Patents Examined by Charles Rainwater
  • Patent number: 5520763
    Abstract: Colored or metallic foil is applied to toner printed onto a substrate, such as paper, in a high speed, versatile manner, using a rotating impression cylinder, and a rotating transfer cylinder having circumferentially spaced heated raised portions. The toner, which preferably includes a thermoplastic component, is applied to the paper with any suitable printer, such as a computer controlled MIDAX (ion deposition) print engine. The toner may be heated by an infra red heater just before the paper is fed to the nip between the impression and transfer cylinders. A foil strip having an adhesive layer facing outwardly, a foil layer, and a release coating on a backing, is also fed to the nip, and the backing taken up downstream of the nip. Heat and pressure applied at the nip transfer the adhesive and foil from the foil strip to the tacky toner, producing the desired foil printed paper, which then may be further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Johnstone
  • Patent number: 5507908
    Abstract: A coloring apparatus comprises a transfer head C having a heating element elastically protruding from an apparatus body 1, a tape accommodating portion B, and a tape feeding portion A having a winding up shaft 17, etc., which are incorporated within the apparatus body 1. A using method comprises, holding the apparatus body 1, pressing the transfer head C on the copied image of the xerographic copy, and heating by a heating element. Next, the apparatus body 1 is moved as the transfer head C is pressed onto the copied image, whereby the colored donor layer is peeled off from the transfer tape to stick the colored donor layer onto the copied image on the xerographic copy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Chinon Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mitsuru Fukushima, Kunihiko Kanai, Kouki Mochizuki, Wataru Ogura, Satoru Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5423927
    Abstract: A die paste transfer system wherein a first layer of bonding paste is transfer to a surface of the die as the die moves through the paste station in a controlled manner. The control for the transport controls orientation which the die passes through the paste station and the orientation of the die at the bonding site. The height of the die is varied as it passes through a second layer of paste. The speed at which the die and the second layer of bonding paste move well to each other is also adjusted to produce the desired thickness of the first layer on the die. Shear is produced in the second layer to affect transfer of the bonding paste from the reservoir to the die. For larger dies, the die may enter and leave the paste more than once to produce individual plateaus spaced from the edge of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Laurent, Dane C. Scott
  • Patent number: 5421939
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar window film graphic for attachment to a substantially translucent surface such as a glass window includes generating a design with a computer-aided design system and cutting solar window film in accordance with the generated design under the controlled guidance of a computer-aided machining system. Appropriate portions of the solar window film are removed in accordance with the generated design and a transfer tape is attached to the solar window film for securing the solar window film to a carrier film. The carrier film and solar window film combination is secured to a support film for attachment to a translucent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventors: Frederick K. Scher, Stephen J. Scher
  • Patent number: 5413637
    Abstract: A masking element comprising a foam web formed into a closed curve defining upper and lower surfaces with a layer of adhesive on at least its lower surface for mounting the element on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David R. Bastow
  • Patent number: 5413657
    Abstract: A compensator for a liquid crystal display device is made by applying a solution containing a liquid crystalline polymer onto an orientation substrate, then allowing the liquid crystalline polymer to be oriented, and thereafter transferring the resulting layer of the liquid crystalline polymer on the orientation substrate onto a light transmitting substrate, said solution containing the liquid crystalline polymer having incorporated therein 0.01% to 10% by weight of a surface active agent relative to the liquid crystalline polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamanashi, Shinichirou Suzuki, Yoshio Tsujimoto, Toshikazu Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 5413659
    Abstract: The present invention provides metal/polymer composites including a plastic substrate having longitudinally extending conductive members, adapted to make bonded electrical connections to an array of closely spaced conductive terminal pads. In general terms, the metal/polymer composites include a thin, flexible sheet-like plastic substrate having a plurality of longitudinally extending, regularly spaced, metal pathways or members on one major surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David C. Koskenmaki, Clyde D. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 5411783
    Abstract: The heat activated applique for providing in particular numbers and letter for sports jerseys includes an upper colored thermoplastic elastomer layer bonded to a cloth substrate by a thermoplastic adhesive. Preferably, the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer and the thermoplastic adhesive is a polyester-based thermoplastic adhesive. The applique is suitable for forming a letter on a letter to provide three-dimensional characteristics to an alpha-numeric character. The thermoplastic elastomer layer can be debossed to provide surface characteristics to the heat activated applique, either prior to or during application. This is also suitable for applying additional indicia in the form of sublimation dye heat transferred into the thermoplastic elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Specialty Adhesive Film Co.
