Patents by Inventor Ralph A. Martino

Ralph A. Martino 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).

  • Publication number: 20060010793
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a door having indexing ribs for aligning the door components during assembly. A peripheral door frame is provided having first and second stiles and first and second rails. The stiles and rails have opposing first and second sides. At least one channel is disposed in at least one of the sides. The channel has a base and angled sidewalls extending outwardly from the base to a corresponding side. The interior surfaces of first and second door facings are aligned with and secured to the first and second sides of the frame, respectively. At least one of the door facings has a ridge extending outwardly from its interior surface. The ridge is aligned with and received in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Martino
  • Patent number: 6709612
    Abstract: To produce a reformed medium density fiber (MDF) product, a reforming process is performed on a pre-finished MDF board having at least one pre-finished surface which, in turn, carries at least one coating. The process comprises the steps of: placing the pre-finished medium density fiber board in a heated press mold; closing the heated press mold while the pre-finished medium density fiber board is located therein; applying pressure and heat to the pre-finished medium density fiber board using the heated press mold so that the pre-finished surface(s) is (are) reformed without cracking, bubbling, or removal of the coating(s); opening the heated press mold; and removing the pre-finished medium density fiber board from the heated press mold. The application of pressure and heat preferably is such that the board becomes reformed, preferably no greater than 0.045 inch into the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: MDF, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Publication number: 20030031798
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6461676
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Premdor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Publication number: 20020090500
    Abstract: To produce a reformed medium density fiber (MDF) product, a reforming process is performed on a pre-finished MDF board having at least one pre-finished surface which, in turn, carries at least one coating. The process comprises the steps of: placing the pre-finished medium density fiber board in a heated press mold; closing the heated press mold while the pre-finished medium density fiber board is located therein; applying pressure and heat to the pre-finished medium density fiber board using the heated press mold so that the pre-finished surface(s) is (are) reformed without cracking, bubbling, or removal of the coating(s); opening the heated press mold; and removing the pre-finished medium density fiber board from the heated press mold. The application of pressure and heat preferably is such that the board becomes reformed, preferably no greater than 0.045 inch into the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6335082
    Abstract: To produce a reformed medium density fiber (MDF) product, a reforming process is performed on a pre-finished MDF board having at least one pre-finished surface which, in turn, carries at least one coating. The process comprises the steps of: placing the pre-finished medium density fiber board in a heated press mold; closing the heated press mold while the pre-finished medium density fiber board is located therein; applying pressure and heat to the pre-finished medium density fiber board using the heated press mold so that the pre-finished surface(s) is (are) reformed without cracking, bubbling, or removal of the coating(s); opening the heated press mold; and removing the pre-finished medium density fiber board from the heated press mold. The application of pressure and heat preferably is such that the board becomes reformed, preferably no greater than 0.045 inch into the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: MDF, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6309503
    Abstract: A method of making a flat-skinned door which simulates a three-dimensional molded skin door, and corresponding product, are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a basecoat(s) to the door skin, applying a woodgrain puff-ink to the skin over the basecoat in order to simulate woodgrain patterning, utilizing a printing roll(s) to print a photographic image on the door which simulates a three-dimension molded door skin, and forming a hardened non-stainable polymerized coating over the image applied by the printing roll(s). In such a manner, a flat skinned door may be made which simulates a three dimensional molded skin door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: MDF, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6280820
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Premdor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Publication number: 20010010839
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6253507
    Abstract: A door frame clip is provided for interconnecting first and second door frame members when a longitudinal end of the first door frame member bears against a surface of the second door frame member at a portion of the surface which is adjacent to a longitudinal end of the second door frame member. The door frame clip comprises an apex, a first arm extending from the apex, and a second arm extending from the apex in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first arm. The second arm is significantly longer than the first arm to enable the second arm to reach the first door frame member when the apex engages an outside edge of the longitudinal end of the second door frame member. Also provided is a door frame system. The door frame system comprises a first leg member, a second leg member, a header, a first door frame clip, and a second door frame clip. The second leg member is substantially parallel to the first leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: MDF, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 6174574
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Premdor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 5989681
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Premdor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 5950382
    Abstract: A method of making a flat-skinned door which simulates a three-dimensional molded skin door, and corresponding product, are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a basecoat(s) to the door skin, applying a woodgrain puff-ink to the skin over the basecoat in order to simulate woodgrain patterning, utilizing a printing roll(s) to print a photographic image on the door which simulates a three-dimension molded door skin, and forming a hardened non-stainable polymerized coating over the image applied by the printing roll(s). In such a manner, a flat skinned door may be made which simulates a three dimensional molded skin door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: MDF Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Patent number: 5597620
    Abstract: A semi-finished wood simulating product and method is disclosed. The product is manufactured by providing a substrate having at least one surface to be finished. A liquid basecoat is applied on the substrate and dried. A wood grain pattern is deposited, in liquid form, on the basecoat. Some of the pattern is transferred from the originally deposited position on the basecoat to a subsequent position. The pattern is then cured. A polymerizable protective coating is applied onto the substrate overlying the basecoat and the pattern. The protective coating seals the substrate and-is adapted for accepting a colorant to be applied by an end user. The protective coating is then polymerized. Additionally, if a porous substrate is provided, a sealer is applied prior to the liquid basecoat and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Premdor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino