Patents by Inventor Steven F. Starcke
Steven F. Starcke 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).
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Patent number: 7526928Abstract: The invention provides a gemstone or a decorative object having at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. In some embodiments, there is provided a gemstone having an appearance characterized by at least two different color zones, where such two zones are of different colors. In other embodiments, two different areas of a single (e.g., integral, one-piece) gemstone carry coatings of different composition, and the resulting appearance of the gemstone is characterized by the stone exhibiting substantially a single uniform body color that is different than the body color the stone would exhibit if it were coated only with one or the other of the coatings. Also provided are new deposition techniques.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Azotic Coating Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ronald H. Kearnes, Debbie Kearnes, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 7290404Abstract: The invention provides a gemstone material having therein embedded a plurality of dichroic particles. Methods of producing the gemstone material are also provided. The gemstone material can be provided in the form of a slab, faceted gemstone, or cabochon.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Azotic Coating Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ronald H. Kearnes, Steven F. Starcke, Keven E. Bennet
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Patent number: 7137275Abstract: The invention provides a decorative object comprising a transparent or translucent substrate having a body and at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. The coating imparts in the substrate a body color that appears substantially constant at different angles of observation. This body color is imparted in the substrate at least in part by absorption of visible radiation that is transmitted through said coating. The coating includes a high absorption layer comprising film that is highly absorptive of visible radiation. Also provided are methods of coating gems and other decorative objects, as well as methods of heat treating coated gems and other decorative objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Azotic Coating Technology, Inc.Inventors: Steven F. Starcke, Ronald H. Kearnes, Keven E. Bennet
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Patent number: 6997014Abstract: The invention provides a decorative object comprising a transparent or translucent substrate having a body and at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. The coating imparts in the substrate a body color that appears substantially constant at different angles of observation. This body color is imparted in the substrate at least in part by absorption of visible radiation that is transmitted through said coating. The coating includes a high absorption layer comprising film that is highly absorptive of visible radiation. Also provided are methods of coating gems and other decorative objects, as well as methods of heat treating coated gems and other decorative objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Azotic Coating Technology, Inc.Inventors: Steven F. Starcke, Ronald H. Kearnes, Keven E. Bennet
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Publication number: 20040083759Abstract: The invention provides a decorative object comprising a transparent or translucent substrate having a body and at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. The coating imparts in the substrate a body color that appears substantially constant at different angles of observation. This body color is imparted in the substrate at least in part by absorption of visible radiation that is transmitted through said coating. The coating includes a high absorption layer comprising film that is highly absorptive of visible radiation. Also provided are methods of coating gems and other decorative objects, as well as methods of heat treating coated gems and other decorative objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Steven F. Starcke, Ronald H. Kearnes, Keven E. Bennet
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Patent number: 6582279Abstract: An apparatus and method of reclaiming a disk substrate. The cost of reclaiming a disk substrate can be lower, and the quality higher, than making a new one from a blank. A layer of a data storage disk is stripped, e.g., by acid/oxidizing bath immersion. The stripped disk is polished in a carrier between polishing pads, with the relative velocity of the polishing pads as seen by the disk being precisely controlled so that an equal amount of stock is removed from each side. Preferably, several stripped disks are sorted into groups based on disk thickness, and disks from one of the groups are simultaneously polished in the carrier. Sorting improves stock removal uniformity from disk to disk. The polished disks are cleaned and, preferably, ordered in a cassette for stacking in a storage device based on disk thickness to more easily meet a mean center specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Dennis L. Fox, James A. Hagan, John Patrick Hagen, Paul Henry Hanson, Theresa Marie Lewis, Janice Blue Ostrom, Douglas Howard Piltingsrud, Steven F. Starcke, R. Paul Thicke
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Patent number: 6571964Abstract: A tray for retaining disks includes first and second longitudinally extending, spaced apart, parallel rods. A plurality of support plates are directly attached to the rods. Each support plate has at least one notch formed therein for receiving a respective support member. A plurality of rails are attached to the support plates. At least three spaced apart wires are provided. Each wire is formed to have a zigzag configuration adapted to receive and support the disk at an outer peripheral edge thereof. One of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position of zero degrees, another one of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position less than 90 degrees, and a further one of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position greater than 270 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nathan Ellis Jacobson, Mark LeMarr Kyllo, Steven F. Starcke
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Publication number: 20020192421Abstract: A disk substrate for a data storage device and a method for fabricating same. A glassy carbon layer is applied over a core. Preferably, the core is a ceramic, glass-ceramic, glass, glass composite, polymer, polymer composite, metal or metal composite having a high specific stiffness and temperature stability. The glassy carbon layer is formed by pyrolyzing a polymer precursor composition applied over the core. The precursor composition may be applied by a low cost technique such as ultrasonic coating, airbrushing and spin coating. The core having the precursor composition applied thereto is heated at a pyrolyzing temperature to form the glassy carbon layer. Preferably, before applying the precursor composition, the core is oxidized and/or etched and/or overcoated with a bonding layer to enhance the adhesion of the glassy carbon layer thereto. Prior to sputtering a recording layer thereon, the glassy carbon layer may be burnished to remove glide defects.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Timothy Allan Jennings, Douglas Howard Piltingsrud, Steven F. Starcke
