Patents Examined by Henry F. Epstein
  • Patent number: 5648129
    Abstract: The present invention provides a melodic novelty party-favor article comprising a housing and an electronic circuit assembly. The housing contains the electronic circuit assembly, which comprises a power source, an integrated circuit unit, a sound production means and a switch mechanism. The switching mechanism comprises two electrically conductive ends and a resistor, wherein the conductive ends are contiguously placed on an outer surface portion of the housing and are not in contact with each other, whereby the circuit assembly is activated by simultaneously contacting the two electrically conductive ends with an electrically conductive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Seung Soo Lee, Jae Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 5643652
    Abstract: A composite panel for toilet and shower partition systems and for other applications. The composite panel comprises a lightweight core sheet of cellular material, first and second sheets of solid surfacing material, and a bonding agent for bonding the first and second sheets of solid surfacing material to opposed surfaces of said core sheet. A composite panel according to the present invention provides the advantageous properties of a solid surfacing material and, at the same time, is relatively light in weight and possesses strong structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Centura Solid Surfacing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Maurer, Daniel P. Carvin
  • Patent number: 5639521
    Abstract: A seasonal display in a characteristic shape such as a Christmas tree or wreath formed by a pliable backing sheet allowing roll up storage densely covered with artificial evergreen garlands. A formable wire is disposed in a hem of the backing sheet to form a frame to stabilize its shape, with a depth effect enabled by curving the bottom edge of the Christmas tree. A plurality of the displays can be detachably connected together to form a three-dimensional display viewable from all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Joan K. Fraus, Pamela M. Santo Smith
  • Patent number: 5637361
    Abstract: A tabletop fountain includes a water reservoir. A recirculating pump is disposed in the water reservoir. An ascending water pipe is connected to the pump. A sheathing that is advantageously formed of rock or rock-like material, guides and at least partially covers or hides the water pipe. A plant dish is insertable into the water reservoir. A cover has holes formed therein. An upwardly oriented separating strip is disposed on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald Scheurich
  • Patent number: 5637362
    Abstract: A process for making a thin, sealant-coated, fire and indentation resistant gypsum panel. A layer of a mixture of cellulosic fibers moistened with water and an additive to restrict the adhesion of cellulosic fibers to one another, is deposited on at least two separate conveyors to form a fibrous matt on each conveyor. A layer of dry calcined gypsum containing set accelerator is deposited on the fibrous matt on each conveyor which contains, by weight on a dry weight basis, about 70-90% gypsum, about 10%-19% cellulosic fiber and about 1%-9% of combined additive and set accelerator. Each layer on each conveyor is directed to a mixing station to form a homogeneous layer, and the formed homogeneous layers on separate conveyors are placed atop one another on a single conveyor to form a combined homogeneous layer. Water is added to the layer or layers to rehydrate calcined gypsum. The combined homogeneous layer is subjected to pressure to form a pressed, homogeneous fiber-reinforced gypsum panel, and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Chase, Lloyd M. George, John D. McInnis, Thomas P. Krawiec
  • Patent number: 5635274
    Abstract: A process for forming a glass run channel composite having a thin film of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene as a sealing contact surface and an elastomeric rubber as a substrate by film transfer rubber molding and the product formed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Kohji Y. Chihara, James A. Roth, Gary A. Krotke
  • Patent number: 5635273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic layers are fused together at selected locations. The thermoplastic layers at each of the selected locations are melted together to form a welded portion which includes first and second exterior surfaces. The welding of the thermoplastic layers is controlled so that no more than one of the exterior surfaces is melted. This partial melting of one layer prevents undesirable welding to adjacent layers. An apparatus for carrying out the method for welding thermoplastic honeycomb structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Doyle G. Dixon, Peter G. Turner
  • Patent number: 5633066
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extruded honeycomb structure in which every cross-section is rotationally displaced from other cross-sections. The cells are twisted and as a result, are not parallel with the axis of extrusion. The twisted cells are formed by passing plastically deformable material through a die and twisting or rotationally displacing the extrudate around its central axis to obtain a twisted honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: G. Daniel Lipp, Mallanagouda D. Patil
  • Patent number: 5631057
    Abstract: An appliqu e adapted to be adhered for decorative purposes to a planar surface on a layer of transparent material (e.g., of glass or plastic). The appliqu e comprises a layer of polymeric material which is transparent and free of visible inclusions. The front surface of that layer includes a planar central portion having a decorative surface texture (e.g., the surface texture of rippled glass, hammered glass, moss glass, Flemish glass, glue chip glass, or baroque glass), and beveled surface portions around that textured surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Douglas C. Sundet
  • Patent number: 5628846
    Abstract: A self-forming self-adhering pull bow having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on facing sides of the drawstrings. After the bow is formed, the drawstrings are separated to enable the pressure sensitive adhesive coated sides of the drawstrings to be applied to the object to adhere the bow to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles P. Huss, Arthur L. Fry, Steven R. Leseman
