Patents Examined by Fred J. Parker
  • Frame assembly and method for coating a strand of workpieces
    Patent number: 7052740
    Abstract: The subject invention includes a plating apparatus (10) having an electrically conductive rack (12) and a frame assembly (14). The frame assembly (14) includes a rod (24) and series of support structures (26). A number of removable (34) and fixed (32) bars are attached to the support structures (26) such that a strand of interconnected workpieces (18) are wrapped over the bars (32, 34) to define a revolution of the interconnected workpieces (18). The plating apparatus (10) and frame assembly (14) are characterized by a series of spacers (38) mounted along the removable bars (34) for separating adjacent revolutions of the interconnected workpieces (18) such that the workpieces (18) can be effectively coated with the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Apollo Plating, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd McNulty
  • Integral pigments in composite surfaces
    Patent number: 7052734
    Abstract: The invention includes methods for imparting spectral characteristics to composite materials by coating prepreg or dry reinforcement materials with pigment, then processing the prepreg or dry reinforcement materials using conventional composite processing methods. The resulting composite material products are lightweight and have durable treatments. The invention further includes composite materials with spectral characteristics imparted by the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Jared Strait
  • Method of fabricating a fibrous structure for use in electrochemical applications
    Patent number: 7052741
    Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited in a hopper connected to an electrode. A mesh covers the hopper opening and the hopper is inverted and suspended over an adhesive coated substrate. An electric field is generated between the hopper and the substrate while the hopper is simultaneously shaken. As a result, fibers fall through the mesh, aligned along the electric field lines, travel through the electric field, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Maria G. Medeiros, Eric G. Dow, Russell R. Bessette, Craig M. Deschenes, Christopher N. Lafratta, Armand F. Lewis, Yong K. Kim
  • Method for manufacturing coated article
    Patent number: 7048972
    Abstract: After forming a primary powder bed (i.e., powder layer) at a toothed portion of an article, such as a gear or a spline shaft, by electrostatic powder coating process, the powder bed/layer is removed from crests of teeth in the toothed portion by a specified thickness by scraping it off while sucking up the scraped powder. Next, the electrostatic powder coating process is performed again to form a secondary powder bed/layer over the entire surface of the toothed portion. Then, the primary and secondary powder beds/layers are melted or fused by induction heating to thereby form a coating film of a substantially uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Kitahata, Takeshi Tojo, Katsura Koyagi, Takanori Kurokawa, Atsuo Suehiro, Yoshifumi Niide, Kouichi Taniguchi, Shingo Nakamura
  • Controlled dispensing of material
    Patent number: 7048964
    Abstract: The system includes a nozzle, a drive, a metering pump, a supply of material and a controller. The nozzle dispenses material into contact with one or more surfaces of a window sash. The drive relatively moves the nozzle with respect to the window sash along a path of travel defined by a perimeter of the window sash at controlled speeds. The metering pump delivers the material to the nozzle at controlled volumetric rates that correspond to the controlled speeds of relative motion between the nozzle and the sash. The supply of material delivers the material to the metering pump. The controller controls the relative motion between the window sash and the nozzle and controls the flow rate of material dispensed by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, William A. Briese
  • Unique paint effects and methods therefor
    Patent number: 7045168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for creating a distinctive painted appearance on the surface of a substrate. The method involves coating a patterning composition on the surface, applying a coating of paint on the surface and removing the patterning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Mahan Mark Janbakhsh
