Patents by Inventor Flavio Metta

Flavio Metta 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).

  • Patent number: 5613601
    Abstract: A package for dispensing a substance that imparts a desirable property to a body of water. The dispensing package comprises a water permeable bag of non-woven fabric enclosing a predetermined quantity of particulated product, such as tea or coffee that releases a flavouring substance in steeping liquid. The non-woven fabric has a thermally activated bonding surface permitting to permanently close the bag by peripherally heat-sealing the bag walls to one another. The heat-sealing operation is performed by driving in the wall portions to be joined a multitude of heated projections that rapidly transfer heat to the thermally activated bonding layers in order to quickly effect the seal. The resulting joint area displays a plurality of perforations formed by the heated projections. The invention also extends to a method and apparatus for heat-sealing the dispensing package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta
  • Patent number: 5564263
    Abstract: A package for dispensing a substance that imparts a desirable property to a body of water. The dispensing package comprises a water permeable bag of non-woven fabric enclosing a predetermined quantity of particulated product, such as tea or coffee that releases a flavouring substance in steeping liquid. The non-woven fabric has a thermally activated bonding surface permitting to permanently close the bag by peripherally heat-sealing the bag walls to one another. The heat-sealing operation is performed by driving in the wall portions to be joined a multitude of heated projections that rapidly transfer heat to the thermally activated bonding layers in order to quickly effect the seal. The resulting joint area displays a plurality of perforations formed by the heated projections. The invention also extends to a method and apparatus for heat-sealing the dispensing package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta
  • Patent number: 5490457
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing a fibrous web with a decorative pattern, comprising a printing roll having a cavity forming a shaped ink transfer zone to print a principal pattern on the fibrous web through rolling contact therewith, and an array of small recesses in a spaced apart relationship surrounding the cavity and having the ability to trap dirt particles adhering to the printing roll which are being trained over its relief surface by a doctor blade scraping excess ink therefrom. The array of recesses provides a cleaning action by continuously dislodging dirt particles collecting underneath the leading edge of the doctor blade and preventing the dirt particles from agglomerating into large flocs which may interfere with the operation of the doctor blade. The array of recesses also defines an ink transfer zone printing on the fibrous web a relatively faint background pattern upon which the principal pattern is visually eminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta, Real Contant
  • Patent number: 5456055
    Abstract: A package for dispensing a substance that imparts a desirable property to a body of water. The dispensing package comprises a water permeable bag of non-woven fabric enclosing a predetermined quantity of particulated product, such as tea or coffee that releases a flavouring substance in steeping liquid. The non-woven fabric has a thermally activated bonding surface permitting to permanently close the bag by peripherally heat-sealing the bag walls to one another. The heat-sealing operation is performed by driving in the wall portions to be joined a multitude of heated projections that rapidly transfer heat to the thermally activated bonding layers in order to quickly effect the seal. The resulting joint area displays a plurality of perforations formed by the heated projections. The invention also extends to a method and apparatus for heat-sealing the dispensing package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta
  • Patent number: 5437904
    Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entangled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Daniel Plourde, Andre Brousseau, Flavio Metta
  • Patent number: 5428876
    Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entangled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Daniel Plourde, Andre Brousseau, Flavio Metta
  • Patent number: 5405650
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-woven fabric printed with a decorative pattern. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to a fluid stream for entangling the fibers to form a unitary fibrous network. The unitary fibrous network is impregnated with liquid binder which solidifies and consolidates the non-woven fabric. Before the binder has cured and is still in a liquid condition, the unitary fibrous network is printed with a decorative pattern. Subsequently, the unitary fibrous network is dried to simultaneously cure the binder and the colorant forming the decorative pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta, Real Contant
  • Patent number: 5238644
    Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entagled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Daniel Plourde, Andre Brousseau, Flavio Metta