pr Compressed gas aerosol compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Certain surfactants suitable for use alone to dissolve a water-insoluble component in compositions is described for providing VOC-free compressed gas aerosol compositions. The compositions include water-insoluble component(s), a surfactant and water. The water-insoluble component(s) can be active agent(s), such as fragrance(s) and/or an insecticide(s). The surfactant is present as a single surfactant which, in the absence of a solvent, dissolves or disperses the water-insoluble component(s) and provides a homogenous blend in water which provides a stable compressed gas emulsion. The surfactant is an anionic surfactant or a nonionic surfactant, in particular nonionic alkylpolyglycosides; nonionic cocoglucoside; nonionic alkylene oxide extended chain alkylpolyglycosides; anionic sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), nonionic C13-C15 oxoalcohol ethoxylate with 8 ethylene oxides (EO), nonionic C12-C14 secondary alcohol ethoxylate with 7EO or 12EO, polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogenated castor oil wherein the PEG is PEG-60 or PEG-40, polyglyceryl-10 laurate and polyglyceryl-6 caprylate. Full Article
pr Predicting odor pleasantness with an electronic nose By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and method for assessing odors, comprises an electronic nose, to be applied to an odor and to output a structure identifying the odor; a neural network which maps an extracted structure to a first location on a pre-learned axis of odor pleasantness; and an output for outputting an assessment of an applied odor based on said first location. The assessment may be a prediction of how pleasant a user will consider the odor. Full Article
pr Functional fragrance precursor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a class of fragrance precursor compounds comprising one or more of the compounds derived from the reaction of X—OH and an aldehyde or ketone, the fragrance precursor compounds being of the formula X—O—C(R)(R*)(OR**) wherein R is a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R* is H or a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R** is H or X; X—O representing a moiety derived from X—OH, and wherein X—OH is a compound selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fabric softeners, softener precursor ester amines, softener precursor amido amines, hair conditioners, skin conditions, saccharides and polymers. In a second aspect it relates to a method of preparing such precusors. Further the invention relates to compositions, comprising the precursor of the invention. Full Article
pr Functional fragrance precursor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a class of fragrance precursor compounds comprising one or more of the compounds derived from the reaction of X—OH and an aldehyde or ketone, the fragrance precursor compounds being of the formula X—O—C(R)(R*)(OR**) wherein R is a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R* is H or a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R** is H or X; X—O representing a moiety derived from X—OH, and wherein X—OH is a compound selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fabric softeners, softener precursor ester amines, softener precursor amido amines, hair conditioners, skin conditions, saccharides and polymers. In a second aspect it relates to a method of preparing such precusors. Further the invention relates to compositions, comprising the precursor of the invention. Full Article
pr Functional fragrance precursor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a class of fragrance precursor compounds comprising one or more of the compounds derived from the reaction of X—OH and an aldehyde or ketone, the fragrance precursor compounds being of the formula X—O—C(R)(R*)(OR**) wherein R is a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R* is H or a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R** is H or X; X—O representing a moiety derived from X—OH, and wherein X—OH is a compound selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fabric softeners, softener precursor ester amines, softener precursor amido amines, hair conditioners, skin conditions, saccharides and polymers. In a second aspect it relates to a method of preparing such precusors. Further the invention relates to compositions, comprising the precursor of the invention. Full Article
pr Functional fragrance precursor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a class of fragrance precursor compounds comprising one or more of the compounds derived from the reaction of X—OH and an aldehyde or ketone, the fragrance precursor compounds being of the formula X—O—C(R)(R*)(OR**) wherein R is a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R* is H or a C6-24 alkyl group, a C6-24 aralkyl group or a C6-24 alkaryl group; R** is H or X; X—O representing a moiety derived from X—OH, and wherein X—OH is a compound selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fabric softeners, softener precursor ester amines, softener precursor amido amines, hair conditioners, skin conditions, saccharides and polymers. In a second aspect it relates to a method of preparing such precursors. Further the invention relates to compositions, comprising the precursor of the invention. Full Article
pr Process for preparing macrocyclic ketones By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclic compounds having at least eight carbon atoms and at least one keto group, to the cyclic compounds obtained by this process and to the use thereof, in particular as fragrance or for providing a fragrance. Full Article
pr Cyclohexene- and cyclopropanated cyclohexene- derivatives as fragrances By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT 1-(3/4-isobutyl-1/6-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)methanols and derivatives thereof having appreciable floral and hesperidic odor notes, their use as fragrance ingredient and perfumed products comprising them. Full Article
