Patents Represented by Attorney B. Craig Killough
  • Patent number: 6618066
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven ink jet printer using heat activated dye, without activating the dye during the process of printing onto the substrate. The individual solid dye particles are present in a liquid ink, and are stabilized in the ink by an emulsifying enforcing agent that emulsifies the solid dye particles within the ink. The dye is subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dye and permanently bond the image to a final substrate. The resulting permanent image is resistant to laundering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6540345
    Abstract: A process for printing and transferring an image from a receiver sheet having a thermally transferable film to a final substrate. Only the imaged area of the film is transferred and permanently fixed to a final substrate, while the non-imaged area is processed to have little or no affinity for the final substrate, and is not bound to the final substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Wagner, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6527242
    Abstract: A brace for connection to the back, planar surface of a picture frame, and to the surface of the strut that faces the back of the picture frame. One side of the brace is affixed to the back, planar surface of the picture frame, and an opposite side of the brace is attached to the surface of the strut that faces the picture frame. The brace holds the strut in position relative to the picture frame, allowing the strut to support the picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Netta Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6488370
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a printed a by printing heat activated ink solids in a non activated form onto a medium in a desired image by means of an ink jet printer. The invention is printed using ink or dye compositions comprising heat activated ink or dye solids. The ink compositions used to print the medium are solid at ambient temperature when used with phase change ink jet printers, and are emulsions when used with liquid ink jet printers such as free flow and bubble jet printers. The dye solids are printed in the desired design by means of a printer onto a substrate, which becomes the printed medium. The substrate may be paper, or it may be other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6486903
    Abstract: A coated media is printed with ink. The area of the media which is not covered with ink is cured by exposure to radiation, and the printed image is transferred to a final substrate. The media is coated with a radiation curable coating. Upon exposure to electron beam or ultraviolet radiation, the coating in the exposed, non-imaged, area cures, and becomes permanently bonded to the base sheet. The ink layer of the imaged area effectively blocks, absorbs and/or reflects the radiation and does not allow polymerization under the imaged area. The image is transferred to a final substrate by placing the image in contact with the final substrate, followed by the application of energy. The image is permanently bonded to the final substrate. No overprint, or non-imaged area, that is visible or which may be felt by touching, is transferred to the final substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Wagner, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6474201
    Abstract: A tool for attaching and removing threaded fittings of the type typically used to attach hoses, such as hydraulic hoses, characterized by an extended longitudinal body which is open along a length of the body to accept a hose which has a fitting on it. An adaptor is mounted on an end of the body. The adaptor accepts and rotates a fastener which is part of the hose fitting, such as a six point fastener. The adaptor has an open portion to accept the hose. The opposite end of the body accepts a drive tool, such as a ratchet or a pneumatic wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Victory in Jesus Ministries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lund
  • Patent number: 6463833
    Abstract: A tool for attaching and removing threaded fittings of the type typically used to attach hoses, such as hydraulic hoses, characterized by an extended longitudinal body which is open along a length of the body to accept a hose. The body has an end which will accept and rotate a fastener which is part of the hose fitting, such as a six point fastener, with this end having an open portion to accept the hose. The opposite end of the body will accept a drive tool, such as a ratchet or a pneumatic wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Victory in Jesus Ministries
    Inventor: David Lund
  • Patent number: 6463826
    Abstract: A carburetor to transmission cable linkage for Chrysler Torqueflight® transmissions found on carbureted, rear wheel drive Chrysler cars manufactured since 1962. A throttle lever adapter provided by the invention provides a connection of the cable to the carburetor. The cable is also mounted to the transmission. The opposite end of the cable is mounted to the throttle lever of the carburetor. The throttle lever adapter has a structure which allows it to be universally mounted to, and operable with, Carter, Edelbrock, and Holley carburetors, of various models, as used with Chrysler cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Randy Bouchillon
  • Patent number: 6453621
    Abstract: A wind protection system for covering a structure. The system, which is electronically activated, comprises primarily a pair of extendable poles located on opposite sides of the structure, and a sheet of flexible netting stored on a reel. Cables attached to the netting pull it up and over the tops of the extended poles when the system is activated and when the poles are retracted, pull the netting down and over the structure to form a protective tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Walter H. Bundy, Jr., Lucas Smith
  • Patent number: 6450098
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6447629
