Patents Examined by Jenna Davis
  • Patent number: 5876533
    Abstract: A method and article for sealing a manhole riser, a catch basin, and a pipe juncture. The method is an economical process whereby elastomeric bands are placed around a manhole riser, a catch basin, or a pipe juncture and effectively seals the manhole riser, catch basin, or pipe juncture from loss of water or infiltration of water and other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Infi-Shield, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. House, William P. House, William K. House
  • Patent number: 5876810
    Abstract: The furring tape is a nominal 1" to 2" wide by 0.005" to 0.100" thick strip of plastic tape with a peel and stick adhesive on one face of the strip. The strip is adhered to drywall to grip staples used to secure ceiling tiles to the drywall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, William C. Dorsey
  • Patent number: 5876855
    Abstract: The invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for medical applications comprising a blend of at least two components comprised of about 5 to about 95% by weight of a first component comprised of at least one acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and about 5 to about 95% by weight of a second component comprised of either (a) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin, or (b) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the resulting pressure-sensitive adhesive demonstrates a T.sub.0 of at least 1 N/dm and a T.sub.48 of less than 12 N/dm when adhered to skin. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is prepared either in the presence of a solvent or is alternatively prepared by melt blending. A method of preparing such an adhesive is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roy Wong, Dennis L. Krueger, Patrick D. Hyde, Felix P. Lau, Eumi Pyun, Pamela S. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5876549
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing sheets, includes placing a sheet on a carrier to form a sheet/carrier structure, sizing the sheet/carrier structure, stacking the sheet/carrier structure in a stacking apparatus having a second sheet stacked in advance therein, so that the sheet contacts the second sheet, aligning the sheets with pins, tacking the sheet to the second sheet and removing the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Govindarajan Natarajan, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Robert Williams Pasco
  • Patent number: 5873641
    Abstract: A liner for a food product case is made from a non-woven textile mat which is non-absorbent to liquid but permeable to both air and liquid to permit circulation of liquid and cooled air through the liner and around the food items. Moreover, an upper surface of the mat includes a pattern of a non-skid medium, preferably a thermal expanding or puff ink to inhibit food items placed atop the liner from sliding downwardly along a sloped surface of the food case. Advantageously, the thermal expanding or puff ink is preferably applied through a silk screening process which enables highly detailed and multi-colored graphics including commercial advertisements to be applied to the mat and serve as a point of purchase display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Larry Spinelli
  • Patent number: 5874137
    Abstract: An improved method is described for the fusing, joining or seaming of cellulosic materials. The method utilizes a solution of selected organometallic compounds or metal oxides to rapidly crosslink opposing, overlapping cellulosic surfaces to provide secure seams. Enhanced seam strength is achieved by a subsequent moisture treatment. The tubular cellulosic casings are well-suited for the manufacture of sausages and sausage-like products. The seams according to this invention have exceptionally high shear strength and wet strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Abler, Zbigniew S. Borkiewicz, Donald E. Lucke
  • Patent number: 5871837
    Abstract: Rigid signs are prepared by a facile method of fixing an image to a rigid substrate coated with a thermally tackifiable coating. The image is readily produced through the use of a computer graphics program, and the image is printed onto a transfer film using a conventional computer printer. The image-bearing surface of the transfer film is then joined in pressing contact with the thermoplastic coating which has been warmed to a softened or tacky state. Upon cooling the thermoplastic coating to a hard, durable state, the transfer film is removed leaving the image securedly affixed to the rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Brady USA
    Inventor: Paul C. Adair
  • Patent number: 5869179
    Abstract: An electrographic imaging element useful for forming colored images is described. The element contains an imaging layer structure and a support structure. The support structure contains an electrically conductive polymeric release layer formed by polymerizing a mixture containing a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated ammonium precursor; a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated, organo-silicone precursor; a polymerizable precursor containing at least two polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional groups; optionally, a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated acidic precursor containing at least one carboxylic acid group; and, optionally, a monofunctional precursor containing one polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The element is particularly useful for forming large size images, such as are required for banners, billboards, and other out-of-doors advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Rexam Graphics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas Allan Cahill, Everett Wyman Bennett, Weitong Shi, Edward William Sporbert, Alan Richard Taylor, Dene Harvey Taylor
  • Patent number: 5869161
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tape which comprises a non-tacky, free-standing, 90 to 100% imidized polyimide film containing 0.1 to 30 wt % of a solvent having a releasable film adhering to at least one side. The film is used to form coatings on substrate or as an adhesive to bond substrates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Occidental Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Jin-O Choi
  • Patent number: 5865940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removably adhering a non-conductive member to a conductive member comprising the steps of placing an electrode on the non-conductive member. The electrode overlies matting surfaces of the conductive and non-conductive members. A reheatable adhesive is applied between matting surfaces of the conductive and non-conductive members and a high frequency electric field is applied between said electrode and said conductive member sufficient to cure the adhesive. The non-conductive member may be removed from the conductive member by applying a high frequency electric field between the electrode and said conductive member sufficient to soften the adhesive and removing the non-conductive member from the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi Li
  • Patent number: 5858510
