Involving Defined Plastic Flow Or Melting Of Entire Lamina Patents (Class 156/309.6)
  • Patent number: 7005026
    Abstract: A releasable mechanism such as a cap is adapted for use with an access sheath having an elongate tube and a handle structure disposed at a proximal end of the tube. The releasable mechanism is sized and configured to fit the handle structure, which is shaped like the bell of a horn, to further facilitate use with surgical instrumentation. The releasable mechanism may operate as a separate cap that snaps onto the handle structure to provide access pathways to the sheath. The releasable mechanism may also be disposed at a proximal end of a surgical instrument to be introduced into the access sheath such that it may be interlocked with the sheath. In a method of manufacturing a kink-resistant sheath, a wire is initially coated with a plastic material, the coated wire is then wrapped around a mandrel forming a plurality of windings, and the wound coated wire is heated until the plastic material melts and bonds the windings to form a wire-reinforced sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: John R Brustad, Payam Adlparvar, Wassim R. Aliahmad, Canh T. Tran, Nabil Hilal, Boun Pravong, Raffi S. Pinedjian, Charles C Hart
  • Patent number: 7005024
    Abstract: A method for making a composite material by continuously depositing glass yarns on a moving substrate, at least 80 wt % of the yarns being blended yarns consisting of intimately mixed glass filaments and thermoplastic organic material filaments, and the amount of deposited glass being equal to over 40 wt % of the total amount of material deposited in the form of glass yarns and organic material; transferring the combined glass yarns and organic material to a number of areas where they are heated, compressed and cooled, and specifically heated and/or cooled while simultaneously being compressed; and cutting the resulting assembly into plates or winding it onto a revolving drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Debalme, Dominique Loubinoux
  • Patent number: 6998008
    Abstract: An apparatus for a laser transmission welding process for attaching a synthetic filter material to a filter tower frame in an ink jet printer cartridge. The apparatus includes a laser beam source and a filter clamping fixture containing a base, slide rods attached on first ends thereof to the base, an optics support plate attached to second ends of the slide rods, a movable platform for holding an ink cartridge slidably disposed on the slide rods between the base and the optics support plate, a platform moving device for translating the platform to and from a laser welding position, a laser beam transparent plate suspended by support legs from the optics support plate to a position between the movable platform and the optics support plate. The apparatus greatly improves synthetic filter attachment to a filter tower frame in an ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin Ming Kwan, David T. Shadwick, Jeanne M. Saldanha, Paul T. Spivey, Jon B. Whitney, Julie A. Gordon Whitney
  • Patent number: 6998010
    Abstract: This application relates to a method and apparatus for heating a surface marking, such as a thermoplastic pattern in an asphalt substrate. The marking may be selected for functional or decorative purposes. The method involves gradually applying heat to the marking to avoid scorching and to ensure a consistent bond with the underlying substrate, even in the case of markings having a very large surface area. In one embodiment the method a portable heating apparatus is provided having infrared heaters mounted for reciprocal movement in a travel path periodically passing over the marking and the underlying substrate. The heating method permits direct visual monitoring of the work site to achieve optimum adhesion of the marking to the asphalt or other substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Paving Concepts Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Carl Wiley
  • Patent number: 6989070
    Abstract: To weld a filter made of a laser beam-transmittable fiber material to a case made of a laser beam-nontransmittable resin material by a laser beam the filter is first placed on the case; subsequently, the filter is pressurized by a jig to increase the fiber density of a welding portion; and then the welding portion is irradiated by the laser beam. In the step of increasing the fiber density, a periphery of the welding portion is pressurized by the jig to increase the fiber density of the filter in a larger area than the welding portion. Accordingly, the laser beam transmitting through the filter melts a part of the case, and the melted resin material permeates through gaps between the fibers constituting the filter, thereby welding the welding portion to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sakai, Masami Hirata, Kanehiro Fukaya, Hideo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6974514
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of an air-permeable laminate film with a textile surface and elastic and non-elastic regions. At least one film strip that is elastic in the crosswise direction is introduced, as an elastic insert, between two material webs of fiber non-woven fabric having a web width greater than the width of the film strip. The segments of the material webs made of fiber non-woven fabric that are in direct contact next to the insert are connected, forming a non-elastic region of the laminate film. Subsequently, the laminate passes through an ultrasound bonding station, in which the elastic insert is melted by means of point-shaped bonds, while maintaining the substance of the fiber non-woven fabric, thereby connecting the elastic insert with the fiber non-woven fabric cover layers at discrete points and forming air-permeable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nordenia Deutschland Gronau GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Hamulski, Marcus Schönbeck, Georg Baldauf