  • Coating process for producing web form products involving application of electrostatic charges and subsequent charge neutralization
    Patent number: 7045173
    Abstract: A process for producing products in web form comprising at least two layers, in which a composition emerging from an applicator is applied as a layer to a substrate in web form which is guided on a transport means, the application taking place with application of electrostatic charges, and in which the substrate coated with the composition is electrostatically neutralized before departing the applicator, the transport means being provided with an electrically insulating coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Tesa AG
    Inventors: Ralf Hirsch, Sven Konig, Dieter Muller, Hermann Neuhaus-Steinmetz, Horst Wickborn
  • Intermittent coating apparatus and intermittent coating method
    Patent number: 7041336
    Abstract: The intermittent coating apparatus which includes a nozzle 1 which applies a paint 6 to a base material, a feeding side two-way valve 10 which repeats feeding of the paint 6 to the nozzle 1 and stop of the feeding, a return side two-way valve which 11 repeats discharge of the paint 6 to a return side and stop of the discharge, a paint flow path 12, means to feed the paint 6 into the flow path 12, and paint returning means 5 which repeats suction and return of the paint 6 out of and into the nozzle 1, and is characterized in that switching of the feeding side two-way valve 10 is carried out earlier than that of the return side two-way valve 11 within a range not shorter than 5 msec and not longer than 100 msec at least at a coating start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Masuda, Masaru Watanabe
  • Powder coating process with tribostatically charged fluidized bed
    Patent number: 7041340
    Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a conductive substrate, including the steps of: establishing a fluidised-bed of a powder coating composition, thereby effecting tribostatic charging of the powder coating composition, the fluidised-bed including a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, whereby charged particles of the powder coating composition adhere to the substrate, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: International Coatings Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Jeffrey Kittle, Michele Falcone
  • Coating with anti-microbial agent for refrigerator shelving
    Patent number: 7026018
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose means to inhibit the growth and migration of bacteria, mildew and fungus by applying various coatings which contain an inorganic anti-microbial agent onto metal, glass, and plastic substrates. The substrates are used in the manufacture of components for the interior of refrigerators and freezers, which include wire (100) and glass shelving (200, 300), plastic crisper baskets (500) and other articles within the food storage area. The coatings include the inorganic anti-microbial agent combinet with a matrix resin which are applied by electrostatic powder coating (916), roller coating (810), or robotic spraying (710), and then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: SSLO Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Kranovich
  • Method for refinishing defects in stoved enamels with powder coatings
    Patent number: 7018682
    Abstract: Method of repairing defective areas in a stoving lacquer coating, in which the defective area ready for repair lacquering is coated with a powder coating composition or with an aqueous powder coating slurry, and the applied powder coating is then melted and cured by irradiation with near infrared radiation (NIR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Armin Rettig, Olaf Thiele
  • Simulated patina for copper
    Patent number: 7018677
    Abstract: A process for imparting a simulated patina appearance to a copper substrate, and a substrate having that appearance. A colorant having the desired initial patina color tone is employed to produce a non-continuous layer of colorant on the surface of a copper substrate by roll coating. The appearance of patination of the desired tone is created by interspersed spots of colorant with the remaining portion of the substrate being exposed for natural patination. The interspersed spots of colorant may be produced by screen printing, by spattering, as by spraying, or by mechanical removal of colorant after application to the substrate surface, or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Crown-PN L.L.C.
