Patents Examined by Terrel Morris
  • Patent number: 6943130
    Abstract: A method for producing a fabric-elastomer sandwich, consisting in providing a fabric with at least minute gaps between its fibers, in placing the fabric on a mold having at least resting portions for the fabric and at least regions which are recessed with respect to the resting portions, in applying an elastomer to the side of the fabric that lies opposite to the side directed toward the mold, in applying pressure to make the elastomer flow through the minute gaps located at the recessed regions in order to fill the recessed regions with the elastomer, and in extracting the sandwich from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Vibram S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gabbrielli
  • Patent number: 6941719
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a hollow member comprising a rigid reinforcing member having a shape that substantially conforms to the cross section of the hollow member to be reinforced with an expandable adhesive material over at least a portion of the surface of the structural reinforcement having one or more extensions on its external surface which control and direct the direction in which the adhesive material expands to bond the reinforcing member to the internal surface of the hollow member, some of the extensions also provide improved reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: L&L Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Busseuil, Jean Philippe Bourdin, Eric Le Gall, Serge Bieber, Jean Philippe Lutz
  • Patent number: 6936321
    Abstract: A blow molded structure comprising a body made out of a first polymeric material and an integrally molded, coextruded living hinge made out of a second, more flexible polymeric material. A method of making a blow molded article having a coextruded living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Moran, Michael P. Schoemann, Anthony Spagnuolo, Timothy Noggle
  • Patent number: 6936347
    Abstract: A coated article that can be used in applications such as insulating glass (IG) units, so that resulting IG units can achieve high visible transmission of at least 70% (e.g., when using clear glass substrates from 1.0 to 3.5 mm thick), combined with at least one of: (a) SHGC no greater than about 0.45, more preferably no greater than about 0.40; (b) SC no greater than about 0.49, more preferably no greater than about 0.46; (c) chemical and/or mechanical durability; (d) neutral transmissive color such that transmissive a* is from ?5.0 to 0 (more preferably from ?3.5 to ?1.5), and transmissive b* is from ?2.0 to 4.0 (more preferably from 1.0 to 3.0); and (e) neutral reflective color from the exterior of the IG unit (i.e., Rg/Rout) such that reflective a* is from ?3.0 to 2.0 (more preferably from ?2.0 to 0.5), and reflective b* is from ?5.0 to 1.0 (more preferably from ?4.0 to ?1.0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Carole Laird, Uwe Kriltz, Ronald E. Laird
  • Patent number: 6936342
    Abstract: A drip absorption mat is provided, which is capable of preventing the color deterioration of foods such as meats on the side in contact with said mat when foods such as meat are mounted thereon. A drip absorption mat which is laid under drip-oozing foods is composed of an absorption sheet to absorb drips and a porous surface sheet which is arranged over this absorption sheet and in contact with food, so that color deterioration of meats on the side in contact with the drip absorption mat is prevented by improving the breathability of the drip-absorption mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Shibata, Masahiko Shikatani
  • Patent number: 6933043
    Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative floor covering comprising a surface layer and a substrate layer underneath, wherein the surface layer comprises a polyethylene terephthalate film layer, and a method for preparing the same. Furthermore, the present invention provides a decorative floor covering comprising a surface layer and a substrate layer underneath, wherein a light weight back layer is further comprised under the substrate layer, and a method for preparing the same. A decorative floor covering of the present invention is a decorative floor covering which has superior surface heat resistance, printing sharpness and realism, and it can be installed conveniently since not only can non-foamed polyvinyl chloride resin be used as a substrate layer, but also the weight of a floor covering is light when a light weight back layer is comprised under the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seog-Jae Son, Ha-Soo Jang, Hea-Chun Kang
  • Patent number: 6929861
    Abstract: A low reflectance glass surface with improved cleanability is disclosed which includes a particular combination of surface structures which produce a low reflectance yet high clarity glass. The surface structure includes a plurality of islands distributed at a density of about 60 to about 10,000 islands per square millimeter. The glass surface also includes a skeletalized silica structure of about 100 to about 400 angstroms in diameter uniformly distributed over the surface. By combining the various surface structures on one piece of glass, unique properties of low reflectance yet high clarity are provided, which is particularly suitable for use in picture frames where any distortion would distract from viewing a picture contained therein and also in computer or t.v. screens where distortion or glare could produce operator fatigue or stress. The glass structure is achieved by a process which is readily adaptable to existing production lines without requiring major modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Zuel Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Juei-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 6926958
