Patents Examined by Christopher M. Keehan
  • Patent number: 6530865
    Abstract: A method of forming a molded article and a molded article itself having a passage therein which has a cross-sectional dimension adjacent an end which is less than at a location which is spaced from the end are disclosed. In the method an elongate, rigid mandrel is covered over a substantial portion of its length with a flexible mandrel. The flexible mandrel, when covering the rigid mandrel, has an exterior surface which has a cross-sectional dimension which is less adjacent an end thereof than at a location which is spaced from that end. The flexible mandrel is then covered with a material which is to form the molded article with the rigid and flexible mandrels defining the mold about which the article is formed by the material. The material is then set to form the molded article about the mandrels with the mandrels defining the passage in the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Gill Athletics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Held
  • Patent number: 6531212
    Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements and a film comprising a blend of polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that the film is substantially vinyl-like. The articles can be used, for example, in reflective footwear, apparel, safety wear, sweatbands, piping and adornments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Osei A. Owusu, Brandt K. Carter
  • Patent number: 6528160
    Abstract: To provide a transparent resin which is suitable in the process of producing a coating for electronic materials, a glass having both of the scattering-preventing function and the antireflective function, an adhesive agent, a shock-absorbing material, an ultraviolet-cutting sheet for televisions, a filter for VDTs and a high refractive index primer composition as well as the process for the production of primer-coated lenses using said primer composition, is excellent in a coatability, adhesive property, storage stability, durability, shock resistance and the like, and is particularly excellent in a transparency and adhesive property after curing of the same. A transparent resin having an adhesive property characterized by comprising a cured product of the polymerizing composition which comprises at least one of diallyl phthalate, diallyl isophthalate and diallyl terephthalate, and pentaerythritol tetra (3-mercaptopropionate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Takushima
  • Patent number: 6517937
    Abstract: A self-adhesive protective film, especially for painted vehicles or vehicle parts, having a single-ply or multi-ply backing layer and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer comprising a polar component A and an apolar component B, the weight fraction of the polar component A being from 50 to 99% and comprising one or a mixture of copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate whose vinyl acetate content is between 40 and 80% by weight, and the weight fraction of the apolar component B being from 1 to 50% and comprising one or a mixture of slightly crystalline or amorphous homopolymers or copolymers of &agr;-olefins of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, said polymers being saturated in the main chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: tesa AG
    Inventors: Nicolai Böhm, Jobst Waldemar Klemp, Ingolf Schütz
  • Patent number: 6514586
    Abstract: A hot stamping foil comprising a heat-resistant, flexible carrier sheet of a synthetic resinous material; a release layer of a heat-resistant, flexible synthetic resinous material provided on the carrier sheet and having a lower melting point than the carrier sheet; a laninar assembly having a glass bead layer on the release layer, an aluminum layer on the glass bead layer and an adhesive layer on the aluminum layer; and wherein heat and pressure applied to the cater sheet causes the laminar assembly to be released from the release layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kun Lee Hwang
  • Patent number: 6500537
    Abstract: A non-sticking composite material for office automation equipment which is produced by applying, to a substrate, a material comprising a fluorine-containing polymer having an excellent adhesive property to the substrate without necessitating complicated steps and is excellent in heat resistance, non-sticking property, stain-proofing property, water- and oil-repelling property, stain removing property, chemical resistance, rust-preventive property, antibacterial property, resistance to energy ray and abrasion resistance. The non-sticking composite material for office automation equipment is produced by applying, to the substrate, the material comprising a fluorine-containing ethylenic polymer having functional group which is prepared by copolymerizing (a) 0.05 to 30% by mole of at least one of fluorine-containing ethylenic monomers having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, carboxyl, a carboxylic salt group, a carboxylic ester group and epoxy, and (b) 70 to 99.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Araki, Yoshito Tanaka, Masahiro Kumegawa, Noritoshi Oka, Hisato Sanemasa, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6497949