    Abstract: Stock material comprises a plastic substrate having a thickness in the range of about 0.001 to 0.010 inch and melt temperature above about 275.degree. F., and an adhesive layer carried by the substrate and having a thickness in the range of about 0.001 to 0.006 inch and a melt temperature below about 225.degree. F. The adhesive layer has an exposed, textured surface defining a multiplicity of elongated channels. The stock material is used for working a plastic pouch to laminate a photograph or other document. A top flap is joined to a bottom flap so as to lie congruently thereon and form a pocket for receiving a photograph on the bottom flap and beneath the top flap. The bottom and top flaps each have a substrate side external to the pocket and an adhesive side defining the pocket. The adhesive side of at least the top flap, has a textured surface defining a multiplicity of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Seal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Dressler
  • Patent number: 5853855
    Abstract: A bellows formed from a material sheet is constituted of a core member containing a glass fiber cloth as a matrix and fluorine resin film adhered over entire surfaces at both sides of said core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Takeshi Nemoto, Teruko Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5851935
    Abstract: An elastomeric laminated fabric which is elastic in the cross direction. The laminate includes an elastomeric film having one or two nonwoven webs of carded thermoplastic staple fibers thermally point bonded thereto using heated calendar rolls. The resulting laminated fabric is stretchable by at least 100% in the cross direction without breaking for at least two cycles and recovers elastically. The fiber content of the nonwoven webs is at least 50% high-elongation polyolefin staple fibers having a breaking strain of at least 400%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, W. Andrew Coslett, Angelo Colace
  • Patent number: 5851616
    Abstract: The present invention provide a novel polyimide which is soluble in organic solvents and excels in heat resistance, and to a process for producing the polyimide. The polyimide of the present invention comprises a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) and having a number average molecular weight of from 4,000 to 200,000. ##STR1## wherein X is --SO.sub.2 -- or --C(.dbd.O)--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--C(.dbd.O)--, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Oka, Takeshi Nishigaya, Fumiyoshi Yamanashi
  • Patent number: 5849385
    Abstract: In the manufacture of integrated labels it is desirable to apply pressure sensitive adhesive in a continuous manner, yet it is undesirable for active adhesive to be on one or more edges of the form since active adhesive can interfere with nip rollers upon entering a laser or other non-impact printer, or can otherwise interfere with proper operation of the printer. By using an adhesive--that is de-tackified by direct exposure to a sufficient type and dosage of electromagnetic radiation (such as a hot melt adhesive de-tackified by applying about 3000 mJ/cm.sup.2 total dosage of ultraviolet radiation)--that problem may be avoided. Apparatus for producing integrated labels with the adhesive at one or more edges being de-tackified may include a first conveyor for conveying sheets (either in stacked or single sheet form) in a first direction, and at least one ultraviolet radiation source mounted adjacent a side of the conveyor parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Cummings, John R. Soltysiak, Dale C. Beland, Myron C. Heeb, Grant J. Bingaman
  • Patent number: 5846619
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of advancing a continuous body ply formed of paperboard towards a shaping mandrel and advancing a continuous polymeric liner ply adjacent to one surface of the paperboard body ply. The polymeric liner ply includes a moisture barrier layer and an adhesive layer defining one surface of the liner ply, wherein the adhesive layer includes a polymeric adhesive which is activated at a predetermined activation temperature. The body ply is heated to a temperature above the activation temperature of the adhesive, and the body ply and the liner ply are then passed in face-to-face contact through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply. The body ply and liner ply are then wrapped around a shaping mandrel to create the tubular container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Glenda J. Cahill, W. Gerald Gainey
  • Patent number: 5846653
    Abstract: In a PSA tape construction, a primer layer comprising a neutralized rosin that includes acid functionalities and, optionally, an elastomer such as a styrene-butadiene rubber, is included between a tape backing and a poly(.alpha.-olefin) adhesive layer. Bonding of the adhesive layer to the backing is greatly improved, especially during and after high temperature baking of the tape construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5834108
    Abstract: A ceramic porous body has a layered structure including a plurality of foam-like ceramic layers. The foam-like ceramic layers are formed by firing foam-like ceramic shaped layers each having a thickness of not more than 5 mm. The adjacent shaped layers are joined directly, or bonded via a thin foam-like ceramic layer or dense ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunzo Shimai, Koichi Imura, Ichiro Shibata, Kenichi Okamoto, Akiko Niizuma, Tadayoshi Muto
  • Patent number: 5834104
    Abstract: The present invention is an inexpensive and disposable mat constructed from non-flammable material for placement beneath fluid leaking machinery. The mat is manufactured from at least one layer of non-woven fluid absorbing polypropylene that is bonded to at least one fluid impervious backing sheet such a polyester or polyethylene by use of heat sensitive adhesive. The assembled mat forms a high strength bonded mat that resists tearing and will retain fluids. The backing sheet prevents fluids from penetrating so as to confine all fluids to the non-woven portion of the mat where they disperse and, depending on the type of fluid absorbed, may evaporate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Peter J. Cordani
  • Patent number: 5834385
    Abstract: An absorbent article for use in cleaning oil spills comprises a first exposed outer layer of hydrophobic, liquid-permeable, fibrous polymeric nonwoven web and an absorbent body, adjacent the outer layer, comprising oil absorbent, cellulose-based material. Desirably, the article further comprises a second exposed outer layer of hydrophobic polymeric material with the absorbent body disposed between the first and second exposed outer layers. The absorbent article is placed on a layer of oil resting on the surface of a body of water for oil spill clean up. The absorbent article selectively absorbs oil over water because the outer hydrophobic layer repels water but attracts oil and transfers the oil to the oil absorbent body encased between the exposed outer layers. This invention results in considerable savings in cost and in non-renewable resources because the bulk of the product is a cellulose-based material, which is renewable, while only a small portion is polymeric nonwoven, which is non-renewable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Ann Blaney, Henry Louis Griesbach, III