Patents by Inventor Donald G. Needham

Donald G. Needham has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method of making load-bearing structures
    Patent number: 5900203
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a load-bearing structure with a novel interlocking edge. Also provided is a method of making a load-bearing structure having an overlapping edge, in which structural members are combined so that a stepped-down lip of one structural member covers a peripheral edge of another member. Also provided is a load-bearing structure having cellular structure and which is useful with or without an overlapping edge. In addition, there is provided a molding method for making cellular, load-bearing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Poly Plus Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Needham, William Kinzie, James H. Harris
  • Load-bearing structures
    Patent number: 5888612
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a load-bearing structure with a novel interlocking edge. Also provided is a method of making a load-bearing structure having an overlapping edge, in which structural members are combined so that a stepped-down lip of one structural member covers a peripheral edge of another member. Also provided is a load-bearing structure having cellular structure and which is useful with or without an overlapping edge. In addition, there is provided a molding method for making cellular, load-bearing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Poly Plus Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Needham, William Kinzie, James H. Harris
  • Load-bearing structures with interlockable edges
    Patent number: 5776582
    Abstract: The present invention provides a load-bearing structure having interlockable peripheral edges. The peripheral edges provide at least one pair of upper and lower offsets. Each offset includes a plurality of spaced apart projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Polyplus, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Filament coating process
    Patent number: 5607531
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel filament coating process. Useful filaments include high strength, reinforcing fiber such as fiberglass. By the process, a filament bundle is transversely spread and individual filaments are coated. In a particular application, pultruded rod may be advantageously made from the coated filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Polyplus, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Needham, William Kinzie, James H. Harris
  • Welding rod having parallel electrical pathways
    Patent number: 5571435
    Abstract: An improved welding rod for joining plastic materials is provided. The welding rod includes a core of electrically resistive fiber, and a winding of electrically resistive fiber separated by a plastic barrier layer. Also provided is a method for joining plastic materials using the welding rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Neeco, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Polyolefin-based composition for rotational molding
    Patent number: 5532282
    Abstract: A composition useful for rotational molding and method of rotomolding are provided. The composition advantageously includes particulate matter of significantly different sizes. A first polymer is provided as particulate matter of one size, and a second polymer is provided as particulate matter of a smaller size. During rotomolding, the first polymer forms an inner layer and the second polymer forms an outer layer. Beneficially, foaming may be provided during rotomolding to foam the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Neeco, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Nucleated polyolefin-based composition for rotational molding
    Patent number: 5530055
    Abstract: A polyolefin-based composition useful for rotational molding, is provided. A polyethylene resin blend is beneficially used. The composition advantageously includes a nucleating agent. Rotomolded containers having improved resistance to puncture are beneficially provided. Also provided is a method of rotomolding the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Dustless color concentrate granules
    Patent number: 5455288
    Abstract: A novel coating process for making dustless color concentrate in granular form, is provided. The granules are individual resin particles coated with pigment and binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Molding of articles from plastics
    Patent number: 5405567
    Abstract: A novel molded structure especially useful as a rigid, load-bearing structure, is provided. Also provided is a novel process for molding the structure, which may be in the form of a pallet. By the process, the structure is chilled as it is being formed. Recycled resins including contaminants of limited compatibility may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Plastic Pallets, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Needham, William Kinzie, Bill V. Smith
  • Foamable polyethylene-based composition for rotational molding
    Patent number: 5366675
    Abstract: A foamable composition useful for rotational molding, is provided. The composition advantageously includes an ethylene vinyl ester copolymer as an additive. The additive beneficially has a higher melt index than the base resin of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Crosslinkable polyethylene-based composition for rotational molding
    Patent number: 5367025
    Abstract: A crosslinkable polyethylene-based composition useful for rotational molding and, when cured, beneficially characterized by exceptional percent elongation after long term exposure to degradation conditions, is provided. The composition advantageously includes a polyalkylene terephthalate as a polymeric additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Wedtech, (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Crosslinkable polyethylene-based composition for rotational molding
    Patent number: 5260381
    Abstract: A cross-linkable polyethylene-based composition useful for rotational molding and, when cured, characterized by exceptional percent elongation after long term exposure to degradation conditions, is provided. The cured composition has a high degree of crosslinking which may be a more random type of crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Neeco, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Pigment concentrates for resins
    Patent number: 4788232
    Abstract: Resinous pigment concentrates comprising at least one pigment and a dispersing additive of a naphthenic extender oil and/or a phosphate ester blended with a major portion of a resinous polymer containing a significant proportion of at least one polymerized conjugated diene monomer, when used for coloring resinous polymers as described, are effective in reducing such defects in finished articles as gels and surface blemishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Pigment concentrates for resins
    Patent number: 4720514
    Abstract: Resinous pigment concentrates comprising at least one pigment and a dispersing additive of a naphthenic extender oil and/or a phosphate ester blended with a major portion of a resinous polymer containing a significant proportion of at least one polymerized conjugated diene monomer, when used for coloring resinous polymers as described, are effective in reducing such defects in finished articles as gels and surface blemishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Polymers and rotationally molding same
    Patent number: 4668461
    Abstract: A composition that can be rotationally molded with a minimum formation of voids comprises a polymer and a metal stearate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Laser printable polyarylene sulfide compositions process for encapsulating articles with optional laser printing
    Patent number: 4654225
    Abstract: The six compositions, nickel-antimony-titanium, lead chromate-lead molybdate, quinacridone, monoazo-nickel complex, cobalt-zinc-silica, and lead chromate, provide a polyarylene sulfide composition containing one or more of these with high contrast laser printability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Needham, John E. Leland
  • Pigment concentrates for resins
    Patent number: 4600736
    Abstract: Resinous pigment concentrates comprising at least one pigment and a dispersing additive of a naphthenic extender oil and/or a phosphate ester blended with a major portion of a resinous polymer containing a significant proportion of at least one polymerized conjugated diene monomer, when used for coloring resinous polymers as described, are effective in reducing such defects in finished articles as gels and surface blemishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Test specimen holder
    Patent number: D300659
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Book shelf bank
    Patent number: D331309
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Donald G. Needham
  • Pallet
    Patent number: D355064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Plastic Pallets, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kinzie, Bill V. Smith, Donald G. Needham