Patents Examined by Jessica Rossi
  • Patent number: 6527028
    Abstract: The present application discloses a substrate processing apparatus having a pair of pressed together supply rolls for applying pressure to perform the processing operation. The present application also discloses a method for processing a substrate wherein a pair of supply rolls are pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6523596
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Donald Bruce Kyle, Kelly Ray Green, Harry Edward Asbury
  • Patent number: 6524421
    Abstract: A cold isopressing method in which two or more layers of material are formed within an isopressing mold. One of the layers consists of a tape-cast film. The layers are isopressed within the isopressing mold, thereby to laminate the layers and to compact the tape-cast film. The isopressing mold can be of cylindrical configuration with the layers being coaxial cylindrical layers. The materials used in forming the layers can contain green ceramic materials and the resultant structure can be fired and sintered as necessary and in accordance with known methods to produce a finished composite, ceramic structure. Further, such green ceramic materials can be of the type that are capable of conducting hydrogen or oxygen ions at high temperature with the object of utilizing the finished composite ceramic structure as a ceramic membrane element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Chen, Valerie M. Stawisuck, Ravi Prasad
  • Patent number: 6521077
    Abstract: A method of insulating a member, such as a cryogenic tank, pipe, or other cryogenic or extreme temperature element with multilayer insulation, and a packaged multilayer insulation blanket for use in the method. The packaged blanket includes (1) a multilayer insulation blanket including a plurality of alternating layers of aluminum or other heat-reflective foil and microfiberglass insulation spacer material, and (2) two layers of plastic sheeting sandwiching the multilayer insulation blanket therebetween. Each layer of plastic sheeting has at least one edge which is sealed to thus define an evacuated inside space containing the multilayer insulation. In the method, the edge of the packaged insulation is opened and an edge of the multilayer insulation blanket therein is attached to the cryogenic tank, container or other member to be insulated. The multilayer insulation is then guided onto or around the member, and out from between the plastic sheeting until edges of the multilayer insulation abut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lydall, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth James McGivern, David R. Barber, Kathleen M. Amm
  • Patent number: 6521073
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a multilayer molded article having a skin material laminated with at least a part of the surface of a substrate formed of a thermoplastic resin. The process has steps of supplying a skin material to between a pair of mold halves and supplying a molten thermoplastic resin to between the skin material and the molding surface of one of the mold halves. The process uses, as the skin material, a skin material which has at least a foamed urethane layer and a nonfoamed backing layer wherein the product of the density, &rgr; (g/cm3), of the foamed urethane layer and the weight, W (g/m2), of the backing layer is not less than 2. This process prevents crush of the foamed urethane layer and can produce a multilayer molded article with good appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Nobuhiro Usui, Takeo Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6514063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and tooling for forming a stent and the stent so formed. The stent includes filaments of a first material and joints of a second material. The present invention also discloses the above described stent in combination with an angioplasty balloon. The tooling in accordance with the present invention provides a fixture having grooves that receive the filaments of the stent to hold the filaments in place for joining. The joining of all of the filaments can be performed simultaneously by laser welding or injection molding a joint material. The tooling in accordance with the present invention also provides the capability to mold the stent as one piece. The method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of providing a fixture with internal grooves, placing filaments into the grooves and joining the filaments together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Acciai, Richard R. Hall, John T. Legg
  • Patent number: 6511566
    Abstract: Method of producing a fibrous material layer mainly intended to be incorporated in an absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin or the like. At least one bundle of continuous filaments, so called tow (12), is opened and the filaments are separated and evened to a layer having the desired fiber distribution, after which the layer is bonded in points, spots or lines in a bonding pattern, but where the filaments otherwise are substantially unbonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Peter Wessel, Urban Nilsson, Kent Edgren, José-Maria Mansisidor, Dragoljub Kustrimovic
  • Patent number: 6506277
    Abstract: A dispenser and method for attaching abrasive sheets to a backup pad. The dispenser conveniently centers on the backup pad an abrasive sheet that is larger than the backup pad. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser comprises: a holder configured to receive circular abrasive sheets, the holder including a bottom, a top, front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion extends farther from the bottom than the front portion, and wherein the bottom of the holder defines at least a 180 degree arc of a first circle having a first radius; a slider guide extending along the rear of the holder; and a spacer mounted in the guide, wherein the spacer is movable along the guide from a first position within the front portion of the holder to a second position beyond the front portion of the holder, the spacer defining an arc of no more than 180 degrees of a second circle having a second radius smaller than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David C. Roeker, Jerome M. Fried, Frederick A. Magadanz, John Telischak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6503357
    Abstract: A manufacturing process of a patio tabletop glass with broken protection includes the steps of fully cleaning at least a top surface of a tempered glass layer which has a central hole thereon, drying the cleaned tempered glass layer, heating the entire tempered glass layer to a temperature between 45° C. to 65° C.; evenly applying a layer of acrylic adhesive on the top surface of the tempered glass layer which temperature is maintained between 45° C. to 65° C. to form the adhesive layer; attaching the protection layer on the tempered glass layer, cutting excessive edges of the protection layer to a size identical to the tempered glass layer; and forming a center hole on the protection layer, which coaxially aligns with the central hole of the tempered glass layer. Accordingly, even when the patio table top is broken into pieces and particles, the broken glass pieces and particles will not be breaking apart and remain attaching to a protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Cheng Kun Liao
  • Patent number: 6503353
    Abstract: An intravascular catheter (10,110) having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with polymeric materials, preferably containing no radiopaque filler, and metallic reinforcing braiding (22,130) configured to provide the catheter (10,110) with radiopaque properties and/or kink resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider (USA) Inc.
