Patents Examined by Chris Fiorilla
  • Patent number: 7077927
    Abstract: A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen. The method includes depositing, on a first surface of a decal strip, conductive material in the form of an edge electrode pattern, placing the first surface of the decal strip on one edge of a touch screen, applying heat and pressure to an opposite surface of the decal strip until the edge electrode pattern is transferred from the first surface of the decal strip to the touch screen; and removing the decal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frank J. Bottari, Andrea C. Marble
  • Patent number: 7074293
    Abstract: A method improves the property of films including a release film and a protective film. After separating from the release film, the protective film is bonded with a TAC (Triacetyl Cellulose) film and then processed by coating, such as with an anti-reflecting coating, an anti-glaring coating and a surface hardening treatment, and by drying in an oven. The protective film is separated from the TAC film. The waste of material, which resulted from cracks, snaps and bends of the film, is avoided in the process. Furthermore, practice costs are low, and additional expensive apparatus or treatment are not necessary for a simplified procedure of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Optimax Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kun-Lin Chuang, Shu-Yuan Huang, Ming-Hsiung Sung
  • Patent number: 7074275
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for coating hollow bodies, e.g. plastic drinks bottles. It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for treating workpieces which operates reliably and with low maintenance, can be flexibly adapted to the user's requirements or to the requirements of the desired process sequence, and which allows efficient evacuation. The apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one treatment device (101) for receiving at least one workpiece, a rotor on which the treatment device is arranged, a fluid rotary leadthrough for feeding at least one fluid onto the rotor and/or for discharging at least one fluid from the rotor, the fluid rotary leadthrough having a journal and a sleeve, which at least in sections are sealed off from one another, and the journal being arranged rotatably in the sleeve. The proposed radial arrangement is particularly unsusceptible to faults and entails little maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Gregor Arnold, Andreas Lüttringhaus-Henkel, Jürgen Klein, Stephan Behle
  • Patent number: 7073551
    Abstract: In order to avoid the necessity of cropping the pages of a bound volume, uniformly sized printed pages having pre-glued edge surfaces are aligned within a stack and a press then presses the edge of the stack so as to compress the glue and adhere the pages together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7074274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying powder coating materials in electrostatic spray systems are provided. For example, a gravity feed of recovered powder coating from the recovery system to the feed system is disclosed. In addition, a powder feed system is disclosed wherein a powder suction lance assembly has only two operable positions, a first for feeding powder from a fluidized hopper and also corresponding to a purge position for a novel purge manifold, and a second retracted position for powder color changes and servicing. Also, a pump assembly block in physical communication with an air line attachment plate, a suction tube plate, and a hose manifold is disclosed. A plurality of attachment members removably attach the air attachment plate, a suction tube plate, and the hose manifold plate to the pump assembly block. Method for applying a first powder color and a second powder color in a powder feed center are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, Edward L. Jones, Michael S. Thomas, Andrew M. Peddie, Kenneth A. Kreeger, Joseph G. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7070656
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for electrostatically coating a pharmaceutical tablet core with powdered coating material. The apparatus comprises a first rotary drum (12) on which a core is held in electrical isolation from its surroundings but at a potential differecne to earth by an electrode which contacts the core. The core is carried past a coating station B at which particles of powder having an opposite potential difference to earth are held in a tray (18). The surface of the drum is held at the same potential difference to earth as the powder particles. The powder is attracted to the core, and not to the drum, coating the exposed surface of the core. The drum carries the coated core past a fusing station C at which a heater fuses the powder to form a continuous film coating. The core is then turned and transferred onto a second drum (12?) where the other surface is coated in the same way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Phoqus Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventors: John E. Hogan, John N. Stannforth, Linda Reeves, Trevor Page
  • Patent number: 7070653
    Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George W. Frost, George F. Vesley, Biing-Huel D. Su, Brandon L. Cordts
  • Patent number: 7070667
