Patents Examined by Bernard Pianalto
  • Patent number: 6506454
    Abstract: A part painting method and apparatus in which dust, paint residue, and dripping excess paint are prevented from falling on a surface to be painted. A lens, as an example of a part to be painted, is covered with a mask body with a surface to be painted of the lens exposed through the mask body. The lens is positioned and fixed on the rear side of the mask body. The front side of the mask body, which functions as a masking surface with respect to spray paint from the paint gun, is arranged slanted downward with respect to vertical such that painting is performed with the mask body slanted at a predetermined angle so that excess paint dripping from the mask body does not drip onto the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Ishigami, Takashi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6506449
    Abstract: A simple yet effective method and apparatus produce a web suitable for treatment of water as a static filtration media, e.g. to remove chlorine and lead from water in contact with the media. A web is coated with a coating composition that facilitates treatment of water and includes a binder, and the web is compressed in one dimension about 25-75% (e.g. 40-60%) so as to make the void size distribution substantially more uniform. The compression is substantially maintained until the binder substantially cures so that the coated final web produced has a second void size distribution more uniform than the first void size distribution, e.g. the coated final web having void volumes with a mean value of about 6-7×10−8 liters and/or an RDV/BV ratio of at least 0.4, and a porosity of greater than 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Innova Pure Water Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Mierau, Henry C. Reid, John E. Nohren, Jr., Gerald J. Larsen
  • Patent number: 6506458
    Abstract: Method of lacquering a substrate by applying a clear-lacquer coating compound to a precoated substrate or a one-coat top lacquer coating compound to an optionally precoated substrate, followed by curing, the substrate being a motor-vehicle body or parts thereof, in which the substrate is subjected, after the application of the clear-lacquer coating compound or one-coat top lacquer coating compound, optionally to a drying phase and the curing is then performed by irradiation with NIR radiation having the wavelength from 760 to 1500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Karsten Blatter, Werner Lenhard
  • Patent number: 6503574
    Abstract: An article having a substrate is protected by a thermal barrier coating system. An interfacial layer contacts the upper surface of the substrate. The interfacial layer may comprise a bond coat only, or a bond coat and an overlay coat. The interfacial layer has on its upper surface a preselected, controllable pattern of three-dimensional features, such as grooves in a parallel array or in two angularly offset arrays. The features are formed by an ablation process using an ultraviolet laser such as an excimer laser. A ceramic thermal barrier coating is deposited over the pattern of features on the upper surface of the interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: David William Skelly, Bangalore Aswatha Nagaraj, David John Wortman, David Vincent Rigney, Seetha Ramaiah Mannava, Rudolfo Viguie, Robert William Bruce, Warren Arthur Nelson, Curtis Alan Johnson, Bhupendra Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 6503559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to colorant compositions containing neonanoplasts. The colorant compositions exhibit improved color brightness and brilliance due to the incorporation of one or more colorants in the neonanoplasts. The colorant compositions may be printed onto virtually any substrate. The colorant compositions of the present invention have particular utility in the area of printed textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6500498
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a magneto-optic modulator, such as for use with a solid state ring resonator gyroscope. The method includes inducing a magnetic field at a substrate holder as a layer of magnetic material is being deposited on a substrate. The magnetic field helps to optimally orient the deposited magnetic material layer to improve the characteristics of the magneto-optic modulator. In addition to inducing a magnetic field, a low energy ion beam may be applied to optimize orientation. The method can be used to fabricate a magneto-optic modulator on a substrate containing a partially fabricated ring resonator without destroying previously fabricated components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Carol M. Ford, Randy J. Ramberg
  • Patent number: 6500552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically conductive coating that is producible by hydrolytic condensation of a mixture comprising at least one silicon compound of the general formula SiXnR(4−n) (I), wherein at least one of the groups R is a mercapto-substituted alkyl or aryl group; and a compound of the general formula ZaSiYbR(a−4−b) (II), wherein the group Z is a quaternary ammonium salt, for example. Said coating is particularly suitable for toner transfer drums, and exhibits high scratch resistance and good adhesion to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: AEG Elektrofotografie GmbH
    Inventors: Sabine Dreihofer, Gert Neumann, Alexandra Geiss, Klaus Rose
  • Patent number: 6500495