pr Odorant composition containing allyl ethers as odorant precursors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The deliberate release of odorants or aroma substances is desirable in many fields of application, and in particular in the field of washing and cleaning agents. Said deliberate release is achieved by using an odorant composition that comprises an odorant precursor, which is an allyl ether of the formula (I), R1R2C═CR3—CR4R5—O—CHR6R7, in which the residues R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 mutually independently denote H or a hydrocarbon residue that can be acyclic or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, as well as saturated or unsaturated. Thus, in particular odorants in the form of an alkene having an allylic hydrogen atom, such as α-pinene, can be released in a deliberate manner. Full Article
pr Particles comprising a releasable dopant therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant. Full Article
pr Process for isolating crystallized 2,2,4,4 tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD) particles utilizing pressure filtration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for isolating 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD) solids from an isolated feed slurry formed in a TMCD process comprising TMCD, a liquid phase, and impurities by (a) treating the isolated feed slurry in a product isolation zone to produce an isolated TMCD product wet cake, a mother liquor, and impurities; wherein the product isolation zone can comprise at least one rotary pressure drum filter. Full Article
pr Process for the production of ethanol from an acetic acid feed and a recycled ethyl acetate feed By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention produces ethanol in a reactor that comprises a catalyst composition and a feed stream comprising acetic acid and a recycled liquid stream comprising ethyl acetate. The catalyst composition comprises a first catalyst comprising platinum, cobalt, and/or tin and a second catalyst comprising copper. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered. Full Article
pr Reduced energy alcohol separation process having controlled pressure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to processes for the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. At least one of the columns is operated at a controlled pressure to enhance separation of ethanol and organics. In one embodiment, there are at least two columns that operate at controlled pressures. Full Article
pr Process to reduce ethanol recycled to hydrogenation reactor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor. Full Article
pr Process for making ethanol from acetic acid using acidic catalysts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprises a first metal on an acidic support. The acidic support may comprise an acidic support material or may comprise an support having an acidic support modifier. The catalyst may be used alone to produced ethanol via hydrogenation or in combination with another catalyst. In addition, the crude ethanol product is separated to obtain ethanol. Full Article
pr Hydrogenation catalysts comprising a mixed oxide comprising nickel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process is disclosed for producing ethanol comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising nickel and tin. Full Article
pr Esterification process using extractive separation to produce feed for hydrogenolysis By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce an esterification product. The esterification product may be recovered using an extractive separation. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture. Full Article
pr Catalysts and processes for producing butanol By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A catalyst composition for converting ethanol to higher alcohols, such as butanol, is disclosed. The catalyst composition comprises at least one alkali metal, at least a second metal and a support. The second metal is selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, copper, nickel, and cobalt. The support is selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, ZrO2, MgO, TiO2, zeolite, ZnO, and a mixture thereof. Full Article
pr Method of producing alcohols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of making alcohols involves forming of alcohol esters from liquid alkane halides and a solution of metallic salts of organic acids to produce gaseous alcohol esters for reaction with magnesium or metal hydroxides to form the alcohol and the metal salt of the organic acids. In an improvement method liquid phase alcohol esters instead of gaseous alcohol esters are produced from liquid alkane halides and a solution of metal salts of organic acids whose alkane esters are less soluble in water than that of the alkane halide and treating of the alcohol ester formed with magnesium or metal hydroxides to form the alcohol and the metal salt of the organic acids. Full Article
pr Method for preparing menthone from isopulegol By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method for preparing menthone, starting from isopulegol, using specific homogeneous catalysts. Full Article
pr Method for producing 2-chloromethylbenzaldehyde, 2-chloromethylbenzaldehyde-containing composition, and method for storing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for obtaining an industrially useful 2-chloromethylbenzaldehyde-containing liquid composition at a high yield is provided. More specifically, a process for producing 2-chloromethylbenzaldehyde comprising step (A) of mixing 1-dichloromethyl-2-chloromethylbenzene and sulfuric acid having a concentration of 84.5% by weight or more; and step (B) of mixing a mixture obtained in step (A) and water is provided. Full Article