    Inventors: Alex A. Peterson, John B. Logan
  • Patent number: 6500295
    Abstract: A hot-melt web has a buffer adhesive layer of a thermosetting resin on a light transmissive, heat resistant resin support. The hot-melt web has the advantages of light transparency, heat resistance, weather resistance, controlled entrainment of bubbles and easy removal of bubbles during thermocompression bonding, provides a sufficient bonding force, and effectively corrects random deformations of a module sheet. The hot-melt web is suitable for use in the bonding, joining and laminating steps in the manufacture of optical discs such as DVD and flat panel displays, is easy to eliminate bubbles, and is effective for improving the quality of an associated product. A laminate using the hot-melt web and a method for preparing the laminate are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 6500294
    Abstract: This invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus of friction plate for clutch. The present invention intends to provide the manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus of friction plate for clutch which can adhere the plural friction material segments to the core plate in shorter time period than that in the conventional art. The manufacturing method comprises a step for containing plural friction material segments 2 on a one surface 70a of a holding body 4 circumferentially; and a step for making the one surface of said holding body 4 and an adhering surface of a core plate 8 coated with an adhesive agent come near to each other, and for adhering the friction material segments 2 held by said holding body 4 to the adhering surface of said core plate 8 by urging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Aisin Kako Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiharu Honda, Hideto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6497778
    Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image having a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and wax or siloxane. It may be adhered to a substrate by heating, pressing or stamping without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of heat pressing or stamping or in a separate operation at a different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: NovaVision, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Boswell
  • Patent number: 6491774
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the signal retention of a liquid crystal sensing element comprising an embossed cavity containing the liquid crystal and a cover layer sealing the liquid crystal in the cavity by heat treating at about 95 to about 120° C. for a time sufficient to cause the embossed cavity to shrink to substantially its original form thereby forcing the liquid crystal to be forced up against the cover layer to form a domed structure. Essential to the success of the process is incorporation in the cavity of about 10 to about 50% by volume of air based on the volume of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Medical Indicators, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Witonsky, John W. Scarantino
  • Patent number: 6491775
    Abstract: A method of adhesively bonding an adhesive coated, semi-rigid film to a substrate is reported. The method utilizes at least two alignment tools that are each positioned to substantially contact the surface of a substrate at an outer edge of the substrate. The adhesive-coated, semi-rigid film is then interposed between the first and the second alignment tools and the adhesive is brought into contact with the major surface of the substrate. The semi-rigid film is then aligned by contacting a first side edge of the semi-rigid film with a major surface of a first alignment tool and contacting a second side edge of the semi-rigid film with a major surface of a second alignment tool such that the film is aligned relative to the edge of the substrate. After alignment, pressure is applied to at least a portion of the surface area of the first side of the semi-rigid film to effectuate adhesive bonding of the film to the major surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robert Janssen, William Frank Sheffield, Gary Mark Stucci
  • Patent number: 6485606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding documents by individually binding each media sheet to previously bound media sheets using imaging material as the binding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6478922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures including the tooling and its use in the manufacture of reinforced structures. The apparatus comprises a conformable locating aperture system (CLAS) used for the formation of composite structures. The method includes the use in the formation of a structure and the method of manufacture of a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Rosevear, Mark M. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6475320
    Abstract: Reinforcing textile sheets (10, 11, 12, 16, 17) are superposed on mandrels (9, 14 and 15). The reinforcing textile sheets superposed on the mandrels are placed in a closed jig (2, 3). A thermosetting resin is introduced into the closed jig to impregnate the superposed reinforcing textile sheets. The thermosetting resin impregnated into the superposed reinforcing textile sheets is made to half-set in the closed jig to form a half-set composite material wing component member including a rear spar, ribs, an upper skin and a lower skin. The half-set composite material wing component member is taken out of the jig and the mandrel is removed from the half-set composite material wing component member. The half-set composite material wing component member and a half-set front spar are bonded together with an adhesive to form a half-set wing structure. The half-set wing structure is subjected to a high-temperature setting process to set the wing structure and the adhesive simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kyoichi Masugi
  • Patent number: 6474388
    Abstract: A device for binding a stack of media sheets using imaging material as the binding agent. The binding device includes a tray for supporting the stack and a heated platen or some other type of imaging material activator near the tray. A press coupled to the activator is operative between a first position in which the activator is separated from the stack to a second position in which the activator contacts and compresses the stack at the binding region. A spring or other biasing mechanism operatively connected between the press and the activator biases the activator against the stack when the press is in the second position. The biasing mechanism allows pressure to be maintained on the stack to reactivate the imaging material without continuing to power the press down against the stack even as the stack shrinks under the reactivating pressure. Hence, power can be diverted if necessary or desirable from the press to activator to reduce the overall power consumption of the binding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6464815
    Abstract: A laminated pad and method of manufacturing such pad wherein the laminated pad includes a grip portion and a work surface. The work surface may be comprised of any of a variety of substances including absorbent material, abrasive material, or polishing material. The grip portion may be upstanding for facile gripping with one's fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Wallace J. Beaudry