Patents Examined by Alexander Weddle
  • Patent number: 9199268
    Abstract: A curtain coating method including: discharging at least one coating liquid from a slot type die; forming a coating liquid film of the coating liquid freely falling; and applying the coating liquid film to a support medium continuously running, with both right and left ends of the coating liquid film being held by a pair of edge guides, wherein, during non-coating, a direction in which the coating liquid is discharged from the slot type die is kept in a horizontal direction or tilted from the horizontal direction in a direction distancing from the support medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yamamoto, Hiroki Somada, Tetsuya Hara
  • Patent number: 9198354
    Abstract: A system and method for applying a protective layer to a cotton module of compacted cotton moving in an unloading direction from a cotton module builder through an open end thereof along an unloading surface, the system including application apparatus having at least one applicator in fluid communication with at least one tank for applying a fluid contained in the at least one tank to at least a top surface of the cotton module, the fluid being applied to an exterior of the cotton module in a fluid state and solidifying into a water resistant layer prior to significantly permeating the exterior of the module, so as to capable of being removed therefrom prior to processing of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad D. Aerts, Imants Ekis, John H. Posselius, Jesse H. Orsborn
  • Patent number: 9186838
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for coating a pipe or a section of a pipe with a polymer layer. The apparatus comprises an applicator for applying polymer melt on the surface of a pipe or pipe section, a roller for pressing the polymer applied by the applicator towards the pipe or pipe section, and means for circumferentially moving the applicator and the roller around the periphery of the pipe or pipe section. According to the invention the apparatus further comprises a drive for rotating the roller as the roller is moving around the periphery of a pipe or pipe section. By means of the invention, higher quality coatings can be applied to field joints of steel pipes, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: OY KWH PIPE AB, BOREALIS AH
    Inventors: Leif Leiden, Jouni Purmonen, Sven Sjoberg
  • Patent number: 9176384
    Abstract: The invention comprises methods for the photolithographic patterning of features in a photo-curable polymer composition coated onto a plastic substrate. In one embodiment of this invention, the plastic substrate is coated with a reflective film such as a metallic barrier. In another embodiment, the plastic substrate is coated or co-extruded with a polymer barrier layer containing an additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. In yet another embodiment the plastic substrate contains an intrinsic additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. Combinations of these embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. The methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of optical waveguides comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate, but are applicable to the fabrication of any device or object comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ZETT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LLC—RPO SERIES
    Inventors: Robert Charters, Dax Kukulj
  • Patent number: 9168566
    Abstract: A projection blackboard having both of an excellent blackboard function and an excellent screen function, and a process for producing the same. The surface enamel layer that is an outermost layer of the enamel layers is formed by using a enameling upper glaze wherein at least titanium oxide coated particles, or a titanium oxide glaze together therewith is blended into a transparent mat glaze, so as to render the layer an enamel layer having a predetermined color tone, a surface characteristic that the Rz is from 5 to 25 ?m and a reflective characteristic that the peak gain is 0.28 or more, or having these properties and a glossiness Gs (75°) of 1 to 30%. This makes it possible to produce a blackboard excellent in both of blackboard function and screen function. The titanium oxide coated particles are preferably particles wherein surfaces of mica particles are coated with titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JFE METAL PRODUCTS & ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9138766
    Abstract: A nozzle, comprises an elongated hollow lance configured for feeding a coating agent through the lance along a longitudinal axis of the lance and at least one nozzle opening configured for dispensing the coating agent. The nozzle opening is arranged in a lateral surface of the lance and dispenses the coating agent sideways with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lance. The nozzle opening is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the lance such that the coating agent can be dispensed in differenct directions according to an angular position of the nozzle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ströhlein, Marc Engelhart
  • Patent number: 9138771
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for solution coating layers onto a substrate of an electronic device. A slot die coater in conjunction with a vacuum assist device is used in priming, coating and cleaning stations to produce thin layers having performance advantages over competing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles D. Lang, Tami Janene Faircloth
  • Patent number: 9132578
    Abstract: A skinning apparatus including: a manifold having: a chamber, one or more channels, or both, to receive a source of flowable cement and to direct the received flowable cement to an interior skinning region or skinning chamber surrounding at least a portion of the lateral surface of a first article received in the skinning chamber, and to form a cement skin on the lateral surface of the received article; a source of motive force to controllably urge the received article into and through the skinning chamber; and a support member to receive and support the resulting skinned article. Also disclosed is a method for skinning a ceramic article using the aforementioned skinning apparatus, as defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Crawford Anthony, Douglass L Blanding, Michael Jon Christenson, Calvin Thomas Coffey, William Albert Mammosser, Michael George Shultz
  • Patent number: 9109291
    Abstract: A cold spray coating process is disclosed. The cold spray coating process includes positioning a cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the bearing assembly, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the rotating bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface of the rotating bearing assembly, forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes positioning the cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the cold spray nozzle, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface, the rotating of the cold spray nozzle forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes monitoring properties of the coating on the surface of the bearing assembly with a coating monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary Austin Lamberton, Kathleen Blanche Morey, Andrew Batton Witney
  • Patent number: 9085458
