Patents Examined by John Goff
  • Method for making sheets of composite material
    Patent number: 9333732
    Abstract: A product sheet of composite material can be made by disposing composite materials of composite material in adjacent (side-by-side) relation with each other. The composite materials comprise fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The adjacent composite materials are bonded together to provide a product sheet of composite material. Preferably, a cross ply of composite material is disposed on the composite materials. The cross ply may be a unidirectional sheet and the fibers in the cross ply may be disposed in transverse relation to the fibers in the composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Gordon Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Pilpel, Benjamin D. Pilpel
  • Pressing apparatus associated with an absorbent article, and pressing method
    Patent number: 9314968
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus associated with an absorbent article, including: a pair of rollers that are driven and rotate with outer circumferential surfaces thereof facing each other, when a fibrous continuous sheet overlapped with an article to be overlapped with a thermoplastic adhesive therebetween is passed in a continuous direction of the fibrous continuous sheet through a roller gap between the pair of rollers, the pressing apparatus sandwiching and pressing the article to be overlapped and the fibrous continuous sheet between the outer circumferential surfaces, and a heating mechanism that heats at least a roller of the pair of rollers that is positioned on a side of the fibrous continuous sheet, the heating mechanism heating the roller so as to keep a temperature of the outer circumferential surface of the roller within a range from 70° C. to 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fujiwara, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Multi-stage debulk and compaction of thick composite repair laminates
    Patent number: 9314978
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver Ray Whitworth, Vance Newton Cribb, III, Dumitru Radu Jitariu
  • Pressure control mechanism for adhesive thermal compression bonding machines
    Patent number: 9308710
    Abstract: Mechanism for controlling pressure during the adhesive thermal compression bonding provides benefits of higher production yield, improved adhesive bonding performance and quality. Springs and pneumatic pistons are utilized to provide improved pressure control during the adhesive thermal compression bonding process. All production parts have certain geometric tolerances and automatically accommodating these tolerances increases production yield by reducing waste of incompletely adhesive bonded parts. The gaps caused by the parts tolerance are closed in a controlled manner using the mechanism and the pressure is controlled for effective adhesive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kwangwoo Michael Ko
  • Process for producing ceramic composite components
    Patent number: 9308708
    Abstract: A process for producing components containing ceramic materials. The process entails forming a first region of a component with plies containing a reinforcement material in a precursor of a ceramic material. The plies include at least a first set of plies between at least second and third sets of plies. Distal portions of the second and third sets of plies are then folded away from the first set of plies so that they are oriented transverse to the first set of plies. A fourth set of plies is then interleaved among the folded distal portions of the second and third sets of plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Chad Daniel Kleinow
  • Sealing apparatus
    Patent number: 9302429
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for sealing a travelling packaging film. The sealing apparatus includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first seal member, a second seal member, a slide rail arrangement, and a linkage coupled to the slide rail arrangement and connecting each of the first and second actuators to the first and second seal member. The first and second sealing members are actuated toward and away from each other between a disengaged position and an engaged position for sealing the travelling packaging film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlev D. Ansinn, John Meisner
  • Method for manufacturing thick polyimide flexible metal-clad laminate
    Patent number: 9296015
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a flexible metal-clad laminate using a casting method, including: (a) forming a first polyimide layer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of 25 ppm/K or less above a metal layer; (b) plasma-treating a surface of the first polyimide layer; and (c) forming a second polyimide layer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of 25 ppm/K or lower above the first polyimide layer. The flexible metal-clad laminate according to the present invention can have excellent adhesion between the polymer film and the metal conductive layer, a low dimensional change, and a low production cost, because of superior casting workability, even though the thickness of polyimide becomes increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Wook Jo, Ho Sub Kim, Young Do Kim, Weon Jung Choi, Dae Nyoun Kim
  • Composite tubular-reinforced integrated structural panels with mutually intersecting stiffeners and fabrication processes
    Patent number: 9284035
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an integrated panel structures and the structures thereby fabricated are provided with first and second stiffeners positioned on a base skin so that the stiffeners intersect at respective intersecting regions. First and second fiber-reinforced resin-composite overlapping layers are provided on the first and second stiffeners so that at least lateral regions thereof are laminated to a corresponding region of the base skin. The base skin and the overlapping layers may be assembled with the first and second stiffeners to form a panel preform which may then be subjected to curing conditions so as to co-cure all previously uncured components and thereby form an integrated composite panel structure with mutually intersecting first and second stiffeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventor: Danilo Seixas Victorazzo
  • Processes to fabricate composite tubular-reinforced panels integrating skin and stringers and the panels thereby fabricated
    Patent number: 9278748
    Abstract: Processes for fabricating an integrated fiber-reinforced cured resin-composite panel structure include forming a panel preform assembly by (i) positioning pre-cured fiber-reinforced resin-composite tubular stiffeners onto an uncured base skin, and (ii) applying uncured fiber-reinforced resin-composite overlapping layers onto the pre-cured stiffeners so that at least lateral edges of the overlapping layers are laminated to a corresponding region of the base sheet; and thereafter curing the fiber-reinforced resin-composite base skin and overlapping layers to thereby form an integrated composite panel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventor: Danilo Seixas Victorazzo
  • Curing agents providing a low ratio of thin-film cure time to gel time
    Patent number: 9273177