    Abstract: Tiles are installed on a vertical wall by employing an elongate, straight device that includes a spirit level. The device is positioned in overlying relation to the wall and rotated until it is horizontal as indicated by the spirit level. A plurality of longitudinally spaced and vertically staggered slots is formed in the device. Each slot receives a fastener so that the device can be secured to studs behind the wall. A row of tile supported by the device is then installed on the wall. The fasteners are removed after the tile installation is complete so that the device can be moved and re-used. Opposite ends of the device are configured to releasably engage a device of the same structure so that multiple devices can be linked together. An alternative embodiment is notched along its extent to provide utility in the context of convex and concave walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Mark E Kirby
  • Patent number: 7070669
    Abstract: An improved process for producing ceramic thick film array elements is provided. In this regard, ceramic elements are formed on a temporary, or printing, substrate by screen printing or other forming methods. The temporary, or printing, substrate is advantageously provided with a release layer. This makes it possible to release the printed and soft-baked ceramic elements from the temporary substrate and transfer the ceramic elements to the sintering substrate. The contemplated release technique takes advantage of the phase transition of a liquid, e.g. water, to transfer the elements to a sintering substrate. After sintering and electrode deposition, the ceramic element array is bonded to a target substrate. Then, the sintering substrate is removed to make the array available for implementation in a variety of suitable environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. White, Baomin Xu
  • Patent number: 7067009
    Abstract: A new and improved strand coating system comprises a strand guide block which serves to properly position and orient a plurality of elongated, parallel strands, which are being respectively conveyed in front of a plurality of the material dispensing nozzles, in such a manner that the plurality of elongated, parallel strands can assuredly be respectively disposed within common planes which are effectively formed between the strand guide slots defined within the strand guide block and the plurality of material dispensing nozzles whereby the dispensed hot melt adhesive materials can be properly applied to and coated upon the elongated strands prior to the adherence of the elongated strands upon suitable substrates so as to, in turn, ensure the desirably secured adherence of the plurality of elongated strands upon the particular substrates when the elongated strands and the substrates are mated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Bolyard, Jr., Mel S. Lessley
  • Patent number: 7067010
    Abstract: The machine is an index spraying machine. The machine has five different stations. The first station is the load/unload station. At this station, work pieces are unloaded after they have been sprayed and new work pieces to be sprayed are loaded on. New pieces then move into the pre-heat station tunnel. A third station is the spraying area. In this area, the work pieces are sprayed. After being sprayed, the work pieces move in the area where they are heated to flash off the volatile fumes. Then they move to the fifth work station where they are cooled and finally they move back into the load/unload station. The spraying area in this machine is sealed to meet NEMA 7 standards. The air capture system cascades the air, thus lowering the air volume that passes through the thermal oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Harold A. Biddle
  • Patent number: 7063746
    Abstract: An in-line writing and marking system, which includes a dispenser for dispensing a disk from a stack of disks, and at least one duplication system which receives the disk from the dispenser and writes data onto the disk. A conveyor belt assembly receives the disk from the duplication system and conveys the disk from a first position to a second position. A marking device located between the first position and the second position and marks indicia on the disk. The system also includes a pad located between a first conveyor surface and a second conveyor surface, wherein the pad is configured to catch overspray from the marking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Microbroads Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Wray Russ
  • Patent number: 7063745
    Abstract: A kit for forming a multi-component coating formulation for application using a hand-held spraying apparatus to produce a finished coating on a surface comprises a first and a second container holding respective first and second components of a multi-component coating formulation. The kit also includes at least one dispenser in the form a generally tubular body member having a closure at both a first and a second end thereof. The dispenser holds a predetermined volume of a polymerization catalyst solution having “w” weight percent of catalyst therein. The dispenser has a predetermined cross sectional area “a” given by the relationship: a?P·A·[W/w]·10?6, where “A” is the cross sectional area of the reservoir holding a liquid coating formulation having “W” weight percent of solids; and P is the ratio by weight of the catalyst to the solids desired in the finished coating, in parts per million.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Kamlesh Kumar Bhatia
  • Patent number: 7056386