    Abstract: A base film for medical adhesive tape is described, which is obtained by laminating, over one side or both sides of layer A composed of amorphous polyolefin, layer B composed of a polypropylene-based resin. A medical adhesive tape equipped with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on at least one side of the base film for medical adhesive tape; an adhesive plaster obtained by rolling the medical adhesive tape having the base film equipped with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and a first-aid adhesive tape comprising the medical adhesive tape having the base film equipped with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a liquid-absorbing pad disposed in a central region of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kinoshita, Atsushi Hamada, Tetsuo Watanabe, Fumiya Shirai, Kenji Furumori
  • Patent number: 6921570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pattern-unbonded material that has at least two distinct regions. One region has different bond pattern than another region. The different bond pattern provides different, specific functionality or characteristics to the material. In an embodiment, the one region provides an optimal mechanical fastener, hook engagement. The different characteristics include, but are not limited to, opacity, tensile strength or stiffness. The different characteristics are provided by a bond pattern specific to the particular region. The outer regions, in an embodiment, are stronger and appear more substantial by being more opaque than or color-shifted relative to an inner region. The outer regions, in an embodiment, are not directly backed or supported by the garment to which the material is attached. Accordingly, it is important for the outer regions to provide adequate strength, stiffness, color, and opacity absent the garment backing the outer regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom R. Belau, Timothy J. Blenke, Richard T. Wehrle, Rebecca J. Kuepper, Thomas D. Ehlert, Alan F. Schleinz
  • Patent number: 6916408
    Abstract: A coated article that can be used in applications such as insulating glass (IG) units, so that resulting IG units can achieve high visible transmission of at least 70% (e.g., when using clear glass substrates from 1.0 to 3.5 mm thick), combined with at least one of: (a) SHGC no greater than about 0.45, more preferably no greater than about 0.40; (b) SC no greater than about 0.49, more preferably no greater than about 0.46; (c) chemical and/or mechanical durability; (d) neutral transmissive color such that transmissive a* is from ?5.0 to 0 (more preferably from ?3.5 to ?1.5), and transmissive b* is from ?2.0 to 4.0 (more preferably from 1.0 to 3.0); and (e) neutral reflective color from the exterior of the IG unit (i.e., Rg/Rout) such that reflective a* is from ?3.0 to 2.0 (more preferably from ?2.0 to 0.5), and reflective b* is from ?5.0 to 1.0 (more preferably from ?4.0 to ?1.0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Ronald E. Laird, Carole Laird, Uwe Kriltz
  • Patent number: 6916752
    Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs comprise fibers of uniform diameter that vary in morphology along their length. The variation provides longitudinal segments that exhibit distinctive softening characteristics during a bonding operation. Some segments soften under the conditions of the bonding operation and bond to other fibers of the web, and other segments are passive during the bonding operation. Webs as described can be formed by a method that comprises a) extruding filaments of fiber-forming material; b) directing the filaments through a processing chamber in which the filaments are subjected to longitudinal stress; c) subjecting the filaments to turbulent flow conditions after they exit the processing chamber; and d) collecting the processed filaments; the temperature of the filaments being controlled so that at least some of the filaments solidify while in the turbulent field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, Anne N. De Rovere, William T. Fay, Jill R. Munro, Pamela A. Percha
  • Patent number: 6911253
    Abstract: A porous resin film which comprises 30 to 90 wt % of a thermoplastic resin containing a hydrophilic thermoplastic resin component; and 70 to 10 wt % of an inorganic or organic fine powder was disclosed. The porous resin film of the present invention is valuable as an ink-jet recording medium since the film shows excellent ink absorbing and drying properties even when a large amount of ink is discharged thereon, and thus can produce thereon a high-definition image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Yupo Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Iwasa, Akihiko Ohno, Nobuhiro Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6908668