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a curing agent for a curable resin which is a reaction product obtained from the reaction of a liquid epoxy and a polyamine component. The curing agent may be used as part of a two component curable system for the curing of unmodified epoxy resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Huntsman Advanced Materials Americas LLC
    Inventors: Lorenzo Petway, Derek Scott Kincaid
  • Method of fabricating a tank having integral restraining elements
    Patent number: 9266619
    Abstract: A tank and associated fabrication method are provided which may limit the damage otherwise occasioned by the impact of a ballistic projectile. The tank may include a wall assembly defined between outer and inner walls and a plurality of restraining elements that extend between the walls. The restraining elements may be formed to have a plurality of layers of material that form not only the restraining element, but also portions of the inner and/or outer walls. For example, the tank may include a plurality of cells positioned adjacent to one another with each cell forming portions of two adjacent restraining elements and portions of the inner and/or outer walls. A corresponding method for fabricating a tank including a wall assembly having a plurality of restraining elements is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Childress, Dan Perron
  • Method of making core-stiffened structure
    Patent number: 9266313
    Abstract: A method of making a core-stiffened structure includes the steps of providing a honeycomb core having an adhesive disposed on first and second surfaces thereof, providing a first skin and a second skin, and assembling the first skin, the second skin, and the honeycomb core to form the core-stiffened structure. The method further includes the steps of curing the core-stiffened structure and inhibiting at least one of the first skin and the second skin from protruding into at least one cell of the honeycomb core during the step of curing the core-stiffened structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Jr., Kenneth E. Nunn, Jr., Carl A. May
  • System and method for applying an adhesive coated cable to a surface
    Patent number: 9263870
    Abstract: A system and method for installing a fiber or cable on a wall or ceiling of a structure includes providing a fiber, wire or cable pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive that simply needs to be activated by the application of sufficient heat for a sufficient amount of time immediately before installation. Rolls or cartridges of wire or cable pre-coated with the hot melt adhesive are provided. The hot melt adhesive coated wire or cable is fed through a heated chamber, preferably a tip on a portable heating device such as a battery operated soldering iron, which activates the pre-coated hot melt adhesive prior to utilizing the heating tip to apply pressure to the adhesive wire directly to a wall or ceiling thereby adhering the fiber, wire or cable to the desired surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: William H. Mann
  • Dielectric materials, methods of forming subassemblies therefrom, and the subassemblies formed therewith
    Patent number: 9265160
    Abstract: A circuit subassembly, comprising a dielectric layer formed from a dielectric composition comprising, based on the total volume of the composition: about 15 to about 65 volume percent of a dielectric filler; and about 35 to about 85 volume percent of a thermosetting composition comprising: a poly(arylene ether), and a carboxy-functionalized polybutadiene or polyisoprene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROGERS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sankar Paul, Scott D. Kennedy, Dirk M. Baars
  • Method for connecting fiber-reinforced intermediate products for producing a structural fiber composite product, such a structural fiber composite product and a method and device for producing an adhesive layer
    Patent number: 9248607
    Abstract: Method for connecting two intermediate products for forming a fiber composite product, wherein the two intermediate products respectively are composite fiber material with a layer of matrix material and reinforcing fibers extending therein by connecting areas that adjoin one another in an overlapping region of the interconnected intermediate products, with the method including applying an adhesive layer with an adhesive film with connecting particles onto the connecting areas of the intermediate products, arranging the second intermediate product on the first intermediate product or vice versa so the connecting areas at least partially overlap one another, and connecting the two intermediate products. A structural component is also disclosed with at least a first and a second fiber-reinforced intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schulze, Thomas Kruse
  • Method of fabricating composite laminate structures allowing ply slippage during forming
    Patent number: 9238338
    Abstract: A composite structure having a contoured cross section is fabricated by assembling a flat ply stack and forming the stack. The full plies in the stack are tacked through their entire thickness and the partial plies are tacked to individual ones of the full plies in a manner that enables the plies to slip in relation to each other, preventing wrinkling and distortion of the plies during forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall Dow Wilkerson, James R. Fox, Charles R. Prebil
  • Integrated process for making inflatable article
    Patent number: 9233524
    Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Mike Metta, Bob O'Dowd
  • Method and unit for forming tubular lengths of web material, particularly in a labelling machine
    Patent number: 9233770
    Abstract: An example includes a method for forming tubular lengths of web material. The example can include winding a portion of web material in a tubular configuration such that opposite vertical ends of said linear portion overlap. The example can include welding said overlapping ends to fix said linear portion of web material in sleeve configuration. This welding can include heating up at a first temperature a first region of said portion over the whole of which said ends overlap and heating up at a second temperature lower than said first temperature a second region of said portion adjacent to said first region, said ends of said portion of labelling web material overlapping over only a part of said second region. One or more examples relate to a forming unit configured to implement the method outlined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIDEL S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mattia Giuliani, Mirko Rossi, Antonio Secchi
  • Thermoplastic non-woven textile elements
    Patent number: 9227363
    Abstract: A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson
  • Method of applying adhesive coated film
    Patent number: 9221237
    Abstract: An adhesive-applying method is disclosed herein. The method comprises: providing a film comprising pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a major surface thereof; heating the film to a softening point of the film; and pressing the film against a substrate with an application device, the application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film-contacting portion comprising a foam material and having a thermal conductivity of less than 1.8 BTU in /(hr ft2 °F.); wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive on the major surface of the film adheres to the substrate. Application devices and kits that may be used in conjunction with the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David