Patents Examined by Cheryl N. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6579400
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for non-toxic transfer-printing of images onto a surface of a workpiece. The patterns or characters to be printed are first formed on a transferring medium using a non-toxic ink, and then the non-toxic ink patterns or characters are separated form the transferring medium with water and placed on the workpiece, which is then fixed so that the patterns or characters are transferred onto the workpiece surface firmly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chit-Ho Tam
  • Patent number: 6578614
    Abstract: An apparatus for advancing and uniting first and second components into respective single items, includes a first conveyor for supplying the first components in a series; a feeding device for supplying the second components in a series; a second conveyor adjoining the discharge end of the first conveyor; a plurality of first carriers mounted on the second conveyor for receiving a respective first component from the first conveyor at the discharge end thereof; and a plurality of second carriers mounted on the second conveyor for receiving a respective second component from the feeding device. The second carriers are in alignment with the respective first carriers for advancing the respective first components and the respective second components together and in alignment with one another; and a device for uniting a first component with a respective second component during advancement of the first and second components by the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AG
    Inventor: Horst Loewenthal
  • Patent number: 6571848
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus includes an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed at least below a transport path along which a workpiece is horizontally transported. The adhesive tape applying mechanism includes an adhesive tape roll RT and an applicator unit 10. An adhesive tape drawn from the adhesive tape roll RT is guided to and wound around an applicator roller 25 of the applicator unit, to be applied continuously to surfaces of the workpiece transported along the transport path. The adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed below the transport path is supported to be vertically pivotable about a pivotal axis x between a tape applying position and an adhesive tape roll changing position exposed above the transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Tadaaki Tsuken, Norio Mori, Kazuo Okabayashi, Noriyuki Tanaka, Kazushi Hayano, Shigenori Hato, Yoshinori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6569283
    Abstract: An inflator/sealer machine useful for inflating and sealing an inflatable cushion having a resistance wire that extends across the inlet of the inflatable cushion. The machine includes an inflation tube, a seal bar, and an anvil. The inflation tube is connected to a source of inflation fluid and has an outlet that is larger than the inflation aperture of the inflatable cushion. The inflation tube and anvil are adjustable between a tube/anvil engaged position and a tube/anvil disengaged position. In the tube/anvil engaged position, the inflation tube outlet opposes the anvil and can engage the inflation aperture of the inflatable cushion between the inflation tube and the anvil to inflate the cushion. The seal bar and the anvil are adjustable between a bar/anvil engaged position and a bar/anvil disengaged position. In the bar/anvil engaged position, the anvil opposes the seal bar to compress the inlet heat seal zone of the inflatable cushion between the anvil and the seal bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles R. Sperry, Suzanne M. Scott, James M. Corliss
  • Patent number: 6562168
    Abstract: A web including a fibrous material and superabsorbent material is fed to a station. The web has a first surface, a second surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. At the station, the operation of applying a superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent and cutting the web into individual absorbent members having a pair of opposing cut ends are carried out simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Christian Schmitt, Torsten Lindner, Italo Corzani, Carlisle Mitchell Herron
  • Patent number: 6557606
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and a method for inserting a security and/or identification element between two layers of a marking strip for items of baggage, the two layers being an overlayer and a substrate joined together at least in sub-sections by way of an adhesive layer which adheres to the overlayer when the substrate is delaminated. The marking strips are manufactured with integrated security/identification elements at low cost. The marking strips are available in web form and are guided in a running direction past a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Meto International GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Duschek
  • Patent number: 6557609