pr Protected aldehydes for use as intermediates in chemical syntheses, and processes for their preparation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A para-methoxy protected benzaldehyde useful in preparation of treprostinil, and of formula: (Formula (1)) is prepared by subjecting to Claisen re-arrangement a substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1a): (Formula (Ia)) to form the m-hydroxy-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1b): (Formula (Ib)) and then reacting compound (1b) with a p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) compound to form a PMB-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1). Full Article
pr Apparatus for coproducting ISO type reaction products and alcohols from olefins, and method for coproducting them using the apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an apparatus for coproducting iso-type reaction product and alcohol from olefin, and a method for coproducting using the apparatus, in which the hydroformylation reactor provides a sufficient reaction area due to the broad contact surface area between the olefin and the synthesis gases that are the raw materials by a distributor plate installed in the reactor, and the raw materials can be sufficiently mixed with the reaction mixture due to the circulation of the reaction mixture so that the efficiency of the production of the aldehyde is excellent; and also the hydrogenation reactor suppresses the side reaction so that the efficiency for producing aldehyde and alcohol are all increased, and also iso-type reaction product and alcohol can be efficiently co-produced. Full Article
pr Phenol purification process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an easy process for purifying phenol by separating carbonyl compounds through selective hydrogenation of the compounds to the corresponding alcohols then distillation. The phenol purification process of the present invention comprises bringing phenol into contact with a copper-based catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to convert carbonyl compounds contained in the phenol to the corresponding alcohol compounds, and separating the alcohol compounds and phenol by distillation. Full Article
pr Dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to produce phenol By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a process for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to produce phenol, a feed comprising cyclohexanone is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions comprising a temperature of less than 400° C. and a pressure of less than 690 kPa, gauge, such 0.1 to 50 wt % of the cyclohexanone in said feed is converted to phenol and the dehydrogenation product contains less than 100 ppm by weight of alkylbenzenes. Full Article
pr Process for producing phenol By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst. At least a portion of the product is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide into a second product comprising further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, phenol, and cyclohexanone. A portion of the further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst may then be removed from the second product and optionally recycled back to the oxidation step. Full Article
pr Phasing reactor product from hydrogenating acetic acid into ethyl acetate feed to produce ethanol By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing ethyl acetate produced by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The product of the acetic acid hydrogenation is fed directly to a decanter to separate the hydrogenation product into an aqueous phase comprising water and ethanol and an organic phase comprising ethyl acetate. The organic phase is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture. Thus, ethanol may be produced from acetic acid through an ethyl acetate intermediate without an esterification step. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity. Full Article
pr Method for producing phenylphosphonic acid metal salt composition, and crystal nucleating agent therefrom By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for producing a phenylphosphonic acid metal salt composition, including reacting a phenylphosphonic acid compound (a) with a metal salt, metal oxide or metal hydroxide (b) that is present in an amount beyond the equivalent, the phenylphosphonic acid metal salt composition containing phenylphosphonic acid metal salt, and a surplus amount of the metal salt, the metal oxide or the surplus metal hydroxide (b). A crystal nucleating agent comprises the phenylphosphonic acid metal salt composition produced by the method. Full Article
pr Method for preparing 3-trifluoromethyl chalcones By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 wherein Q and Z are as defined in the disclosure comprising distilling water from a mixture comprising a compound of Formula 2, a compound of Formula 3, a base comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal hydroxides of Formula 4 wherein M is Ca, Sr or Ba, alkali metal carbonates of Formula 4a wherein M1 is Li, Na or K, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, and an aprotic solvent capable of forming a low-boiling azeotrope with water. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 2 comprising (1) forming a reaction mixture comprising a Grignard reagent derived from contacting a compound of Formula 5 wherein X is Cl, Br or I with magnesium metal or an alkylmagnesium halide in the presence of an ethereal solvent, and then (2) contacting the reaction mixture with a compound of Formula 6 wherein Y is OR11 or NR12R13, and R11, R12 and R13 are as defined in the disclosure. Further disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 7 wherein Q and Z are as defined in the disclosure, using a compound of Formula 1 characterized by preparing the compound of Formula 1 by the method disclosed above or using a compound of Formula 1 prepared by the method disclosed above. Full Article