    Abstract: An adhesive blend is comprised of a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive comprising the polymerization product of (a) about 15 to about 85 parts by weight of an (meth)acrylate ester monomer wherein the (meth)acrylate ester monomer, when polymerized, has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 10° C.; (b) about 85 to about 15 parts by weight of a hydrophilic acidic comonomer; and (c) at least about 10 parts based on 100 parts of the sum of components (a)+(b) of a non-reactive plasticizing agent and a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer including styrene block copolymers (e.g., linear, radial, tapered, star) consisting of copolymerized styrene and isoprene, butadiene or ethylene-butylene; polyisoprene; polybutadiene; polyisobutylene; butyl rubber; styrene-butadiepe rubber; natural rubber; and poly-&agr;-olefins (e.g., polyhexene, polyoctene and propylene-hexene).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick D. Hyde, Anthony R. Clanton, Melinda B. Gieselman, Jingjing Ma, Robert H. Menzies, Dennis J. Pohl
  • Patent number: 6497933
    Abstract: An antistatic composition is provided for use with a label construction which includes an organic cationic polyelectrolyte, a binder, and a surfactant. The composition is preferably used in a label construction comprising a polymer film substrate having a pressure sensitive adhesive on its second surface, a release liner overlying the pressure sensitive adhesive, with the antistatic composition being provided on the second surface of release liner. The antistatic composition reduces the surface resistivity of the second surface of said release liner. The antistatic composition may also be used in combination with a toner adhesion-enhancing coating which is provided on the first surface of the substrate to improve print quality. The labels may be stacked or provided in roll form such that the antistatic composition reduces the coefficient of friction between adjacent labels and prevents the build-up of static charges on the labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Standard Register Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Yeager, Rajendra Mehta
  • Patent number: 6495264
    Abstract: A composition for film formation which comprises: (A) a product of hydrolysis and condensation obtained by hydrolyzing and condensing at least one silane compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formula (1), compounds represented by the formula (2), and compounds represented by the formula (3) in the presence of water and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of tetraalkylammonium hydoxides, alicyclic organic amines, and metal hydroxides, and (B) an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Hayashi, Kouichi Hasegawa, Youngsoo Seo
  • Patent number: 6489023
    Abstract: A sealant composition comprising a curable epoxy-containing material, a thermoplastic polyamide component having a melting point lower than a curing temperature of the epoxy-containing material, and a curative for the epoxy-containing material. After curing of the epoxy-containing material, the sealant composition exhibits an elongation at −20° C. of at least 2. The sealant composition is capable of effectively sealing discontinuities while maintaining enough flexibility to absorb applied stress, thereby preventing the formation of defects in the sealant which permit the intrusion of dirt, moisture, and other undesirable substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kotaro Shinozaki, Kazuyoshi Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 6485834
    Abstract: A thermosetting composition with a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C. comprises at least one epoxy resin formed from at least one polyepoxide containing at least two epoxy groups in its molecule and at least one aromatic polyamine containing at least two primary amino groups in its molecule, at least one alkanoyl substituent containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms located in the position alpha to one of the amino groups. The molar ratio of the amine to the epoxide is such that each amine group corresponds to 1.6 to 2.6 epoxy groups. The composition also includes a flow controller. The composition can be used as a protective coating for any metallic or non metallic surface. The invention also concerns a flexible deployable preform comprising the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Paul Mariaggi, Henri Delhomme, Dominique Audigier, Frédérique Jacquemin-Hauviller
  • Patent number: 6472079
    Abstract: A composition for film formation which comprises: (A) a product of hydrolysis and condensation obtained by hydrolyzing and condensing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (A-1) compounds represented by the following formula (1) RaSi(OR1)4-a  (1) (A-2) compounds represented by the following formula (2) Si(OR2)4  (2) and (A-3) compounds represented by the following formula (3) R3b(R4O)3-bSi—(R7)d—Si(OR5)3-cR6c  (3) (B) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the metals in Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table; and (C) an organic solvent. A method for film formation using the composition and a silica-based film obtained by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Hayashi, Michinori Nishikawa, Kinji Yamada
  • Patent number: 6468650
    Abstract: A self-adhesive composition, comprising a base polymer of polyethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) having a vinyl acetate fraction of from 40 to 80% by weight and a melt index MFI in accordance with ISO 1133 (A/4) of from 0.5 to 25 g/10 min at 190° C. and 2.16 kg, which is blended with a polyether having a fraction of from 1 to 35% by weight of the form XO—[(CH2)4—O]—Y  (1) or XO—[(CH(CH3)—CH2—O]—Y  (2) having a weight-average molecular weight Mw of from 200 to 100,000 g/mol, X and Y being selected from the group consisting of H—, (CnH2n+1)— where n is from 1 to 20, CH2═CHCO—, CH3CH(NH2)CH2—, 2,3-epoxypropyl, C6H5—CO—, and CH2═C(CH3)—CO—.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: tesa AG
