Patents Examined by Christina Johnson
  • Patent number: 9522523
    Abstract: A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more non-CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engraveable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and optionally 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, as well as a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. A first peroxide has a t90 value of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160° C., and a second peroxide has a t90 value of 8-40 minutes as measured at 160° C. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form a laser-engraveable layer and to form various flexographic printing precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Shai Costy, Ophira Melamed
  • Patent number: 9512240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water and solvent-free polymers, in particular water and solvent-free synthetic rubber products like non-halogenated and halogenated butyl rubber products as well as a process for the production thereof. The invention further relates to a device suitable to accomplish said process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LANXESS INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventors: Jörg Kirchhoff, Werner Bäcker, Rolf Feller, Paul Wagner, John Lovegrove, Hanns-Ingolf Paul
  • Patent number: 9511522
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a crash pad having a foam layer by injecting and foam-molding a foam liquid between a base and a skin may include a first mold and a second mold which mold the base by injecting molten resin into a base forming space formed in a mold-closed state and a vacuum mold for vacuum-molding the skin, in which when the vacuum mold to which the formed skin may be attached may be mold-closed with the first mold, a foam space may be formed between the skin and the base of the first mold, and an injection channel for injecting the molten resin into the base forming space and a foam liquid injection channel for injecting the foam liquid into the foam space may be provided in the first mold, such that the first mold may be used as a foam mold, together with the vacuum mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Byung Seok Kong
  • Patent number: 9505176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional components, using a three-dimensional printing method, an auxiliary structure being additionally formed beyond an extension of the one or more components during the construction of components. The invention also relates to an auxiliary structure for components produced by means of three-dimensional printing methods, the auxiliary structure being constructed along with the component and extending beyond a dimension of the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: VOXELJET AG
    Inventor: Ingo Ederer
  • Patent number: 9498794
    Abstract: A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Laura Lynn Heilman, Jill Marlene Orr
  • Patent number: 9492977
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a resin film, wherein in a casting step of a solution cast film-forming method, a dope is discharged from a discharge port of the casting die to cast the dope onto the support while a solvent capable of dissolving a transparent resin is flowed from the positions above the discharge port of the casting die through the outer surface of the casting die, and further from the longitudinally opposite ends of the discharge port of the casting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Keisuke Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 9486943
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tool is provided. A number of members comprised of a thermoplastic material is positioned within a hollow portion of a structure. The tool is formed within the hollow portion of the structure with the number of members positioned within the hollow portion of the structure. Heat is applied within a selected range to the number of members to reduce a size of each of the number of members. The number of members is removed from the tool such that the tool is left with a number of voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Brian Gregory Robins
  • Patent number: 9481946
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn, wherein the yarn is made of a copolymer obtained from a mixture of monomers comprising 5-(6)-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole, an aromatic para-diamine, and an aromatic para-diacid. The method comprises: a) spinning said copolymer from an inorganic acid solvent to produce the aramid yarn; b) washing the yarn with a basic aqueous solution for at least 5 seconds; and c) heating the yarn; wherein the yarn is heated in at least two process steps, comprising (i) in a first step the yarn is heated at a temperature of 200 to 360° C. at a tension of at least 0.2 cN/dtex, followed by (ii) a second step wherein the yarn is heated at a temperature of 370 to 500° C. at a tension of less than 1 cN/dtex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Warren Francis Knoff, Christopher William Newton
  • Patent number: 9481777
    Abstract: A method for continuous High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) foam production. A HIPE is produced then extruded onto a belt. After polymerization, a portion of the saturated aqueous phase is removed using a vacuum box. A nip insert is inserted under the vacuum box to raise the vacuum box leading to improved uniformity of the HIPE in the cross direction along the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Wei-ling Siew, Jiajie Zhang, Aditya Garg
  • Patent number: 9481118
    Abstract: An access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A septum assembly of the access device is formed from a frame integrally molded with a septum and provides access for a tubular portion, such as a male luer taper of a syringe, of a medical device. The frame of the septum assembly is bonded to the housing of the device, which minimizes axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing, so that the access device properly operates through multiple uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Weston F. Harding, Marty Lee Stout
  • Patent number: 9456891
    Abstract: A tubular conduit is disclosed. The tubular conduit comprises a tubular portion made from a flexible material and an axially extending external helical formation located around the outside of the tubular portion. The external helical formation is for supporting the tubular portion. Optionally the tubular portion also comprises an axially extending internal helical protrusion, which imparts a helical flow to a fluid passing through the tubular portion. It is preferred that the tubular conduit is a vascular graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Vascular Flow Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Robert Gordon Hood, Craig McLeod Duff
  • Patent number: 9457532