  • Patent number: 6964717
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for joining plastics components by a combination of pressing and laser welding, wherein, at the joining points (1) of the components (3, 4), at least a first component (3) has a resilient and/or compressible sealing lip (5), wherein the sealing lip (5) is resiliently deformed by pressing the components (3, 4) together, while the external pressure is maintained, the laser beam is directed onto the joining point (1) and, by purposeful irradiation of the joining point (1), the components (3, 4) are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Grosser, Frank Krause
  • Patent number: 6962637
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular film includes the steps of: winding a thermoplastic sheet film on a columnar member with at least two turns so that leading and trailing ends of the film are placed approximately on one normal line of an outer surface of the columnar member without overlapping each other; fitting a tubular molding member on the wound film; and connecting the leading and trailing ends of the film by heating at least the film, thereby forming the sheet film into the tubular film. The resulting tubular film has a high film thickness uniformity and suitable for a fixing film of an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Takeuchi, Shoichi Shimura
  • Patent number: 6949154
    Abstract: A method of sealing parts of a plastic capsule by forming a weld seam in an overlapping region of the parts of the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises a capsule cap having an open end and a capsule body having an open end, the method comprising: (a) holding the capsule cap and the capsule body in a capsule holder comprising a first holding part and a second holding part which can be guided synchronously with one another, wherein the first holding part interlockingly surrounds the capsule cap and the second holding part interlockingly surrounds the capsule body; (b) closing the capsule holder holding the capsule cap and the capsule body so that the open end of the capsule cap and the open end of the capsule body form a sealed cavity therebetween and form an overlapping region, wherein the overlapping region is not covered by the capsule holder, to obtain a closed capsule; and (c) welding the closed capsule using an energy beam of hot gas or laser light on the overlapping region by forming the weld seam t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG
    Inventors: Dieter Hochrainer, Herbert Wachtel
  • Patent number: 6936130
    Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg, Joel L. Passke
  • Patent number: 6926795
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic-coated metal plate for an automobile exterior plate which is a laminate metal plate coated on both faces or one face of the metal plate with a plastic layer, wherein the plastic layer has a surface tension of at least 30 mN/m, an elongation percentage of at least 30% at a tensile rate of 20 mm/minute/20° C. and a rupture strength of at least 600 kg/cm2 at a tensile rate of 20 mm/minute/20° C., and a part for a major external face side in a car body, wherein the above plastic-coated metal plate is cut, molded and joined to form the part for a major external face side in a car body, and a metal-exposed part thereof is coated by electrodeposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Hiraki, Takeshi Yawata, Akira Tominaga, Tadashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6926794
    Abstract: The present invention provides an information carrier which has flat surfaces, is excellent in beautiful appearance and permits beautiful necessary printing, and a production process which permits easy and inexpensive production of such an information carrier. An IC chip 1 and a coil 2 connected to the IC chip are embedded in a substrate 3 composed of a nonwoven fabric. The IC chip and the coil are held between two nonwoven fabrics produced according to a conventional production procedure. The laminate of the nonwoven fabrics is fed to a roller or a press and the two nonwoven fabrics are hot-pressed, whereby their mating surfaces are joined with or without an adhesive (including low-melting synthetic resin fiber) incorporated into the webs. After positioning of the coil in the thus obtained raw product of information carrier, the laminate of the nonwoven fabrics and cover sheets is cut to obtain an information carrier of predetermined shape and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyouichi Kohama, Ryuzo Fukao, Wasao Takasugi, Kazuhiko Daido, Toshinobu Sueyoshi
  • Patent number: 6924024
    Abstract: A copper-clad laminate is composed of a copper foil and an aromatic polyimide film placed thereon, in which the copper foil is bonded to the polyimide film at a bonding strength of ?500 N/m and the polyimide film shows a light transmittance of ?40% for a light of wavelength of 600 nm and a haze of ?30% [the light transmittance and haze are values measured after the copper foil is removed by etching].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ube Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohji Narui, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Toshihiko Anno
  • Patent number: 6913666
