Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gary A. Samuels
  • Protective shoe
    Patent number: 5737857
    Abstract: The invention is to footwear with a rigid protective cap in the toe area between the leg (S) and the porous connection material (V) on the one hand and the lining (L) on the other hand and whose underside goes under the insole (B) over a predetermined width. The porous connection material (V) is connected to the circumference of the insole (B) by an adhesive connection (KN) at its end facing away from the actual leg material (S), at least in the toe area. The footwear can be produced in a simple and inexpensive way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Johann Aumann
  • Vented vial closure member for freeze-drying which minimizes contamination of freeze-dried products
    Patent number: 5732837
    Abstract: A closure member for use in closing vials that are subjected to lyophilization conditions is described where the member is a resilient stopper that has a plug movable within a passageway in the stopper. The plug is movable between a first raised venting position and second downwardly engaging, sealing position whereby fluid from the vial or container is precluded from flowing through the fluid passageway in the cap. The passageway has a venting medium filter covering it which allows passage of water vapor, but not bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Bradford Jones
  • Water shoe
    Patent number: 5732480
    Abstract: The invention is a waterproof shoe which is characterized in that the lower edge of the upper material and the lower edge of the functional material layer are cut to different lengths so that one of the two edges projects over the other edge, and characterized in that at least the area of the insole adjacent to the seam consists of a material which is permeable to the plastic material used for the outsole in its liquid injection state, and the lower edge of the functional material layer is embedded into the plastic material used for the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunter Notzold
  • Lining material for use with prosthetics and similar devices and method for making and using same
    Patent number: 5728169
    Abstract: An improved liner and method is taught for use in protecting a wearer's skin from moisture retention when worn with prosthetic devices and other substantially non-breathable shells. The liner is form fitted to attach to a wearer without bunching or other pressure points which can cause skin irritation. Preferably, the liner comprises a membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene coated on its interior surface with a polyurethane material to aid in moisture isolation and to protect the liner from compromise due to oils and other contaminants found in perspiration. The liner is effective at shielding a wearer's skin from moisture even when worn with no separate absorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Norvell
  • Elastic fixing roll
    Patent number: 5716700
    Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material can be made of porous silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kikukawa, Hiroshi Kato
  • Protective waterproof shoe
    Patent number: 5711093
    Abstract: Footwear is provided with a rigid protective cap in the toe area between the leg (S) and the porous connection material (V) on the one hand and the lining (L) on the other hand and whose underside goes under the insole (B) over a predetermined width. The porous connection material (V) is connected to the circumference of the insole (B) by an adhesive connection (KN) at its end facing away from the actual leg material (S), at least in the toe area. The footwear can be produced in a simple and inexpensive way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Johann Aumann
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene molding resin and processes
    Patent number: 5712315
    Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a nudular-microfibrillar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers, and having a coating of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer on at least a portion of the particle. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Dolan
  • Polyetrafluoroethylene compositions
    Patent number: 5708044
    Abstract: In the present invention a blend of resin composition and blending technique is optimized to provide a desired balance of node size and fibril length with the additional property of thermal stability in the resulting stretched material.The stretched blend can be described as a polytetrafluoroethylene porous material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which the material comprises a blend of two different polytetrafluoroethylenes, one polytetrafluoroethylene being a homopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and the other polytetrafluoroethylene being a modified polymer of tetrafluoroethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip A. Branca
  • Protective waterproof shoe
    Patent number: 5689903
    Abstract: Footwear includes a shaft and a laminate which lines the shaft. The laminate has a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer, a rigid protective cap is between the shaft and the laminate. In the toe area, the laminate is designed as a bootie. An insole which serves as a mechanical protection between the laminate and the protective cap is located between the outsole side of the bootie and an outsole side edge of the protective cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Johann Aumann
  • Sealed waterproof footwear
    Patent number: 5685091
    Abstract: A waterproof footwear article is provided having a layer of a two component polyurethane system located above the insole board. The polyurethane system also may penetrate the connecting region between the insole board and footwear upper. A process of waterproofing a footwear article is also provided which includes the step of introducing a two component polyurethane system into the interior of the footwear article and optionally applying forces to cause the polyurethane system to penetrate the various article layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Seshamamba Yalamanchili
