Patents Examined by Sam Chuan Yao
  • Patent number: 7214286
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a precision injection molding of multi-piece parts and the subsequent handling and assembly of those parts produced from the mold. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical suture package with a top part and a bottom part is molded and assembled. In such a method and system, the top parts and bottom parts are first molded utilizing a family mold and then are transferred to a stacker. The stacker is able to stack the top part and bottom part on top of one another on a pallet. The parts are then transported to a welder in order to weld the top part and bottom part together. The completed surgical suture packages are then transferred to a magazine for storage and shippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Jarden Corporation
    Inventors: William Torris, Glynn Clements, Lynn Howe
  • Patent number: 7214288
    Abstract: A textile laminate includes a hydrophobic membrane, an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer sandwiching the hydrophobic membrane. The hydrophobic membrane has a plurality of tangled polymer fibers, a plurality of pores among the polymer fibers, and a plurality of adhesive powder attached on the polymer fibers on the top and bottom surfaces. The grain size of each adhesive powders is small enough to remain the pores without obstructing permeability. The pores in the PTFE film are water vapor permeable and liquid water impermeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Cheng-Wu Ying, Chi-Heng Lee
  • Patent number: 7211162
    Abstract: A hollow bead of high quality is applied and molded into a shape corresponding to and following a shape of an applying position onto which the bead is to be applied. A bead-molding apparatus includes a discharging device of a double nozzle structure comprised of an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle, a highly viscous material feed unit for feeding a highly viscous material that is fluid in a form of a stream in a high speed flow region and can retain a shape into which it is applied and molded in a low speed flow region, a manipulator disposed so as to transfer the discharging device mounted thereon to a desired position, and a controller for controlling overall operations of the apparatus. The discharging device is controlled so as to move along the applying position of a member while feeding gases thereto from the inner nozzle and discharging the highly viscous material thereto from the outer nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Shinji Okuda, Masaharu Takada, Hitoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 7208064
    Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet includes: depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; embossing the compacted web with a laser engraved roll provided with a hard rubber embossing surface having an embossing pattern with a depth of from about 5 mils to about 100 mils. The hard rubber embossing surface is biased toward a second embossing surface selected from the group consisting of the surface of a nip roll and a foraminous web support engaging a support embossing roll. The process further includes bonding the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Bradley G. Schmidt, James R. Vande Hey, James P. Zadrazil, Edward J. Yock
  • Patent number: 7200984
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for building a consumable refill that includes the steps of fabricating a plurality of arrays of detachably connected consumable parts along a first direction, stacking the arrays of detachably connected consumable parts along a second direction and bonding the stacked arrays of detachably connected consumable parts at an outer surface formed by one or more aligned marginal surfaces of the detachably connected consumable parts. In one embodiment, a staple refill includes a number of staple wire sheets stacked along a direction normal to a plane of each of the staple wire sheets. The staple wire sheets are bonded at an outer surface formed by one or more aligned marginal surfaces of the plurality of staple wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roberto Obregon, Marina M. Talavera
  • Patent number: 7201815
    Abstract: Foamed, aqueous adhesive compositions are used to manufacture tissue laminate products including or especially as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, and the like. Foaming typically occurs by introducing pressurized gas and adhesive flows in a nozzle chamber on demand, wherein the kinetic energy of the flows is used to provide mixing energy. The adhesive preferably is dispensed as a plurality of discrete, foamed adhesive particles. The foamed adhesive can be used for intralamina bonds, interlaminate bonds, bonding loose sheet extremities, bonding roll to roll, and the like. The invention provides a reliable, straightforward way to accomplish in-nozzle foaming of an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: H.B. Fuller Licensing & Financing Inc.