    Abstract: A joining pin (3.2) with which two parts (1 and 2) made from a porous material, particularly wood or a wood-like material, are to be joined together, is anchored in the porous material at predetermined anchoring points (31, 33). For this purpose, a bore (4.2) with a closed inner end (41) is made in the parts (1 and 2). The shape of this bore (4.2) is so matched to the joining pin (3.2) that it can be introduced substantially without force expenditure into the bore and is positionable in a first position. At least one predetermined anchoring point (31, 33) between the joining pin (3.2) and the wall of the bore (4.2) is formed when pressure is built up by pressing the joining pin (3.2) with a pressing force (F) more deeply into the bore to a second position. Energy is supplied in a planned manner to the joining pin (3.2) so that at the predetermined anchoring points (31, 33) the thermoplastic material of the joining pin (3.2) is plasticized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Elmar Mock, Laurent Torriani, Heinz Koester
  • Patent number: 6911105
    Abstract: An article of furniture is made from elongated polymer filaments. The polymer filaments may be monofilaments or plural filaments which are twisted together and heat set to prevent their untwisting during the subsequent weaving process. The heat setting of the polymer filaments is achieved by heating the polymer material either before or after the twisting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Isle Casual Furniture, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6911175
    Abstract: A method provides for full or partial infusion of resin into three-dimensional, woven textile preforms. Resin film is placed at selected locations adjacent the preform, and the resin film may be separated from other areas of the preform using separator sheets or other materials. The preform is heated and may be vacuum-bagged to apply pressure, or may be rolled or fed through a die. The heat and pressure cause the resin to infuse into the selected areas of the preform adjacent the resin films. The amount of resin in the partial infusion is the same as is necessary to fully infuse the preform, but the resin remains localized in the selected areas until heated again at cure to cause the resin to flow throughout the preform. The method may also be used to fully infuse the preform with resin by providing sufficient temperature and time at that temperature during the initial infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Ross A. Benson, Larry R. Bersuch, Harry R. Miller, Ronald P. Schmidt, Linas Repecka
  • Patent number: 6908766
    Abstract: A device and method for capturing a biological tissue, comprises cutting a minute biological cellular tissue using a contactless cutting apparatus, wherein, by inverting a biological tissue slide provided with a sample thereon, and after cutting a cellular tissue profile using said contactless cutting apparatus, an impact lever moving mechanism applies from up to down a proper impact force or vibration force onto the target area thus cut, and thereby render said cellular tissue specimen thus captured dropping exactly through a tissue sampling hole into a sampling mortar located therebelow so as to achieve the object of capturing the desired minute biological cellular tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yung-Feng Nien, Tsann-Heui Chang, Ko-Chang Chen, Yeou-Bin Guu
  • Patent number: 6889739
    Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of inflated plastic dunnage and other fluid filled units is disclosed. In a disclosed and pictured dunnage embodiment, the machine includes a hollow shaft rotatably mounted on a frame. In the preferred embodiment the shaft is solid. With either embodiment a drive is operably connected to the shaft for causing the shaft to rotate about its axis and a drum mounted on the shaft to rotate with the shaft. The drum is in the form of a pair of closely spaced discs having perimetral, cylindrically contoured sealing surfaces for support and, in cooperation with driven metal belts, transport of a web being formed into dunnage units. Sets of heating and cooling shoes having spaced arcuate surfaces are complementally positioned adjacent the drum surfaces with the cooling shoes downstream from the heating shoes in the direction of dunnage formation rotation. A nozzle is mounted generally tangentially of the drum at a location midway between the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Dana Liebhart
  • Patent number: 6889418
    Abstract: The method of the present invention is capable of processing a work piece with higher accuracy and providing highly reliable magnetic heads. The method of processing the magnetic head comprises the steps of: providing adhesive wax on a surface of a supporting jig; pressing a work piece onto the surface of the supporting jig so as to adhere the work piece thereon; heating the work piece supported by the supporting jig until the wax is melted so as to release stress in the work piece; and processing the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tomokazu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6887336
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a chemical mechanical polishing pad and a system and a method for using such a pad are described. The method comprises providing a continuously porous pad and forming non-porous regions on the pad in a pattern which segregates a pluarlity of porous regions from one another, wherein each of the porous regions includes a plurality of interconnected pores. The non-porous matrix may include a network of trenches, or may have pores which have been filled with a material. The material may include a polymer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kramer
  • Patent number: 6884309
    Abstract: Bobbin wound coated monofilament tapes where the coating comprises between 20% and 120% by weight of said tape, and the process for bobbin winding coated monofilament dental tapes comprising combining a coating conditioning means with means for winding at substantially constant tensions to produce controlled tension bobbins that do not unwind, that dispense uniformly free from back lashing, and that are substantially free from coating displacement and winding displacement when exposed to high temperatures and high relative humidity and that have tack values from between about 0.1 and about 0.5 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: International Tape Partners LLC
    Inventor: Michael Schweigert
  • Patent number: 6855220
    Abstract: A composite sheet material for use as a portion of a tear away fastening system. The sheet material includes a substrate layer and yarns extending through the substrate layer such that the define an arrangement of looped elements projecting away from one side of the substrate layer. The looped elements are interconnected by portions of the yarns disposed across the other side of the substrate layer. A backing layer is disposed in overlying relation to the substrate layer to hold the yarns in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Tietex International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Wildeman
  • Patent number: 6841619
    Abstract: The present invention provides an olefin-based block copolymer that has an olefin block that is substantially saturated and at least one (poly)ester or (poly)ether block. The olefin-based block copolymer of the invention can be prepared by reacting a liquid hydroxyl-functional, saturated or substantially saturated olefin polymer with a chain-extension reagent that is reactive with hydroxyl groups and will polymerize in a head-to-tail arrangement of monomer units. The olefin-based block copolymer of the invention can be used to prepare an adhesion promoter that provides excellent adhesion of subsequent coating layers to olefinic substrates like TPO and superior properties as compared to previously used adhesion promoters containing chlorinated polyolefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: John D. McGee, Daniel Blickberndt, Craig Schang, Walter H. Ohrbom, Keri Krueger
  • Publication number: 20040231790
    Abstract: A process for bonding a semi-crystalline or crystalline thermoplastic polymer to a thermosetting polymer component, the process including selecting compatible semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer and uncured thermosetting polymer components wherein the curing temperature of the uncured thermosetting polymer components is above the melting temperature of the semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer. The process includes locating the thermoplastic polymer in contact with the uncured thermosetting polymer component and heating the thermoplastic polymer and uncured thermosetting polymer or thermosetting polymer composite component to the curing temperature of the thermosetting polymer, where the uncured thermosetting polymer components and the thermoplastic polymer are able to at least partly interpenetrate before the thermosetting polymer cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Meng Hou, Andrew Beehag, Qiang Yuan
  • Publication number: 20040232592
    Abstract: This invention teaches methods of making a hermetic terminal assembly comprising the steps of: inserting temporary stops, shims and jigs on the bottom face of a terminal assembly thereby blocking assembly core open passageways; mounting the terminal assembly inside a vacuum chamber using a temporary assembly perimeter seal and flange or threaded assembly interfaces; mixing a seal admixture and hardener in a mixer conveyor to form a polymer seal material; conveying the polymer seal material into a polymer reservoir; feeding the polymer seal material from the reservoir through a polymer outlet valve and at least one polymer outlet tube into the terminal assembly core thereby filling interstitial spaces in the core adjacent to service conduits, temporary stop, and the terminal assembly casing; drying the polymer seal material at room temperature thereby hermetically sealing the core of the terminal assembly; removing the terminal assembly from the vacuum chamber, and; removing the temporary stops, shims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: John S. Hsu, Laura D. Marlino, Curtis W. Ayers
  • Patent number: 6821366
    Abstract: Porous carpeting for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of porous thermoformable material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Allison, Carroll Owenby, Jack Davis
  • Publication number: 20040229048
    Abstract: A moisture-reactive hot-melt adhesive composition, useful as an adhesive, is provided. The composition is particularly useful as an adhesive for bonding profile-wrap articles. Also provided are a method for making profile-wrap articles using the composition and the profile-wrap articles so made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Alan Kesselmayer
  • Patent number: 6818092
    Abstract: A multi-layer electret that can endure a high temperature so as to be processed by surface mount technology (SMT) and has ultra-high charge stability and a method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The multi-layer electret is constructed in such a manner that an FET film of 12.5 &mgr;m˜25 &mgr;m in thickness melting-adheres to a surface of a metal plate, and a PTFE film of 30 &mgr;m˜100 &mgr;m in thickness melting-adheres to the surface of the FEP film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: BSE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keum-Haeng Cho, Won-Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 6818091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a puncture resistant laminated fabric comprising laminating a layer of polyethylene film to a layer of fabric comprised of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The laminating step is conducted at a temperature between about 230° F. and about 290° F. with a contact time of between about 5 minutes and about 15 minutes with the application of a laminating pressure of between about 50 psi and about 500 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: JHRG, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Holland, David V. Cunningham, Connie W. Holland