    Inventor: Percy Greenberg
  • Method for simultaneously powder coating both surfaces of a continuous web
    Patent number: 7018680
    Abstract: A continuous web having a first surface and a second surface is coated with a coating powder by allowing the web to move between a first and a second electrode, which are in different potentials and are located on the opposite sides of the web, applying the coating powder on the surface of the web by utilizing the difference in the electric potential, and finishing the coated surface of the web. Both surfaces of the web are coated essentially simultaneously by using oppositely charged electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Veli Käsmä, Juha Maijala, Kaisa Putkisto
  • Apparatus and method for forming a composite structure
    Patent number: 7014883
    Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure is disclosed. The method includes four steps. Step one calls for applying a primer (104) to a surface (102) of a tool (100). Step two requires applying a coating (106) to primer (104). Step three calls for curing primer (104) and coating (106). The last step calls for forming the composite structure on tool (100). More specifically, primer (104) may be a powdered primer, and coating (106) may be a powdered fluorinated organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Ernie R. Silva, Jerry W. Brimer, Sandra J. Stash
  • Method and structure for fabricating sensors with a sacrificial gel dome
    Patent number: 7014888
    Abstract: A method and structure that protects interior electrical components of a pressure sensor (4) from corrosive particles using a sacrificial gel dome (30) to form a vent (34) in a protective gel (32) that covers electrical components that can be corroded such as wires (16), bond pads (18), and electrical leads (14). Sacrificial gel dome (30) is dispensed over a diaphragm (28) of pressure sensor (4) to form vent (34) enabling diaphragm (28) to sense pressure variations without the influence of protective gel (32). Sacrificial gel dome (30) is removed through a water rinsing process (42) to expose vent (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. McDonald, Stephen Ryan Hooper
  • Powder coating composition for electrostatic coating of pharmaceutical substrates
    Patent number: 7008668
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking a gun. The apparatus includes a dummy round configured for insertion into a firing chamber of a gun, a locking component configured for coupling with the dummy round, and an elongated sleeve rotatably coupled with the locking component. The locking component includes a keyed head positioned within a longitudinal channel of the elongated sleeve. The locking component and elongated sleeve are insertable through the discharge end of a gun's barrel. An actuating mechanism, such as a key is insertable through the channel of the elongated sleeve to engage with the keyed head and rotate the locking mechanism relative to the elongated sleeve. Rotation of the locking mechanism effects a friction lock between the locking mechanism and the dummy round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Phoqus Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventors: John E. Hogan, Trevor Page, Linda Reeves, John N. Staniforth
  • Method of operating powder paint applicator
    Patent number: 7005159
    Abstract: A method of operating a powder paint applicator provides a pump in fluid communication with an outlet of a powder paint color changer having a plurality of inlets in respective fluid communication with a plurality of powder paint sources. A flow of conveying fluid through the pump provides a suction force through the color changer for drawing a particular powder paint from one of the plurality of sources through the color changer and into the pump for further conveyance to a powder paint applicator by the conveying fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Ciarelli, Melissa L. Koster, Dragoslav K. Milojevic, Christopher M. Rennie
  • Woven materials with incorporated solids and processes for the production thereof
    Patent number: 6998155
    Abstract: The invention relates woven and knit materials with an incorporated particulate solid and to a process for producing woven materials incorporated with a particulate solid. The process comprises: entraining a particulate solid in a gaseous carrier; disposing one face of a woven material in the path of a stream of said gaseous carrier and entrained particulate solid; maintaining a pressure drop across the woven material from said one face to the other face of said material, thereby to obtain a woven material with at least some of the entrained particulate solid in the gaseous carrier; and fixing the incorporated particulate solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: TrapTek LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Haggquist, Richard A. Mellor
  • Magnetic recording medium including an annealed alloy particle layer and method of producing the same
    Patent number: 6994895
    Abstract: A method of producing a magnetic recording medium including the steps of preparing alloy particles capable of forming a CuAu type or Cu3Au type ferromagnetic order alloy phase, forming an alloy particle layer on a support using the alloy particles, oxidizing the alloy particles, and annealing the alloy particle layer in a magnetic field under a reducing atmosphere. Also disclosed is a magnetic recording medium produced by the method, that is, a magnetic recording medium including a magnetic layer which contains magnetic particles in a CuAu type or Cu3Au type ferromagnetic order alloy phase and which has a squareness ratio of 0.75 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Hattori, Koukichi Waki
  • Process for the manufacturing of surface elements with a structured upper surface
    Patent number: 6991830
    Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of a decorative surface element, which element comprises a base layer and a decorative upper surface. A wetting repellent lacquer is printed in a predetermined pattern on the decorative upper surface. The wetting repellent lacquer covers only parts of the decorative upper surface. A wear layer of a UV or electron beam curing lacquer is then applied on top of the decorative upper surface which UV or electron beam curing lacquer is repelled from the parts of the surface being covered by the wetting repellent lacquer whereby a surface structure is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Krister Hansson, Johan Lundgren, Hakan Wernersson