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for forming an inked image on game balls, golf balls, and the like, through the use of novel curable inks that are low energy curable and require minimal curing through multiple source radiation curing processes, such as UV radiation, visible radiation, and electron beam radiation. Production inks, logo inks, and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls, and the like are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Mitchell E. Lutz
  • Patent number: 6500497
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned magnetic nanostructure is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having a non-magnetic single layer or multi layer film that can be converted into a magnetic state by annealing and/or mixing. The method further includes positioning a mask having a desired pattern and resolution associated with the patterned magnetic nanostructure on or over the film. The method additionally includes subjecting the mask-covered substrate to a beam of radiation (focussed or unfocussed) having sufficient energy to locally anneal and/or mix the non-magnetic or weak-magnetic single-layer or multi layer film. Because of the mask effect, only the desired portions of the non-magnetic film are exposed to the beam of radiation. As such, the desired portions of the non-magnetic film are changed from a non-magnetic to a magnetic state to produce an array of magnetic elements in a non-magnetic matrix. The size of each magnetic element is dependent on the resolution of mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Data Storage Institute
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Tie Jun Zhou, Tow Chong Chong
  • Patent number: 6495207
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite wall with an open cell metal foam core layer bonded to an inner cladding layer and an outer cladding layer. The method involves: creating a core substrate of open cell gas permeable foam in a chosen shape; impregnating the open cell foam substrate with metal vapour and depositing a porous layer of metal on exposed internal and external surfaces of the substrate thereby forming the open cell metal foam core through metal vapour deposition; and forming the inner and outer cladding layers upon the metal foam core through spray application of metal or ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Michael Dowhan, Joseph Brand
  • Patent number: 6491974
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for dispensing fluid materials from a product reservoir onto a substrate. The device includes at least one dispensing nozzle having at least one inner conduit leading to an exit port and adaptable to be in fluid communication with a supply source for the fluid dispensable material. The nozzle further comprises an end portion defining the exit port such that a ribbon of fluid dispensable material can be applied to the substrate. The nozzle is mountable on means that effect substantially perpendicular free movement of the nozzle relative to the substrate, such that the end portion of the nozzle maintains contact with the fluid material applied to the substrate. During dispensing, movement towards the substrate is effected by an applied force and movement away from the substrate is effected by a thrust exerted by the dispensed fluid material against said end portion of the nozzle and the dispensable material in the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Loctite (R&D) Limited
    Inventor: Fergal A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6491970
    Abstract: A method is provided for coating one or more fluid layers on a substrate to form magnetic recording media such as magnetic tape and diskettes. The method takes advantage of fluid coating formulations having a particular rheology that enables the coating of one or more magnetic layers with reduced thicknesses while achieving increased coating speeds. With proper rheology, one or more layers can be coated on a substrate traveling at increased speeds while maintaining desired coating thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 6492029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method of enameling substrates comprised of glass or vitroceramic material, according to which method the enamel composition contains graphite as a component, with the aim of improving the mechanical properties of the enameled substrate and/or conferring anti-adhesive properties on the composition. The invention also relates to the composition, and the enameled substrates obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Andre Beyrlé
  • Patent number: 6488991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for spraying a one-component composition by a) activating the trigger mechanism of a caulking gun having a two or more rams and containing a two or more cartridges to incrementally advance a ram into operative engagement with each cartridge and dispense a first liquid binder component from a first cartridge and a second liquid additive component from a second cartridge into a static mixer which is encased in a shroud and has an optionally removable spray tip, b) mixing the first component and the second component in the static mixer, c) discharging the mixed liquid components from the static mixer through the optionally removable spray tip at the downstream end of the static mixer into an atomizing zone, d) introducing air into the atomizing zone, e) atomizing the mixed liquid components in the atomizing zone, f) spraying the atomized liquid components onto a substrate and g) during an interruption in the spraying process or after termination of the spraying p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Hunter, Edward P. Squiller