  • Liquid crystal polymer film and a method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 5681624
    Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining a liquid crystal polymer with a porous or nonporous support membrane to provide either a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal film on the support membrane formed by laminating the liquid crystal polymer onto a porous or nonporous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation; or to provide a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal polymer region within a porous support membrane formed by impregnating the liquid crystal polymer into a porous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Electric double-layer capacitor and method for making the same
    Patent number: 5682288
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved double-layer capacitor in which the improvement is a planar layered electrode assembly which has low electrical resistance and which has high electric storage capacity. The electrode material is produced by a process in which acicular electrically-conductive particles are blended with a binder, oriented by extrusion, and cut to form planar electrode discs or plates in which the acicular particles are oriented as nearly perpendicular as possible to the flat surfaces of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Takayuki Wani
  • Seeded microemulsion polymerization for the production of small polymer particles
    Patent number: 5677366
    Abstract: In this invention an aqueous seeded microemulsion polymerization procedure is provided in which colloidal polymer particles are produced from tetrafluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene/comonomer or other polymerizable monomers. The particles have an average diameter between 1 to 100 nanometer (0.001-0.1 micrometer) preferably 1 to 80 (0.001-0.08 micrometer), more preferably 5 to 100 nanometer (0.005-0.1 micrometer). A microemulsion is formed of a liquid monomer in water and a gaseous monomer is added either before or after polymerization is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Huey Shen Wu
  • Porous PTFE structures
    Patent number: 5677031
    Abstract: A porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) structure particularly for use as a liquid filter comprises particles of granular-type PTFE fused together to form a porous integral network. The structure is formed by spraying an aqueous suspension of granular PTFE particles and baking at a temperature of 335.degree.-350.degree. C. Typically the specific gravity is 0.8 to 1.54. The crystallinity is less than 95%. The structure may be supported on a perforate substrate such as stainless steel mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Miller Allan, Brian Andrew Barker
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene molding resin and processes
    Patent number: 5658960
    Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a modular-microfibrillar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers, and having a coating of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer on at least a portion of the particle. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Dolan
  • Lining material for use with prosthetic devices
    Patent number: 5658354
    Abstract: An improved liner and method is taught for use in protecting a wearer's skin from moisture retention when worn with prosthetic devices and other substantially non-breathable shells. The liner is form fitted to attach to a wearer without bunching or other pressure points which can cause skin irritation. Preferably, the liner comprises a membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene coated on its interior surface with a polyurethane material to aid in moisture isolation and to protect the liner from compromise due to oils and other contaminants found in perspiration. The liner is effective at shielding a wearer's skin from moisture even when worn with no separate absorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Norvell
  • Three-dimensional, seamless waterproof breathable flexible composite material
    Patent number: 5650225
    Abstract: Waterproof, breathable, flexible, seamless shaped articles, such as gloves or socks, are described which are made of a flexible layered composite comprising:(a) a microporous thermoplastic polyester polyurethane or polyether polyurethane that is water vapor permeable, and(b) a nonporous copolymer that is waterproof but water vapor permeable which provides improved waterproofness to the microporous polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Anit Dutta, Robert Lyon Henn
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder
    Patent number: 5646192
    Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide exceptionally strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a nudular-microfibrilar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Dolan, Charles E. Singleton
  • Polymers with crystallizable fluoropolymers
    Patent number: 5641844
    Abstract: This invention relates to polymers having pendant side groups of:--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --(CF.sub.2).sub.n Fwherein m is 10, and n is 10 and more in which the amount of the monomer containing the moiety --(CF.sub.2).sub.10 F constitutes about 50% or more of the total percent of all the monomers. By adjusting the number of --CH.sub.2 -- groups to 10 and adjusting the distribution within the --(--CF.sub.2).sub.m F groups, it has been discovered that the particular side group configuration forms crystalline regions that reduce mobility of the side chains and thereby improves the repellency of materials coated with the polymers of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Thompson, Ya Xi Shen
  • Protective systems for sensitive skin
    Patent number: 5636382
    Abstract: A protective glove system having at least two components including a waterproof and water vapor permeable inner glove component that provides a barrier against allergens and an outer glove component that is liquidproof. A method of using the glove system is also provided. Protective shoe systems, body suits, and headgear systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Chopko, Brent I. Goodwin, Francis J. Masley, Jaclyn M. Woll