    Abstract: A method of digitally printing reactive ink contained in a heat meltable ink layer comprising dyes or pigments or other colorants, using a thermal printer. The ink layer comprises compounds with functional groups capable of reacting with active hydrogen, and compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen, or functional groups capable of conversion to active hydrogen containing groups. The reactive ink contains one or more blocking agents which prevent initiation of the reaction during thermal printing. An image is thermally printed onto a substrate, at a first temperature, so that the ink is not reacted during the process of printing on to the medium. The image is subsequently transferred or permanently fixed on the substrate by the application of heat and pressure, which removes the blocking agent and reacts the ink, bonding the colorant to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberlee Thompson, Barbara Wagner, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6439710
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a printed a by printing heat activated ink solids in a non activated form onto a medium in a desired image by means of an ink jet printer. The invention is printed using ink or dye compositions comprising heat activated ink or dye solids. The ink compositions used to print the medium are solid at ambient temperature when used with phase change ink jet printers, and are emulsions when used with liquid ink jet printers such as free flow and bubble jet printers. The dye solids are printed in the desired design by means of a printer onto a substrate, which becomes the printed medium. The substrate may be paper, or it may be other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6425331
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are susequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Nathan Hale
  • Patent number: 6402313
    Abstract: A method of printing using an ink or meltable ink layer which comprises dyes, pigments or other colorants. Bonding and/or crosslinking of the colorants is provided by the reaction between compounds selected from each of two chemical groups. The first group comprises compounds with functional groups capable of reacting with active hydrogen. The second group comprises compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen, or compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen after a conversion process. Either the first group or the second group is present in the ink, and an image is printed with the ink onto a substrate. The substrate comprises either the first or second group, as appropriate, to set up a later reaction with the ink. The reaction is delayed until the image is subsequently transferred to another substrate or is permanently fixed on the substrate, by the presence of protecting or blocking agents, which are removed by the application of heat or other energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, Barbara Wagner
  • Patent number: 6381773
    Abstract: A base for a barrier-free shower enclosure having the combined configuration of a drain sump and drain. A series of channels is formed into the base of the shower enclosure which trap water within the shower enclosure and channel the water toward the drain sump. The channels are of increasing depth and slope toward the drain area and drain to facilitate the flow of water into the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: AquaBath, Inc
    Inventor: George P. McAllister
  • Patent number: 6348939
    Abstract: A formulation and method of printing an ink or meltable ink layer having reactive dyes or mixtures of reactive dyes and disperse dyes as colorants. The ink or ink melt layer also includes an alkaline substance, a binder, and optionally, a heat-activated printing additive. Permanently bonded color images are provided by the reaction between the reactive dye and the final substrate, which may be any cellulosic, protein, or polyamide fiber material, or mixtures with polyester. Reaction occurs upon heat activation of the printed ink image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Barbara J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6341745
    Abstract: A reel or spool package has opposing sidewalls or flanges formed of the specified or appropriate substrate and connected by a core formed of a flowable material which sets or cures to harden, such as a two part expandable polyurethane foam. The foam is applied into a partition, which may be a paper ring, by an injection and metering device. The chemistry of the flowable material may be altered to change density, rigidity and flexibility as required by package stresses. The polyurethane foam is an effective adhesive medium, thereby forming the core and connecting the sidewalls to form the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: American Spool & Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ridgeway, Jr., James M. Lee
  • Patent number: 6341856
    Abstract: A method of digitally printing a liquid ink by means of a printer which uses liquid ink such as an ink jet printer. The ink contains dyes or pigments or other colorants, a liquid carrier, and compounds with functional groups capable of reacting with active hydrogen, and compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen, or functional groups capable of conversion to active hydrogen containing groups. One or more emulsifying agents emulsify the liquid ink. An image is printed onto a substrate, at a relatively low temperature, so that the ink is not activated during the process of printing on to the medium. The image is subsequently transferred or permanently fixed on the substrate by the application of heat and pressure, which activates the ink, and bonds the colorant to the substrate. The reactive compounds may be blocked with blocking agents which are removed by the application of heat or other energy during activation of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberlee Thompson, Xiaorong Cai, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6311708
    Abstract: A walker having a frame which provides two front legs. Two rear legs are attached to the frame. A cross member provides support for the device which is supplemented by a link. Each of these structural members is in a pivotal relationship with the remaining members so the walker may be folded for storage. The cross member and link provide bracing for structural integrity, but are also incorporated into the folding structure. The optional seat is also in a pivotal relationship with the device. The seat prevents the walker from being folded while it is being used as a walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kaye Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward S. Howle
  • Patent number: D475805
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Ashley Brien Summers