Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gary A. Samuels
  • Method of making an improved expanded PTFE fiber
    Patent number: 5635124
    Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. Abrams, Raymond B. Minor, Gordon L. McGregor, John W. Dolan
  • Series of parallel electrical conductors held together by interwoven braiding
    Patent number: 5635677
    Abstract: A flat cable comprises a series of parallel electrical conductors (1 to 6) each carrying a spiral-wound tape insulation layer (30). The conductors are held together by braiding formed of a plurality of tapes (10 to 22) or fibres interwoven between the conductors. The braiding is preferably of a thermoplastic material which may be heat bonded to the insulation in order to set the cable in a desired shape e.g. for a wiring loom. The insulation and braiding is preferably formed from a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propylvinylether).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wood, David McNaughton, John N. Kippen, Andrea Gellan
  • Electrode apparatus containing an integral composite membrane
    Patent number: 5635041
    Abstract: A composite membrane is provided which includes a base material and an ion exchange resin. The base material has a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils, or a microstructure characterized by fibrils with no nodes present. The ion exchange resin substantially impregnates the membrane such that the membrane is essentially air impermeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Alex R. Hobson, Jeffrey A. Kolde
  • Permanent hydrophilic modification of fluoropolymers
    Patent number: 5630941
    Abstract: A permanent hydrophilic modification for fluoropolymer substrates is described in which the substrate is coated with a film of a charged polyelectrolyte complex. The film has cationic and anionic components in which the charges on the components interact to form stable electrolytic bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Wolfgang Burger, Klaus Lunkwitz, Heide-Marie Buchhammer
  • Waterproof shoe
    Patent number: 5628127
    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: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunter Notzold
  • Microemulsion of polytetrafluoroethylene particles
    Patent number: 5616648
    Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) structures are described which are prepared by polymerizing liquid tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous microemulsion region to obtain small particles of PTFE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Huey S. Wu
  • Vented vial stopper for processing freeze-dried products
    Patent number: 5596814
    Abstract: An vented vial stopper for use in processing freeze-dried products is provided. The stopper includes a vent passageway that is covered with a waterproof and moisture vapor permeable membrane to allow the venting of moisture during the freeze-drying process. The membrane also extends to cover most or all of the exposed surface of the stopper to protect the stopper from chemical attack during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph D. Zingle, Nelson A. George
  • Adsorbent assembly for removing gaseous contaminants
    Patent number: 5593482
    Abstract: An adsorbent assembly is provided for removing gaseous contaminants from an enclosure having an adhesive layer, an adsorbent layer and a filtering layer. An exterior mounted assembly is also provided having an outer layer containing a metal or metallized material that provides an electromagnetic shield to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin G. Dauber, Christian E. Bailey, Robert L. Sassa
  • LCD article from liquid crystal filled, hydrophilically-coated, porous PTFE film
    Patent number: 5580618
    Abstract: A liquid crystal-containing precursor for a liquid crystal display device consisting of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film which has the structure defining the pores treated with a hydrophilic substance. The pores of the treated porous film are substantially filled with liquid crystals. The hydrophilizing treatment increases the transition speed of the liquid crystals from light-scattering orientation to light-transmitting orientation. The liquid crystal-filled film can be covered with transparent non-porous layers of material, having an electrically-conductive film on at least one surface, which can be hermetically sealed at the edges, to permit long-term storage of the liquid crystals in ready-to-use sheet form and easy inclusion into a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichi Okino, Kazuhiko Ohashi, Sunao Fukutake
  • PTFE fiber woven fabric
    Patent number: 5571605
    Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. Abrams, Raymond B. Minor, Gordon L. McGregor, John W. Dolan
  • Composite filter material
    Patent number: 5571413
    Abstract: A layered composite material for filtration having a filter layer, a buffer layer, and a support, layer. The buffer layer is a material more compressible and extensible than the support layer and imparts strength and durability to the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Junkosha Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Mogami, Akira Moriya
  • Composite gasket for sealing flanges and method for making and using same
    Patent number: 5551706
    Abstract: Improved gasket material and method for use in sealing various flanged apparatus, such as found in distillation columns, glass lined vessels and transformer radiator flange seals. The gasket material comprises a cylindrical core of elongated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) contained within a tight wrap of high strength film or films. The gasket material has the exceptional operational properties of PTFE, can be designed for specific situations, and has superior resistance to cold flow or "creep" which distorts most PTFE seals under heavy unconfined compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eileen C. Barna, Elizabeth M. Hamilton, Eric W. Lalli, Cindy B. Lubin, Wanda F. Sparks, Alfred F. Waterland, III
  • Microfiber-reinforced porous polymer film and a method for manufacturing the same and composites made thereof
    Patent number: 5545475
    Abstract: A porous composite sheet is prepared from a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene particulates and liquid crystal polymer particulates. The liquid crystal polymer in the porous composite sheet can be in the form of particulates contained within a polytetrafluoroethylene microstructure, or formed into a network of liquid crystal polymer fibers contained within and attached to the polytetrafluoroethylene microstructure. The porous composite sheet can be used as a self-reinforced porous sheet, for example, as a filter media. The pores of the composite sheet can be at least partially filled with polymeric resins and the composite sheet laminated to form useful electronic assemblies such as printed circuit boards and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates
    Inventor: Joseph E. Korleski
  • Permanent hydrophilic modification of fluoropolymers
    Patent number: 5540837
    Abstract: A permanent hydrophilic modification for fluoropolymers is provided where the film consists of a charged polyelectrolyte complex that is reoriented. A process for producing this modification is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Klaus Lunkwitz, Heide-Marie Buchammer, Wolfgang B urger
  • Microemulsion polymerization systems and coated materials made therefrom
    Patent number: 5539047
    Abstract: Aqueous microemulsions are described which are polymerized to produce a latex containing particles of organic polymer having recurring pendant perfluorinated organic side chains which have an average particle size of between 0.01 and 0.5 micrometers. The latex can be used to coat the surface of substrate structures, or to coat the pore walls of porous substrate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Huey S. Wu, Eric W. Kaler
  • Security enclosure manufacture
    Patent number: 5539379
    Abstract: A security enclosure (20) includes an inner enclosure defined by a first electrically insulating sheet (60) carrying a layer (56) of electrically responsive material on an outer side, the sheet (60) being folded and having edges (100) in overlapping relation and adhered to one another to define the inner enclosure. A detector (80) is provided for detecting separation of the electrically responsive material (56) from the sheet (60) and is located inside the inner enclosure. An outer enclosure is defined by a second electrically insulating sheet (44) wrapped about and adhered to the inner enclosure and also having edges in overlapping relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Hugh MacPherson
  • Fabric laminates
    Patent number: 5539072
    Abstract: Laminates of fabric and microporous polymeric substrates are taught which have enhanced oleophobic and hydrophobic properties. The enhanced properties are obtained by contacting the laminate or any of its components with an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles of an organic polymer having pendent fluorinated alkyl groups and in which the particles are very small, being on the order of 0.01-0.1 micrometer. The small size promotes uniformity of coating when the laminate or components are coated with the dispersion and then heated to flow the particles together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Huey S. Wu
  • Apparatus for leak testing waterproof footwear
    Patent number: 5535617
    Abstract: A test apparatus for leak-testing waterproof footwear comprises a support post (40) and an inflatable collar (2, 43) slideably mounted thereon. A foot (48) is attached to the lower end of the post for abutting the inside sole of the footwear and spacing the collar the correct distance therefrom to seal the entrance to the footwear. The collar is inflated to seal the interior of the footwear, which is then pressurized with air. Any air leaks are detected by immersion in water and observation of bubbles, or by using a sonic probe. Almost complete footwear items can be tested, usually before application of the outer sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter D. Bastianelli
  • Process for the separation and reutilization of fabric materials from polyurethane adhesive bonded composite laminates
    Patent number: 5534556
    Abstract: A process for the separation of laminated components from polyurethane adhesive bonded composite laminates is provided. In this process, the laminates are treated with monofunctional aliphatic alcohols with 3 to 12 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof at temperatures of 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. to alcoholize the polyurethane. If necessary, water is added to the process. The alcoholysis product is removed and the components are separated from each other. This process is particularly useful in separating fabric components from expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Gunther Bauer
  • Method for manufacturing a liquid crystal polymer film and a liquid crystal polymer film made thereby
    Patent number: 5534209
    Abstract: The invention is for a process to manufacture liquid crystal polymer films having balanced physical properties. The process includes feeding an oriented liquid crystal polymer material into a melt region formed between support membranes passing over the surface of and through an opening between heated rolls. The orientation of the liquid crystal polymer material is randomized and passed through the opening with the support membranes to form a laminated sandwich structure consisting of an unoriented liquid crystal polymer film between the support membranes. In another embodiment of the invention laminated sandwich structure is stretched to impart multiaxial orientation to the liquid crystal polymer film. The support membranes can be optionally removed to produce a film having a desirable surface finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya