface has a base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; transporting the cracked coke to a quench tower; and quenching the coke to form quenched coke. | 1,700 |
2,896 | 14,372,300 | 1,777 | A composite semipermeable membrane includes: a supporting membrane having a substrate and a porous supporting layer; and a separation functional layer provided on the supporting membrane, in which, when any 10 cross sections of the composite semipermeable membrane, having a length of 2.0 μm in a membrane surface direction, are observed using an electron microscope, an average number density of projections on the separation functional layer, which have a height equivalent to or higher than ⅕ of a 10-point average surface roughness of the separation functional layer, is 10.0 pieces/μm or more, in each cross section, and an average height of the projections is 100 nm or more. | 1. A composite semipermeable membrane comprising:
a supporting membrane having a substrate and a porous supporting layer; and a separation functional layer provided on the supporting membrane, wherein, when any 10 cross sections of the composite semipermeable membrane, having a length of 2.0 μm in a membrane surface direction, are observed using an electron microscope, an average number density of projections on the separation functional layer, which have a height equivalent to or higher than ⅕ of a 10-point average surface roughness of the separation functional layer, is 10.0 pieces/nm or more, in each cross section, and an average height of the projections is 100 nm or more. 2. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein, when the cross sections are observed using the electron microscope, the average number density of the projections is 12.0 pieces/μm or more, in each cross section. 3. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein, when the cross sections are observed using the electron microscope, the average height of the projections is 110 nm or more, in each cross section. 4. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein a standard deviation of the projections in one of the cross sections is 90 nm or less. 5. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein the porous supporting layer has a multilayer structure of a first layer on a substrate side and a second layer formed thereon. 6. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 5, wherein an interface between the first layer and the second layer has a continuous structure. 7. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 5, wherein the porous supporting layer is formed by applying a polymer solution A to form the first layer and a polymer solution B to form the second layer on the substrate at the same time and, thereafter, bringing polymer solutions A and B into contact with a coagulation bath to perform phase separation. 8. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 7, wherein the polymer solution A and the polymer solution B are different from each other in composition. 9. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 8, wherein a solid concentration a (wt %) of the polymer solution A and a solid concentration b (wt %) of the polymer solution B satisfy a relation a/b≦1.0. 10. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein 10 to 90% by weight of the porous supporting layer is impregnated in the substrate. 11. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein the substrate of the supporting membrane is a long-fiber non-woven fabric containing a polyester as a main component. 12. A method of producing a composite semipermeable membrane, said method comprising (a) to (c):
(a) applying a polymer solution on a substrate; (b) impregnating the polymer solution in the substrate and thereafter bringing the polymer solution into contact with a coagulation bath, thereby forming a porous supporting layer in which 10 to 90% by weight thereof is impregnated in the substrate, by phase separation; and (c) forming a separation functional layer on the porous supporting layer. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein (a) comprises applying a polymer solution A and a polymer solution B on the substrate at the same time. | A composite semipermeable membrane includes: a supporting membrane having a substrate and a porous supporting layer; and a separation functional layer provided on the supporting membrane, in which, when any 10 cross sections of the composite semipermeable membrane, having a length of 2.0 μm in a membrane surface direction, are observed using an electron microscope, an average number density of projections on the separation functional layer, which have a height equivalent to or higher than ⅕ of a 10-point average surface roughness of the separation functional layer, is 10.0 pieces/μm or more, in each cross section, and an average height of the projections is 100 nm or more.1. A composite semipermeable membrane comprising:
a supporting membrane having a substrate and a porous supporting layer; and a separation functional layer provided on the supporting membrane, wherein, when any 10 cross sections of the composite semipermeable membrane, having a length of 2.0 μm in a membrane surface direction, are observed using an electron microscope, an average number density of projections on the separation functional layer, which have a height equivalent to or higher than ⅕ of a 10-point average surface roughness of the separation functional layer, is 10.0 pieces/nm or more, in each cross section, and an average height of the projections is 100 nm or more. 2. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein, when the cross sections are observed using the electron microscope, the average number density of the projections is 12.0 pieces/μm or more, in each cross section. 3. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein, when the cross sections are observed using the electron microscope, the average height of the projections is 110 nm or more, in each cross section. 4. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein a standard deviation of the projections in one of the cross sections is 90 nm or less. 5. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein the porous supporting layer has a multilayer structure of a first layer on a substrate side and a second layer formed thereon. 6. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 5, wherein an interface between the first layer and the second layer has a continuous structure. 7. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 5, wherein the porous supporting layer is formed by applying a polymer solution A to form the first layer and a polymer solution B to form the second layer on the substrate at the same time and, thereafter, bringing polymer solutions A and B into contact with a coagulation bath to perform phase separation. 8. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 7, wherein the polymer solution A and the polymer solution B are different from each other in composition. 9. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 8, wherein a solid concentration a (wt %) of the polymer solution A and a solid concentration b (wt %) of the polymer solution B satisfy a relation a/b≦1.0. 10. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein 10 to 90% by weight of the porous supporting layer is impregnated in the substrate. 11. The composite semipermeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein the substrate of the supporting membrane is a long-fiber non-woven fabric containing a polyester as a main component. 12. A method of producing a composite semipermeable membrane, said method comprising (a) to (c):
(a) applying a polymer solution on a substrate; (b) impregnating the polymer solution in the substrate and thereafter bringing the polymer solution into contact with a coagulation bath, thereby forming a porous supporting layer in which 10 to 90% by weight thereof is impregnated in the substrate, by phase separation; and (c) forming a separation functional layer on the porous supporting layer. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein (a) comprises applying a polymer solution A and a polymer solution B on the substrate at the same time. | 1,700 |
2,897 | 14,860,810 | 1,793 | A food composition capable of maintaining a crunchy texture after freezing and reheating is disclosed. The food composition includes a crust or an outer casing having a dough-based matrix or a batter-based matrix with a thickness of about 2 to about 150 mm, and texture modifying particles dispersed throughout the matrix. The texture modifying particles generally comprise about 12 to about 40% by weight of the food composition and provide the food composition with a crunchy texture. The texture modifying particles may be crushed particles of food products, such as fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof. | 1. A food composition comprising:
a main body having a matrix; and texture modifying particles dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the matrix is a dough-based matrix or a batter-based matrix, and wherein the texture modifying particles comprise about 5 to about 40% by weight of the food composition and wherein the texture modifying particles provide the food composition with a crunchy texture. 2. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles provide the food composition with a crunchy texture as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 3. The food composition of claim 2, wherein a peak load for the main body is about 8,000 g to about 16,000 g and occurs before 2 s as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 4. The food composition of claim 3, wherein the peak load is at least about 10,000 g. 5. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix has a thickness of about 2 to about 12 mm. 6. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix has a thickness of about 10 to about 150 mm, and wherein the matrix comprises a crunchy portion and a non-crunchy portion, and wherein the crunchy portion comprises an outer layer of the matrix that at least partially surrounds the non-crunchy portion, and wherein the texture modifying particles provide a crunchy texture to the crunchy portion. 7. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises a bottom of the food composition. 8. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises one or more sides of the food composition. 9. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises a top of the food composition. 10. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise particles of food products selected from fried grain products, fried vegetable products, extruded grain products, or combinations thereof. 11. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise crushed particles of food products selected from fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof. 12. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles have a particle size of about 0.1 to about 5 mm when measured across the greatest cross dimension of the texture modifying particles. 13. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise a moisture barrier. 14. The food composition of claim 13, wherein the moisture barrier comprises fat. 15. The food composition of claim 14, wherein at least some of the fat comprises hard fat. 16. The food composition of claim 13, wherein the moisture barrier comprises gelatinized starch. 17. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the food composition comprises:
about 24 to about 44% flour by weight; about 22 to about 35% water by weight; about 13 to about 24% texture modifying particles by weight; about 0.5 to about 2.9% oil by weight; and about 2.0 to about 8.0% hard fat by weight. 18. The food composition of claim 17, wherein the hard fat comprises shortening flakes. 19. A method for preparing a food product, the method comprising:
(a) mixing a dough composition comprising flour, water, and texture modifying particles; (b) sheeting the dough composition into a flat sheet; and (c) par baking or fully baking the flat sheeted dough to provide a crust, wherein the texture modifying particles provide the crust with a crunchy texture. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the dough composition comprises:
about 24 to about 60% flour by weight; about 5 to about 20% water by weight; about 4 to about 40% texture modifying particles by weight; about 0.5 to about 4.0% oil by weight; and about 15 to about 45% hard fat by weight. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the hard fat comprises shortening flakes. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust has a thickness of about 2 to about 12 mm. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein peak load for the crust is from about 8,000 g to about 16,000 g and occurs before 2 s as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the peak load is at least 10,000 g. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the dough is sheeted to a thickness of between about 2 to about 12 mm. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise particles of food products selected from fried grain products, fried vegetable products, extruded grain products, or combinations thereof. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise crushed particles of food products selected from fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof. 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles have a particle size of about 0.1 to about 5 mm when measured across the greatest cross dimension of the texture modifying particles. 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise a moisture barrier. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the moisture barrier comprises fat. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the dough composition comprises hard fat, wherein the hard fat melts during the baking and a portion of the melted fat coats at least a portion of the texture modifying particle to form a moisture barrier. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the dough composition comprises hard fat, the method further comprising coating the texture modifying particles prior to mixing the dough composition by:
melting the hard fat to produce melted fat; mixing the melted fat with the texture modifying particles to produce coated particles; and cooling the coated particles to solidify the fat. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the moisture barrier comprises gelatinized starch. 34. The method of claim 19, further comprising adding toppings onto the crust or filling the crust with a filling. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the crust is a pizza crust, a pie crust, or a pocket crust. 36. The method of claim 19, further comprising freezing the food product. 37. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after freezing and finish baking. 38. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after freezing and thawing the food product. 39. The method of claim 19, further comprising fully baking the food product and freezing the fully baked food product. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after reheating the fully baked food product. 41. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix is a fried batter-based matrix. 42. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix is a baked dough-based matrix. 43. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a pancake. 44. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a crepe. 45. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises an outer casing of a filled roll. 46. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a fried batter coating. 47. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise about 4 to about 16% by weight of the food composition. | A food composition capable of maintaining a crunchy texture after freezing and reheating is disclosed. The food composition includes a crust or an outer casing having a dough-based matrix or a batter-based matrix with a thickness of about 2 to about 150 mm, and texture modifying particles dispersed throughout the matrix. The texture modifying particles generally comprise about 12 to about 40% by weight of the food composition and provide the food composition with a crunchy texture. The texture modifying particles may be crushed particles of food products, such as fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof.1. A food composition comprising:
a main body having a matrix; and texture modifying particles dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the matrix is a dough-based matrix or a batter-based matrix, and wherein the texture modifying particles comprise about 5 to about 40% by weight of the food composition and wherein the texture modifying particles provide the food composition with a crunchy texture. 2. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles provide the food composition with a crunchy texture as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 3. The food composition of claim 2, wherein a peak load for the main body is about 8,000 g to about 16,000 g and occurs before 2 s as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 4. The food composition of claim 3, wherein the peak load is at least about 10,000 g. 5. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix has a thickness of about 2 to about 12 mm. 6. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix has a thickness of about 10 to about 150 mm, and wherein the matrix comprises a crunchy portion and a non-crunchy portion, and wherein the crunchy portion comprises an outer layer of the matrix that at least partially surrounds the non-crunchy portion, and wherein the texture modifying particles provide a crunchy texture to the crunchy portion. 7. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises a bottom of the food composition. 8. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises one or more sides of the food composition. 9. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the crunchy portion comprises a top of the food composition. 10. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise particles of food products selected from fried grain products, fried vegetable products, extruded grain products, or combinations thereof. 11. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise crushed particles of food products selected from fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof. 12. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles have a particle size of about 0.1 to about 5 mm when measured across the greatest cross dimension of the texture modifying particles. 13. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise a moisture barrier. 14. The food composition of claim 13, wherein the moisture barrier comprises fat. 15. The food composition of claim 14, wherein at least some of the fat comprises hard fat. 16. The food composition of claim 13, wherein the moisture barrier comprises gelatinized starch. 17. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the food composition comprises:
about 24 to about 44% flour by weight; about 22 to about 35% water by weight; about 13 to about 24% texture modifying particles by weight; about 0.5 to about 2.9% oil by weight; and about 2.0 to about 8.0% hard fat by weight. 18. The food composition of claim 17, wherein the hard fat comprises shortening flakes. 19. A method for preparing a food product, the method comprising:
(a) mixing a dough composition comprising flour, water, and texture modifying particles; (b) sheeting the dough composition into a flat sheet; and (c) par baking or fully baking the flat sheeted dough to provide a crust, wherein the texture modifying particles provide the crust with a crunchy texture. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the dough composition comprises:
about 24 to about 60% flour by weight; about 5 to about 20% water by weight; about 4 to about 40% texture modifying particles by weight; about 0.5 to about 4.0% oil by weight; and about 15 to about 45% hard fat by weight. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the hard fat comprises shortening flakes. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust has a thickness of about 2 to about 12 mm. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein peak load for the crust is from about 8,000 g to about 16,000 g and occurs before 2 s as measured by a texture analyzer in compression mode. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the peak load is at least 10,000 g. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the dough is sheeted to a thickness of between about 2 to about 12 mm. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise particles of food products selected from fried grain products, fried vegetable products, extruded grain products, or combinations thereof. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise crushed particles of food products selected from fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof. 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles have a particle size of about 0.1 to about 5 mm when measured across the greatest cross dimension of the texture modifying particles. 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise a moisture barrier. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the moisture barrier comprises fat. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the dough composition comprises hard fat, wherein the hard fat melts during the baking and a portion of the melted fat coats at least a portion of the texture modifying particle to form a moisture barrier. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the dough composition comprises hard fat, the method further comprising coating the texture modifying particles prior to mixing the dough composition by:
