Patents Examined by Jeff Aftergut
  • Patent number: 9868559
    Abstract: A label sticking device has a shaft, a cable holder, a drive, a press, and an actuator. The shaft has a rotational axis, and a cable receiving passageway extending along a longitudinal axis aligned with the rotational axis. The cable holder is positioned along the longitudinal axis and the rotational axis. The drive rotates the shaft about the rotational axis. The press has a body rotatably connected to the shaft, and a foot positioned on the body. The foot is movable between a pressing position proximate to the rotational axis, and a non-pressing position distal to the rotational axis. The actuator moves the press between the pressing position and the non-pressing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: TE Connectivity Corporation, Suzhou Hanchuan Co., Ltd., Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiguo Li, Dandan Zhang, George Dubniczki, Roberto-Francisco Lu, Huiyou Zhou
  • Patent number: 9853170
    Abstract: A solar cell module manufacturing method includes: applying, when applying the adhesive in a narrow and long manner in a predetermined direction on a surface of the solar cell, the adhesive such that the thickness of the adhesive from the surface has a predetermined thickness at a central portion of the solar cell and such that the thickness from the surface becomes thinner gradually in a direction from the central portion of the solar cell toward an outer edge portion of the solar cell at an end portion of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Nakai, Yukihiro Yoshimine, Tomoki Narita
  • Patent number: 9833597
    Abstract: Textile balloon catheters, textile sleeves useful in balloon catheters, and methods of making balloon catheters are described. An example catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon movable between uninflated and inflated configurations, and a textile sleeve secured to the balloon. The textile sleeve has a plurality of warp threads and at least one weft thread extending circumferentially around the balloon. Circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to the body of the balloon are larger in diameter than circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to one or more of the proximal neck, distal neck, proximal cone and distal cone portions of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Ruth Osbrink
  • Patent number: 9833957
    Abstract: A non-glued laminated ball includes an inner bladder, a yarn layer, a rubber layer and an outer cover layer. The yarn layer sticks to an outer surface of the inner bladder. The rubber layer is provided between the yarn layer and the outer cover layer. The outer cover layer includes a plurality of outer covers. Stalk lines are provided among the outer covers. Bottom layers of the outer covers are required to be loose. The outer covers bond to a rubber raw material of the rubber layer through a mold-closing pressurization bonding. Then, through vulcanizing, the rubber raw material permeates into the yarn layer and the loose bottom layers of the outer covers for integrating the inner bladder, the yarn layer, the rubber layer and the outer cover layer together. No glue, industrial gasoline or methylbenzene is provided between the outer cover layer and the rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TongCheng HuiLong Sports articles Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Yadong Lu
  • Patent number: 9827707
    Abstract: A process, for joining workpieces using hybrid mechanical connector-resistance welding. The process in some embodiments includes introducing a conductive fluid to an interface between the workpieces. The process also includes inserting at least one mechanical conductive connector into at least one of the workpieces so that the connector reaches the interface having the conductive fluid therein. The process in some embodiments includes further applying energy for welding to the at least one mechanical conductive connector so that the energy passes, through the connector, to the conductive fluid and heat is generated in the workpieces at the interface, thereby melting the workpieces and forming a weld joint connecting the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Chen-Shih Wang, Yongqiang Li, Saul Lee, Hamid Kia
  • Patent number: 9827739
    Abstract: Heat de-bondable optical articles include two optical substrates and a heat de-bondable adhesive article disposed between them. The adhesive article includes a heat-shrinkable substrate and an optically clear adhesive proximate to the heat-shrinkable substrate. Optical articles can be prepared by disposing the heat-shrinkable substrate and the optically clear adhesive between two optical substrates. The optically clear adhesive covers a majority of the surface area of the optical substrates, and the heat-shrinkable substrate is located near the edge of the optical substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Scott M. Tapio, Audrey S. Sherman, Kevin R. Schaffer, Lan H. Liu, Margot A. Branigan, Ross E. Behling
  • Patent number: 9827751
