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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in North Carolina (March 30)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in North Carolina. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Visual Credential Verification ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,406,480) developed by Tavis M. Grigsby, Austin, Texas, and Mark E. Peters, Chapel Hill, N.C., for a visual credential verification. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A solution for visual credential verification. The solution includes an apparatus, system, and method embodiment. The apparatus for visual credential verification includes an input module, a comparison module, and a response module. The input module receives from a security official an image of an unverified credential, such as a badge, that an individual has presented to the security official. The comparison module determines whether or not the unverified credential is valid or invalid. The determination includes comparing the image of the unverified credential with known good images of valid credentials. The comparison module may also compare authentication information such as a photo of the individual, a name, or a badge number, with known good authentication information. Based on the comparison module's determination, the response module notifies the security official that the unverified credential is either valid or invalid. A system for visual credential verification may be implemented with a server in communication with a security official's electronic device, such as a cell phone." The patent application was filed on Feb. 17, 2009 (12/372,491). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,406,480&OS=8,406,480&RS=8,406,480 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bell and Howell Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Bell and Howell, Durham, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,406,463) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and system for dynamic speed control on a mail processing system." The co-inventors are Daniel C. Quinn, Hatfield, Pa., Robert J. Elias, Lansdale, Pa., Gregory J. Norton, Laurys Station, Pa., and John S. Tarascio, Chapel Hill, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present application relates to a mail processing system and related method containing dynamic speed control which uses real time and historical system parameters to dynamically control the cycle speed of an inserting or wrapping system to optimize system efficiency, and maximize throughput and performance. A document processing system with dynamic speed control analyzes system parameters. When the operational conditions are favorable the system will increase cycle speed of one or more of the mail processing components of the system in increments until an optimal speed is reached. Likewise, if conditions are unfavorable the system will decrease cycle speed of one or more of the mail processing components of the system in increments until an optimal speed is reached." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2011 (13/245,360). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,406,463&OS=8,406,463&RS=8,406,463 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** CareFusion 303 Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- CareFusion 303, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,403,905) developed by D. Gregory Yow, Wake Forest, N.C., for "methods of venting a vial adapter with aerosol retention." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for retaining aerosols when accessing a sealed vial is disclosed. The method includes the steps of piercing the vial seal with a sharp cannula having a medicament lumen and a vent lumen, introducing a liquid through the medicament lumen into the vial, and conducting gas out of the vial through the vent lumen and a vent port to the atmosphere. The method also includes the steps of blocking the passage of non-dispersed liquid out the vent lumen at a first filter device comprising pores having a diameter in the range of 0.2-3.0 microns, absorbing liquid dispersed in gas at a second filter device, and inhibiting the passage of bacteria at a third filter device having a pore size smaller than 0.2 microns." The patent application was filed on April 4, 2012 (13/439,694). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=84,03,905.PN.&OS=PN/84,03,905&RS=PN/84,03,905 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Contego Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Contego Medical, Raleigh, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,403,976) developed by Ravish Sachar, Raleigh, N.C., Gregg Sutton, Maple Grove, Minn., and Larry A. Roberts, Atlanta, for a "percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device with integral embolic filter." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device includes an embolic filter mounted to the catheter shaft at a location distal to the angioplasty balloon. Thus the filter is downstream from the blockage and is properly positioned to capture embolic particles that may be set loose into the blood stream as the angioplasty procedure is performed. The embolic filter is normally collapsed against the catheter shaft to facilitate introduction and withdrawal of the device to and from the operative site. Once the angioplasty balloon is properly positioned, however, means operatively associated with the embolic filter are actuated to erect the filter to position a filter mesh across the lumen of the vessel." The patent application was filed on Nov. 24, 2004 (10/997,803). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=84,03,976.PN.