    Inventor: Mutombo J. Muvundamina
  • Patent number: 7198686
    Abstract: A foamable copolymer based coupling is provided for securely affixing a light emitting glass lamp in a metal base to form a lamp assembly. The copolymer is preferably selected from ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, and combinations thereof. The foamable coupling may be placed around one end of the glass lamp or in the lamp base before the lamp and base are matingly engaged. The assembled lamp is then heated to a temperature, which causes the foamable coupling to expand and securely affix the lamp in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ashok Mehan, Daniel A. Chandler, Erling Hansen, Rene J. Revueltas, Stephen P. Tordoff, Bryan P. Williams
  • Patent number: 7195685
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nonwoven materials, and specifically, to a nonwoven fabric comprised of at least three continuous filament precursor webs, each precursor web being of a thermoplastic polymer dissimilar from the other precursor webs, wherein the resulting durable nonwoven laminate fabric exhibits improved tactile and ductile qualities, as well as improved tensile strength, the nonwoven fabric being eminently suitable for application in improving the comfort and use of hygiene, medical and industrial products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Errette Bevins, III, Nick Carter, Sergio Diaz de Leon
  • Patent number: 7195686
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Bei-Hong Liang, Karine Luetgert, Henry Coghlan, John Peter Walsh, Geoffrey B. Hardwick
  • Patent number: 7189295
    Abstract: Yarn suitable for tufting comprises a base fiber ring spun or wrap spun with a second fiber at least partially comprising a heat-activated adhesive material such that the yarn includes from 0.1 to 12, preferably 0.25 to 10, weight percent adhesive material having a melting point within the range of 105° to 190° C., more preferably 165° to 190° C. A preferred base fiber is a synthetic staple fiber bundle. A preferred wrapping or insert fiber comprises copolyamide material, including ternary copolyamides of the 6/66/12 type. When the yarn is twist set by conventional processes and then tufted into carpet, the resulting carpet displays enhanced wear and appearance properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Edward Bowers
  • Patent number: 7182831
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a method for gluing fibrous raw materials, which improves the even distribution of the binding agent on the fibers considerably. The disclosure furthermore describes a device for performing the gluing process. The disclosure suggests a method for moistening fibrous raw materials provided for the manufacture of fiberboards, mats and the like with bonding agents, wherein the fibrous raw materials exist in at least a pre-dried state and are moistened by a pre-dispersed binding agent in a continuous stream, and wherein subsequent to the moistening process the fibrous raw materials are compressed with high pressure before being conveyed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Roll
  • Patent number: 7168473
    Abstract: A web or fleece of synthetic resin strand collected on a sieve belt is discharged from the sieve belt into further processing equipment over a rerouting roller at the discharge end of the sieve belt. The rerouting roller is perforated and air or another fluid medium is passed through the belt at the rerouting roller to reduce adhesion forces between the belt and the web and lift the web from the belt without damage to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Geus, Detlef Frey
  • Patent number: 7169246
    Abstract: A process and a device are suggested for the placement and fixing of a sheet, which is at least partially implemented as a closed flat structure, of filaments, lying essentially in a plane, for the production of scrims having the filament sheet, wherein the filament sheet is placed, as part of the filament sheet sections forming the closed surface and as separate filament sheet sections, between two conveyor units (13) supplying a connecting station (6), with the filament sheet sections (1) being fixed onto the conveyor unit at each of both end regions with a fixing element (2, 3) and the interval of the fixing elements (2, 3) of a filament sheet section (1) relative to the conveyor units (13) being selected in such a way that the filament sheet sections (1) are, in their fixed state, positioned essentially flat between the conveyor units (13), at least immediately before entering the connecting station (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Liba Maschinefabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Wienands, Michael Unglaub
  • Patent number: 7166182
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for improving the adhesion properties and switching performance of an electrophoretic display. The methods and compositions comprise the use of a high dielectric polymer or oligomer and optionally a crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheri Pereira, Jack Hou, Rong-Chang Liang
  • Patent number: 7163601