  • Patent number: 6488993
    Abstract: A process for coating a moving length of sheet metal is disclosed that includes the steps of 1) cleaning the moving length of sheet metal to remove surface contaminants that may interfere with the coating adhering to the sheet metal; 2) applying an electron beam curable coating to the moving length of sheet metal; and, 3) exposing the coating on the moving length of sheet metal to an electron beam to cure the coating, the cleaning, coating and curing resulting in no emission of pollutants that need to be removed before the emission is released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: William V Madigan
  • Patent number: 6485777
    Abstract: A device for coating a sheet comprises at least one screen cylinder configured to be positioned downstream of a sheet feeding mechanism. The screen cylinder is further configured to coat a sheet. The device further comprises a constant conveyor for feeding a sheet from the feeding mechanism to the screen cylinder and a variable speed drive for rotating the screen cylinder. The variable speed drive is configured to rotate the screen cylinder based on one of a print length and a print position of the sheet to be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Steinemann Technology AG
    Inventors: Philipp Riedener, Ernst Sturzenegger
  • Patent number: 6479096
    Abstract: A GMR spin valve is provided for reading a magnetic signal from a magnetic recording medium. The spin valve includes a non-magnetic layer such as for example copper, separated by first and second magnetic layers. The spin valve includes a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, the resistance of the spin valve changing with the relative angle between the direction of magnetization of free and pinned layers. Extremely smooth surfaces are provided at the interfaces between the non-magnetic layer and the adjacent magnetic layers. This smooth interface greatly enhances the performance and reliability of the spin valve by allowing extremely tight control of the thickness of the non-magnetic layer and by preventing atomic diffusion between the non-magnetic and magnetic layers. This smooth interface is achieved by including a surfactant in the deposition of the non-magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Zhupei Shi, Ming Mao, Qunwen Leng
  • Patent number: 6479111
    Abstract: A target of fullerene is placed with a substrate in a vacuum chamber. A charged beam, i.e., an electron beam or an ion beam, is directed at the target with a power adequate to emit fullerene molecules from the target and not high enough to form significant amounts of fullerene having a higher molecular structure than the target fullerenes. Fullerene is deposited on the substrate. Regardless of the approach used to deposit the fullerenes, the substrate can be heated during deposition to a temperature above the fullerene-to-fullerene disorption temperature to form a coating consisting of an approximate monolayer of fullerene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: John W. Dykes, Joel W. Hoehn, James E. Angelo, William D. Mosley
  • Patent number: 6475570
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a fine mist of a lubricant to a micromechanical device. A mixture 402 of a lubricant and a diluent carrier fluid is held in a supply reservoir 404. The mixture is forced through a nebulizer tip 406 to produce a fine aerosol. A particle selector 408 removes large droplets from the aerosol as the aerosol passes. The aerosol travels a distance through a delivery conduit 410 while the diluent carrier fluid evaporates from the nebulized droplets. The evaporation removes the vast majority of the diluent carrier fluid from the droplets, greatly reducing the size of the lubricant droplets. The evaporated aerosol enters a deposition chamber 412 and is deposited on a micromechanical device 414. The micromechanical devices may be lubricated in wafer form, in which case the lubricant aerosol will lubricate an entire wafer of micromechanical devices at one time. One embodiment produces an aerosol having a mean droplet size of less than 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Simon Joshua Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6475571
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin thin film of the present invention includes supplying a liquid resin material and a gas to a two-fluid nozzle by pressure; ejecting the resin material in the form of atomized particles toward a heating member by the two-fluid nozzle, thereby adhering the resin material to the heating member; or mixing a liquid resin material with a gas; ejecting the resin material in form of atomized particles toward a heating member that is provided under reduced pressure, thereby adhering the resin material to the heating member; and evaporating the resin material on the heating member to obtain the evaporated resin material. Thus, the present invention can provide a resin thin film having a uniform thickness stably with simple means at a low cost. The resin thin film obtained by the present invention can be used in a wide range, for example a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a wrapping material, and an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyasu Echigo, Kazuyoshi Honda, Masaru Odagiri, Nobuki Sunagare, Toru Miyake, Tomonori Sato