&OS=PN/84,03,976&RS=PN/84,03,976 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Evonik Stockhausen Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Evonik Stockhausen, Greensboro, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,403,904) developed by Gonglu Tian, Greensboro, N.C., David L. Bergman Jr., Greensboro, N.C., and Yaru Shi, Greensboro, N.C., for a "superabsorbent polymer having a capacity increase." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to a particulate superabsorbent polymer comprising a monomer and an internal crosslinker agent wherein the particulate superabsorbent polymer has a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Increase of 2 g/g or more as set forth herein in the Centrifuge Retention Capacity Increase Test. The present invention further relates to a superabsorbent polymer comprising an internal crosslinker agent comprising a silane compound comprising at least one vinyl group or one allyl group attached to a silicon atom, and at least one Si--O bond. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article that includes such particulate superabsorbent polymers." The patent application was filed on Oct. 4, 2012 (13/644,515). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=84,03,904.PN.&OS=PN/84,03,904&RS=PN/84,03,904 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Duke University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Duke University, Durham, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,805) developed by four co-inventors for "characterization of GRP94-ligand interactions and purification, screening, and therapeutic methods relating thereto." The co-inventors are Christopher V. Nicchitta, Durham, N.C., James J. Wassenberg, Durham, N.C., Meredith F.N. Rosser, Durham, N.C., and Robyn C. Reed, Durham, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The presently disclosed subject matter discloses characterization of interactions between ligands and Hsp90 proteins, including GRP94, wherein ligand binding to the N-terminal nucleotide binding domain of GRP94 elicits a conformational change that converts the GRP94 from an inactive to an active conformation, and wherein the chaperone and peptide-binding activities of the GRP94 are markedly stimulated. Also disclosed are purification, screening, and therapeutic methods pertaining to the biological activity of GRP94, and in some instances HSP90, based upon the characterization of ligand interactions of Hsp90 peptide-binding proteins, including GRP94." The patent application was filed on Oct. 5, 2009 (12/573,618). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,805&OS=8,404,805&RS=8,404,805 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Virginia Commonwealth University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Costa Mesa, Calif., and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., have been assigned a patent (8,404,752) developed by M. Ross Bullock, Miami, Bruce Spiess, Manakin-Sabot, Va., and Deborah P. Thompson, Durham, N.C., for a "method of treating traumatic brain injury." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention provides for methods of treating a subject suffering from central nervous system injury, including traumatic brain injury, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a perfluorocarbon. This invention also provides for use of a perfluorocarbon in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject suffering from central nervous system injury including traumatic brain injury. This invention further provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising a perfluorocarbon for use in treating a subject suffering from central nervous system injury, including traumatic brain injury." The patent application was filed on July 17, 2009 (12/460,409). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,752&OS=8,404,752&RS=8,404,752 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hallux Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Hallux, Santa Ana, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,404,751) developed by Jay E. Birnbaum, Montville, N.J., and Keith A. Johnson, Durham, N.C., for a "subunguicide, and method for treating onychomycosis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed and is difficult to treat topically because penetration of the nail plate is difficult, and systemic antifungal treatments are prone to side effects and drug interactions. The present invention treats onychomycosis by applying an antifungal composition to the nail bed directly using a solid, semi-solid, or flowable carrier. The carrier can be in the form of a semi-solid into which the user digs and scrapes the nail, a solid carrier can be inserted directly under the nail in contact with the nail bed, or a flowable composition can be injected in contact with the nail bed." The patent application was filed on Oct. 27, 2009 (12/606,324). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,751&OS=8,404,751&RS=8,404,751 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** TransTech Pharma Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- TransTech Pharma, High Point, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,731) developed by seven co-inventors for "substituted imidazole derivatives, compositions, and methods of use as PTPase inhibitors." The co-inventors are Adnan M.M. Mjalli, Oak Ridge, N.C., Dharma R. Polisetti, High Point, N.C., Govindan Subramanian, Bellemeade, N.J., James C. Quada, High Point, N.C., Ravindra R. Yarragunta, Greensboro, N.C., Robert C. Andrews, Jamestown, N.C., and Rongyuan Xie, Greensboro, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides imidazole derivatives of Formula (I-IV), methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula (I-IV), and their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and thus can be useful for the management, treatment, control, or the adjunct treatment of diseases mediated by PTPase activity. Such diseases include Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes." The patent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2010 (12/685,178). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,731&OS=8,404,731&RS=8,404,731 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, Winston-Salem, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,628) developed by Ruth E. May, Winston-Salem, N.C., for a "method for spray bleaching cellulosic fabrics." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method is provided for spray bleaching cellulosic fabrics. A bleaching composition comprises a wetter, hydrogen peroxide, a caustic, a stabilizer, an optical brightener, and water. The bleaching composition is sprayed on at least one surface of the cellulosic fabric, subjected to steam to fix the bleaching composition to the fabric, and rinsed to remove any residual bleaching composition." The patent application was filed on April 11, 2012 (13/444,388). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,628&OS=8,404,628&RS=8,404,628 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Jenken Biosciences Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Jenken Biosciences, Cary, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,706) developed by Edwin S.C. Wu, Cary, N.C., Mao-Hsiung Yen, Taipei, Taiwan, and Chin-Tsai Fan, Tainan County, Taiwan, for "opioid and opioid-like compounds and uses thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to opioid and opioid-like compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same and methods of use thereof. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to, use for the prevention and treatment of septic shock and other disorders. The compounds described herein can be water soluble and can act through mechanisms mediated through pathways other than opiate receptors." The patent application was filed on April 6, 2011 (13/081,179). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,706&OS=8,404,706&RS=8,404,706 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** North Carolina Sate University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- North Carolina Sate University, Raleigh, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,792) developed by Bruce M. Novak, Raleigh, N.C., and Keitaro Seto, Kanagawa, Japan, for "cyclobutene polymers and methods of making the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Described is a cyclobutene polymer comprising: monomeric units of cyclobutene, said cyclobutene having at least one fused ring system substituted thereon, said polymer comprising not more than 10 mol percent ring-opened units of said cyclobutene; and said polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1,000; said polymer optionally copolymerized with a comonomer to form a copolymer therewith. Compositions thereof and methods of making the same are also described." The patent application was filed on Aug. 30, 2011 (13/221,302). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,404,792&OS=8,404,792&RS=8,404,792 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Wake Forest University Health Sciences Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,403,878) developed by Charles L. Branch Jr., Advance, N.C., and John P. Eickman, West Fargo, N.D., for a "subdural drainage catheter with flow restoration mechanism." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A subdural drainage system includes (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) a stylet positioned inside said housing, said stylet having an upper portion and a lower portion and configured such that said stylet is moved between (i) a withdrawn position with said stylet withdrawn from a portion of said subdural evacuation port device, and (ii) an extended position with said stylet extending through said subdural drainage device such that blockages are disrupted in the subdural drainage device when said housing is moved between said first and second housing configurations; and (e) an external drain opening formed on either said subdural drainage device or said housing." The patent application was filed on Nov. 20, 2009 (13/130,238). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,403,878&OS=8,403,878&RS=8,403,878 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Intersil Americas Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Intersil Americas, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,405,368) developed by Steven P. Laur, Raleigh, N.C., and Rhys S.A. Philbrick, Cary, N.C., for a "multiple phase switching regulator with phase current sharing." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A phase current sharing network for a current mode multiphase switching regulator. The multiphase switching regulator includes switching networks for developing phase currents of switching phase networks controlled by pulse control signals for converting an input voltage to an output voltage. The regulator develops the pulse control signals based on current control values and at least one trigger value. The phase current sharing network includes conversion networks and a phase current combining network. Each conversion network provides a phase current value based on a corresponding phase current, such as by directly or indirectly measuring real current or by synthetically developing the phase current value. The phase current combining network develops an average phase current value based on the phase current values, and subtracts the average phase current value from each phase current value to provide the current control values used to control the switching networks." The patent application was filed on Sept. 9, 2010 (12/878,529). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,405,368&OS=8,405,368&RS=8,405,368 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** iEnergy Harvesting Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- iEnergy Harvesting, Greer, S.C., has been assigned a patent (8,405,235) developed by Sebastian Bruce DiMauro, Greer, S.C., and Alan C. Lesesky, Charlotte, N.C., for an energy harvesting device. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An energy harvester is provided. The energy harvester includes a permanent magnet and a coil. At least one of the permanent magnet and coil rotate completely about an axis such that relative movement between the permanent magnet and the coil is realized to generate an electrical current for use in powering a device." The patent application was filed on May 11, 2010 (12/800,185). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,405,235&OS=8,405,235&RS=8,405,235 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** U.S. Navy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- The U.S. Navy has been assigned a patent (8,405,012) developed by David Herman, Charlotte, N.C., and Michael Deeds, Port Tobacco, Md., for an "out-of-plane deflection MEMS actuator for projectile control surfaces." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A MEMS type actuator includes a substrate defining a plane; a micro bellows disposed on the substrate and operable to expand in a direction out of a substrate plane, the substrate having an opening therein for fluid flow to the micro bellows; and a ramp disposed above the micro bellows. In a collapsed position of the micro bellows, the ramp is substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate and, in expanded positions of the micro bellows, the micro bellows applies a force to the ramp thereby causing rotation of the ramp in a direction out of the substrate plane." The patent application was filed on March 26, 2007 (11/729,089). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,405,012&OS=8,405,012&RS=8,405,012 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of North Carolina Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,404,483) developed by five co-inventors for a "paracrine signals from mesenchymal feeder cells and regulating expansion and differentiation of hepatic progenitors using same." The co-inventors are Lola M. Reid, Chapel Hill, N.C., Randall E. McClelland, Chapel Hill, N.C., Joshua Uronis, Durham, N.C., Hsin-Lei Yao, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Eliane Wauthier, Chapel Hill, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method is provided for controlling the survival, proliferation, and/or differentiation of hepatic progenitors in vitro by using specific types of mesenchymal feeder cells or one of more of the paracrine signals produced by those feeders." The patent application was filed on Sept. 10, 2010 (12/923,253). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,404,483.PN.&OS=PN/8,404,483&RS=PN/8,404,483 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Valspar Sourcing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Valspar Sourcing, Minneapolis, has been assigned a patent (8,404,312) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and system for edge-coating wood substrates." The co-inventors are David H. Nowak, High Point, N.C., Shaobing Wu, Jamestown, N.C., Stephen M. LaFrance, Greensboro, N.C., and Lawrence J. Kauppila, Orangeburg, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Engineered wood product edges are protected by applying a two part edge sealing composition to at least one edge surface. The two part edge sealing composition can improve holdout, hide, and water resistance. An edge sealing system and substrates coated with the sealing system are provided." The patent application was filed on June 28, 2007 (11/770,334). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,404,312.PN.&OS=PN/8,404,312&RS=PN/8,404,312 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Aplix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 30 -- Aplix, Paris, and Aplix, Charlotte, N.C., have been assigned a patent (8,404,326) developed by Quresh Sachee, Charlotte, N.C., and Jean-Philippe Billarant, Paris, for a "panel made of expanded foam with hooks or loops." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A panel-forming assembly which is intended to be fixed to a surface of a vehicle or an aircraft, for example the floor of the trunk or a surface of the hatch of the spare-wheel compartment, and comprising, on the one hand, a panel of foam of expanded thermoplastic material, in particular expanded polypropylene or expanded polystyrene, which is constituted of an agglomeration of balls made of thermoplastic material and, on the other hand, hooks and/or loops issuing from the panel and intended to cooperate with loops and/or hooks issuing from the said one surface of a vehicle, characterized in that the assembly comprises an intermediate element (4) comprising a plate (5) from a face of which project the hooks (6) and/or the loops issuing from the panel that cooperate with the loops and/or the hooks (3) issuing from the surface of the vehicle, while from a face opposite the said one face of the plate there projects at least one piece (7) in the form of a fir tree comprising elements in the form of fir-tree branches (9) defining between them intermediate spaces or interstices (d), which piece is inserted into the panel (2)." The patent application was filed on Sept. 8, 2010 (12/807,541). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,404,326.PN.&OS=PN/8,404,326&RS=PN/8,404,326 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com. -1119811 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service |