  • Patent number: 5626926
    Abstract: A stand-alone decorative assembly comprising at least two hingedly connected frames. Each of the frames includes a frame member, which define an open display area. The assembly also includes a substantially rigid, decorative panel for each of the frames. The panels are removably supported by the frames, so that front and back surfaces of each panel are exposed along the open display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Lin Pac, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilchrist P. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5626927
    Abstract: The portable box includes a housing forming four sides of an enclosure, with a front panel pivotally mounted to the enclosure and a support bar pivotally mounted in the upper end of the enclosure. The support bar includes an elongated strut and a clamping arm adjustably secured to the strut to selectively secure a display item in an upright position projecting upwardly from the support bar. The front panel is pivotally mounted on the enclosure to swing between an open position, wherein the support bar may pivot to store the display items within the enclosure, and a closed position securing the support bar in either an upright display position or an inverted storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Claude A. Reed
  • Patent number: 5620764
    Abstract: An interactive wall covering system having at least one substrate sheet and at least one non-adhesive applique which is easily mounted on and easily removed from the substrate sheet. The applique is made of an electrostatic cling material. The substrate sheet has one face receptive to an adhesive for permanently mounting the substrate sheet to a wall. The substrate sheet also has a second face receptive to an electrostatic cling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Wall-Toons, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Schwarz, Craig B. Sobel
  • Patent number: 5614274
    Abstract: A preformed self-adhering bow having a preformed bow member and at least one application band attached to the bow member. The at least one application band includes a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the bow to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles P. Huss
  • Patent number: 5614308
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body and to novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of producing a self-supporting composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and carbide, by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and, optionally, one or more inert fillers and permitting residual or excess parent metal to remain bonded to the formed self-supporting composite body. The residual or excess metal is used to form a bond between the formed composite body and another body (e.g., a metal body, a ceramic body, or another composite body). In addition, this invention related to alternative methods of disposing metal on at least one surface of the above-described composite bodies (such as sputtering, CVD, etc.) to permit the composite bodies to be bonded to another body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventor: Terry D. Claar
  • Patent number: 5612102
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ornament composed of a light transmissive material having a plurality of facets, with a plurality of fine grooves formed on these facets to increase brilliancy, dispersion and scintillation effects and thereby enhance the ornamental appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Yamato Kako Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakama
  • Patent number: 5609929
    Abstract: A device shell including a shell body consisting of a plurality of shell pieces fastened together, each shell piece being respectively molded from colored plastics in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Yung-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 5609937
    Abstract: A frame for a panel-like filter having two sides terminating in an edge comprises a semi-resilient deformable channel having an inwardly curved web with two flanges extending from a convex side thereof. The curved web also has a longitudinally extending stiffening rib projecting from the convex side thereof. The flanges are engageable with the sides of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Research Products Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis O. Reinstad
  • Patent number: 5607734
    Abstract: An expansible ornament assembly comprising an expansible form having an open position and a closed position and constructed of a lightweight material such as tissue paper. The form has cavities formed therein and includes two ends wherein each of the two ends is attached to at least one base. The assembly includes means for attaching each base at each end thereof to a flat planar surface. When in the open position, the expansible ornament assembly is adapted to display a three dimensional object or another simulative representation such as a letter, phrase, or the like. The ornament assembly may be used in combination with a gift wrapping sheet which coordinates in some respect with the displayed three dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Maureen Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5605736
    Abstract: Belt weatherstrip moulding for motor vehicles or other motor vehicle trim may be made of separate inner and outer components. The inner component may be a base component which is extruded in a flexible material such as an elastomeric material which may be rubber or rubbery materials and which partially envelops an elongate core which is rigid with respect to the extruded material. Preferably the core is aluminum or less preferably stainless steel, galvanized steel or zinc coated steel or it may be a rigid thermoplastic material. The elongate core has an exposed face for attachment to the outer moulding. The outer component is an outer decorative skin and is an injection moulding, preferably polyurethane, although other plastics material may be used. The inner and outer mouldings are adhered together through double sided adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Zohar, William E. Armstrong