Patents by Inventor Thomas Z. Fu

Thomas Z. Fu 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: 8529723
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer sheet material includes, at some point during passage of the sheet material through a machine system, heating the multilayer sheet material with a microwave heater to expand a heat-expandable adhesive or coating applied to or within the multilayer sheet material. Various types of multilayer substrates may be created depending on the steps used and the application of the heat-expandable adhesive or coating. Additionally, a monolayer sheet may be coated with a pattern of heat-expandable coating before passage of the monolayer sheet through the machine system that heats the monolayer sheet to expand the heat-expandable coating applied to the monolayer sheet. The microwave heater used by the machine system may be a planar type and have a plurality of microwave guides surrounding a space through which the sheet material(s) pass. The microwave heater may be operable at multiple frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Matthew R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120048450
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer sheet material includes, at some point during passage of the sheet material through a machine system, heating the multilayer sheet material with a microwave heater to expand a heat-expandable adhesive or coating applied to or within the multilayer sheet material. Various types of multilayer substrates may be created depending on the steps used and the application of the heat-expandable adhesive or coating. Additionally, a monolayer sheet may be coated with a pattern of heat-expandable coating before passage of the monolayer sheet through the machine system that heats the monolayer sheet to expand the heat-expandable coating applied to the monolayer sheet. The microwave heater used by the machine system may be a planar type and have a plurality of microwave guides surrounding a space through which the sheet material(s) pass. The microwave heater may be operable at multiple frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Matthew R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110303095
    Abstract: A disposable single use beverage package includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom. The bottom portion, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. The basket is tapered to facilitate stacking of multiple baskets. At least one rib includes a ledge positioned in a center region configured to limit an amount by which an upper basket is insertable into a lower basket to thereby define a space between respective bottoms of the upper basket and the lower basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Matthew R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110073607
    Abstract: A disposable single use beverage package is disclosed. The package may include an impermeable barrier surrounding a permeable single walled basket. The permeable basket may include a frame and a filter. The permeable basket may also include a lid. The permeable basket may be provided preloaded with beverage grounds or may be loaded with beverage grounds during use. The beverage packet may be manufactured of materials that are biodegradable, compostable, or otherwise environmentally friendly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Matthew R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110073605
    Abstract: A method and machine are disclosed for manufacturing a seed-containing material for a food or beverage container or sleeve. The method is automated by a machine which has a conveyor and one or more work stations. During the process, seeds and a securing material, such as an adhesive, are added to the sheet material and the materials are optionally laminated. The method uses a sheet material that may be pre-printed and pre-cut with a blank of a container. The container may be any type of food and beverage container such as a cup, plate, container sleeve, clam shell, or tray. The sheet material is then conveyed for further processing including removal of the blanks from the sheet material and formation into the final product. After its intended end-use, the final product may be planted in a yard, garden, or flower pot to yield flowers or trees depending on the seeds imbedded inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Matthew R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100181328
    Abstract: A container and a sleeve for a container are disclosed that employ unique air channels to divert heat from a hot beverage via hot air escaping upward and downward. The surface of the container and sleeve include raised images, depressed images, or a combination of both which are generally aligned in substantially vertical columns. The space between the columns defines the air channels. The air channels are substantially uninterrupted and facilitate the upward and downward escape of hot air. The images are applied, such as by embossing and/or debossing, which facilitates manufacturing material efficiency and therefore reduces material costs and environmental waste. A blank for a container or sleeve and a method of making a sleeve are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Z. Fu, Barry Silverstein
  • Patent number: 7384672
    Abstract: A heat transfer recording sheet comprising a support layer; an adhesive layer; and at least one ink receiving layer comprising a microporous polymeric film including at least one thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be blended with a hydrophilic melt additive prior to extrusion and stretching or an already extruded and stretched microporous polymeric film may be coated with an additional layer of inorganic pigment and binder. The recording sheet containing a printed image is transferred onto target substrates such as paper and textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Chialu Chang, Yaoliang Hong, Thomas Z Fu
  • Patent number: 7026024
    Abstract: A heat transfer recording sheet comprising a support layer; an adhesive layer; and at least one ink receiving layer comprising a microporous polymeric film including at least one thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be blended with a hydrophilic melt additive prior to extrusion and stretching or an already extruded and stretched microporous polymeric film may be coated with an additional layer of inorganic pigment and binder. The recording sheet containing a printed image is transferred onto target substrates such as paper and textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Chialu Chang, Yaoliang Hong, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Publication number: 20040052987