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Publication number: 20020139763Abstract: A tray for retaining disks includes first and second longitudinally extending, spaced apart, parallel rods. A plurality of support plates are directly attached to the rods. Each support plate has at least one notch formed therein for receiving a respective support member. A plurality of rails are attached to the support plates. At least three spaced apart wires are provided. Each wire is formed to have a zigzag configuration adapted to receive and support the disk at an outer peripheral edge thereof. One of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position of zero degrees, another one of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position less than 90 degrees, and a further one of the wires is disposed to contact the outer periphery of the disk at a position greater than 270 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Ellis Jacobson, Mark LeMarr Kyllo, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 5853826Abstract: A faceted gemstone having at least one thin layer of material coated on the pavilion of a transparent substrate so that the body of the gemstone appears to have a different color. The color of reflected light changes hues when viewed through the face of the gemstone at different angles of observation. This causes the gemstone to appear to change color when the stone is tilted. The thin film is coated by low temperature techniques such as sputtering.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Azotic Coating Technology, Inc.Inventors: Steven F. Starcke, Ronald H. Kearnes, Keven E. Bennet, David A. Edmonson
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Patent number: 5643649Abstract: The invention is a method for improving the flatness of nonmetallic substrates and preferably glass disks. The method comprises the steps of mounting the glass disk on a support. The support preferably comprises a refractory metal having a cooling rate substantially similar to the disk. The disk is then subjected to heating to a temperature in the anneal region for the given material for a period ranging from about 0.5 hours to 12 hours or longer, and then the disk is controllably cooled. The glass disk is preferably cooled at a rate of about 0.25.degree. C./minute to 1.5.degree. C./minute to room temperature. The invention also comprises a hard disk glass memory element and a data storage and retrieval device comprising this element.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James A. Hagan, Douglas H. Piltingsrud, Steven F. Starcke, Bradley J. Offuh, Dennis L. Fox
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Patent number: 5593341Abstract: A disk drive unit includes a housing enclosing a spindle and motor assembly, a number of magnetic data storage disks and a number of transducer heads. Each magnetic data storage disk includes a surface with a coarsely textured head landing zone and a finely textured data storage area. The coarse texture is applied over the fine texture in the landing zone without forming a step in elevation at the boundary. A method for texturing the magnetic disk includes first applying a fine texture to both the data storage area and the landing zone, and then applying a coarse texture to the landing zone only. Texturing apparatus includes peripheral disk clamps permitting axial compliant movement when the opposed disk surfaces are engaged by balanced, pneumatically biased abrading tools. A free abrasive slurry is introduced to pads carried by the tools.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Norman T. Gonnella, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 5482497Abstract: A magnetic data storage disk includes a surface with a coarsely textured head landing zone and a finely textured data storage area. The coarse texture is applied over the fine texture in the landing zone without forming a step in elevation at the boundary. A method for texturing the magnetic disk includes first applying a fine texture to both the data storage area and the landing zone, and then applying a coarse texture to the landing zone only. Texturing apparatus includes peripheral disk clamps permitting axial compliant movement when the opposed disk surfaces are engaged by balanced, pneumatically biased abrading tools. A free abrasive slurry is introduced to pads carried by the tools.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Norman T. Gonnella, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 5268207Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a rigid magnetic recording disk, the disk's rigid substrate member is subjected to a force that produces plastic deformation in a manner so as not to remove material therefrom. In this way, the disk is provided with a surface topography that contains a controlled texture, for example in the area of the disk's start/stop track. In an embodiment of the invention, an ultrasonic probe and a disk shaped substrate member are placed in close proximity within a container that holds a fluid abrasive slurry, i.e. a suspension of hard particles in a liquid. Operation of the ultrasonic probe, as the substrate member rotates, causes the slurry to texture an adjacent portion of the substrate member by means of plastic deformation and in the absence of material removal from the substrate member. Operation of the probe thus provides texturing of the disk at an inner diameter track area thereof, for example in the disk's start/stop area.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1990Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Bruce P. Kruger, Thomas S. Petersen, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 4847984Abstract: A flexible circuit, sufficiently rigid for easy handling, is inserted once into the window of an integrally formed core member for a magnetic or ferrite head assembly. This flexible circuit contains a pattern of several parallel conductors. When the flexible circuit is bent around the core member, the ends of the parallel conductors come together. When respective ends are soldered together, a continuous multi-turn winding is created. Only one insertion is required, the flexible circuit is less prone to breakage, the electrical characteristics are repeatable, and the turns are inherently shielded and insulated from each other. Most importantly, the flexible circuit is easily adapted to an automated assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1988Date of Patent: July 18, 1989Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Renato V. Rossi, Steven F. Starcke, David A. Swagel
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Patent number: 4842886Abstract: The mixed potential of a standard reference electrode and an electrically conductive article that is being electrolessly plated is compared to a DC reference voltage. A predetermined level of comparison indicates the start of electroless plating. This comparison starts a timer. After a predetermined time interval has expired, plating is terminated. The result is a plated coating that is uniform and of a closely controlled thickness. The article to be plated is a thin film magnetic recording disk upon which a thin cobalt containing layer, in the range of about 850 angstroms thick, is to be plated.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1987Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nathaniel C. Anderson, Marlin E. Miner, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Steven F. Starcke
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Patent number: 4799119Abstract: A flexible circuit, sufficiently rigid for easy handling, is inserted once into the window of an integrally formed core member for a magnetic or ferrite head assembly. This flexible circuit contains a pattern of several parallel conductors. When the flexible circuit is bent around the core member, the ends of the parallel conductors come together. When respective ends are soldered together, a continuous multi-turn winding is created. Only one insertion is required, the flexible circuit is less prone to breakage, the electrical characteristics are repeatable, and the turns are inherently shielded and insulated from each other. More importantly, the flexible circuit is easily adapted to an automated assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1986Date of Patent: January 17, 1989Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Renato V. Rossi, Steven F. Starcke, David A. Swagel