    Abstract: A mechanism for the application of viscous substances, particularly of dispersion adhesives, onto a moving substrate, includes a jet body, upon which a variety of application modules are aligned, which are supplied with substances by means of at least one supply unit, and a slot jet configuration, with which the substance can be applied to the moving substrate in the form of a defined application pattern. The slot jet configuration may be exchanged for the purpose of altering the application pattern. The slot jet configuration is formed by a jet strip system, which is useable for any application pattern, and a distribution plate, which is replaceable regardless of application pattern and which is upstream of the jet strip system in terms of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Dynatec GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Pahl
  • Patent number: 7052548
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate including a horizontally-oriented manifold body having spaced apart front and rear surfaces and a lower surface extending between the front and rear surfaces. The lower surface is adapted to overlie at least a portion of the substrate. At least one dispensing module is mounted on the front surface of the manifold body and includes a discharge end for dispensing liquid onto the substrate. The discharge end is positioned proximate the lower edge of the front surface and the forward edge of the lower surface. The lower surface of the manifold body is angled in an upward direction generally from the front edge to the rear edge to progressively increase the distance between the lower surface and the substrate from front to rear when the front surface is vertically oriented and the substrate is horizontally oriented beneath the manifold body. The angled lower surface also facilitates substrates approaching the apparatus at a similar angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Jones
  • Patent number: 7052550
    Abstract: The apparatus for coloring a wire includes a plurality of coloring nozzles, each of which spouts a liquid coloring agent toward an outer surface of a wire with a specific amount thereof per spouting so as to allow the liquid drop of the coloring agent to adhere to the outer surface of the wire, thereby coloring the wire. The coloring agent adheres on the outer surface of the wire so as to form a spot. Each coloring nozzle includes an insert member for receiving the coloring agent therein and a nozzle member that communicates with the insert member. The length of the nozzle member is different from each other. The apparatus selects one coloring nozzle from a plurality of the coloring nozzles in response to the size of the spot to be formed on the outer surface of the wire and spouts the coloring agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamata, Keigo Sugimura, Sei Saito, Kiyoshi Yagi
  • Patent number: 7048823
    Abstract: A method of film fabrication is taught that uses a coating and drying apparatus to fabricate resin films suitable for optical applications. In particular, acrylic films are prepared by simultaneous application of multiple liquid layers to a moving carrier substrate. After solvent removal, the acrylic films are peeled from the sacrificial carrier substrate. Acrylic films prepared by the current invention exhibit good clarity and low birefringence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Marcus S Bermel
  • Patent number: 7048800
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a semiconductor substrate, or wafer, processing apparatus is provided. The wafer processing apparatus may include a frame, a semiconductor substrate support, a dispense head connected to the frame to dispense a semiconductor processing fluid onto a substrate on the support, and a catch cup, having a top section and a mid-section, connected to the frame around the wafer support. A portion of an inner surface of the top section may not face towards, or face away from, a central axis of the semiconductor substrate. An upper surface of the mid-section may have substantially no horizontal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7045013
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a spray booth that comprises a spray booth housing having a ceiling and side walls that define an interior for holding an object to be sprayed. A pressurized air plenum is disposed above the ceiling and is adapted to supply air into the interior. A filter media is used to filter air from the plenum before entering into the interior. At least one fan is disposed in the interior below the filter media. The fan is operable to locally increase air flows in the vicinity of the object to increase evaporation rates associated with a spray application on the object, and to enhance air flow over the object during a dry or a cure cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Garmat USA
    Inventor: Karel DeRegge
  • Patent number: 7045012
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for jetting a liquid from a nozzle of a droplet jet head and applying it to a substrate, a jet amount of the liquid to any one of at least two divided regions of a coating region of the substrate is controlled to be greater than a jet amount to the other divided regions. A spin coater can be used to rotate the substrate. To divide the coating region of the substrate, the substrate can be divided into at least an inside circumferential region and an outside circumferential region positioned at predetermined distances from the center of rotation of the substrate. In this case, the jet amount to the outside region is greater than the jet amount to the inside region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomomi Kawase