    Abstract: The invention provides a mold for injection-molding a golf ball, which mold has a cavity inner wall with a vertical diameter connecting both poles in a vertical direction thereof that is longer than a horizontal diameter connecting both poles in a horizontal direction thereof. A method of manufacturing golf balls using such a mold is also provided. The use of this mold eliminates molding problems that arise when molding the outermost cover layer of a golf ball, enabling the cover to be stably molded and also making it possible to easily and reliably obtain golf balls of high symmetry in which a cover of uniform thickness has been formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuki Kasashima, Yoshio Motegi
  • Patent number: 9452552
    Abstract: A pressure-controlling foam molding method and a device thereof. The device includes a first mold and a second mold positioned on different levels. The first mold molds polymer material into a blank and is opened in a high pressure environment to limit the extent to which the molded blank foams. The foamed blank is compressed to have a volume approximately equal to or smaller than that of the second mold cavity of the second mold. Then the foamed blank is moved from the first mold pit of the first mold into the second mold pit of the second mold along a moving axis parallel to gravity line. Prior to transfer, with the plane on which the opening of the second mold pit is positioned as a projection face, the shape and position of the opening of the second mold pit correspond to vertical projective shape and position of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KING STEEL MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sheng-Tzu Hsu
  • Patent number: 9452563
    Abstract: A transfer system 1 comprising: a conveying/positioning device 3 configured to convey and position a flat sheet-shaped mold MA in a predetermined direction, on which a fine transfer pattern M1 is formed; a transfer device 5 configured to transfer the fine transfer pattern M1 to a molding target W, the transfer device 5 being provided on an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped mold MA; and a peeling device 7 configured to peel off the sheet-shaped mold MA and the molding target from those mutually clinging to each other, after the transfer by the transfer device 5 is performed and the conveyance by the conveying/positioning device 3 is performed, the peeling device 7 being provided on a downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped mold MA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Itani, Hiromi Nishihara, Takato Baba, Takaharu Tashiro, Takafumi Ookawa, Hidetoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9446546
    Abstract: A corner trim material that is made of a material that will bond with current industry mastics such as all purpose joint compounds, resists impact, resists abrasion, and readily accepts common coatings such as drywall mud, texture and paints. The surface of this material generally does not need to be covered by any secondary fiber based material such as paper to improve bonding or coating on the inside or outside. The material generally consists of a polymer mixed with a fibrous material like pulp or glass fiber. A corner trim piece can be directly extruded from the mix. The corner trim piece can have a center hinge, can be bullnose, and the flanges can optionally have holes or optionally be coated with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CERTAINTEED GYPSUM AND CEILING MANUFACTURING, INC
    Inventor: Douglas Wambaugh
  • Patent number: 9446262
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with light source capable of providing specific bandwidths of light to an eye of a wearer. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and an energy source and light source encapsulated within the ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, William Chester Neeley, Robertson Towart, Mario Jozef Joanna Peeters, Wilhelmus Drinkenburg, Aleksandar Miletic
  • Patent number: 9439364
    Abstract: An apparatus enables forming extruded plastic material into a strip that may be formed into an irrigation pipe. The apparatus includes a pair of juxtaposed rollers which when rotated, the linear velocity of a contact surface of one of the rollers of the pair is different from the linear velocity of a contact surface of the other roller of the pair. Thus, extruded material that passes between the rollers is concurrently stretched and flattened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: YIFLACH, Erez
    Inventor: Erez Yiflach
  • Patent number: 9427895
    Abstract: This invention comprises a self-supporting, temperature-stable, indicia-bearing laminate of at least one layer of a non-oriented polyolefin film having an indicia array and a layer of a non-oriented polyolefin support film. The indicia layer laminate is formed by printing a carrier sheet with at least one layer of a printing ink comprising a mixture of particulate polyolefin, indicia material and a polyolefin-compatible resin. The polyolefin support film is printed as a layer over the indicia layer with a mixture of a polyolefin and a polyolefin-compatible resin. The printed layers are cured into non-oriented films, forming an indicia transfer. The transfer is used by removing the indicia-bearing laminate from the carrier sheet and applying the laminate to the inside surface of a rotational mold where it melts and fuses into the outer wall of a polyolefin product during the formation of the product in the rotational molding cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Stevenson, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 9427766
    Abstract: An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material is provided that includes an un-heated hopper having an inlet for receiving particles of a thermoplastic material and an outlet for discharging the particles and a heated manifold including at least one cavity formed therein and having an inlet and an outlet the inlet communicating with the outlet of the hopper for receipt of the particles from the hopper. The hopper is disposed external of the heated manifold. The heated manifold is effective for melting the particles into molten thermoplastic material therein. The apparatus further includes a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with an inlet of a dispenser and an outlet of the dispenser is effective for dispensing the molten thermoplastic material therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leslie J. Varga
  • Patent number: 9421702
    Abstract: A material heating mechanism for melting the material into a molten state, an upper plate to which the upper mold is attached and a lower plate to which the lower mold is attached, at least three position sensors for detecting a distance between the upper mold and the lower mold or the upper plate and the lower plate, and at least three compression hydraulic cylinders installed to any one of the upper plate and the lower plate and individually controlled according to information of the position sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA MEIKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawachi, Mikio Nagata