Patents Examined by Christopher Paulraj
  • Patent number: 6555201
    Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90° angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: MCNC
    Inventors: Vijayakumar R. Dhuler, David A. Koester, Mark D. Walters, Karen W. Markus
  • Patent number: 6531213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a recyclable recording medium comprising; a base member, a surface layer comprising a water-swelling resin, and having a thickness of 3 to 30 &mgr;m; a saturated swelling amount in the direction of thickness is 4 to 25 &mgr;m when the recyclable recording medium is immersed in an aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshie, Chiaki Yamaoka, Toshimitsu Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6528141
    Abstract: A support structure includes a first sheet with perforations having a front surface and a back surface and a second sheet with perforation having a front surface and a back surface. Each perforation in the first sheet and the second sheet has a portion adjacent to the front surface of the sheet that is wider than a portion of the perforation that is adjacent to the back surface of the sheet. A core made of a first material is formed between the back surface of the first sheet and the back surface of the second sheet and within the perforations to anchor the first sheet and the second sheet to the core. Molded features may be disposed on the front surfaces of the sheets and integrally formed with the core through perforations in the sheets. The support structure may be used in a horizontal base or an end-of-arm tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Diamond Machining Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley A. Watson, David G. Powell
  • Patent number: 6489039
    Abstract: The present invention related to a recyclable image-recording medium comprising a base layer, an intermediate layer and a water-swelling surface layer; a manufacturing method of the recyclable image-recording medium; and a printed material-removing method that uses such an image-recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yoshie
  • Patent number: 6489017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a solid molded article, in particular a ceramic and/or metallic article made of pulverized particles. The invention also relates to stable dispersions of pulverized particles in an aqueous fluid medium, solid molded articles made of pulverized particles, and sintered ceramic and/or metallic molded articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Fulderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Fritz Aldinger, Wolfgang Sigmund, Joseph Yanez
  • Patent number: 6472084
    Abstract: A tough low set elastic film exhibiting surprisingly high tear resistance and method of making the same. The film of the invention is especially beneficial when holes form on the films during manufacturing or normal wear and method of making. The film has activated and non-activated zones formed during an activation process. The activated zones allow the film to expand without generating excessive tensional forces. The film has M-polypropylene or M-polyethylene skin layers and a core layer having an elastomeric polyurethane, ethylene copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate styrenic elastomer, an ethylene/propylene copolymer elastomer or ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer elastomer. The activation process allows the skin layers to behave more like the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, James W. Cree, Steve D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6462115
    Abstract: A water repellent coating composition includes fine particles having functional groups on their surfaces and having a particle diameter ranging from 10 nm to 1 mm; a coupling agent containing (a) a functional group which is capable of reacting with the functional group of the fine particles and (b) a water repellent fluorinated group; a binder resin for binding the fine particles; and a solvent for the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Takahashi, Susumu Fujimori, Mamoru Ishitani, Taketoshi Matsuura, Hisao Tabei, Yoshiaki Haga, Akira Nohara, Nobuhiro Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 6458468
    Abstract: Coated articles having improved chemical resistance comprising an article formed from a moldable polymer coated on at least one surface with a coating composition comprising at least one vinyl ether oligomer compound, and at least one photoinitiator are disclosed. Coatings which also contain at least one acrylate compound and/or at least one epoxy compound are also disclosed. The articles are preferably made from polyesters. Methods for coating such articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eric Jon Moskala, Louis Thomas Germinario, David Gayle Salyer
  • Patent number: 6458446
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a part includes the steps of molding a thermoplastic material into a generally planar sheet form having a textured surface on at least one side. The textured surface is defined by a plurality of protuberances with at least one side wall extending outwardly from the sheet. The thermoplastic material is molded with a predetermined pressure between a die and within a perforated insert. The molded thermoplastic material sheet and perforated insert are removed from the die after molding. The molded thermoplastic material sheet is sintered at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. The molded, sintered, thermoplastic material sheet is stripped from the perforated insert. The sheet can be masked for etching if desired. The sheet can be inserted into a molding die, where a dissimilar material is introduced into the die under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Pureflex, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald V. Andronaco, Joseph H. Beaumont
  • Patent number: 6455165
    Abstract: The invention is a laminate structure comprising two or more layers of one or both of a) a polymeric layer containing olefinic unsaturation; and b) a polymeric layer having active hydrogen atoms; wherein, c) an adhesive layer is located between the layers derived from one or more compounds having one or more nitrile oxide moieties; wherein a portion of the nitrile oxide moieties, or derivatives thereof, is reacted with olefinic unsaturation of layer a), the active hydrogen atoms of layer b or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Philippe M. Knaub, Zenon Z. Lysenko, Debkumar Bhattacharjee, David E. Schiff
  • Patent number: 6440568
    Abstract: A plastic lens having a primer layer made from a polyurethane resin obtained through a reaction between a polyester polyol containing isophthalic acid as a main component and a polyisocyanate. A plastic lens having excellent resistance to scratch and impact resistance can be obtained by further forming a hard-coat layer and an anti-reflection layer on the primer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Arc Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Kayanoki, Fujio Sawaragi
  • Patent number: 6432544
    Abstract: Described are articles having an aminoplast resin photochromic coating prepared from an aminoplast resin, component(s) having at least two different functional groups and photochromic substances. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 45 to 180 Newtons per mm2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also described are photochromic aminoplast resin articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Stewart, Jeanine A. Conklin, Cletus N. Welch, James B. O'Dwyer, Shanti Swarup
  • Patent number: 6428856
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming multilayer coating films having a high quality appearance while controlling interfacial bleeding or inversion between coating film layers otherwise found when a water-borne intermediate coating film and a water-borne metallic coating film are formed in that order. The method comprising forming coating films one after another on a substrate, namely forming an intermediate coating film using a water-borne intermediate coating, a metallic base coating film using a water-borne metallic base coat and a clear coating film using a clear coat, wherein said water-borne intermediate coating and/or said water-borne metallic base coat contains a polycarbodiimide compound and a carboxyl-containing aqueous resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Masuda, Tsuyoshi Harakawa, Teruaki Kuwajima, Yutaka Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6423395
    Abstract: A strip located between a rim and an inner tube of a tire includes a non-flexibility fabric portion and a flexible section which is connected between two ends of the fabric portion so as to become a loop to wrap around the rim. The fabric portion is much longer than the flexible section and an aperture for the inflation valve is defined through the fabric portion. The fabric portion is durable and having a better structural strength so as to provide a better protection for the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Tsai Jen Luo
  • Patent number: 6420035
    Abstract: A metal material subjected to a treatment for seizure prevention is provided. The metal material includes a metal base material and a film formed thereon, the film being composed of a carbodiimide group-containing resin obtained from an aromatic polyisocyanate or of a mixture of said carbodiimide group-containing resin and a lubricant. A method for producing a metal material subjected to a treatment for seizure prevention is also provided. The method includes coating, on a metal base material, a carbodiimide group-containing resin obtained from an aromatic polyisocyanate or a mixture of said carbodiimide group-containing resin and a lubricant, and then subjecting the coated metal base material to a heat treatment at a temperature of 120° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc., Takenaka Seisakusho Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Satoshi Amano, Norimasa Nakamura, Shoji Kuroyama
  • Patent number: 6416211
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic including: (a) an injection space; (b) forming apparatus for supplying plastic material to the injection space, the forming apparatus having at least an inner conical stator and an outer conical stator and at least one rotatable rotor disposed outside of the inner conical stator; and (c) a piston for compressing the plastic material supplied to the injection space into a mold to form the plastic material into a shape determined by the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Conenor Oy
    Inventors: Kari Kirjavainen, Jyri Järvenkylä
  • Patent number: 6416866
    Abstract: There is provided a molded product comprising: a molded substrate comprising a polyolefin resin and an ethylene-propylene rubber; a chlorinated polyolefin resin layer laminated onto the molded substrate, the chlorinated polyolefin resin layer being in contact with the molded substrate; and a surface layer of a thermoplastic resin layer laminated as an outermost layer onto the chlorinated polyolefin resin layer either directly or through other layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atake, Hajime Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6413642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating substrates, preferably of metal, by cleaning the substrate surface, applying, if desired, an organic and/or inorganic pretreatment composition, applying a primer, applying a coating material by spraying, dipping, knifecoating, rollercoating or brushing, the coating material comprising an amine-modified epoxy resin and a crosslinking agent suitable for crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Coatings AG
    Inventors: Egon Wegner, Ulrike Clausen-Meiring, Karl-Heinz Grobe Brinkhaus, Lothar Jandel, Wolfgang Bremser, Guido Wilke, Dorothe Drescher, Rainer Bürstinghaus, Günther Ott
  • Patent number: 6406781
    Abstract: An adhesive article adapted for removable adhesive bonding on a support surface, such as a wall, includes a base member and a stretch release adhesive tape strip. The adhesive tape strip is a sequential release-type adhesive strip having a non-adhesive end portion which allows the base member to release from the adhesive strip during the removal process while the adhesive strip remains adhered to the support surface, therefore reducing the incidence of unwanted catapulting. To prevent relative movement between the base member and the adhesive strip during the removal process and therefore increase the likelihood of successful controlled sequential release of the base member, the base member includes a stabilizer arranged to abut the adhesive strip if the base member shifts as the adhesive strip is stretched during removal. The stabilizer can be a generally rigid projection or a compressible stop member which extends outwardly from the end of the base member adjacent the end of the adhesive strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael D. Hamerski
  • Patent number: 6406785
    Abstract: A weatherseal for repeatedly and releasably contacting a panel to provide a weather resistant seal therebetween. The weatherseal includes a substrate having a contact layer on the portion of the substrate that contacts the panel. The contact layer includes a multitude of surface treated ultra high molecular weight olefinic particles, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, in a thermoset material such as cross linkable urethane, wherein some of the embedded particles define the area of contact between the weatherseal and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Schlegel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis W. Janes, Jason O. Watts, Kevin Dale Utterback, Krishnamachari Gopalan