Patents Examined by William Watkins
  • Patent number: 5660758
    Abstract: A article with interior interrupted threads and a mold apparatus for manufacturing the same is provided. The molded article includes an aperture positioned completely therethrough as defined by an inner wall. The inner aperture wall carries a series of thread segments positioned about the periphery of the inner wall to form an interrupted helical thread line. The thread segments create a female threaded aperture through the molded article for receipt of a male threaded member therein. The mold apparatus includes an upper half and a lower half. The upper half carries a cylindrical wall which is notched with its upper edge being beveled .outwardly. The bottom half also carries a cylindrical wall which is notched as well as beveled outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Chip Coolers, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Albert McCullough
  • Patent number: 5656353
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle heat shield is formed from a laminated sheet material having a thin reflective metallic layer laminated to a structural plastic layer. Mounting brackets are riveted to the laminated sheet material to mount the heat shield between a heat sensitive vehicle component and a heat source. The reflective metallic layer is perforated forming a plurality of prongs which are embedded into the plastic layer through a compression molding process to bond the two layers together forming the laminated sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: TBA Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Martin Butler
  • Patent number: 5656355
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic metallized film composed of an elastic film and a metallic coating substantially covering at least a portion of at least one side of the film. The elastic film may be formed from a thermoset elastic material, a thermoplastic elastic material or a naturally occurring polymeric elastic material. The film may also be microporous and/or micropertured. The elastic metallized film has a metallic coating with an thickness ranging from about 1 nanometer to about 5 microns and which remains on the film when the film is stretched at least about 25 percent. The elastic metallized film may be joined with other materials to form multi-layer materials. Also disclosed is a process of making an elastic metallized film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard Cohen
  • Patent number: 5656222
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite film by forming a substrate layer of polymeric material having an at least one surface a heat-sealable layer and applying a particulate additive to the exposed surface of the heat-sealable layer with the particulate additive bonding to and/or penetrating into the heat-sealable layer.The exposed surface of the heat-sealable layer has greater than 100 surface protrusions per mm2 produced by the particulate additive. The surface protrusions have an average peak height in the range from 5 to 400 nm measured from the average level of the surface of the heat-sealable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Michael Richard Berry, David Wall
  • Patent number: 5654078
    Abstract: A flexible abrasive member comprising a first porous layer of mesh, non-woven or perforated sheet, conductive or non-conductive material to which on one side deposits are deposited by way of any metal plating technique of either the electrolytic, electroless or vacuum deposition type, or any galvanic process, abrasive particles being embedded in the metal deposits, a layer of filling material, such as a resin, being present between the deposits which filling material is bonded to said first porous layer and/or the deposits, and at least a second porous layer of mesh, non-woven or perforated sheet, conductive or non-conductive material being present and being laid substantially along one side of the first porous layer. The side edge of the deposit has at least one annular groove along at least part of the circumference of the deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Sandro Giovanni Giuseppe Ferronato
  • Patent number: 5650213
    Abstract: A retroreflective composition of the present invention comprises non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, and a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads wherein the ratio of the volume of matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads is in the range of 75% to 185%, and is optimally suitable for use on fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Reflective Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Rizika, Adam W. Rizika
  • Patent number: 5648142
    Abstract: A polymeric film for use in absorbent structures comprises a planar surface having a frontside, a backside and a plurality of apertures. Walls extend from the perimeter of the apertures and outwardly from the backside. The walls and the backside form a capillary system on the backside. The walls form channels which connect the frontside of the film to the capillary system on the backside. The walls have at least one cut out portion extending the length of the walls. A fluid contacting the frontside of the film will spontaneously invert to the capillary system on the backside of the film through the cut out portions of the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Bobby Mal Phillips
  • Patent number: 5648140
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous vacuum lamination of a film to an air-permeable substrate includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of channels disposed along a surface thereof oriented transversely to a direction of travel of a substrate on the conveyor. An aperture connected to a source of vacuum extends through the conveyor belt at each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Henry Vaders
  • Patent number: 5648144
    Abstract: A synthetic slate roofing member composed of solid surfacing material and configured to realistically resemble the appearance and texture of natural slate while being lighter in weight, more durable and less costly than natural slate. The solid surfacing material preferably incorporates various additives and fillers to enhance the physical properties and appearance of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Ronald L. Maurer, Frank C. Cosmas
  • Patent number: 5648139
    Abstract: A wire drawing die comprises a polycrystalline CVD diamond layer having a hole formed therethrough and mounted in a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Ricardo Simon Sussmann, Cornelius Phaal
  • Patent number: 5643654
    Abstract: A pellicle structure comprises a frame having a vertical through opening and a pellicle film spread on the upper the upper end of the opening of the frame. The pellicle film has a coating layer comprising a coating agent formed at least on the inner surface thereof, and a bonding portion for bonding the end edge of the frame to the peripheral edge of the pellicle film through an adhesive layer. The coating agent, in the bonding portion, is dissolved or dispersed in the adhesive so that the pellicle substrate is directly contacted by and bonded to the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Fujita, Hiroaki Nakagawa, Tsutomu Saito
  • Patent number: 5643655
    Abstract: A marking tape comprising a support base and a top layer, wherein said support base comprises a butadiene rubber, characterized in that said support base further comprises at least one resin selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polycyclodienic resins and aliphatic hydrocarbon resins having a softening temperature of from 60.degree. to 160.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Sergio Passarino
  • Patent number: 5641554
    Abstract: A cover pad for an air bag device, a main body of which is molded into a single layer using a resin/elastomer blend. The resin/elastomer blend is made by blending PP with an elastomer in a ratio ranging from 60/40 to 40/60 by weight. The elastomer is made by blending an EPM with a styrene-containing thermoplastic elastomer in a ratio ranging from 80/20 to 20/80 by weight. In addition, copolymerization of the EPM produces a propylene content ranging from 21 to 40 mol %; 3 mol %.ltoreq.P-P.ltoreq. 12 mol %; and 35 mol %.ltoreq.E-P.ltoreq.50 mol % (where P-P is the dyad chain configuration (.sup.13 C-NMR) of the propylene-propylene bond; and E-P is the dyad chain configuration (.sup.13 C-NMR) of the ethylene-propylene bond).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Koizumi, Tsugunori Sugiura, Tadashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5639536
    Abstract: An in-mold molded product includes a molded plastic member having projections and recesses on a surface thereof and a transfer layer provided on such surface. The outer surface of the transfer layer has a contour corresponding to the projections and recesses of the plastic member and additionally has projections and recesses that are finer than those on the surface of the plastic molded member. Thus, the finished product has a matte surface with good wear characteristics. The product is molded by arranging a mat transfer member at a predetermined region of a cavity of a mold unit, the mat transfer member having the fine projections and recesses on one surface thereof, and a portion of the mold unit defining the cavity having, at the predetermined region, projections and recesses which are larger in size than those of the mat transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nissha Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yamazaki, Naoto Toyooka
  • Patent number: 5635129
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing reinforced twin-sheet thermoformed articles comprising the steps of heating first and second sheets of thermoplastic material; forming the sheets in molds; heating a reinforcing insert of thermoplastic material; placing the heated insert on the first sheet in its mold at the location to be reinforced; pressing the second sheet into contact with the heated first sheet and the heated insert to form the insert between the sheets so that a fusion of the thermoplastic sheets and the insert takes place to produce a reinforced section of the article having a desired shape and thickness. Alternative processes are disclosed wherein a heated quantity of thermoplastic liquid material is extruded or injected between the first and second sheets within the first and second molds either by inserting the liquid material before the molds are closed or by injecting it through one of the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: TriEnda Corporation
    Inventors: Harlon W. Breezer, William F. Price
  • Patent number: 5633068
    Abstract: An abrasive tape is disclosed, comprising a flexible support having thereon an abrasive layer containing mainly an abrasive particle and a binder resin, wherein said abrasive layer has a thickness of from 0.3 to 10.0 .mu.m, an interlayer is provided between said abrasive layer and said flexible support, the thickness of said interlayer is 1 .mu.m or more, 30% or more of the thickness of said flexible support and larger than the thickness of said abrasive layer, and said interlayer has a Young's modulus of from 10 to 150 Kg/mm.sup.2. The abrasive tape may be used for cleaning and polishing a magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Ryoke, Masaaki Fujiyama, Keisuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 5633067
    Abstract: An engine compartment casing element (1), in particular for sound absorption, with a foamed material element (2) attached to a wall element (3) which is preferably reverberant, the foamed material element (2) having a skin-like covering (5) on the side facing away from the wall element (3). The foamed material element (2) is perforated, the foamed material element (2) is also covered on both sides with an air-impermeable plastic sheeting (5) or (6) respectively which also covers the perforated areas (holes 4), and the foamed material element (2) is installed so that it runs at least in part at a distance (a) from the wall element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Illbruck Production S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Illbruck, Albert Kallenberg, G unter Arnold, Uwe Etterer
  • Patent number: 5631064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective transfer sheets and graphic images produced therefrom, i.e., appliques. The retroreflective applique includes: a layer of optical lens elements partially embedded in and protruding from the front surface of a binder resin layer and a transfer adhesive layer comprising a vinyl plastisol disposed on the rear surface of the binder resin layer. The binder resin layer is prepared from ingredients comprising an isocyanate-functional hardener and a resin selected from the group consisting of a polyester resin and a polyurethane resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Marecki
  • Patent number: 5624731
    Abstract: A display which when illuminated by a light source is adapted to present selectively to an observer colors and images that depend both on the angular position of the observer and on the angular position of the light source relative to the display. The display includes a substrate on which is coated an opaque base layer having a color image printed thereon. Coated over the base layer is an intermediate layer of transparent material having interference pigment particles dispersed therein which impart goniochromatic properties to this layer, the color seen by the observer depending on said angular positions. Overlying the intermediate layer is a retroreflectivity layer formed by transparent beads whereby light reflected from the base layer or from the intermediate layer, as seen by the observer, passes through the retroreflectivity layer to enhance the brilliance of the colors or images presented to the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Alexander Desjardins
  • Patent number: 5624630
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing reinforced twin-sheet thermoformed articles comprising the steps of heating first and second sheets of thermoplastic material; forming the sheets in molds; heating a reinforcing insert of thermoplastic material; placing the heated insert on the first sheet in its mold at the location to be reinforced; pressing tile second sheet into contact with the heated first sheet and the heated insert to form the insert between tile sheets so that a fusion of the thermoplastic sheets and tile insert takes place to produce a reinforced section of the article having a desired shape and thickness. Alternative processes are disclosed wherein a heated quantity of thermoplastic liquid material is extruded or injected between the first and second sheets within the first and second molds either by inserting the liquid material before the molds are closed or by injecting it through one of the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: TriEnda Corporation
    Inventors: Harlon W. Breezer, William F. Price