  • Publication number: 20040221942
    Abstract: A process for adhesive bonding of an endless seamed flexible belt, wherein the belt has a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end with a plurality of mutually mating elements which join in an interlocking relationship to form a seam, and the seam has an adhesive, the process includes providing an adhesive strip on a front side of a release substrate to form an adhesive tape, wherein the release substrate includes polypropylene, vinyls, siloxane containing polymers, acrylates, polyimines, or mixtures thereof; providing the adhesive tape over the seam, wherein the front side of the release substrate containing the adhesive strip is in contact with the seam and mutually mating members; and subjecting the adhesive tape to adhesive bonding, wherein the adhesive strip melts and flows between the mutually mating members of the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C.U. Yu, Min-Hong Fu
  • Publication number: 20040221943
    Abstract: A process for adhesive bonding of an endless seamed flexible belt, wherein the belt has a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end with a plurality of mutually mating elements which join in an interlocking relationship to form a seam, and the seam has an adhesive, the process includes providing an adhesive strip on a front side of a release substrate to form an adhesive tape, wherein the release substrate includes polypropylene, vinyls, siloxane containing polymers, acrylates, polyimines, or mixtures thereof; providing the adhesive tape over the seam, wherein the front side of the release substrate containing the adhesive strip is in contact with the seam and mutually mating members; and subjecting the adhesive tape to adhesive bonding, wherein the adhesive strip melts and flows between the mutually mating members of the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C.U. Yu, Min-Hong Fu
  • Patent number: 6800169
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method comprising disposing a thin metallic layer having a low melting temperature between one end of a conductive post on a substrate and a conducting structure on an opposing substrate. Heated platens in contact with the substrates can apply pressure and heat to the thin metallic layer and cause it to be entirely consumed and subsequently transformed into a bonding layer having a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of the original thin metallic layer. Prior to, during, or after the conductive post is bonded to the conducting structure, the region around the conductive post and between the substrates may be filled with a dielectric material, such as polyimide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Chuan Liu, Michael G. Lee
  • Patent number: 6783624
    Abstract: A modular headliner assembly (10) includes a headliner (12) having an appearance surface (13) and a back surface (14). At least one component (19, 20, 22, 23) is disposed adjacent the back surface (14) of the headliner (12). Furthermore, an integration sheet (24) is attached to the back surface for securing the at least one component (19, 20, 22, 23) to the headliner (12). A method of manufacturing the headliner (12) assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Muehlbacher, Thomas Greiner
  • Patent number: 6773540
    Abstract: A particle board having wooden materials coated with an adhesive of a thermosetting resin and pressurized with being heated includes a core layer and face layers provided on both, front and back, sides of the core layer. The wooden materials of the face layer are smaller in the average particle diameter than the wooden material of the core layer and voids between the adjacent wooden materials in the face layer and the core layer are filled with resin particles of a thermoplastic resin by being pressurized with being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20040149381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing packaging material in the form of a continuous laminate web (17) and being of the type which includes a core layer (2) of paper or cardboard whose one face displays a layer (7) which is disposed outside the core layer (2) and includes first an aluminium foil (4) and secondly a plastic coating (16) disposed outside the aluminium foil layer. Throughout its entire surface, the core layer (2) is covered with the above-mentioned layer (7), while along selected portions it extends out over the edges of the core layer (2). The above-mentioned layer (7) is formed in that the aluminium foil (4) and at least one thermoplastic material (6) are laminated to one another by being brought together between two rollers (10, 12) of which the one roller consists of a cooled roller and the other roller consists of a roller which is heated to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of the thermoplastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Rolf Lasson
  • Publication number: 20040142121
