Patents Examined by Philip Tucker
  • Patent number: 9527238
    Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing a thrust reverser cascade. One of these methods includes providing a first cascade segment and providing a second cascade segment. The first cascade segment includes a first frame rail, a second frame rail and an array of first vane segments laterally between the first and the second frame rails. The second cascade segment includes an array of second vane segments. The second cascade segment is bonded laterally to and between the first and the second frame rails and transversely to the array of first vane segments. In another method, first and second cascade segments are discretely molded. Each of the cascade segments includes an array of vane segments and comprises fiber reinforcement in a polymer matrix. The second cascade segment is bonded to the first cascade segment and is nested into the first cascade segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Patent number: 9527250
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and/or methods are provided to substantially reduce warping of a reinforced polymer. For example, by pre-stressing a glass component proportional to the difference between coefficients of linear expansions of glass and polymers, warping may be reduced when the resulting glass-polymer compound is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9522363
    Abstract: Membrane elements that use multiple membrane leaves may have a limited total active membrane area due to an increased diameter at the ends of the element. Membrane leaves may comprise a permeate carrier positioned between one or more membrane sheets. Adhesive may be used to seal one or more edges of the membrane leaf. The membrane sheets, permeate carrier and the adhesive contribute to the thickness of the edges of the membrane leaf and the diameter at the ends of the element. A reduced thickness of the edges of the permeate carrier may reduce the diameter at the ends of an element. Another permeate carrier sheet may also be used that is distanced from at least one edge of the membrane sheet so the permeate carrier sheet does not contribute towards the increased diameter at the ends of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Prashant Vishwanath Shrikhande, Steven John Harrold, Cha Moua, Phillip Goebel, Yatin Tayalia, Prasanna Rao Dontula
  • Patent number: 9523457
    Abstract: An apparatus that accelerates curing of resin in a liner for a buried pipe includes a lining assembly connected to a pressurized fluid source. One embodiment includes an inversion cap having an inversion port, a curing port and a drainage port. The apparatus also includes a manifold having an outlet, a first inlet in valved fluid communication with a heated fluid source, a second inlet in valved fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a third inlet in valved fluid communication with the drainage port. While heated fluid enters the first end of the assembly via the manifold, a release fitting which allows fluids to escape through the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Perma-Liner Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Scott D'Hulster, James Gould
  • Patent number: 9518397
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing carpet including: a base; a hoist engaged with the base; a resilient line with first and second ends, wherein the first end is engaged with the hoist; a carpet gripping means removably engaged with the second end of the resilient line; and at least one friction surface engaged with a bottom of the base for holding the base in position. Further, a method for removing carpet comprising: the apparatus for removing carpet; moving the apparatus into position; engaging carpet to be removed with the carpet gripping means; and utilizing the hoist and resilient line to pull the carpet gripping means in order to remove the carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Carpet Concepts LLC
    Inventor: David Allen Vidovic, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9517615
    Abstract: A backing film removal system including a substrate support member configured to support a substrate, where a backing film is attached to the substrate, a backing film separating member arranged operatively with respect to the substrate support member such that at least a portion of the backing film separating member is positionable between at least one portion of the substrate and backing film when the substrate is disposed on the substrate support member, a backing film holding member configured to maintain a separation between the substrate and backing film at the at least one portion of the substrate and backing film, and at least one drive unit connected to one or more of the substrate support member and the backing film separating member and operable to cause relative movement between the substrate support member and the backing film separating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Shuonan Dong, Joseph Taylor
  • Patent number: 9516921
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Frank Millette, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, Paul E. Litchfield
  • Patent number: 9511576
    Abstract: A rotary lamination apparatus has a die assembly rotatable about an axis and a mounting table received in an axial hole extending through the die assembly. Through rotation of the die assembly, punched core pieces are mounted on the mounting table while being rotatively offset. A drive portion is employed to rotate the mounting table integrally with the die assembly about the axis of the die assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hirata, Shirou Fujimura, Hajime Banno
  • Patent number: 9511531
    Abstract: A method of forming a thermoplastic article, comprises steps of: a) positioning at least one preheated first component being hollow and having at least one open end in two co-operating first mold halves; b) extruding a blow-moldable thermoplastic material into the first component and closing the mold halves; and c) blowing the blow-moldable thermoplastic material inside the mold halves to form an article on which the first component is fixedly engaged. The method is simple in implementation, low in cost and easy in modification, and by which a thermoplastic article of varied colors, patterns, materials, and/or functional components being fixedly mounted on its outer surface could be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GREAT FORTUNE (HK) LIMITED
    Inventor: Chi Shing Lam
  • Patent number: 9505199
    Abstract: A method of applying a graphic image on a target substrate using a liquid release coat applied to a carrier substrate, the release coat formulated to form a durable contiguous first film, a top coat applied to the first film and formulated to form a durable contiguous second film, a print coat applied to the second film and formulated to form a durable contiguous third film, wherein a transferred graphic image or material is superimposed on the third film and transferred to the target substrate to which a primer coat has been applied, the primer coat being formulated to form a contiguous fourth film on the target substrate, the carrier substrate with the superimposed graphic image is thereafter united with the target substrate, thereby sandwiching the graphic image between the primer coat of the target substrate on the one hand and the top coat of the carrier substrate on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Abbas Sadriwalla
