Patents Examined by Stephen J. Lechert, Jr.
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Patent number: 6884379Abstract: The process includes placing in a mold a pile of plies taken from a web of fibers embedded in a thermosetting or thermoplastic material, the plies being arranged according to preferred directions of the fibers, and subjecting the mold to particular pressure and temperature conditions. The process also includes carrying out successive operations of shaping the pile of plies in the mold, at low pressure, carried out progressively at low speed; removing the material in excess protruding out of edge of the mold; carrying out the tightness of the mold from outside; increasing the pressure up to high pressure; raising the temperature of the mold; and quickly cooling the mold.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Inventor: Vincent Duqueine
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Patent number: 6881373Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Allen Bryson, Harry Charles Buchanan, Jr., Yaomin Dong, James Preston Penrod
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Patent number: 6881467Abstract: The vacuum insulator in accordance with the present invention comprises glass white wool body which density is 0.1˜0.5 g/cm3 in density and is below 0.0023 kcal/mh° C. in thermal conductivity, and a non permeable container surrounding the body in which the pressure is between 10?6 ˜10?1 torr. The vacuum insulator is fabricated by piling up glass white wool, thermal-pressutizing the piled glass white wool to form a body of 0.1˜0.5 g/cm3 in density wherein the pressurizing is done at 0.007˜1.5 kg/cm2 and under 20° C. for more than 10 minutes, putting the body in the non-permeable container, and producing a vacuum in the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Hyung-Jin Jung, Goo-Dae Kim, No-Kyung Park, Yong-Gyu Shin, Sung-Ho Yoon, Sung-Kyu Lee
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Patent number: 6881784Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 ?m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions. Such improved PTFE dispersions may be formed with or without the addition of surfactants, wetting agents, rheology modifiers, pH-adjusting agents, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Inventors: Charles A. Cody, William Neuberg, Manshi Sui, Youssef Awad
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Patent number: 6878328Abstract: A method for producing a plastic part having a first component and a second component connected to the first component. The method includes molding a temporary connection between the first component and a preliminary second component, coating at least a surface region of the first component, separating the first and preliminary second component, and then molding the second component to the first component. The plastic part can be an injection molded part and the components of the plastic part can be made using the same or different plastics.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Bernhard Boland, Götz Gardlo, Rainer Hans, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
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Patent number: 6878337Abstract: A process for producing a honeycomb structure, which comprises adding water to a mixed raw material of a raw material powder and a binder, kneading the mixture to obtain a plastic mixture, molding the plastic mixture into a honeycomb shape to obtain a green honeycomb structure, drying the structure by a step including hot-air drying, and firing the resulting dried honeycomb structure, wherein the binder contains hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a major component. The process can produce a crack-free high-quality honeycomb structure rapidly at a low cost.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Noguchi, Kyoko Makino
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Patent number: 6875387Abstract: A process for reducing lip buildup during an extrusion of a polyphenylene ether composition comprises adding a linear low density polyethylene compound to the composition, wherein the amount of linear low density polyethylene compound is less than or equal to about 10 percent by weight based on the amount of polyphenylene ether compound in the composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: General ElectricInventors: Vijay Mhetar, Jeffery Gary Tenenbaum
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Patent number: 6875390Abstract: A method of making a multi-layered trim component for attachment to a structure of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a mold having a cavity formed therein which defining first and second surfaces. The mask is magnetically secured to the mold to cover the first surface. A first material is applied in the cavity so as to form a first layer conforming to the second surface. The mask is removed from the cavity of the mold. A second material is then applied in the cavity so as to form a second layer conforming to the first surface, wherein the first and second layers define a multi-layered trim component.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Glenn Cowelchuk
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Patent number: 6872325Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a process for making a magnetic composite which comprises providing a polymeric resin and a magnetic powder, the magnetic powder having a mean particle size with a value for standard deviation that is less than the value for the mean particle size of the said magnetic powder, the said magnetic composite being made by mixing said magnetic powder with said polymeric resin and molding the said mixture into a desired shape and a size and said magnetic composite having a magnetic permeability between 30 and 50. In another embodiment the present invention is a composition for a magnetic composite comprising a polymeric resin and a magnetic powder, the said powder having a mean particle size with a value of standard deviation that is less than the value of the mean particle size of the magnetic powder, wherein said magnetic composite has a magnetic permeability between about 30 and about 50.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Krisanu Bandyopadhyay, Kunj Tandon, Amit Chakrabarti
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Patent number: 6872337Abstract: A method of forming a polyurethane article wherein first and second components of a polyurethane system are sprayed into an unconfined space above a mold. The first and second components are sprayed together to mix initially in the space above the mold and then are deposited in the mold on an in-mold coating that was previously applied to the mold. The two components of the polyurethane system and in-mold coating are subsequently removed from the mold as a flexible polyurethane skin. The skin may then be placed in a second mold along with a reinforcement. Structural polyurethane foam may then be injected to the second mold where it bonds to the reinforcement and the skin to form a finished polyurethane article having a flexible skin adhered to its surface. A post-mix spray nozzle assembly is provided with a central nozzle forming a first hollow conical spray pattern and a coaxially aligned annular nozzle forming a second hollow conical spray pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Andrew P. Mellentine, Glenn D. Williams, Joseph T. Donatti, John E. Nemazi
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Patent number: 6869558Abstract: A system and method for forming an article from thermoplastic material and fiber. The method includes heating thermoplastic material to form a molten thermoplastic material for blending with the fiber. The molten thermoplastic material is blended with the fibers to form a molten composite material having a concentration of fiber by weight. The molten composite material may then be extruded through dynamic dies to deliver discrete controlled material that is gravitated onto a lower portion of a mold. The lower portion of the mold may be moved in space and time while receiving the flow of composite material to deposit a predetermined quantity of molten composite material thereon conforming to mold cavities of the lower and an upper portion of the mold. The upper portion of the mold may be pressed against the predetermined quantity of molten composite material and closing on the lower portion of the mold to form the article.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Thermoplastic Composite Designs, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Polk, Jr., Dale E. Polk, Sr.
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Patent number: 6869557Abstract: A stamper/imprinter for use in performing thermal imprint lithography of a substrate/workpiece surface to form a pattern of features in first portions of the surface intended to receive the pattern, without incurring random formation of undesired, disordered features in second portions of the substrate/workpiece surface not intended to receive the pattern, comprising an imprinting surface configured to substantially prevent formation of gaps between the imprinting surface and the second portions of the surface during stamping/imprinting. Embodiments include stampers/imprinters with a multilevel imprinting surface comprises a first portion having a first level for forming the pattern of features in the first portions of the surface and a second portion having a second level for substantially preventing formation of gaps between the imprinting surface and the second portions of the surface during stamping/imprinting.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Koichi Wago, Gennady Gauzner, Christopher Joseph Formato
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Patent number: 6863757Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon or other expandable tubular medical device or component thereof formed of a compacted porous polymeric material, in which a tube of porous polymeric material is axially compacted, preferably without increasing the outer diameter of the tube, by positioning heat shrink material on the porous polymeric tube and heating the heat shrink material to decrease the length and diameter of the heat shrink material.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Srinivasan Sridharan, Delma M. Blankenship
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Patent number: 6863852Abstract: A process for extruding of products from fluoropolymers preferably shaped as rods or tubes which have unique physical and other properties resulting from the addition of nanoparticles under unique processing conditions while also utilizing accurate control of processing parameters such as time and temperature and others according to novel methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Ballard, Eric R. George
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Patent number: 6861022Abstract: A process for the production of tablets with a cavity using a press, equipped with upper and lower punches, the lower punch comprising a ring portion being able to reciprocate, characterized in that a central member is provided within the ring portion of the lower punch, this central member being fixed in a pre-determined position beneath the upper part of the die during the process and that, at some stage before the first compression step, the ring portion of the lower punch is adjusted at a position beneath the level of the upper end of the central member.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.Inventors: Paul William Robinson, Manuela Bosco, Peer Karkutsch
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Patent number: 6852262Abstract: Methods of manufacturing razor cartridges are provided. One method includes loading a support portion of a supported blade into an elongated blade slot defined by a core member, the core member being configured to define a portion of a molding cavity defining the shape of the cartridge housing; and delivering a resin to the molding cavity to form the housing and capture a portion of the blade in the resin. In another method, a plurality of razor cartridges are manufactured substantially simultaneously by (a) removably mounting each blade on a core member; (b) placing each core member in a molding cavity; and (c) delivering a resin to the molding cavities to form at least a portion of the cartridge housing and capture a portion of the blade in the resin.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: William R. Brown, Jr., William C. Carson, Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman, Kenneth E. Johnson, Charles P. Kiricoples, Alejandro Lee, Cardy J. Louis, Helge Zimmet
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Patent number: 6852259Abstract: A low cost, glass preform for use in making SRIM molded composite parts is formed by introducing a commercially available, b-stageable thermosetting powder binder either a preformed matting structure or to a continuous glass fiber strand that is subsequently chopped to form a matting structure. The b-stageable thermosetting powder binder will selectively migrate to the junction of two the glass fiber strands contained in the matting at elevated temperatures without crosslinking to adhere the two strands together, therein forming a preform having good retention characteristics. The preform may then be introduced to a mold and combined with a liquid thermosetting matrix resin to form a composite part.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.Inventor: Rajendran S. Michael
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Patent number: 6849113Abstract: Sheets, films, and articles of manufacture from a corn zein resin. A wet corn zein resin is formed including corn zein and a fatty acid, and the wet zein resin is cold rolled into sheets. The sheets are dried, and the dried zein resin is processed to form sheets, films, and/or articles of manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of IllinoisInventors: Graciela Wild Padua, Andrianaivo Maherisoa Rakotonirainy, Toan Thanh Ha
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Patent number: 6849215Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Material Sciences CorporationInventor: Klementina Khait
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Patent number: 6846552Abstract: A plant (10) for the production of highly flexible and relatively thin sheets or panels (38) of agglomerate material comprising: a mixer crusher (12), a hopper (15) designed to accept the crushed and rolled material (24) and to transfer it to a distributor or spreader (16) positioned below the hopper, said spreader (16) comprising a substantially cylindrical container (30) with a loading opening (31), adjacent, in use, to said hopper (15) and comprising a discharge slot (32) on the opposite side to said opening (31), and a mixing device of the agglomerate material (24) inside said container (30). The mixing device comprises a pair of blades (35) fixed to a shaft (34) rotating around an axis not corresponding to that of said container (30) and in particular offset towards said slot (32), so that during their rotation the blades almost skim said slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Stone Italiana SRLInventor: Roberto Dalla Valle