    Inventor: John Mahn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5409560
    Abstract: A method of making liners for tool boxes provides custom formed liners to fit a specific selection and arrangement of tools in a tool chest, box or drawer. The method comprises first cutting a backing sheet and a tool receptacle sheet to fit the selected tool drawer or container, and laminating the receptacle sheet to the underlying backing sheet. The selected tools are then laid out on top of the receptacle sheet according to the pattern desired and their outlines traced on the top of the receptacle sheet. The tool receptacles are then cut through the receptacle sheet, down to but not through the underlying backing sheet, along the traced lines. A liquid plastic or vinyl material may be added to the bottoms of the completed receptacles if desired, and allowed to cure to further cushion any tools placed therein. The liquid plastic material may be provided in different colors to assist in the proper placement of tools and in the determination of missing tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventors: Erik D. Hammer, Leslie L. Staadt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5407512
    Abstract: An apparatus for accurately, efficiently, and consistently aligning a tabbing strip with the edges of the photographic print to which it is to be applied. The apparatus comprises a support panel, a tabbing strip registration guide, a photographic print registration guide, a clamping member including a linear clamp bar, and a spring for pivotally mounting the clamping member to the support panel. The present invention further provides a method of using the apparatus for accurately, efficiently, and consistently aligning a tabbing strip with the edges of the photographic print to which it is to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Qualex Financial Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislaw A. Policht
  • Patent number: 5403422
    Abstract: A method for producing decorative plates, comprising the steps of (i) providing a transfer printing sheet which comprises (a) a substrate film comprising a synthetic resin, (b) a releasing layer formed, optionally, on the substrate film, (c) a pattern layer formed on the substrate film or on the releasing layer if it is provided, and (d) an adhesive layer formed on the pattern layer, (ii) superposing the transfer printing sheet on a base sheet, (iii) hot-pressing the transfer printing sheet and the base sheet, (iv) peeling the substrate film off the transfer printing sheet thereby to transfer the pattern layer on the base sheet, (v) impregnating the base sheet with a thermosetting resin, and (vi) hot-pressing the resulting base sheet to harden the thermosetting resin to give a decorative plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kawai, Hajime Kubota, Seiji Kawahara
  • Patent number: 5403414
    Abstract: A method of constructing a floor so as to prevent squeaking due to movement of the floor decking relative to the joists. The joists are installed, and strips of resiliently compressible cushioning tape are laid on the upper edges of the joists so that an adhesive side of the tape adheres thereto to keep the strip in position, and so that a non-adhesive side of the tape faces upwardly therefrom. Floor decking is placed on top of this so that the strip of tape is sandwiched between the decking and the joists, and the non-adhesive surface of the tape permits the decking to be slid thereover to a desired position. Fasteners are then driven through the decking and into the joist to secure the decking in position, and the resilient cushioning tape fills any gaps between the joists and the decking so as to prevent the decking from moving on the joists and causing squeaks. A tool for laying the strips of tape is made up of a handle portion and a spool portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Charles Corston
  • Patent number: 5401346
    Abstract: A hologram decal including a hologram layer having first and second surfaces, a first polymer layer secured to the first hologram surface, a second polymer layer secured to the second hologram surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the non-hologram side of one of the first and second polymer layers, and a release liner covering said pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and techniques for making the hologram decal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Khin S. Yin, John E. Wreede, Kevin H. Yu
  • Patent number: 5399218
    Abstract: A process for making a thermal dye transfer receiver element comprising:a) coextruding a dye image-receiving layer with an orientable thermoplastic resin to form a cast film;b) stretching the cast film to reduce the thickness of the dye image-receiving layer and to produce an oriented composite film; andc) laminating the oriented composite film to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Harrison, Jong S. Lee
  • Patent number: 5399228
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed labels are carried adhesive back side down on a backing strip. The present method and apparatus completely removes each label from its backing material and then may relocate, manipulate, or hold the label by its adhesive back side before it is attached to a passing article. The apparatus may be arranged to dispense the labels along an axis parallel to the path of travel of the moving article or along an axis that crosses the path of travel of the moving article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Best Label Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert J. Schroeder, Jovan Zivkovic
  • Patent number: 5397414
    Abstract: The invention consists of applying a thermosetting adhesive in a molten state to an area where a strip of pile fabric is wound onto a plastic tube which is mounted over a rotating roller. The molten thermosetting adhesive is applied by a nozzle connected to a reservoir where the thermosetting adhesive is heated. After application, the adhesive, the strip of pile fabric and the plastic tube are joined together, forming a structurally integral paint roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: EZ Painter Corporation
    Inventors: Jaime A. Garcia, Bruce C. Polzin, Kenneth L. Shehow
  • Patent number: 5395478
    Abstract: An improvement in a device for applying heat-transferrable decalcomania to a generally curved container surface such as a mug comprising a multiple segment tightening band surrounding a cushioned blanket surrounding a heating element, the segments being hingedly connected so that the band firmly applies the cushioned blanket heating element against the decalcomania and the contiguous curved container surface to effect transfer of the decalcomania design to the container surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventors: David M. Sattler, William C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5393363
    Abstract: A sliding box for placing a film of insulating or draining material within a trench has a front section for receiving a roll of film and a rear section for delivery of the film into the trench. Between the front section (2) and the rear section (13), the box has a connecting chamber (4) provided at each end with a pair of rollers (5-6, 7-8) mounted within said chamber by means for varying the lateral spacing of the rollers of one and the same pair between an active position in which the two rollers grip the film (3) and a position of relative withdrawal in which the film passes freely between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Fournier S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Fournier
  • Patent number: 5391247
    Abstract: A method for applying a decorative coating to glass and the resulting glass products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Revlon Consumer Products Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin E. Kamen, Bhupendra Patel, Phillip Bernstein
  • Patent number: 5387301
    Abstract: In the prepreg manufacuturing method according to the present invention, at least one of a first and second release papers is coated with a matrix resin having a low viscosity. Reinforcing fibers are supplied in between the release papers and arranged on the matrix resin layer. Then, the reinforcing fibers are impregnated with the matrix resin by heating and pressing the release papers. After separating one of the papers, a room-temperature curing type hardener is applied onto the matrix resin layer to form a high viscosity layer on a surface layer of the matrix resin layer. Thereafter, a cover film is laid over the surface layer to make a prepreg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Tonen Corporation
    Inventors: Makiji Miyao, Makoto Takezawa