melting the hard fat to produce melted fat; mixing the melted fat with the texture modifying particles to produce coated particles; and cooling the coated particles to solidify the fat. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the moisture barrier comprises gelatinized starch. 34. The method of claim 19, further comprising adding toppings onto the crust or filling the crust with a filling. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the crust is a pizza crust, a pie crust, or a pocket crust. 36. The method of claim 19, further comprising freezing the food product. 37. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after freezing and finish baking. 38. The method of claim 19, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after freezing and thawing the food product. 39. The method of claim 19, further comprising fully baking the food product and freezing the fully baked food product. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the crust maintains a crunchy texture after reheating the fully baked food product. 41. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix is a fried batter-based matrix. 42. The food composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix is a baked dough-based matrix. 43. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a pancake. 44. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a crepe. 45. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises an outer casing of a filled roll. 46. The food composition of claim 41, wherein the crust comprises a fried batter coating. 47. The food composition of claim 6, wherein the texture modifying particles comprise about 4 to about 16% by weight of the food composition. | 1,700 |
2,898 | 12,592,162 | 1,731 | A method is presented that makes possible the labelling of powders that can be applied as building material in a layer-additive manufacturing method such as a selective laser sintering method. To this effect the powder is mixed with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths, wherein the salt has the property that it shows a luminescence when being irradiated with photons having a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum or with particle radiation. Thereby, parts that have been manufactured by means of the layer-additive manufacturing method can be identified with regard to the manufacturer, the place of manufacture or the manufacture date. | 1-14. (canceled) 15. A method for labelling a powder that can be used as building material in a layer-additive manufacturing process, the method having the following steps:
mixing the powder with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths, wherein the salt has the property that it shows a luminescence when being irradiated with photons having a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum or with particle radiation. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising adding at least two different salts of the rare earths, wherein each of the two different salts has a spectral emission during the luminescence of the salts that is different from that of the other salt. 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising selecting the salt to be added as a marker, or the salts to be added as markers, depending on the identity of the powder producer, the identity of the applicant, the place of manufacture of the part that is manufactured by means of the layer-additive manufacturing method, or the powder composition. 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising mixing the salt(s) with the powder by shear mixing. 19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising mixing the salt(s) with the powder by subjecting the powder particles to an impact striking action thereby providing an embed salt on the surface of the powder particles. 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of yttrium oxide Y2O3, yttrium oxysulfide Y2O2S or sodium yttrium fluoride NaYF4, in each case doped with erbium or another element of the rare earths. 24. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing information related to the powder composition, the powder producer, the powder user, the place of manufacture of the powder by mixing the powder with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths to encode the powder. 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting the amount of the added salt to effect the encoding. 26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific salt or several specific salts to effect the encoding. 27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific combination of differing added salts to effect the encoding. 28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific relation between the amounts of the at least two added salts to effect the encoding. 29. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise application and solidification of a building material in powder form at those positions in the respective layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object to be manufactured, the method comprising using a powder material that has been labelled according to the method of claim 15 as a building material and the effecting solidification by the action of a laser or another energy source onto the powder material or by selectively applying a binder to the powder material. 30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising selective laser sintering or selective laser melting. | A method is presented that makes possible the labelling of powders that can be applied as building material in a layer-additive manufacturing method such as a selective laser sintering method. To this effect the powder is mixed with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths, wherein the salt has the property that it shows a luminescence when being irradiated with photons having a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum or with particle radiation. Thereby, parts that have been manufactured by means of the layer-additive manufacturing method can be identified with regard to the manufacturer, the place of manufacture or the manufacture date.1-14. (canceled) 15. A method for labelling a powder that can be used as building material in a layer-additive manufacturing process, the method having the following steps:
mixing the powder with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths, wherein the salt has the property that it shows a luminescence when being irradiated with photons having a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum or with particle radiation. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising adding at least two different salts of the rare earths, wherein each of the two different salts has a spectral emission during the luminescence of the salts that is different from that of the other salt. 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising selecting the salt to be added as a marker, or the salts to be added as markers, depending on the identity of the powder producer, the identity of the applicant, the place of manufacture of the part that is manufactured by means of the layer-additive manufacturing method, or the powder composition. 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising mixing the salt(s) with the powder by shear mixing. 19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising mixing the salt(s) with the powder by subjecting the powder particles to an impact striking action thereby providing an embed salt on the surface of the powder particles. 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of doped oxides, oxysulfides and fluorides of the rare earths. 23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising adding a salt selected from the group consisting of yttrium oxide Y2O3, yttrium oxysulfide Y2O2S or sodium yttrium fluoride NaYF4, in each case doped with erbium or another element of the rare earths. 24. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing information related to the powder composition, the powder producer, the powder user, the place of manufacture of the powder by mixing the powder with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths to encode the powder. 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting the amount of the added salt to effect the encoding. 26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific salt or several specific salts to effect the encoding. 27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific combination of differing added salts to effect the encoding. 28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selecting a specific relation between the amounts of the at least two added salts to effect the encoding. 29. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise application and solidification of a building material in powder form at those positions in the respective layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object to be manufactured, the method comprising using a powder material that has been labelled according to the method of claim 15 as a building material and the effecting solidification by the action of a laser or another energy source onto the powder material or by selectively applying a binder to the powder material. 30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising selective laser sintering or selective laser melting. | 1,700 |
2,899 | 15,011,726 | 1,788 | Disclosed are an absorbent polymer and a method of preparing the same. The absorbent polymer may be mixed with a cross-linking additive in order to allow the polymerized hydrogel to have a uniform cross-linkage structure, and thereby enhancing flow conductivity while having excellent absorption ability. | 1. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition which includes acrylic monomer and a cross-linking agent; adding a water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of un-neutralized acrylic acid, to a hydrogel obtained by the above polymerization, then, kneading the mixture; and drying and grinding the kneaded product. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic monomer includes acrylic acid and acrylic salt. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the acrylic salt is obtained by neutralizing the acrylic acid with a chemical base. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups is selected from a group consisting of isosorbide, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,3-propanol. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups is included in a content of 2 to 5 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of un-neutralized acrylic acid. 6. An absorbent polymer having:
an absorbency under pressure in a range of 20 to 45 g/g; a hydrolysis rate in a range of 0.01 to 0.2 cp/min; and a time to reach the maximum viscosity of hydrolysate in a range of 60 to 180 minutes. 7. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the absorbency under pressure ranges from 30 to 45 g/g. 8. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, further having an absorbency under non-pressure in a range of 30 to 50 g/g. 9. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the hydrolysis rate ranges from 0.01 to 0.15 cp/min. 10. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the hydrolysis rate ranges from 0.01 to 0.1 cp/min. 11. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the time to the maximum viscosity of hydrolysate ranges from 90 to 180 minutes. 12. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, further having a particle size in a range of 100 to 1000 μm. | Disclosed are an absorbent polymer and a method of preparing the same. The absorbent polymer may be mixed with a cross-linking additive in order to allow the polymerized hydrogel to have a uniform cross-linkage structure, and thereby enhancing flow conductivity while having excellent absorption ability.1. A method of preparing an absorbent polymer, comprising:
polymerizing a polymer composition which includes acrylic monomer and a cross-linking agent; adding a water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of un-neutralized acrylic acid, to a hydrogel obtained by the above polymerization, then, kneading the mixture; and drying and grinding the kneaded product. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic monomer includes acrylic acid and acrylic salt. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the acrylic salt is obtained by neutralizing the acrylic acid with a chemical base. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups is selected from a group consisting of isosorbide, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,3-propanol. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups is included in a content of 2 to 5 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of un-neutralized acrylic acid. 6. An absorbent polymer having:
an absorbency under pressure in a range of 20 to 45 g/g; a hydrolysis rate in a range of 0.01 to 0.2 cp/min; and a time to reach the maximum viscosity of hydrolysate in a range of 60 to 180 minutes. 7. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the absorbency under pressure ranges from 30 to 45 g/g. 8. The absorbent polymer according to claim 7, further having an absorbency under non-pressure in a range of 30 to 50 g/g. 9. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the hydrolysis rate ranges from 0.01 to 0.15 cp/min. 10. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the hydrolysis rate ranges from 0.01 to 0.1 cp/min. 11. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, wherein the time to the maximum viscosity of hydrolysate ranges from 90 to 180 minutes. 12. The absorbent polymer according to claim 6, further having a particle size in a range of 100 to 1000 μm. | 1,700 |
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