pr Hydrolysis of the residues obtained in the production of isophorone to recover isophorone and acetone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for preparing isophorone (3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one) is provided wherein distillation vapors from the work-up of product fractions are recycled to earlier stages of operation of the process. Full Article
pr Process for making polyglycerol ethers of fatty alcohols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are processes relating to the production of polyglycerol ethers of fatty alcohols, in particular, one step process using fatty alcohol and glycerine to synthesize polyglycerides of fatty alcohols will provide a 100% renewable surfactant that is cost effective efficient and CMR free. The synthetic methods mentioned in prior art uses hazardous chemicals as glycidyl ethers, epichlorohydrin that are listed as CMR and known carcinogens and hazardous to handle. Full Article
pr Process for the in situ production of polyether polyols based on renewable materials and their use in the production of flexible polyurethane foams By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polyether polyol based on renewable materials is obtained by the in situ production of a polyether from a hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, at least one alkylene oxide and a low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups. The polyol is produced by introducing the hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, a catalyst and an alkylene oxide to a reactor and initiating the alkoxylation reaction. After the alkoxylation reaction has begun but before the reaction has been 20% completed, the low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups is continuously introduced into the reactor. After the in situ made polyether polyol product having the desired molecular weight has been formed, the in situ made polyether polyol is removed from the reactor. These polyether polyols are particularly suitable for the production of flexible polyurethane foams. Full Article
pr Dehydrogenation process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a process for the dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons, a feed comprising dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons is contacted with a catalyst comprising a support and a dehydrogenation component under dehydrogenation conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons in the feed. The catalyst is produced by a method comprising treating the support with a liquid composition comprising the dehydrogenation component or a precursor thereof and at least one organic dispersant selected from an amino alcohol and an amino acid. Full Article
pr Process for production of hexamethylenediamine from carbohydrate-containing materials and intermediates therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Processes are disclosed for the conversion of a carbohydrate source to hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and to intermediates useful for the production of hexamethylenediamine and other industrial chemicals. HMDA is produced by direct reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous reduction catalyst comprising Pt or by indirect reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol wherein 1,2,6-hexanetriol is produced by reduction of the furfural substrate in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising Pt and 1,2,6-hexanediol is then converted by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising Pt to 1,6 hexanediol, each process then proceeding to the production of HMDA by known routes, such as amination of the 1,6 hexanediol. Catalysts useful for the direct and indirect production of 1,6-hexanediol are also disclosed. Full Article
pr Process for heat integration in the hydrogenation and distillation of C3—C20-aldehydes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a process for heat integration in the preparation of saturated C3-C20-alcohols, in which a hydrogenation feed comprising at least one C3-C20-aldehyde is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogen-comprising gas in a hydrogenation zone and a discharge is taken off from the hydrogenation zone and subjected to distillation in at least one distillation column to give a fraction enriched in saturated C3-C20-alcohols. Full Article
pr Polymer recovery process in the filtration of polyether polyols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A filtration method is disclosed for recovering purified polyether polyol comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of a polyether polyol containing an alkali metal catalyst residual formed from a transesterification process utilizing an alkali metal catalyst, contacting the aqueous solution with a stoichiometric excess of magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite or a combination thereof to form a second aqueous solution, wherein said stoichiometric excess is based on the amount of said alkali metal catalyst residual. Water is removed from the second aqueous solution at a temperature above a set limit of said polyether polyol to produce a dehydrated slurry containing a polyether polyol phase substantially free of residual alkali metal and a precipitated solid phase comprising sulfate and/or sulfite salts of the alkali metal catalyst, magnesium hydroxide, and excess magnesium sulfate and/or sulfite, wherein the particle size distribution of said precipitated solid phase is controlled to minimize the amount of particles therein that are smaller than 3 microns. The dehydrated slurry is then passed through a filtration system to separate the polyether polyol phase from the precipitated solid phase. Full Article