    Abstract: Nanotube electronic devices exhibit selective affinity to disparate nanotube types. According to an example embodiment, a semiconductor device exhibits a treated substrate that selectively interacts (e.g., chemically) with nanotubes of a first type, relative to nanotubes of a second type, the respective types including semiconducting-type and metallic-type nanotubes. The selective interaction is used to set device configuration characteristics based upon the nanotube type. This selective-interaction approach can be used to set the type, and/or characteristics of nanotubes in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Melburne Lemieux, Justin P. Opatkiewicz, Soumendra N. Barman
  • Patent number: 9040122
    Abstract: A method of applying particles to a backing having a make layer on one of the backing's opposed major surfaces. The method including the steps of: supporting the particles on a feeding member having a feeding surface such that the particles settle into one or more layers on the feeding surface; the feeding surface and the backing being arranged in a non-parallel manner; and translating the particles from the feeding surface to the backing and attaching the particles to the make layer by an electrostatic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Louis S. Moren, Brian G. Koethe, John T. Boden
  • Patent number: 9005715
    Abstract: A system and method of painting parts of large dimensions that present a certain amount of flexibility that makes their shape geometrically unstable in the event of being moved. The surface of a part is moved in front of a paint spray device by an arm of a robot, while the spray device remains stationary relative to the robot and while the part is being deformed. Other elements include a gripper for gripping parts of large dimensions, the gripper being adapted to implement the method; an installation; and a booth for performing surface treatment of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: David Tresse
  • Patent number: 8962079
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a tool having, on a replication side, a plurality of replication sections, each replication section defining a surface structure of one of an optical element(s), the tool further including at least one contact spacer portion, the contact spacer portion protruding, on the replication side, further than an outermost feature of the replication sections; aligning the tool with a feature of the substrate and bringing the tool and a first side of the substrate together, with replication material between the tool and the substrate, the contact spacer portion contacting the first side of the substrate, and thereby causing the spacer portion to adhere to the first side of the substrate, thereby producing a substrate-tool-assembly; dislocating the substrate-tool-assembly to a hardening station; causing the replication material to harden at the hardening station; and separating the tool from the substrate with the hardened replication material adhering to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hartmut Rudmann, Susanne Westenhofer, Stephan Heimgartner, Diane Morgan, Markus Rossi
  • Patent number: 8932681
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating a pipe or a pipe section with a layer of at least one polymer. The method includes providing the pipe or the pipe section having an outer surface defining the periphery of the pipe or the pipe section; applying on the outer surface of the pipe or pipe section a layer of at least one polymer material in melt stage using a nozzle, which is mounted on a carriage capable of travelling along the periphery of the pipe or the pipe section; and moving the carriage along at least a part of the periphery during the application of the polymer material to form a layer on the surface of the pipe or the pipe section that is particularly useful for coating field joints in pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Uponor Infra Oy, Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Leif Leiden, Sven Sjoberg, Rauno Smatt
  • Patent number: 8904954
    Abstract: A foam mount of an aircraft window has a groove to receive an electro chromic window. The foam mount is painted by placing a blank in the groove to divide the foam mount into a first section designated to face the exterior of the aircraft and an opposite second section. The foam mount having the blank is placed in a mask or masking device to coat one section of the foam mount while covering the other section. The groove and the first section are coated with an electric conductive paint, and the second section is covered with a decorative paint. The conductive coating on the foam mount and the conductive coating of the electrodes of the electro chromic window provide an RF shielding to prevent electronic signals from personal electronic equipment from passing through the cabin and door windows of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith, Thomas R. Scarniac
  • Patent number: 8889218
    Abstract: A foam mount has a shape of an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area. The inside surface includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove faces the open area of the foam mount. A coating is applied over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%. Also disclosed is a method of coating an electric conductive coating over the visible light blocking coating and a decorative coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cole Eberle, Jeffrey B. Masiwchuk, Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith, Thomas R. Scarniac
  • Patent number: 8889228
    Abstract: Methods for extrusion coating a substrate are provided. The methods comprise applying an extrusion coating composition to a surface of a substrate by extrusion coating. In these methods, the extrusion coating composition includes a polyolefin and an inorganic particulate material having an average particle size of no greater than 2 ?m and a particle loading of at least 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of polyolefin and the inorganic particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Karl Zuercher, Angels Domenech
  • Patent number: 8852691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of composites, composed of at least one outer layer b) and of an isocyanate-based rigid foam a), where the outer layer b) is moved continuously and the starting material for the isocyanate-based rigid foam a) is applied to the outer layer b), which comprises achieving the application of the liquid starting material for the isocyanate-based rigid foam a) by means of at least one fixed tube c) which has openings f) and which has been placed, with respect to the outer layer b), so as to be parallel to the plane of the outer layer and at right angles to the direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Lars Schoen, Roland Fabisiak, Rainer Hensiek, Peter Huntemann, Ruediger Viereck, Maria Thomas, Bernd Schaper
  • Patent number: 8852689
    Abstract: Particles are embedded in a substrate by applying to at least a portion of the substrate a fluid and a population of particles, such that the substrate is softened to at least a degree that particles are at least partially embedded in the softened portion of the substrate. The softened portion of the substrate is hardened so as to securely embed the particles in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Innova Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Arjun Daniel Srinivas, Calvin Peng, Alexander Chow Mittal, Priyanka Agarwal
  • Patent number: 8852673
    Abstract: Methods for detecting and monitoring defects in a resist material are disclosed. In an example, a method includes forming a resist layer over a substrate; developing the resist layer; washing the developed resist layer with a thinner wash solution, wherein the washing reveals any negatively charged defects in the developed resist layer; and after the washing, inspecting for the negatively charged defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Rong Laing, Li-Kong Turn, Yung-Yao Lee, Ping-Hsi Yang