Patents Examined by John Goff
  • Patent number: 9011623
    Abstract: A composite enclosure for housing electronic devices, and methods related thereto, are provided. In particular, in some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a composite enclosure for housing electronic devices includes winding composite material about a mandrel and curing the composite material to create a composite hoop. A panel is formed in a separate process that includes stacking a plurality of composite layers in a mold and curing the composite layers to create a composite panel. The composite hoop and the composite panel are bonded together to form the composite enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kenney, Peter N. Russell-Clarke
  • Patent number: 9005392
    Abstract: A method of joining substrate portions includes positioning the substrate portions such that the substrate portions overlap at an overlap area. The substrate portions each have a melting temperature and an outer surface. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrate portions. A jet of the heated fluid is directed from a fluid orifice onto the substrate portions at the overlap area. The heated fluid penetrates at least one of the outer surfaces of the substrate portions. The substrate portions are at least partially melted using the heated fluid. The substrate portions are compressed using a pressure applying surface adjacent the fluid orifice to join the substrate portions together at the overlap area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Horst Blessing, Hans Adolf Jackels
  • Patent number: 9005384
    Abstract: A surface of a laminate base body including a projection is caused to penetrate at least a film-shaped laminating body and surely laminated by a simple configuration, and a laminate thereof is formed at a uniform thickness without an occurrence of voids. A laminating device is provided with a heating unit configured to heat at least an insulating resin film; an upper plate and a lower plate configured to be capable of opening and closing, and configured to form a chamber that becomes sealed upon closing; a receiving member having an elasticity and disposed on the upper plate; an elastic membrane body disposed on the lower plate; a vacuuming unit configured to vacuum inside of the chamber; and a compressing unit configured to bloat the elastic membrane body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meiki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomoaki Hirose, Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9004136
    Abstract: A center-folded film splicer is disclosed. The splicer comprises a splicer assembly that is adjustably mounted to a wrapping device such that it can be moved between a storage position and an operating (or splicing) position. The splicer assembly comprises a pair of heat bars, an upper heat bar and a lower heat bar, connected with a synchronized hinge and a back-up pad bar disposed therebetween. In this manner, the upper and lower layers (or “legs”) of the films from a depleted film roll and a fresh film roll can be simultaneously sealed to each other to create a continuous film that does not need to be rethreaded through the wrapping device when replacing film rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Arpac, LLC.
    Inventors: Howard R. Dittmer, Stephen R. Archer
  • Patent number: 8997816
    Abstract: A tape dispenser includes a torque controller and a take-up cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc
    Inventors: Richard S. Malik, Jr., Thomas Truman
  • Patent number: 8999101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mutually adhering molded articles of at least partially vulcanized rubber polymers. The method comprises at least the steps of providing a rubber composition which comprises a peroxide with an initiating temperature lower than the vulcanization temperature of at least one of the rubber polymers; arranging an adhesive layer of the rubber composition on the surface of the molded articles which is to be adhered; bringing the surfaces for adhering together under pressure; and vulcanizing at least the adhesive layer at an increased temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Apollo Vredestein B.V.
