Patents Examined by Charles Rainwater
  • Patent number: 5385610
    Abstract: A roll coating machine for applying liquid materials onto sheet material workpieces. The machine has particular application in the area of coating flexible foam sheets with stiffening or adhesive agents. The roll coater incorporates mechanisms for controlling the spacing between coating rollers which apply the liquid materials onto one or both sides of the workpiece and enables automatic adjustment for various thickness of material. Automatic adjustment is provided through accurate force balancing of one of the rollers and applying a highly controlled net force acting on the rollers such that the rollers self-adjust based on compression of the workpiece. Another mechanism provided in the machine of this invention incorporates pre-gauging and a cam adjustment mechanism for setting separation distance which can be used independently or in conjunction with a force balancing approach mentioned previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Deerer, Kenneth G. Huber
  • Patent number: 5383996
    Abstract: A novel adhesive web or sheet having a carrier backing and an adhesive layer which can be cut with intricate graphic patterns and peeled to leave a reverse image of the desired graphic, as an adhesive on the carrier backing. The adhesive pattern is then transferred to the display or framing substrate, by the application of relatively low heat and pressure. After transfer, the adhesive pattern is right-reading, and serves as the bonding foundation for the ultimate graphic. A graphic sheet having a decorative upper surface, is placed with its lower surface on the adhesive pattern. Relatively low levels of heat and pressure are applied through the top, or decorative surface, thereby attaching the lower surface of the graphic sheet to the adhesive pattern, but not to the remainder of the framing substrate. After cooling, the graphic sheet is peeled away, leaving behind only that portion which bonded to the adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Donald R. Dressler
  • Patent number: 5380391
    Abstract: An article and method for marking elastomeric articles, such as tires, floor mats, and the like, includes an elastomeric sheet which is marked with indicia using a solvent based ink which contrasts with the elastomeric sheet. The indicia is cured with a clear thermoset layer such as a polyurethane. This is then applied to an uncured elastomeric article and the elastomeric article is cured. The heat and the pressure of curing causes the elastomeric sheet to bond to the elastomeric article. The indicia remains discernible and is not easily marred or dulled. After curing, the transfer can be further marked by heat transferring indicia in the form of a sublimation dye through the clear polyurethane layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: John Mahn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5376205
    Abstract: A record book or pad and a method of manufacturing such a book or pad has a stack of sheets in sets A. Each set A consists of a primary sheet P disposed between secondary sheets OS and US. Both faces of the sheet P are provided with a reactive coating 4 of duplicating material and each face of the secondary sheets OS and US which opposes the primary sheet P in the set is provided with reactive coatings 5 of duplicating material. When a marking is applied to the sheet OS for recording a message, pressure from that marking transfers through the sheet OS causing the coatings 4 and 5 between the sheets OS and P to inter-react and form a duplicate marking on a one face of the sheet P. Similarly when a marking is applied to the secondary sheet US, pressure from that marking transfers through the sheet US causing the coatings 4 and 5 between sheet P and US to inter-react and form a duplicate of the marking on the second face of the sheet P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Drakes Office Systems Limited
    Inventor: Thomas R. Drake
  • Patent number: 5376220
    Abstract: A device for bonding a thermoplastic tape to a substrate to form a fully consolidated composite. This device has an endless chain associated with a frame so as to rotate in a plane that is perpendicular to a long dimension of the tape, the chain having pivotally connected chain links with each of the links carrying a flexible foot member that extends outwardly from the chain. A selected number of the foot members contact the tape, after the heating thereof, to cause the heated tape to bond to the substrate. The foot members are each a thin band of metal oriented transversely to the chain, with a flexibility and width and length to contact the tape so as to cause the tape to conform to the substrate to achieve consolidation of the tape and the substrate. A biased leaf-type spring within the frame bears against an inner surface of the chain to provide the compliant pressure necessary to bond the tape to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy System, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5368672
    Abstract: This invention provides processes for making three-dimensional signage. In one embodiment, a process is provided for making raised graphic signage. In this embodiment, a profile material is adhered to a substrate materials with an adhesive which: (a) bonds firmly enough to hold the profile and substrate materials together during the process, (b) permits the profile and substrate material to be separated after the process is completed, and (c) cures to form a more permanent bond after the profile and substrate materials have been separated. Then, an outline of a desired graphic is cut completely through the profile material. That portion of the profile material which does not constitute the outlined graphic is then separated form the substrate material, before the adhesive forms a permanent bond. In another embodiment, a process is provided for making recessed graphic signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: New Hermes Incorporated
    Inventors: Deborah M. Gunzelman, Wayne C. Hoffman, James L. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 5368664
    Abstract: A photographic film cassette has a spool on which photographic film is wound, and a cassette shell for containing the spool rotatably. A photographic film passageway is formed in the cassette shell. The photographic film is passed out of and into a roll chamber through the passage. A pair of light-shielding members are attached to inside surfaces of the passageway for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette shell, and are provided respectively with innermost, midway and outermost portions, as viewed in the direction of advancement of the photographic film out of the film chamber. The respective innermost and outermost portions are spaced apart one from another. The respective midway portions are in contact one with another when a leader of the photographic film is entirely contained in the chamber. In a process for manufacturing the cassette, a horn of an ultrasonic welding device is applied to the light-shielding members, to weld them to cassette halves ultrasonically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Sugiyama, Naoko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5368675
    Abstract: An improvement is proposed in the method for the preparation of a frame-supported pellicle involving a step in which a resin film for the pellicle membrane formed on the surface of a substrate plate by the solution casting method is adhesively bonded to a rigid pellicle frame and then the substrate plate is removed by separating from the resin film by pulling the substrate and the frame apart in a gaseous atmosphere of which the relative humidity is 80% or higher in contrast to the conventional procedures in which this step is conducted either in water or in a gaseous atmosphere of an air-conditioned clean room having a relative humidity never exceeding 60%. By virtue of this unique procedure, an outstandingly small number of dust particles are deposited on the pellicle membrane obtained by the removal of the substrate therefrom along with an advantage of very smooth and easy removal of the substrate not to cause slack or rupture of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Hamada, Yoshihiko Nagata, Meguru Kashida, Yoshihiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 5364688
    Abstract: A heat activated transfer which is particularly suitable for marking elastomeric articles comprises a lower elastomeric layer bonded to an upper polyester layer. The upper polyester layer in turn carries indicia which is a sublimation dye heat transferred into the polyester layer. The polyester is preferably a high temperature saturated polyester resin, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The lower layer is preferably a thermoplastic elastomeric layer. The two layers are bonded together by a thermoplastic adhesive, preferably a polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: John Mahn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5362348
    Abstract: A method of applying a foil indicia on a video cassette including the steps of mounting a video cassette on a conveyor, indexing the video cassette to a stamping position adjacent a first hot foil stamping means and a second hot foil stamping means, applying a foil indicia on a first predetermined surface of the video cassette, applying a second foil indicia on a second predetermined surface of the video cassette, where the first predetermined surface and second predetermined surface are disposed at a substantial angular relation to each other, indexing the video cassette to an exit position, and removing the video cassette from the conveyor. An apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: William T. Gutherie
  • Patent number: 5360504
    Abstract: A method is provided for bonding an adhesive to a polyolefin foam, and preferably a non-crosslinked polyethylene foam. The foam is useful as a liquid-impervious backing in a disposable absorbent article, such as a panty liner, a sanitary napkin, a diaper, a adult incontinent garment, a training pant, and the like. The adhesive is applied to a substrate which is then brought into intimate contact with one side of the foam's surface. Optionally, heat and pressure may be applied to enhance bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fell, Richard D. Schulz, Mary J. Meyer, Allan J. Krueger, Franklin M. C. Chen, Yung H. Huang
  • Patent number: 5358582
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of simply producing an ID card which can provide the Id card with character information shared by the same kind of ID cards issued in large numbers, and an ID card which offers improved protection of the gradation image formed on the image-receiving layer and which is difficult to forge or alter.The ID card is characterized in that a transparent resin sheet having character information shared by the same kind of ID cards is provided on the surface of an image-receiving layer which has a gradation image and character-information-bearing image and which has been formed on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiro Koshizuka, Shigehiro Kitamura, Atsushi Nakajima, Tomonori Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5358590
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of individual element arrays, including the steps of forming a wafer including a substrate and a plurality of elements formed on the substrate; bonding a transparent protective tape to an upper surface of the wafer to protect the wafer; bonding a supporting tape to a lower surface of the wafer to support the wafer; and cutting the transparent protective tape, the wafer and an upper portion of the supporting tape to form the individual element arrays separated from each other. Accordingly, attachment of dust onto the upper surface of the wafer can be surely prevented by the protective tape in cutting the wafer. Further, accurate cutting of the wafer into a desired shape can be ensured owing to the transparency of the protective tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5352314