    Abstract: A trimming material for an automobile includes a surface skin material, a base material, and a colored resin film interposed between the surface skin material and the base material. The surface skin material and the base material are bonded to each other via the resin film. The resin film includes a surface-side adhesion layer on the side of the surface skin material, a base-side adhesion layer on the side of the base material, and a barrier layer interposed between the surface-side adhesion layer and the base-side adhesion layer and bonded thereto. The barrier layer is made of non-gas and liquid permeable material that is not melted at a temperature that causes the surface-side adhesion layer and the base-side adhesion layer to be melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakamura, Kazuo Tanabe, Rintaro Senoo
  • Patent number: 6761793
    Abstract: A metallized composite includes a thermoplastic sheet and at least one discontinuous layer of metal within the thermoplastic sheet. The discontinuous metal layer can be disposed between two thermoplastic layers that are bound together, such as by melting the layers together, pressing, or by use of an adhesive. The metallized composites of the invention can be employed as reflective surfaces, such as are used as mirrors or substitutes for chrome trim on automobiles. A particularly preferred metal as a component of the discontinuous layer of the composite is indium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Adam Murano
  • Patent number: 6755929
    Abstract: A laminate forming process includes installing a heater assembly in a processing chamber, the heater assembly having a lower diffusion screen; coupling a vacuum assembly to channels of a platform; conveying layers of titanium and solid adhesive at room temperature onto a workpiece on the platform heating the processing chamber to a predetermined temperature by the heater assembly through the diffusion screen for evenly applying heat to the layers of titanium and adhesive and the workpiece and melting the layer of adhesive; and activating the vacuum assembly for sucking the layers of titanium and adhesive onto the workpiece through a communication of the channels so as to secure the layers of titanium and adhesive onto the workpiece and smooth the layer of titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Huei-Hsin Sun, Ching-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20040108057
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an airtight container and a method of manufacturing an image display apparatus. In particular, the invention discloses a method of manufacturing an airtight container, including the steps of: setting a member for defining an airtight space together with a substrate to abut on the substrate; supplying a seal bonding material to a corner portion formed by the substrate and the member or a portion to be the corner portion formed in the setting step; and forming a closed bonding line by performing airtight bonding of each of the substrate and the member with the seal bonding material by locally heating the seal bonding material to a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature that allows the airtight bonding and then curing the seal bonding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Tokioka, Hiroharu Ueda, Mitsutoshi Hasegawa, Kazuo Koyanagi, Tokutaka Miura
  • Publication number: 20040103989
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a novel air permeable composite film is disclosed. The air permeable composite film has a polymer layer with a top face and a bottom face and a sealing layer covering the top face. The polymer layer is first perforated by virtue of an impression process to form a plurality of tiny gaps in it for air permeation. Then the sealing layer is coated on the top face of the polymer layer to fill the gaps. The differential pressure between the top face and bottom face of the polymer layer enlarges the gaps and makes the gaps become air permeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Irene Lin
  • Patent number: 6743327
    Abstract: A flat non-porous unitary solid surface product comprised of: (a) a flat non-porous unitary matrix made of polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, or combinations thereof; and (b) a visible decorative object that is permanently fixated in the matrix, wherein the decorative object extends to least one edge of the matrix. A method for manufacturing the flat non-porous unitary solid surface product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Schober, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Schober
  • Publication number: 20040084197
    Abstract: A polyethylene composite is manufactured by passing an inner core of fabric mesh sandwiched between two sheets of polyethylene material through a conventional set of high-pressure rollers at room temperature. The pressure exerted by the rollers on the polyethylene material causes its fluidification, so that each polyethylene layer permeates through the open mesh of the core material, bonds to the other layer and incorporates the core fibers to form a laminate composite. The thickness of the polyethylene sheets in relation to the gap and speed of the rollers has to be judiciously selected so that the pressure applied to the material is sufficient to fluidize the polyethylene at ambient temperature. Because no heat is applied to the system, the laminate composite is rapidly cooled as it passes through the rollers and requires no additional forming or processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kent P. Bortz
  • Patent number: 6726967
    Abstract: An adapter provides for mounting an object on plastic. The adapter comprises a body coupled with at least two feet. The feet are weldable to the surface of the plastic while the plastic is in a molten state. The adapter also includes a coupling mechanism coupled with the body. The coupling mechanism is operable to couple the object with the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erich James Vorenkamp, Duane Fish, Lawrence Eugene Vaughn III
  • Publication number: 20040067705
    Abstract: There is provided a composite comprising an interlayer disposed between a first interpenetrating layer and a second interpenetrating layer, the interlayer consisting essentially of a porous material, the first interpenetrating layer partially interpenetrating the interlayer, and the second interpenetrating layer partially interpenetrating the interlayer. There is also provided a process for bonding, the process comprising: providing an interlayer consisting essentially of a porous material; partially interpenetrating the interlayer with a first interpenetrating layer; and partially interpenetrating the interlayer with a second interpenetrating layer. The composite and process are useful in the assembly, repair and insertion of articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Minh-Tan Ton-That, Johanne Denault, Patrick Gagnon
  • Publication number: 20040060655
    Abstract: A method of forming a laminate of at least two layers including at least one aramid paper with at least one layer of polymer by calendering opposing surfaces of the aramid paper at different temperatures prior to laminate formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Dariusz Wlodzimierz Kawka, David Wayne Anderson, Michael Joseph Brown
  • Publication number: 20040035524
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing continuous belts is disclosed. The belts are formed from plastic films and are used as transfer belts in electrographic printers and copiers. The ends of the film are welded together by abutting their front faces and the ends are held together under pressure while being heated by radiation to a temperature to cause welding of the ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Link
  • Patent number: 6695939
    Abstract: In a method of producing an interior trim material, a laminated structure is formed by laminating a skin material, a mat-like fiber structure, and a high-melting-point fiber sheet in this order. The mat-like fiber structure is prepared by blending thermoplastic fibers and inorganic fibers, and the high-melting-point fiber sheet is formed from fibers having a melting point higher than that of the thermoplastic fibers. At least the mat-like fiber structure is heated so that the thermoplastic fibers are melted. The laminated structure is then compressed under pressure by a hot press machine, and then expanded to restore at least part of the thickness thereof. The laminated structure thus expanded is then formed into a certain shape by a cold press machine, while the thermoplastic fibers of the mat-like fiber structure maintains plasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Boshoku Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakamura, Shuji Ogura, Shuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6692596
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a micro-titer test plate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first and second part, said first part comprising a plurality of wells connected to each other and said second part comprising a plurality of spouts connected to each other, said spouts conforming in arrangement and number to said wells of said first part; (b) placing a filter sheet that extents across each of said wells of said first or placing a filter sheet that extends across each of said sprouts of said second part; (c) separating from said filter sheet filter means that conform in shape, size, arrangement and number to either the bottom opening of the wells of said first part or, to said upper openings provided at the first end of the spouts; (d) placing said filter means in each of the bottom openings of the wells or in each of said upper openings provided at the first end of the spouts; (e) removing the remainder of said filter sheet from which the filter means have b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Karl-Andreas Moll, Roland Beck
  • Patent number: 6676882
    Abstract: A method provides for full or partial infusion of resin into three-dimensional, woven textile preforms. Resin film is placed at selected locations adjacent the preform, and the resin film may be separated from other areas of the preform using separator sheets or other materials. The preform is heated and may be vacuum-bagged to apply pressure, or may be rolled or fed through a die. The heat and pressure cause the resin to infuse into the selected areas of the preform adjacent the resin films. The amount of resin in the partial infusion is the same as is necessary to fully infuse the preform, but the resin remains localized in the selected areas until heated again at cure to cause the resin to flow throughout the preform. The method may also be used to fully infuse the preform with resin by providing sufficient temperature and time at that temperature during the initial infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Ross A. Benson, Larry R. Bersuch, Harry R. Miller, Ronald P. Schmidt, Linas Repecka
  • Patent number: 6673294
    Abstract: Method for sealing a bared section (10) in the wall of a hollow body based on a thermoplastic and on reinforcing fibers, the hollow body being especially intended for conveying or containing a pressurized fluid. The surface and the contours of the section (10) are coated with a protective thermoplastic (30) which is heated while it is being deposited and is compatible with the said thermoplastic of the hollow body in order to achieve complete adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Debalme, Gilles Rocher, Jacques Voiron