Patents Examined by Tamra L Dicus
  • Patent number: 7666494
    Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle coated microporous substrate, the process for preparing the same and uses thereof are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald J. McClure, Mario A. Perez
  • Patent number: 7645503
    Abstract: The invention herein pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern designs for the markings are available to replicate layers of bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern to bridge the intersections between the first and second sections to maintain the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Flint Trading, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Greer, Robert Mantek
  • Patent number: 7604856
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring a discontinuous coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior crack resistance, washability, and breathability compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without washed-out appearance typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the use of discontinuous coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Robert A. Janssen
  • Patent number: 7585557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base comprising a closed cell foam core sheet having a closed cell foam layer with a density gradient between the center of the core and the surfaces of the core. The invention also relates to a method of making such a base by adding a first concentration of a first blowing agent to a first polymer to form a first mixture, adding a second concentration of a second blowing agent to a second polymer to form a second mixture, and extruding the mixtures to form the closed cell foam core sheet. The invention also relates to a method of making such a closed cell foam core sheet base comprising the steps of adding a blowing agent to a polymer to form a mixture, melting the mixture, extruding the mixture from a die, and rapidly quenching the mixture against a high heat transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Aylward, Narasimharao Dontula, Terry A. Heath, Richard D. Bomba, John E. Benson
  • Patent number: 7517571
    Abstract: A temporary tattoo for concealing and for blocking a permanent tattoo or other imperfections on an individual's skin includes a white opaque neutralizer base that effectively prevents read through of the underlying marking. The temporary tattoo includes at least one pigmented layer disposed on top of the white opaque neutralized base that is intended to meter the individual's skin tone and/or pigment. The temporary tattoo also includes one or more reintroduction layers disposed between the neutralized base and the at least are pigmented layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventors: Barbara Funke, Roxanne Donatiello
  • Patent number: 7498071
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laminated member with an recorded information code, having a high reading accuracy, which do not detract from product design and which do not require a special reading apparatus. A laminated member 10 of the present invention comprises a transparent material layer 12 on which an information code is recorded, and a reflection-reduction layer 14 provided at the opposite side from a side where the information code is observed. The transparent layer 12 comprises low-reflectance portions 18 and high-reflectance portions 16 having a higher reflectance than the low-reflectance portions 18. The information code is recorded as a distributed pattern of the high-reflectance portions 16. The reflection-reduction layer 14 reduces reflected light advancing to the transparent material layer 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Shiseido Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sakuma, Masayoshi Wada, Asa Kimura
  • Patent number: 7435470
    Abstract: An indicator panel for an instrument includes a translucent resin substrate having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, and a design film on the first face of the substrate. The design film includes a translucent portion through which a light from the second surface of the substrate is transmitted, and an opaque portion which does not transmit the light from the second face of the substrate. The design film is produced by jetting droplets of a UV hardening type colored ink to the first face of the substrate in an inkjet printing, and radiating ultraviolet rays for a time within one second from the jetting so as to harden a mass of the droplets, in which a volume of the droplets is equal to or less than 30 pl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukinori Migitaka, Teruhiko Iwase, Motoki Takahira
  • Patent number: 7435471
    Abstract: An indicator panel is shaped by thermoforming an indicator panel. The indicator panel includes a resin substrate and an inkjet design film on the substrate. The design film is formed by printing a UV hardening ink in an inkjet printing, and hardening. A crack and a removal of the design film can be decreased such that the formed indicator panel can have a high-quality design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Migitaka, Teruhiko Iwase, Kazuo Kato, Takashi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7413794
    Abstract: A transfer member includes a substrate sheet, a mold release layer of a belt-shaped pattern laminated on the substrate sheet, an ionizing radiation curing layer laminated all over a surface on mold release layer, a patterned layer laminated all over a surface or partially on the ionizing radiation curing layer, and an adhesive layer laminated on the patterned layer only partially in a portion where the adhesive layer overlaps with the mold release layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nissha Printing Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kiyohito Shigemura
  • Patent number: 7371453
    Abstract: A decorative sheet includes a base member, made of a resin material and having a first and a second principal surfaces opposite to each other, a decoration layer provided on the first principal surface of the base member and having a pattern area representing a predetermined pattern, and a spread suppressing member provided in a position corresponding to the pattern area on the side of the first principal surface or on the side of the second principal surface of the base member, for suppressing the spread of the pattern area of the decoration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Suzuki, Naohiro Morozumi
  • Patent number: 7364636
    Abstract: The present invention was directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring an image-bearing coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used in cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior washability, compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without graying of the opaque background or dulling of colored images typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the addition of crosslinking agents to the coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7332210
    Abstract: Various manufacturing techniques may be employed to construct an appliqué for use in an instrument cluster. In one commonly employed technique, an appliqué may be formed by applying different colored ink layers onto a surface of a polycarbonate sheet using a silk screen printing. In some instance, an edge of an underlying ink layer may cause a visible step line on the face of the appliqué. To reduce or eliminate these visible step lines, an outer boundary area of the printing layers invention are defined as a dispersing dot pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Denso International America Inc., Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A Arms, Joel Stooksbury
  • Patent number: 7285315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure which is made of synthetic material with characteristics similar to or even better than those of cork and which can therefore be used in all applications in which a cork closure is normally used. In particular, the closure according to the present invention is a stopper for containers for wine or liquors. In particular, the present invention relates to a container closure made of an expanded elastomer by means of a thermal moulding method, characterized in that the expanded elastomer can be produced by means of a step of expansion by a supercritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Guala Dispensing, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Felice Fragola
  • Patent number: 7273651
    Abstract: A crackle finish, method of forming a crackle finish and a kit for forming a crackle finish. The crackle finish includes a base coat of latex paint or stain on a surface to be treated. A crackle coating is applied over the base coat and dried to tack dry or completely dried. A latex wood filler is applied over the crackle medium. As the latex wood filler dries, it forms islands or domains separated by cracks or valleys revealing glimpses of the underlaying base coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Rose Z. Wilde
  • Patent number: 7244485
    Abstract: A seamed flexible belt having a substrate and a seam having interlocking seam members, wherein the interlocking seam members are held together by an adhesive having polyamide and an optional electrically conductive filler, for use in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like printing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph A. Mosher, T. Edwin Freeman, Theodore Lovallo, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Timothy J. Fuller, Markus R. Silvestri, Gerald M. Fletcher, Antonio DeCrescentis, Ihor W. Tarnawskyj
  • Patent number: 7238410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring a discontinuous coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior crack resistance, washability, and breathability compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without washed-out appearance typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the use of discontinuous coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7150906
    Abstract: A display panel includes a transparent image recording sheet having electrophotographically formed thereon at least a background portion, wherein space factor of pinholes per unit area of the background portion is no greater than 1×10?2%. A method of manufacturing the display panel is also disclosed. The background portion has a transparent optical density of 3.0 or greater and an image portion has a transparent optical density of 1.0 or less, and preferably 0.1 to 1. A toner used for electrophotographically forming the background portion and the image portion has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 6,000 and a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000 as measured by gel permeation chromatography with respect to a portion of the toner dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and has respective molecular weight distribution peaks in molecular weight ranges of 1000 to 10,000 and 100,000 to 1,500,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Iwase, Seki Yamaguchi, Yoshifumi Iida, Masanori Ichimura, Yoko Tomita, Yasuyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7144617
    Abstract: A security element (2) comprising a reflective, optically variable surface pattern (3) which is embedded in a layer composite of plastic material and which can be visually recognized from predetermined observation directions is formed from a mosaic of optically active surface elements (13). In the mosaic of the surface pattern (3) at least two of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) of the surface pattern (3) are arranged substantially adjacent and have microscopically fine light-diffractive relief structures (4). The spatial frequencies of the relief structures in the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) are of values from predetermined spatial frequency ranges in such a way that, in the case of illumination beams which are incident obliquely relative to a normal onto the plane of the layer composite, the relief structures of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) deflect visible monochromatic light parallel to the normal (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin
  • Patent number: RE40024
    Abstract: This invention relates to the partial printing of a substrate with a plurality of layers to form a partially printed panel. Within each printed portion, at least one layer is applied to the substrate with inexact registration in relation to a second layer. A “control layer” comprising “edge sealing strips” is printed so that, within each printed portion, each edge of the at least two layers with inexact registration is located within the edges of an overlapping edge sealing strip. The edge sealing strips may provide a visual seal or mask at the edges of printed portions, for example to enable the each printed portion to have the desired color rendering within a one-way vision control panel. The invention can comprise the physical sealing of printed portions containing gaseous or liquid fluids or particles in suspension, such as fragrances, medication, environmentally reactive materials or security printing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Contra Vision Ltd.
    Inventor: G. Roland Hill
  • Patent number: RE40787
    Abstract: A multilayer plastic substrate. The substrate comprises a plurality of thin film layers of at least one polymer, the plurality of thin film layers being adjacent to one another and having sufficient strength to be self-supporting, wherein the multilayer plastic substrate has an average visible light transmittance of greater than about 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Michael G. Hall, Eric S. Mast