  • Patent number: 9504245
    Abstract: A deterrent device can include an elongated base having a plurality of spikes coupled to the base that are configured to extend from the base such that the spikes alternate on each side of the base between a lower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike. The base can further include first and second wings that each has a width that is at least twice a width of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bird-B-Gone, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Donoho
  • Patent number: 9505164
    Abstract: Helically reinforced, flexible tubing or hose is formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material helically circumferentially wound at a wrapping station around an array of bearing-supported rods that are concurrently but individually turned and are canted relative to an imaginary center axis. The tubing or hose being formed has a continuous reinforcing rib helically wound therearound and continuously integrally connected thereto. The positions of the rods are progressively altered during formation of at least a contiguous portion of the length of tubing or hose, causing the resulting tubing or hose portion to exhibit a progressive continuous change in diametrical size. The resulting tubing or hose may be transversely severed at intervals along its length, and may be flattened to form cuffs near where severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schauenburg Technology SE
    Inventors: Carl J Garrett, Donald K Hadley, Martin E Forrester
  • Patent number: 9492954
    Abstract: A method for quickly applying and spreading adhesive between substrates without leaving air bubbles. The method includes holding two substrates apart from each other with adhesive sides facing, a second substrate being positioned above a first substrate. The second substrate is suspended in a manner so as to cause a portion to warp towards the first substrate. After a liquid filler is applied between the two substrates, rollers are lowered onto the second substrate and moved so as to disperse the liquid filler between the first and second substrates. In accordance with the rolling of the rollers, end portions of the second substrate are lowered towards the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DEXERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Ogawa, Yoshihisa Shinya, Tomoyuki Toyoda, Yasumi Endo
  • Patent number: 9492967
    Abstract: An electronic device assembly may have electronic components enclosed within plastic and/or metal housing structures. The assembly may include first and second housing structures that are joined using heat activated thermoset polymer film. The heat activated thermoset polymer film may be heated using a metal structure such as a strip or pattern of metal that is placed along or near a joint between the first and second housing structures. The temperature of the metal and associated layers of the thermoset polymer film may be raised by heating the metal using external equipment such as an induction heater. The metal layer that is heated using electromagnetic induction may be formed on the heat activated thermoset film or may be formed in or on one of the housing structures adjacent to the heat activated thermoset polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Ardisana, II, Eric S. Jol, Edward Siahaan
  • Patent number: 9491971
    Abstract: Filters and smoking articles include sodium bicarbonate-treated fibers and activated carbon capable of selectively removing one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the sodium bicarbonate-treated fibers and activated carbon, and methods for treating mainstream smoke comprising the sodium bicarbonate-treated fibers and activated carbon are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Xue, Liqun Yu, Joel Schendel
  • Patent number: 9495632
    Abstract: An RFID webstock containing a relatively high pitch-density array of semiconductive chips is provided and joined to a web bearing relatively widely spaced antennas in a continuous process. The RFID webstock is separated or cut into individual chip sections, with the spacing of the chips being increased as the RFID webstock is die cut. The individual chips on the sections are then joined to corresponding antennas to form an RFID inlay stock. This process is conducive to high speed roll-to-roll production of RFID tag and label roll stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Green, Dennis Rene Benoit
  • Patent number: 9486975
    Abstract: A panel assembly and method of making the same, whereby the panel assembly includes an adhesive located onto one or more edges of a layered honeycomb structure and a mesh material adhered in between the layered honeycomb structure by the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Franzoi, Jason Walker, David Kosal
  • Patent number: 9486311
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens comprises a first lens component, a second lens component, and an adhesive between portions of the two lens components. The cured adhesive bonds the lens components to form a fluid chamber. The lens components are bonded to one another along a seam which extends circumferentially along at least a portion of the lens components. The lens components may comprise the same polymer material. The cured adhesive also comprises the polymer or a prepolymer of the polymer to provide increased strength. The polymer is hydratable such that the lens components and the cured adhesive therebetween can swell together to inhibit stresses between the lens components and the cured adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Argento, Bob Vaughan, Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul
  • Patent number: 9488610
    Abstract: A weaving method for producing a plurality of moisture sensors for a device for monitoring an access to a patient, in particular for monitoring the vascular access in an extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the moisture sensors are woven. During the weaving of the moisture sensors, non-conductive warp threads, non-conductive weft threads, conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads are disposed in the textile two-dimensionally extending structure, such that spatially demarcatable structures of electrical strip conductors are created. The strip conductor structures can be produced by spatial separation or contacting of the conductive warp or weft threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 9486958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adhering a soft slab and a covering material together. The apparatus for adhering the soft slab and the covering material together includes: a moving unit consisting of a plurality of rollers for moving the soft slab; a conveyor unit including a belt configured such that air passes through the top and bottom surface thereof, and a driving unit for driving the belt, the conveyor unit being intended for transferring a covering material seated on the top surface of the belt toward an adhesive surface of the soft slab; and an air suction unit provided at the bottom surface of the belt so as to suction air such that the covering material is tightly attached onto the top surface of the belt, thereby attaching the covering material onto the adhesive surface of the soft slab without generating pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Dymos Incorporated
    Inventors: Ha Gyun Joung, Jin Bae Cho, Man Ho Lee