    Abstract: An article having (a) a layer of fabric having a first surface and a second surface made of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers; and (b) a first composite comprising (i) a porous PTFE film having interconnected passages and pathways and (ii) a fluoropolymer adhesive, wherein said fluoropolymer adhesive is at least partially contained in said passages and pathways of said PTFE film, said first composite disposed adjacent to said first surface of said fabric, wherein the article passes a Newark Flex test after 10,000 cycles. In another embodiment, the invention includes a second composite comprising (i) a porous PTFE film having interconnected passages and pathways and (ii) a fluoropolymer adhesive, wherein said fluoropolymer adhesive is at least partially contained in said passages and pathways of said PTFE film, said second composite disposed adjacent to said second surface of said fabric. The article of the present invention is preferably waterproof, fire retardant, and flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Kelmartin, Suellen Lappe, William Greene, Thomas Wallace
  • Patent number: 7147743
    Abstract: An energy-beam-curable thermal-releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet having, on at least one side of a base material, an energy-beam-curable thermo-expandable viscoelastic layer containing thermo-expandable microspheres and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer stacked in this order. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness of about 0.1 to 10 ?m and can be formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The energy-beam-curable thermo-expandable viscoelastic layer, on the other hand, can be formed from a tacky substance. The energy-beam-curable thermal-releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet according to the invention has adhesion enough to withstand a carrying step of an adherend, causes neither winding up of the adhesive nor chipping upon cutting and facilitates peeling and collection of cut pieces after cutting. In addition, it exhibits low contamination on the adherend after peeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kiuchi, Toshiyuki Oshima, Akihisa Murata, Yukio Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 7147716
    Abstract: A multifunctional, lightweight and acoustically optimized interior lining for the roof of a vehicle is disclosed. The inventive lining comprises an air permeable core layer, a first stiffening layer, a second stiffening layer and a decor layer. Said layers are connected to one another by means of air permeable adhesive layers. The total air flow resistance of the second stiffening layer, decor layer, and attached adhesive layers, arranged on the side of the core layer facing the passenger compartment, is within the range of 500 Nsm?3>Rt<3500 Nsm?3. The total surface area weight of said layers lies in the range of 300 to 800 gr/m2. A method for producing said lining and the use thereof in a roof of a vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventors: Alain Boukobza, Jean Francois Daniel, Emmanuel Reymond, Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 7147745
    Abstract: Bamboo building material and process of manufacture therefor. The material includes a plurality of layers each formed of bamboo segments which have been dried and glue coated. The segments are substantially free of outer nodes and husk and inner membrane material prior to application of glue. The longitudinal axes of the segments in each layer are generally parallel to one another, each layer having segments oriented generally orthogonally with respect to the next adjacent layers thereto. The layers of segments being compressed and bonded together until the glue cures into a single integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Newcore, L.P., Madison Insurance Trust
    Inventors: Leland Slaven, Jr., Morton A. Siegler
  • Patent number: 7147734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a fire combustion modified batt. The method comprises the step of forming a blend of nonwoven and oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers into a web. The oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers are fire resistant and when blended with nonwoven fibers are relatively easily processed into a batt. A second blend of nonwoven fibers can be formed into a web and layered with the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber web to form the batt. The fibers are bonded together with heat, resin or other bonding material and are compressed and cooled. The fire combustion modified batt is useful as fire barriers and fillers in bedding, upholstery and vehicle and aircraft seats, as insulators for apparel, appliances, walls and ducting, as barriers to separate control systems from a heat source, and as components in fire safety gear such as race driver suits and oven and welding mitts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Steven Ogle, Karl Van Becelaere
  • Patent number: 7141133
    Abstract: Methods of applying film to substrates are provided wherein the film matingly conforms to the configuration of the substrate, including areas adjacent protrusions or depressions in the substrate. In certain embodiments, the film is punctured by a probe and a vacuum is applied to the probe in order to aspirate air and urge the film toward a position of compliance with the substrate. Optionally, the film is softened by heat in order to facilitate conformance with the shape of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Kesti, Frank T. Sher, Stephen J. Aden, Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David