    Abstract: An open rectangular frame covered on one side with a flexible, transparent film having releasable adhesive on the side toward the frame is laid over weeded graphic art. The film is held in place on the frame with elongated clips which slip over the four sides of the frame to capture the film. The film is then pressed down onto the graphics, lifted off of the underlying surface carrying the weeded graphics with it, and the release paper is then peeled from the graphics, leaving the graphics bonded onto the film with the exposed graphics adhesive on the side of the graphics opposite the film side. The frame is then positioned by observing through the transparent film to properly line up the graphics with the underlying display, and the film is pressed down, pressing the graphics into engagement with the underlying display panel subsequent to which the frame is removed, leaving perfectly positioned graphics in their final resting place on the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: Jay E. Coplan
  • Patent number: 5350474
    Abstract: A printing method includes an ink image forming step and an ink image retransferring step. In the ink image forming step, an ink image is formed on a hot melting type adhesive layer of a transfer sheet by using a heat-sensitive image transfer type recording device. In the image retransferring step, the ink image and the hot melting type adhesive layer are transferred onto an image receiving member such as a cloth by heatedly pressing the transfer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yamane
  • Patent number: 5348611
    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: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Lavrenge, Dane C. Scott
  • Patent number: 5342465
    Abstract: A composite structure of elastic and viscoelastic components in which dynamic loads are effectively damped by transmission through the viscoelastic components. The structure includes a continuous sandwich comprised either of a single elastic layer enclosed by two viscoelastic layers or of a single viscoelastic layer enclosed by two elastic layers such that the sandwich has little stiffness in any intended direction of loading, and two segmented elastic layers having stiffness in a desired loading direction. The segmented layers have alternating segments and gaps and are disposed one on each side of the viscoelastic layer in such a manner that the gaps of one segmented layer overlap the segments of the other segmented layer. Dynamic loads in the loading direction are transmitted back and forth from one segmented layer to the other, through the continuous sandwich layer containing the viscoelastic material, which thereby provides a high degree of damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Allen J. Bronowicki, Abner Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5340430
    Abstract: A system for handling a waste web initially forming a label web adhesively bonded to a carrier web which together comprise a web laminate. The waste web, having its undersurface adhesively coated, results upon the formation of labels from the label web such that the carrier web supports the labels. The system includes a separating roll for causing the carrier and waste webs of the laminate to travel along separate paths. The machine has a web treating roll about which the waste web passes in adhereing contact therewith, and a doctor blade removes the waste web from the treating roll as waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Goebel GmbH
    Inventor: Reiner Pfuhl
  • Patent number: 5336348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a coherent vermiculite film which can be performed on a continuous basis. An exemplary method comprises the steps of providing a non-flocculated dispersion of delaminated vermiculite platelets, providing a flexible release carrier having a surface operative for retaining thereupon a wet film of said dispersion and further operative for releasing the vermiculite film when dried, applying a wet vermiculite film to the moving carrier, and drying the vermiculite film, whereby the dried film is releasable from the carrier. The flexible release carrier preferably comprises paper having a release agent coating thereon. The invention also provides a flexible carrier-supported releasable vermiculite film, a film made from an vermiculite-aziridine composition, a composition of vermiculite and an aziridine, and a composition of vermiculite and amine resulting from an aziridine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Richard E. Mindler
  • Patent number: 5330604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing papermakers or like fabrics wherein preformed apertured fabric bands are joined together in spaced edge-to-edge disposition in a manner to provide substantial uniformity of construction throughout the fabric width. The invention proposed supporting the bands (11, 12) in spaced parallel disposition on a pinned roller (26) wherein the distribution and configuration of the pins (34) matches the apertures in the bands and creating an infill band in the region between adjacent preformed bands (11, 12) by feeding thermoplastic matrix material to the surface of the pinned roller in said region, causing said matrix material to flow into interstices between the pins and to bond with the material of the preformed bands. Reinforcing yarns (13) will be provided in the region between adjacent preformed bands and extending in a direction parallel to the bands and will be embodied within the matrix material of the joined structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Scapa Group PLC
    Inventors: Andrew Allum, John Jeffery, Ian C. Sayers, Michael D. Spence