pr Product recovery process in the filtration of polyether polyols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved method for recovering a purified polyether polyol comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of a polyether polyol containing an alkali metal catalyst residual formed from a transesterification process, contacting the aqueous solution with a stoichiometric excess of magnesium sulfate to form a second aqueous solution, removing water from said second aqueous solution at a temperature above the melt temperature of said polyether polyol to produce a dehydrated slurry containing a molten polyether polyol phase essentially free of residual alkali metal and a precipitated solid phase comprising sulfate and/or sulfite salts of the alkali metal catalyst, magnesium hydroxide, and excess magnesium sulfate and/or sulfide, passing the dehydrated slurry of through a filtration system comprising a filtration press to separate the molten polyether polyol phase from the precipitated solid phase, wherein the filtration press is treated with a filter aid that is essentially free of transition metal oxide content, separating the molten polyether polyol phase substantially free of water, residual alkali metal catalyst and transition metal contaminants from the precipitated solid phase and recovering polyether polyol from the separated polyether polyol phase. Full Article
pr Method, apparatus and computer program for determining the location of a user in an area By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus for orientating a user in a space wherein the space comprises a plurality of zones of which only certain zones constitute functional zones wherein each functional zone includes a first type device containing information relating to the position of the zone in the space and wherein the first type device is reactive to the presence of a second type device associated with the user to provide the user with the information to determine the orientation of the user in the space. A method of orientating the user within the space and guiding the user toward one or more features in the space is also disclosed. Full Article
pr Data mining in a digital map database to identify blind intersections along roads and enabling precautionary actions in a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, a blind intersection along a section of road. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a blind intersection is located along a section of road. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the blind intersection located along the section of road. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a blind intersection. Full Article
pr Predictive natural guidance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a navigation system provides predictive natural guidance utilizing a mobile landmark based on location data. The location data may be a schedule. A controller receives data of a schedule of a mobile landmark. The location data could be collected in real time or estimated. The mobile landmark may be a vehicle or a celestial body. The controller correlates a route from an origin location to a destination location and the location of the mobile landmark. The controller generates a message based on the correlation. The message is output during presentation of the route and references the mobile landmark. Full Article
pr Path information providing server, method of providing path information, and terminal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are an apparatus and method of providing path information based on a status of a path and/or a purpose of the use of the path. A path information providing server collects environmental information from a sensing device. The path information providing server receives a path information request including a departure and a destination from a terminal device, and provides path information generated by mapping environmental data to a searched path. Full Article
pr Verification module apparatus for debugging software and timing of an embedded processor design that exceeds the capacity of a single FPGA By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plurality of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), high performance transceivers, and memory devices provide a verification module for timing and state debugging of electronic circuit designs. Signal value compression circuits and gigabit transceivers embedded in each FPGA increase the fanout of each FPGA. Ethernet communication ports enable remote software debugging of processor instructions. Full Article
pr System and method for integrated transformer synthesis and optimization using constrained optimization problem By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for designing a transformer in an integrated circuit includes receiving one or more desired characteristics of the transformer from user input and iteratively determining a design solution for the transformer through one or more simulations and modifications using a rule-set. The method combines the one or more desired characteristics with other preset characteristics of the transformer or the integrated circuit. A first model of the transformer is defined with typical load impedances and simulated having the combined characteristics to determine performance. Results of the simulation are processed to calculate performance with the load impedances specified by the user. The results are further processed to obtain a mathematical model that includes tuning capacitors. The first and subsequent models are modified by drawing on a rule-set of expert knowledge relating to general dependency of at least one design criterion, such as a physical, geometrical or performance characteristic, with another design criterion. Full Article
pr Programmable clock spreading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated circuit having a programmable clock spreader configured to generate a plurality of controllably skewed clock signals, each applied to a corresponding region within the integrated circuit with circuitry configured to be triggered off the applied clock signal. The programmable clock spreader is designed to enable customization of the current-demand characteristics exhibited by the integrated circuit, e.g., based on the circuit's spectral impedance profile, to cause transient voltage droops in the power-supply network of the integrated circuit to be sufficiently small to ensure proper and reliable operation of the integrated circuit. Full Article
pr Interconnection substrate design supporting device, method of designing interconnection substrate, program, and interconnection substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A via disposition information acquiring unit acquires via disposition information indicating a disposition of the plurality of first vias (212). A second conductor information acquiring unit acquires second conductor information indicating disposition positions of a plurality of second conductors (232) repeatedly disposed in the second conductor layer (230). A via extracting unit extracts an extraction via with respect to each of the plurality of second conductors (232). The extraction via is each of the first vias (212) overlapping the second conductor (232). A via selecting unit selects a selection via with respect to each of the plurality of second conductors (232). The selection via is each of first vias (212) selected in a predetermined number from the extraction vias. An opening introducing unit introduces a first opening (234) to each of the plurality of second conductors (232). The first opening (234) overlaps the extraction via not selected by the via selecting unit in plan view. Full Article
pr Prediction of dynamic current waveform and spectrum in a semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for accurately determining the shape of currents in a current spectrum for a circuit design is provided. The method includes determining timing and power consumption characteristics. In one embodiment, timing characteristics are provided through a electronic design automation tool. The timing characteristics yield a current pulse time width. In another embodiment, power consumption characteristics are provided by an EDA tool. The power consumption characteristics yield a current pulse amplitude. The shape of the current pulse is obtained by incrementally processing a power analyzer tool over relatively small time increments over one or more clock cycles while capturing the switching nodes of a simulation of the circuit design for each time increment. In one embodiment, the time increments are one nanosecond or less. Full Article
pr Load balancing on hetrogenous processing cluster based on exceeded load imbalance factor threshold determined by total completion time of multiple processing phases By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems for managing data loads on a cluster of processors that implement an iterative procedure through parallel processing of data for the procedure are disclosed. One method includes monitoring, for at least one iteration of the procedure, completion times of a plurality of different processing phases that are undergone by each of the processors in a given iteration. The method further includes determining whether a load imbalance factor threshold is exceeded in the given iteration based on the completion times for the given iteration. In addition, the data is repartitioned by reassigning the data to the processors based on predicted dependencies between assigned data units of the data and completion times of a plurality of the processers for at least two of the phases. Further, the parallel processing is implemented on the cluster of processors in accordance with the reassignment. Full Article
pr Circuit design support method, computer product, and circuit design support apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circuit-design support method includes obtaining information for a circuit having a logic circuit in which signal lines are connected to input terminals, signals of the signal lines being output via the logic circuit; obtaining information concerning a control circuit that has a first flip-flop for scanning and that can control a value of a given signal line by a value set by the first flip-flop; selecting, based on the circuit information, a second flip-flop at an output destination of a signal from the logic circuit, among second flip-flops of the circuit; and generating, based on the control circuit information, information indicating a serial connection of the control circuit between an output source of the signal of the given signal line and the given signal line and a connection of a data input terminal of the first flip-flop and an output terminal of the selected second flip-flop. Full Article
pr Low-VOC cleaning substrates and compositions comprising a cationic biocide and glycol ether solvent By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cleaning composition for sanitizing and/or disinfecting hard surfaces, comprising: a cationic biocide, surfactant and low levels of VOC solvents. The cleaning composition is adapted to clean a variety of hard surfaces without leaving behind a visible residue and creates low levels of streaking and filming on the treated surface. The cleaning composition contains less than 5% by weight of VOCs. The cleaning composition may be used alone as a liquid or spray formulation or in combination with a substrate, for example, a pre-loaded cleaning wipe. Full Article
pr Personal care compositions with improved hyposensitivity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides personal care compositions comprising a carrier and a mixture of essential oil components having specific levels of eucalyptol, terpene materials and auxiliary fragrance materials. The compositions herein gentle to skin and have a fragrance and activity similar if the composition were made using the pure extracted essential oil. Full Article