    Inventor: Nicolai Böhm
  • Patent number: 6468660
    Abstract: Novel adhesive compositions are described that include an epoxyamine and, preferably, a curing agent. The adhesive composition can be used in surgical settings such as implanting bioprostheses and/or in manufacturing of bioprostheses. Biocompatible substrates can be adhered together by an adhesive bond formed by curing of the epoxyamine adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Ogle, Andrea L. McConico
  • Patent number: 6458462
    Abstract: A sporting goods article with a coating on a surface of the article for abrasion resistance and/or a high gloss appearance. The outer layer of the surface is a polymer, wood, metal, non-polymeric ink, non-polymeric colorant, non-polymeric dye, or a combination thereof The coating is a cured ceramer composition. The cured ceramer composition, in its simplest embodiment, is derived from a composition including inorganic oxide particles and a curable organic matrix, with the curable organic matrix including at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one organofunctional silane monomer coupling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Soonkun Kang, Forrest J. Rouser, Susan K. Rowen, Steven J. Martin, Michael S. Terrazas, Scott G. Norquist, James L. Sadlo
  • Patent number: 6451437
    Abstract: A curable composition comprising (A) an organopolysiloxane having functional groups capable of condensation reaction at both molecular terminals thereof and (B-1) a hydrophobic silica and a hydrophilic silica. A curable composition comprising (A) an organopolysiloxane having functional groups capable of condensation reaction at both molecular terminals thereof and (B-2) a hydrophobic silica, wherein the hydrophobic silica (B-2) is thermally treated together with the organopolysiloxane (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignees: Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd., Shin-esu Chemical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Amidaiji, Toshiharu Yamamoto, Hironobu Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6451425
    Abstract: Adhesive tape backings comprising isotactic polypropylene blended or mixed with at least a second polyolefin. The backing is biaxially stretched so as to provide a film having any one or a combination of the following preferred characteristics: A. Puncture energy up to 20 J/cm2 when 2.54 cm wide samples are tested by the method set herein, or up to 90 J/cm2 when 1.27 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein. B. Puncture elongation up to about 1.3 cm when 2.54 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein, or up to 2.0 cm when 1.27 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein. C. Tensile strength up to 140 MPa in the MD. In a preferred embodiment, the second component comprises polyethylene, polybutylene, or syndiotactic polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Randall E. Kozulla, Joseph T. Bartusiak, Patrick J. Hager, Scott D. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6447915
    Abstract: In order to provide a multilayer printed circuit board having a fine pitch circuit, the interlaminar insulating adhesive used therein must have heat resistance and low thermal expansion coefficient so that required accuracy can be obtained during circuit formation and mounting of components. Therefore, the present invention aims at providing a multilayer printed circuit board which uses an interlaminar insulating adhesive superior in heat resistance and low in thermal expansion coefficient and wherein the insulating adhesive layer has a small variation in thickness between circuit layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited
    Inventors: Toshio Komiyatani, Masao Uesaka, Masataka Arai, Hitoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6447900
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a storage modulus from 1×105 to 1×106 dyne/cm2 and at a frequency of 1 Hz; and having a gel fraction of 55% or more when the storage modulus is measured at a temperature of 25° C. in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement. Its pressure-sensitive adhesive product can be obtained by the process, for example, for producing the (meth)acrylate emulsion-type pressure-sensitive adhesive which comprises adding the polymerization-initiator(s) at separate multi-steps to the present reaction system in the presence of polymerization-initiator(s) at the time of polymerizing alkyl (meth)acrylate and which comprises using a water-soluble polymerization-initiator at least one time during or after the second step of adding the polymerization-initiator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Ohtani, Yasuhiro Doi, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Toshitaka Sakuda, Kenichi Shiba
  • Patent number: 6441086
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions which can be prepared from at least one polyorganosiloxane, boric acid and water, and which may serve as a pelletizing additive for crosslinkable silicone rubber formulations. A small proportion of the pelletizing additive, when added to a ore component crosslinkable silicone rubber, or to individual components of a two or more component silicone rubber formulation, allow production of free flowing pellets which retain storage stability for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Wacker - Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Dietrich Wolfer, Wilhelm Marsch