Patents Examined by Elizabeth M. Cole
  • Patent number: 6702914
    Abstract: A non-fiberglass containing sound absorbing moldable laminate of a fibrous batt and stiffening mats formed from chopped mono-filament polyester bonded by a thermoplastic binder is provided. The mono-filament mats stiffen the batt and allow use of all thermoplastic material in the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Harodite Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. North, Michael P. Albert
  • Patent number: 6699804
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a micaceous product capable of being impregnated preferably in the form of a mica ribbon by combining at least a support and a mica sheet. The invention is characterized in that it consists in: coating the support and the sheet with a solvent-fee resin or a mixture of solvent-free resins using several coating rollers brought to a temperature for producing the coat; combining the support with the mica sheet; subjecting them to a pressure and heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Compagnie Royale Asturienne des Mines SociétéAnonyme
    Inventors: Alain Jacques, Noël Mortier
  • Patent number: 6699350
    Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric structure. A first layer is formed, wherein the first layer includes a first fully cured photoimageable dielectric (PID) material. A sticker lays is nonadhesively formed on the first layer, wherein the sticker layer includes a partially cured PID material. A second layer is nonadhesively formed on the sticker layer, wherein the second layer includes a second fully cured PID material, wherein the sticker layer is nonadhesively sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer such that the sticker layer is in non-adhesive contact with the first layer and in non-adhesive contact with the second layer, and wherein the sticker layer is capable of remaining in non-adhesive contact with the first layer and the second layer until the sticker layer is subsequently subjected to additional curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anilkumar C. Bhatt, Stephen J. Fuerniss, Roy H. Magnuson, Voya R. Markovich
  • Patent number: 6696373
    Abstract: Nonwoven webs in accordance with the present invention include multicomponent fibers bonded by a multiplicity of bond sites to form a coherent web. The multicomponent fibers include a first component formed of a hydrophobic polypropylene and a second component formed of a blend of a hydrophobic polyolefin and a hydrophilic melt additive. This second component is disposed at the surface of the fibers. The hydrophilic melt additive-modified polyolefin component can be arranged in various configurations in the cross-section of the fiber and the fibers can have various cross sections. For example, the hydrophilic component can occupy a portion of the surface of the fiber, as would occur for example with a side-by-side or segmented pie multicomponent fiber configuration. Alternatively, the modified hydrophilic polyolefin can occupy substantially the entire surface of fiber, as for example by producing the fibers in a sheath core configuration with the hydrophilic modified component forming the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Kinn, Gregory Neil Henning, Clement J. Haley
  • Patent number: 6696146
    Abstract: Mono- or biaxially-stretched polyester resin foamed sheets and films wherein the polyester resin has a melt strength of more than 1 centinewton at 280° C., a melt viscosity of at least 1500 Pa.s at 280° C. for a shear ratio which tends to zero and a crystallization rate such that for a 10-minute heating at 120° C. the crystallinity can reach values as high as 30-35%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sinco Ricerche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Hussein Al Ghatta, Sandro Cobror, Tonino Severini
  • Patent number: 6692827
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lyocell fiber having a high hemicellulose content. The fibers are readily cut into staple lengths and can be spun into yarns with excellent knitting and weaving characteristics which dye exceptionally well. The fibers have a cotton-like denier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Mengkui Luo, Vincent A. Roscelli, Senén Camarena, Amar N. Neogi, Michael J. Yancey, Paul G. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 6689703
    Abstract: An elastically stretchable nonwoven fabric including thermoplastic elastomer filaments; the filaments being heat-sealed and/or mechanically intertwined together to form the nonwoven fabric that has crimped regions and non-crimped regions wherein each of the crimped regions has fine crimps in the rate of 50/cm or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Satoru Tange, Masaki Yoshida, Emiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 6686302
    Abstract: The invention relates to an organic diffusion barrier layer (58) applied to a substrate (44). Said barrier layer has an apolar skeletal structure and a high barrier effect with respect to volatile gases, vapors and liquids. The diffusion barrier layer (58) consists of a hydrocarbon polymer that is produced by means of plasma polymerization. It respectively contains 0.01-6 at % of at least one element from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, bromine, boron and silicon, whereby the total amount of said elements does not exceed 12 at %. The barrier effect of the diffusion barrier layer (58) is produced by means of at least one pulsed or continuous DC magnetron sputtering source plasma (26) or by means of inductively excited, pulsed or continuous microwave discharge (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: EMPA Eidgenossische Materialprufungs-und Forschungsanstalt
    Inventor: Eva Maria Moser
  • Patent number: 6673421
    Abstract: Stocking having a seamlessly attached antislip coating in the edge region of the upper opening of the stocking, the edge of the stocking producing a compressive pressure of from 3 to 45 mm Hg at an extension of from 10% to 350% and having a width-based flexural stiffness (DIN 53121) of at least 20 cN×mm and, in the region of the stocking opening, the bond strength of the coating to the stocking being at least 3 N/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Arthur-Hugh Andrews, Stefan Bodenschatz, Peter Himmelsbach
  • Patent number: 6670291
    Abstract: A laminate sheet material comprising a first layer comprised of polymeric material and a second layer comprised of non-metallic fibers. The first and second layers at least collectively contribute to the laminate having at least one of a passing Flammability Value, Flame Propagation Value or Burnthrough Value. The laminate sheet material is useful, for example, in vehicles (e.g., aircraft), insulation blankets, insulation systems, and systems for limiting exposure of flammable insulation to an ignition source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Tompkins, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Patent number: 6663737
    Abstract: A core crush resistant prepreg for use in making a fiber reinforced composite panel structure is provided. The prepreg comprises a woven fabric consisting essentially of carbon fiber tow strands impregnated with a hardenable polymeric resin composition. Typically the fabric has an areal weight of from about 180 to about 205 grams per square meter. The prepreg has an average fiber tow aspect ratio of less than about 15.4, a prepreg thickness of at least about 0.245 mm, and a prepreg openness of at least about 1.2 percent but less than about 6.0 percent. Preferably, the resin composition is predominantly viscous in nature and has a tan &dgr; value of between 0.9 and 2.0 at an elevated temperature between 70° C. and 140° C., and an average epoxy functionality of greater than 2.0. A method for evaluating core crush resistance properties of a prepreg is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Hao-Ming Hsiao, Shaw Ming Lee, Robert Albert Buyny, Cary Joseph Martin
  • Patent number: 6660362
    Abstract: Improved deflection members are disclosed for imparting texture to a web through the use of pressing, imprinting, or related technologies, In one embodiment, such deflection members include fabrics having raised elements that contact the web and deflection conduits, wherein the deflection member comprises geometries and/or materials capable of creating asymmetrical domes, either through contact in a compression nip or by imprinting the web onto the Yankee dryer. Deflection members of the present invention can include those with elastomeric components in the raised elements, those comprising asymmetrical geometries in the raised elements, those comprising two or more subsets of raised elements having different material properties or geometries, and other fabrics with novel construction and materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Michael Alan Hermans, Philip Sim Lin, Kathryn Sirovatka Padon
  • Patent number: 6660355
    Abstract: An annular body, and method of making same, comprising at least one wear surface portion, the portion comprising a plurality of layers held in a matrix, each layer consisting essentially of fibres which extend generally in one direction and parallel to each other and from the centre of the body to the periphery, whereby the wear of that surface portion is improved. The body can be formed into an aircraft brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Dunlop Aerospace Limited
    Inventor: David Callum Johnson
  • Patent number: 6656856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mattress or furniture insulator pads that are placed between the coil springs and the cushioning material in mattresses or furniture, such as chair seats. Such insulator pads prevent the springs from piercing the furniture cushion and provide a bridge across the springs to more evenly distribute weight over the springs. The insulator pads according to the invention have three layers formed by sandwiching polyurethane foam between stiffening layers, preferably formed from polypropylene openmesh netting. Most preferably, a five layer insulator pad has the polyurethane foam sandwiched between stiffening layers and also has outer layers of polyurethane foam, applied adjacent to the stiffening layers, forming the top and bottom surfaces of the pad. Such outer layer foam sheets provide friction characteristics that retard relative movement between the cushion and the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Foamex L.P.