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rotationally driving mechanism that is capable of rotating a plurality of rotational shafts while continuously moving the rotational shafts without requiring a special driving device or control device, and is capable of appropriately changing a rotation speed with a simple configuration, and to provide a film label attaching apparatus. The rotationally driving mechanism includes a movable driven member 103 that includes a driven mechanism 105 in a tapered portion 104 and is coupled to a rotational shaft 112, and a driving member 101 that is disposed along a movement direction of the driven member 103 and includes a transmission mechanism 102 in an inclined portion 115. The transmission mechanism 102 is disposed to face an appropriate position of the driven mechanism 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9822481
    Abstract: Methods of making an artificial leather substrate from leather waste (e.g., shavings, such as wet blue, and/or pulverized trim scrap) and products formed using the artificial leather substrate are disclosed. In one example, the artificial leather substrate comprises a composite web comprising leather waste mixed with a lightweight web, a lightweight web atop the composite web, and another lightweight web atop the first lightweight web. A method of making the artificial leather substrate includes the steps of mixing one or more fiber components, leather shavings, and/or pulverized leather trim scrap to form the composite web; needle punching the composite web; and bonding the composite web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Angelo Corino, John Fry, Alvin Fortner, Ben Lambert
  • Patent number: 9821508
    Abstract: An automated heat shrink device, useful for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, for example, a connection between two sections of a district heating pipeline, and a method of use thereof. The device is configured such that it requires minimal clearance to either side of the pipeline when being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ShawCor Ltd.
    Inventors: Dilip Tailor, Pascal Laferriere, Jeremy Joseph Ellis, Mark Brandon, Pawel Boczkowski, Patrick Marc Arbour
  • Patent number: 9821542
    Abstract: Elastic laminates and methods of making same are provided, wherein the laminate includes an elastic film laminated to at least one substrate web, and wherein the elastic film has been stretched at least twice prior to bonding the film to the substrate layer. Such laminates possess improved bond strength between the film and the substrate web and have greater elongation versus laminates made with a film that has been stretched only once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TREDGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bruce, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Patent number: 9808752
    Abstract: A method form forming fluted filtration media is provided. The method includes forming fluted filtration media having a repeating pattern of flutes wherein at least one flute in the repeating pattern of flutes comprises at least one ridge in a flute period between adjacent same side peaks. The repeating pattern of flutes can comprise at least one flute having at least two ridges provided in a flute period between adjacent same side peaks. An apparatus for forming fluted filtration media is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted A. Moe, Gregory J. Fesenmaier, Gary J. Rocklitz, Ming Ouyang, Anitha M. Mathew
  • Patent number: 9809344
    Abstract: A labeling unit for applying labels to containers includes a label removing device, a vacuum drum, and a gluing device. The vacuum drum receives labels at a first transfer position and delivers them to a second transfer position. The gluing device is arranged within an angular region of rotary motion of the vacuum drum between the first and second transfer positions. The vacuum drum moves labels past the gluing device. The label removal device removes either labels or label residues that remain on the vacuum drum in the angular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Kress
  • Patent number: 9802359
    Abstract: An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 9799921
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a negative electrode for a solid-state battery, the method including: a step of mixing a negative electrode active material, a sulfide solid electrolyte, a binder, and a solvent with each other to prepare a negative electrode slurry; a step of applying the prepared negative electrode slurry to a surface of a solid electrolyte layer of the solid-state battery or a substrate of the negative electrode; and a step of drying the applied negative electrode slurry. In this method, the solvent is butyl butyrate, and the binder is a copolymer containing a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer unit and a hexafluoropropylene (HFP) monomer unit, in which a molar ratio of the HFP monomer unit to a total amount of the VDF monomer unit and the HFP monomer unit is 10% to 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Hashimoto, Keisuke Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9796312
    Abstract: An interior trim part made by a method that includes the steps of bringing a fiber web onto a conveyor, needlepunching the fiber web to form a base in contact with the conveyor, and introducing a binder component on the base. The binder component introduced on the base is a thermoplastic polymer in solid form. The method includes a step for heating the base to cause the thermoplastic polymer making up the binder component to penetrate the base over a thickness smaller than the thickness of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Industrie
    Inventor: Mathieu Jouve
  • Patent number: 9801319
    Abstract: A second tape conveying mechanism 20B includes a sprocket 21B allowed to rotate freely only in a first rotating direction corresponding to a tape conveying direction, and a first urging member 30 which urges and causes a carrier tape 14 to engage the sprocket 21B. When a preceding tape 14(1) engages the sprocket 21B and a subsequent tape 14(2) is inserted, the second tape conveying mechanism 20B abuts against a leading end of the subsequent tape 14(2) to prohibit entry of the subsequent tape 14(2). After the preceding tape 14(2) passes a tape stopper 35a, a position of the second tape conveying mechanism 20B is changed from a tape entry prohibition position to a tape entry permission position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Kitani, Shigeru Matsukawa, Kazunori Kanai, Tatsuo Yamamura
  • Patent number: 9776410
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head in which a device substrate having an energy generating element and a supply port and a supporting member having a supply passage are bonded with each other an adhesive agent includes: a first step of applying the adhesive agent to an end surface of a wall; a second step of flattening out the adhesive agent on the end surface of the wall of the supply port in the height direction intersecting the end surface by moving the end surface of the wall of the supply port and the end surface of the wall of the supply passage toward each other; and a third step of moving the ridge line of the wall of the supply port in a direction along the end surface of the wall of the supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Ono, Masao Furukawa, Masashi Ishikawa, Jun Hinami, Takeshi Shibata, Ryo Shimamura, Takanori Enomoto, Shimpei Otaka, Tomohiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9772524
    Abstract: Provided are: a liquid crystal dropping device capable of accurately dropping liquid crystal material while generation of foreign substances is suppressed; and a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus capable of manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus with preferable display quality and high yield in which the occurrence of a display failure such as a luminous-dot failure is suppressed. The liquid crystal dropping device 1 includes a liquid crystal bottle 2 which stores liquid crystal material 61, a three-way valve 3, a liquid crystal ejecting part 4, a nozzle 5 and a driving unit 7. The liquid crystal ejecting part 4 includes a syringe 41 with a bottomed cylindrical shape as well as a plunger 44 constituted by a slide part 42 which slides in the syringe 41 and a support 43 which has a bar-like shape and supports the slide part 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sakai Display Products Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tokunaga, Shinya Kasahara
  • Patent number: 9771175
    Abstract: A labelling unit comprises: support means, a receiving member, adapted to carry an article on a top end and to receive a label on a lateral surface, and supported by the support means in a translating and rotating manner with respect to a given axis, driving means including a driving shaft carried by the support means in a rotating manner about the axis and engaging an axial hole of the receiving member, and releasable fastening means to connect the driving shaft to the receiving member in a predetermined axial position. The releasable fastening means comprise a spline element movable transversely to the axis between a retaining position, in which the spline element locks axially the receiving member onto the driving shaft, and a release position, in which the spline element allows extraction of the receiving member from the driving shaft and the support means along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL S.P.A. CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Mattia Giuliani, Francesco Laino
  • Patent number: 9763497
    Abstract: A fabric, such as a loop fastener material, is finished by applying a foam to a surface of the fabric, the foam containing both a liquid binder and a powder. The binder is allowed to flow into pores of the fabric and coat fiber interstices of the fabric as the foam collapses, and is dried to stabilize the fabric. The powder is of a particle size selected to cause most of the powder to remain on the surface of the fabric while the binder is dried to bond the powder to the fabric surface. The powder, as bonded to the fabric surface, is activatable, such as by heat or RF or UV energy, to adhere the stabilized fabric to another surface or to provide a desired surface property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Paul R. Erickson, David Villeneuve