    Abstract: An improved retortable can is provided in which a primary structural element is a layer of paper or paperboard, which is laminated with a shielding layer on each side of the paper or paperboard core, and at least one barrier layer. The shielding layer is resistant to heat and moisture, and the barrier layer substantially reduces the transmission rate of oxygen, moisture, and flavor. A method for manufacturing the paper-based retortable can is also provided, which converts a web of the laminate material into tubes, either in a spiral-wrap (or a convolute) shape or a cylindrical shape that uses a side seal. An additional method for manufacturing paper-based retortable cans is provided in which two separate “half-structures” of laminate are joined in a spiral-wrap manufacturing step to form a single laminated structure with two paper/paperboard interior layers having an adhesive therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Shankara R. Shetty, Thomas Z. Fu, Vivek Rohatgi, Ashok Adur
  • Patent number: 6645616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated board grade structure used for low cost, enhanced graphics packaging. The product contains an unbleached or bleached substrate board and a lightweight coated unprinted white paper grade laminated to the unbleached board substrate to produce a product with a smooth coated, glossy surface for quality graphics printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sammarco, Thomas Z. Fu, William L. Brown, Alexander A. Koukoulas
  • Publication number: 20030077470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated board grade structure used for low cost, enhanced graphics packaging. The product contains an unbleached or bleached substrate board and pigmented opaque polymer film applied to the unbleached board substrate to produce a product with a smooth coated, glossy surface for quality graphics printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sammarco, Thomas Z. Fu, William L. Brown, Alexander A. Koukoulas
  • Publication number: 20020009576
    Abstract: Ink receiving media for use in ink jet printing and other digital printing applications. The ink jet media each include a microporous film of polymeric material. In one embodiment, a hydrophobic microporous polymeric film is treated with a hydrophilic polymeric melt additive. In another embodiment, a microporous polymeric film is coated with a microparticle coating comprising colloidal or submicron inorganic pigment particles and organic polymers as binders. Optionally, the microporous polymeric film is laminated to any one of a variety of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Z. Fu, Yaoliang Hong, Hiroshi Tomimasu
  • Patent number: 6068897
    Abstract: A paperboard-based laminated structure for containers produced by co-extrusion coating or lamination of a polyethylene terephthalate layer as the product contact layer and a unique tie-layer on to paperboard, where the tie-layer is specifically ethylene-ethyl or butyl acrylate copolymer or terpolymer. This paperboard structure provides high temperature end-use performance required in dual-ovenable applications and cost savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Ashok M. Adur, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Patent number: 6007902
    Abstract: A substrate coated with a liquid crystal polymer with an intervening tie layer. A second embodiment provides a surface layer disposed on the LCP layer, sandwiching the LCP layer between the surface layer and the substrate. Methods for constructing the above also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Ashok Adur, Raymond Volpe, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Patent number: 5968647
    Abstract: A laminate structure for containers produced using an unique extrudable adhesive tie layer which incorporates an antioxidant material. The antioxidant additive provides for the necessary and superior high temperature end-uses and stability of containers made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Ashok M. Adur, Thomas Z. Fu, Jongsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 5942295
    Abstract: A laminate structure for containers produced using product contact materials including polyethylene isophthalate, poly(1,4-cyclohexanyl dimethylene terephthalate) and blends thereof. The unique paperboard structure provides cost savings and high temperature end-use performance required in dual-ovenable containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Ashok M. Adur, Thomas Z. Fu, Jongsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 5464691
    Abstract: This invention provides a barrier film for packaging comprising:(a) a first layer containing a polyolefinic extrudate composed of a non-polar polyolefinic material containing an amount of an amphiphilic resin of the structureA-B-A'sufficient to modify the surface energy of the polyolefinic extrudate, wherein each of A and A' is selected from an essentially non-polar hydrocarbonous group and B is an essentially polar group derived from a telechelic diol, and wherein the amount of amphiphilic resin ranges from about 0.05 to about 10% by weight of the total weight of the first layer; and(b) a second layer composed of a more polar material than the first layer bonded to the first layer,wherein the barrier film contains from about 0.0127 to about 0.508 millimeters thickness of the first layer and from about 0.0127 to about 0.508 millimeters thickness of the second layer and wherein the bonding strength between the first and second layers is greater than about 50 N/m in the absence of a tie layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Arizona Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eric S. Gardiner, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Patent number: D675089
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Patent number: D675090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Z. Fu
  • Patent number: D675091
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Z. Fu