    Inventor: John R. Rucker
  • Patent number: 6653250
    Abstract: A low-shrinkage, stable print platform circular knitted, cotton/synthetic fabric. The fabric is a two end fleece fabric having a weight of between about 8 to 12 oz. per sq.yd., a stitch density of between about 800 to 1000; and a face yarn count of the fabric is between about 16 to 20. In the preferred embodiment, the backing yarn count of the fabric is between about 7 to 12. The resulting fabric construction of the present invention has stretch of less than about 3% stretch in the width direction and less than about 3% stretch in the length direction when tested according to a standard stretch chart. In addition, the fabric of the present invention has shrinkage in the range of less than 5% when tested according to a standard one wash cycle. The resulting fabric is an exceptionally stable print platform, circular knitted fabric and improved pilling resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventor: Sonny B. Driggars
  • Patent number: 6649548
    Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven web/film laminate for use as a fabric in personal care products. The laminate is formed of at least two layers in an SF formation. The spunbond (S) layer of the laminate is formed of preferably metallocene catalyzed polypropylene. The film (F) layer is formed of a polyolefin which may be metallocene-catalyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Elaine Shawver, Hughey Kenneth Jeffries, Simon Kwame Ofosu, Jay Sheldon Shultz, Peter Michlovich Kobylivker, Dwyana Marchael Barrett, Patrick John Notheis, Stephen Carl Meyer, Nathan Allen Genke
  • Patent number: 6649001
    Abstract: A method of producing basic starting material for the manufacture of fastener tabs comprises the steps of: stretching a first sheet of elastic material in a first direction; applying a second and a third sheet of material onto respective opposite sides of the first sheet; fastening the three material sheets together in at least two mutually separated zones that extend parallel with each other in one direction perpendicular to the first direction; dividing the first sheet in each region between two zones along a line that lies between the zones, whereby the first sheet in each region between the zones contracts to a non-stretched state, and thereafter fastening the sheets together in each region between the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anna Heden, Robert Kling, Urban Nilsson, Jose-Maria Mansisidor
  • Patent number: 6649107
    Abstract: The aromatic polyurethane elastomers of the present invention are particularly suited for methods of making objects in a mold cavity. The objects generally include an elastomeric layer formed from an aromatic polyurethane and a foam layer which is subsequently applied to the elastomer. The aromatic elastomer of the present invention lends itself to being precoated with an in-mold coating or being painted after demolding the resulting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Harrison, Joseph Ogonowski, Jon P. Pavlinac, L. Patrick Chang
  • Patent number: 6645887
    Abstract: A durable, water-resistant, breathable, multi-layer laminate adapted to transmit moisture and composed of (1) an outer woven, non-woven or knitted layer of fabric, (2) a discontinuous non-breathable hydrophobic adhesive, (3) a first hydrophilic barrier film adhesively secured to the outer fabric layer, by the hydrophilic adhesive, (4) a continuous film or discontinuous breathable hydrophilic adhesive, and (5) a second hydrophilic barrier film adhered to the hydrophilic adhesive. The first hydrophilic barrier film and second hydrophilic barrier film are adhesively secured to each other with the breathable hydrophilic adhesive and define a void area between the two films and together the films enhance moisture migration and transfer. The laminates may include two additional layers of (6) a second hydrophilic adhesive, and (7) a fabric backing layer secured by the second hydrophilic adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Kocinec, Richard C Jefferson
  • Patent number: 6641902
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is formed with, in addition to crests of high fibers surface density and troughs of low fibers surface density extending in parallel one to another in one direction, bridge-like regions each extending transversely of this one direction between pair of the crest and the trough adjoining each other, and thereby enables a direction dependency of tensile strength and stretchability to be effectively alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Hideyuki Ishikawa, Satoshi Mitsuno