    Abstract: At least one transverse blade (19) is mounted on one end of the body of the pressing device (12) which cyclically acts on the packaging film (1) so as to fix it to an underlying tearing strip (7) which is directed towards the film with an adhesive surface and is supported by a conveyor belt (3), said blade (19) cutting and dividing up to the required dimension the said tearing strip from the continuous tape from which the strip itself is obtained, while the said belt acts as a cutter counter-piece. Auxiliary blades (21, 121) are also mounted laterally and parallel on one end of the body of the pressing device, said blades (21, 121), during the active working phase of the said pressing device, interfering with the edge of the packaging film in order to form, on the latter, incisions located on the sides of the front gripping end of the tearing strip, in order to facilitate tearing of the packaging when the said strip (7) is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: BFB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Fini, Giorgio Tassi
  • Patent number: 6554042
    Abstract: A foil applicator for evenly applying an adhesive backed foil to edges or pieces of stained glass. The applicator includes guide members which direct a foil strip from a foil spool through an adjustable grasping roller mechanism and past a horizontal, raised planar table where foil is applied manually to the edges of glass pieces, nuggets, or jewels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Carlson, Wendell B. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6551431
    Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin which is simple, compact, sanitary, and easy to unwrap for use and to dispose of after use. The absorbent article avoids the need for a separate peel strip and pouch because it is provided with a wrapper that can be folded into a pouch. Substantially the entire backsheet of the absorbent article directly faces the wrapper and is secured to it to form an assembly. In the case of a winged or tabbed type absorbent article, this configuration obviates the need for a separate peel strip to cover the garment adhesive located on the wings or tabs. The assembly is wrapped by folding the lateral flaps thereof longitudinally over one another to enclose the article to prevent the garment adhesive from becoming contaminated. The package is then tri-folded laterally to form an e-shaped pouch. Wrapping and folding can be performed by an in-line process that uses simple equipment and that does not require reversal in the direction of article conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Lee
  • Patent number: 6544375
    Abstract: The invention provides a process comprising the steps of: feeding a web into a web transfer apparatus (1) at a first speed (V1); cutting a web portion (101) off the web (100); and accelerating the web portion (101) to the speed (V2) of a receiving web (200), separating the web portion (101) into at least a first web portion (102) and a second web portion (103) by means of at least a second cut; moving the web portions (102, 103) relative to each other so that they are spaced apart; and applying each of the spaced apart web portions (102, 103) to the receiving web (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Christoph Johann Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6543505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with a multiple lane labeling machine such that the labeling machine will only dispense and place labels on packaged articles. The present invention comprises a labeling machine having sensors positioned in front of the label transport, which positions the labels on the packaged articles. These sensors are preferably positioned directly in front of the label transport over the row of articles preceding the transporter and operate to detect the presence and absence of packaged articles and their content. Thus, if a package is absent from a row or does not contain product the sensors alert the labeling machine of the absence of an article so that the labeler does not dispense a label for a missing article or empty package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koch Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: James R. Harte
  • Patent number: 6540002
    Abstract: Mesh drywall tape dispensing apparatus includes a chassis with a pistol grip for one-hand operation, a tape reel, a tape guide roller mounted within the chassis, and a tape pressure roller mounted adjacent a front end of the chassis. A tape cutter trigger assembly is mounted within the chassis by the pivot pin of the guide roller and movable into a cutting position. The cutter includes a serrated knife edge directed away from the pressure roller at an acute angle to the tape extending from the guide roller to the pressure roller. A corner roller is pivotally mounted on the chassis for movement into a tape engaging position. The pistol grip and the tape reel are mounted on opposite sides of the chassis and adjacent a rear end with the pressure roller mounted adjacent the front end so that the apparatus is generally bounded by a first plane tangent to the pressure roller and bounding a tape roll on the reel and the corner roller therein and a second plane tangent to the pressure roller and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Equity Earnings Corp.
    Inventors: Toby Edwards, Shane Edwards, Dan B. Pool
  • Patent number: 6517656
    Abstract: Methods of making packages for integrated circuit devices, and in particular for attaching a plurality of integrated circuit die to a substrate strip, are disclosed. The substrate includes a plurality of die mounting sites. A B-staged epoxy film is on each site. An exemplary method includes placing an integrated circuit die on the adhesive film of each site. After a plurality of integrated circuit die are individually placed on the substrate, the adhesive films of a plurality of sites are cured simultaneously in a batch process. The curing permanently attaches the die to the substrate. Subsequently, the die are wire bonded to their respective substrate sites and encapsulated. The encapsulated substrate is cut to form individual packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent DiCaprio
  • Patent number: 6517660
    Abstract: A method of forming a reclosable gusseted bag is disclosed wherein a carrier tape webs having discrete sections of mating profile separated by profile free sections is introduced between two bag walls and sealed to the bag wall tops or adjacent thereto. The carrier tape webs are sealed to the bag wall films and cross seals are made in the bag wall films and carrier tape webs through the profile free sections. Side gussets are formed by pushing a part of the bag walls and the profile free sections of the carrier tape web between the profiles so that when the bag is closed a part of the gussets are captured between the mated profiles. A bottom gusset is formed in the bag bottom and a peel seal may be provided below the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6508287
    Abstract: An adhesive tape applicator of the present invention comprises a first holding piece 2 and a second holding piece 3 for holding a door sash frame therebetween, the first holding piece 2 having at least one elastic rollers 5 for pressing the adhesive tape against an object face of the door sash frame, the second holding piece 3 having at least one guide rollers 6 being provided on the opposite side to the object face of the door sash frame, the guide rollers 6 having a groove 6a engaging with a rib 6 extending in the longitudinal direction of the door sash frame. The adhesive tape applicator is capable of applying the adhesive tape to the door sash frame of an automobile stably and accurately, and further provides an adhesive tape applicator which is capable of applying the adhesive tape with improved operability and speedily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Shinozaki, Hisashi Ando
  • Patent number: 6494981
    Abstract: A memo block in the present invention is composed by a pile of notepapers. In a proper section near the fore edge of each notepaper, the memo block is provided with predetermined designs or advertisement. The fore surface of the memo block is cut by a predetermined mode from the first page to the bottom page so as to form a wavy surface, and then the fore surface is pushed backward by a paper-regulating machine to form a proper slope. Upon forming the fore surface with a slope, the rear surface of the memo block is also formed with a slope same as that of the fore surface. The rear outward slope is cut off to be a vertical plane surface, and then the rear plane surface is glued to form a spine. Thus, the designs or advertisement of the memo block can gradually change paper by paper and have genuinely vivid and solid advertising effects because of the wavy and oblique fore surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Dashern Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 6491080
    Abstract: A label printer/applicator with improved label cutting, control and application has a control valve for alternately fluidly interconnecting an applicator head with a supply of pressurized air, a suction source and a neutral position. An atomizer nozzle is positioned beneath an applicator head for activating moisture-activated adhesives often provided on labels. An air jet nozzle beneath the applicator head prevents cantilever bending of a label exiting a printer and travelling toward the applicator head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Grand Rapids Label Company
    Inventor: Gerald Wayne Tasma
  • Patent number: 6478067
    Abstract: An adhesive tape dispenser comprises a grip on which a base board is mounted. A rotary seat is mounted pivotally on the base board and is provided with a dispensing cutter. A roller is pivoted to the base board and is located under the dispensing cutter. The base body is provided with a concealable unpacking cutter to facilitate the unpacking of a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Harrison Huang
  • Patent number: 6478069
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical disc, a transparent disc substrate having two relatively wide-area surfaces thereof on at least one of which an information is recorded and a first reflective film is formed onto a dummy disc having similar relatively wide-area surfaces thereof on at least one which another information is recorded and a second reflective film having a light semi-transmissive characteristic is formed are bonded via an adhesive layer and, thereafter, an external force is applied between the dummy disc and the disc substrate through an integrated center hole penetrated through the dummy disc and the disc substrate at center positions thereof to peel off the dummy disc at a first interface between the dummy disc and the second reflective film thereof In a preferred embodiment, a partial peeling off of the dummy disc from the second reflective film is carried out through a mechanical force and a complete peeling off of the dummy disc from the second reflective film is carried out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Origin Electric Company, Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Fujisaku, Hironobu Nishimura, Yutaka Matsumoto, Hideo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6471882
    Abstract: A process for producing a head slider wherein a floating surface is formed on a slider substrate by photolithography. The process for the production of a head slider has a step of forming, on a slider substrate by photolithography, a patterned floating surface having a resist material on its upper surface; a step of sticking an adhesive sheet on the upper surface of the resist material present on the floating surface; and a step of peeling off the adhesive sheet together with the resist material from the floating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Namikawa, Haruo Ioka