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a foamed polyolefin resin sheet which exhibits a high adhesive strength when laminated with a layer formed of a saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer and which still exhibits a high adhesive strength even when laminated with a layer of a thermoplastic resin having relatively low polarity such as a polyolefin resin. This object is attained by a foamed polyolefin resin sheet including a foamed polyolefin resin layer and a non-foamed surface layer formed of a thermoplastic resin composition having an A1/A2 ratio falling within a range between 1×10?8 and 1×10?1, wherein A1 is a maximum absorbance of the infrared absorption spectrum of the thermoplastic resin composition within an infrared ray wave number region of from 1700 to 1750 cm?1 and A2 is a maximum absorbance of the infrared absorption spectrum of the thermoplastic resin composition within an infrared ray wave number region of from 1455 to 1465 cm?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Hanada, Ryuma Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6905985
    Abstract: A fabric cartridge for an automotive beating and cooling system. The apparatus includes: a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly including a housing; and a single-ply, die cut fabric web disposed therein. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric web includes: a float-free fabric substrate; at least one surface including a laminated film; and a plurality of apertures for diverting airflow in the heating and cooling system; and a noise/friction reduction agent for reducing the interaction between the housing and the fabric web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Highland Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Schindzielorz, Stephen P. Lengyel
  • Patent number: 6905986
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles having a bimodal particle size distribution. Use of superabsorbent material having a bimodal particle size distribution in the absorbent structure results in enhanced fluid distribution and fluid intake of the absorbent composite. The absorbent composite of the present invention is useful in disposable personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Ranganathan, Richard Norris Dodge, II, Michael John Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 6903034
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
  • Patent number: 6902785
    Abstract: A laminar structure is disclosed that comprises a tacky mastic at least partially in contact with a ultra-violet (UV) light and moisture barrier. The structure can be employed for protecting a wide range of substrates such as wood, metal, concrete, cement, among other substrates. The structure can be cut or shaped into a virtually unlimited array of configurations. A release layer can be applied onto at least a portion of one or more sides of the structure. The release layer can be removed from the structure prior to applying the structure onto the substrate to be protected. Once applied the structure can protect the substrate from moisture, UV, microbial and animal attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Denovus LLC
    Inventor: Darren L. Ourth
  • Patent number: 6902798
    Abstract: A flexible seal for use in a solid oxide fuel cell stack is formed from a fiber matrix impregnated with a plurality of solid particles. The fibers and particles are preferably ceramic and may be formed from alumina or zirconia. The seal may be formed by dipping the fiber matrix into a slurry of the particles in an alcohol, drying the seal and precompressing prior to installation in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Fuelcell Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Debabrata Ghosh, Scott Thompson
  • Patent number: 6900147
    Abstract: A neckable nonwoven web is provided with a central region and two edge regions, the central region being selectively easier to neck than the two edge regions. The nonwoven fibers in the central region have a polymer composition and/or physical properties which differ from the nonwoven fibers in the two edge regions. The selectively easier necking in the central region causes the central region to neck to about the same extent as the two edge regions, which otherwise would experience greater necking than the central region if the starting nonwoven web were completely uniform. Necked nonwoven webs and neck-bonded laminates made using the improved neckable nonwoven web, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Morman, Charles J. Morell
  • Patent number: RE38745
    Abstract: A laminate composition of a thin film of low density polyethylene adhered to a sheet of low density polyethylene foam by means of a very thin layer of low density polyethylene. The polyethylene foam has a low density which is preferably between about 1.9 pcf and about 2.2 pcf. The bottom polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier. One side of the polyethylene film extends beyond one edge of the polyethylene foam sheet. The laminate composition is installed in a free floating manner on the concrete subflooring, with the polyethylene film or the polyethylene foam sheet contacting the surface of the concrete subflooring. The laminate composition is usually in long strips, so when it is installed one edge of one strip overlies the extended portion of the polyethylene film of an adjacent strip. Then the laminate wood finish flooring, in plank form, is installed on top of the laminate composition in a free floating manner. The laminate wood planks fit together in a tongue-in-groove manner and are glued together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Foster