    Inventors: Louis-Philippe Antoine Eugène Maria Reuvekamp, Gerard Nijman, Petrus Johannes Van Swaaij
  • Patent number: 8991462
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a door having first and second door facings and an internal doorframe. An interior side of a first facing is coated with quick acting adhesive. A frame is placed on the coated interior side about the periphery of the first facing. The frame is then coated with quick acting adhesive. An interior side of a second facing is placed on the coated frame. The facings and frame assembly are then compressed to form a door. The present invention also provides for an automated system of making the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Charles Tyler
  • Patent number: 8992714
    Abstract: A method produces adhesive tapes which are adhesive at least on one side, wherein an adhesive tape web, in which the at least one adhesive side is covered by a first liner, is guided into a cutting device in which a total of N individual adhesive tape strips located next to one another are produced in the machine direction from the adhesive tape web. Every other adhesive tape strip is removed from the first liner and is applied to a second liner in each case having a spacing a between the individual adhesive tape strips. The liners are cut between the adhesive tape strips located on the first liner and on the second liner, and the individual adhesive tapes, together with the liner strips, are wound up in a total of X rolls in a form of an Archimedean spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: tesa SE
    Inventors: Michael Tach, Bruce Dirk Ehlers, Markus Gabriel, Christian Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 8980043
    Abstract: A method for producing a joined structure, the method involving pressure-bonding first and second circuit members together via an anisotropic conductive film while the circuit members are being heated, to thereby join the circuit members with each other. The anisotropic conductive film electrically connects the first circuit member with the second circuit member having a nitrogen atom-containing film on a surface facing the first circuit member, wherein the anisotropic conductive film, the first layer and the second layer are further defined including the provisions that at least one of the first and second layers includes conductive particles, and the difference in maximum exothermic peak temperature between the first and second layers is within the range up to 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 8974626
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro structure, includes the steps of: preparing separate first and second substrates, the first substrate having a first surface on which a first structural body having a first height and a second structural body having a second height greater than the first height of the first structural body are arranged, the second substrate having a second surface; then placing the first and second substrates to cause the first and second surfaces to face each other across the first and second structural bodies; and then bonding the first and second substrates to each other while compressing the second structural body in a height direction thereof between the first and second surfaces to cause the second structural body to have a height defined by the first structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takamichi Fujii, Akihiro Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 8974618
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a skin of a composite structure on an outer surface of an inner mold line layup mandrel. The systems and methods include receiving a plurality of ply kits, assembling the plurality of ply kits to form a skin segment that defines a portion of the skin, and affixing the skin segment to the outer surface of the layup mandrel. The assembling includes transferring a respective ply kit of the plurality of ply kits to a non-planar transfer tool, compacting the respective ply kit on the non-planar transfer tool, and repeating the transferring and the compacting for each ply kit in the plurality of ply kits to form the skin segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Paul Chih-Yung Chang, Brad A. Coxon, Paul E. Nelson, Kimberlee Madden, Henry Macias, Jennifer Sue Noel, Eugene H. Jeppesen, Kurtis S. Willden, Arvid J. Berg, Richard V. Phillips, Stephen Lee Metschan, Stephen K. Kirchmeier, Joseph D. Anderson, Scott A. Boner
  • Patent number: 8961733
    Abstract: A method of improving an impact-protective property of a conformable substrate is provided. The method includes positioning a central core adjacent the conformable substrate. The central core includes a plurality of rigid plates. A first of the plates is joined by at least one hinge to a second of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Pinwrest Development Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Dodd
  • Patent number: 8961721
    Abstract: A core intended to be used as a support for a roll of paper, especially toilet paper, is formed by winding at least one strip made of tissue, the strip being impregnated, at least locally, with starch so as to improve its stiffness. Thus configured, a core is provided having both a mechanical strength suitable for the envisaged use and a greatly improved ability to disintegrate relative to a cardboard core so as to allow it to be able to be disposed of directly in a toilet bowl without risk of blocking the soil pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SCA Tissue France
    Inventors: Herve Walgenwitz, Julien Marietta-Tondin, Pierre Probst, Benoit Hoeft
  • Patent number: 8956496
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for impinging a heated fluid onto the surface of a substrate and then locally removing the impinged fluid. The apparatus and methods may be used to heat a surface of a substrate e.g. so that the substrate can be melt-bonded to another substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kristopher K. Biegler, Michael R. Gorman
  • Patent number: 8951379
    Abstract: In the tape attaching method of cutting a tape member into conductive tape pieces and attaching the conductive tape pieces onto a plurality of attachment regions which are formed at a side edge part of a board, an attaching step in which the conductive tape pieces is attached onto the attachment region of a first press position, and a moving step, in which by driving a tape sending mechanism to perform the operation of sending the tape member while a press bonding head and a peeling unit are integrally moved relative to the board, the press bonding head is aligned with the attachment region of a second press position, and a separator is peeled from the tape member attached onto the first press position by the peeling unit during the relative movement, are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Yamada
  • Patent number: 8951381
    Abstract: A double sided tape applicator can include a quick release head to facilitate, for example, cleaning and tape threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Maus, Thomas Truman
  • Patent number: 8951375
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Havens, Matthew C. Everhart, Randy Rex Kysar, Carl Ray Fiegenbaum, Jeffrey W. Priest, Delbert Leon Strelow, Kevin John Ford, Kristin Dru Pickell
  • Patent number: 8951380
    Abstract: Methods and other embodiments associated with a fabric welding machine are presented. The fabric welding machine includes a base, a welding machine body, and a support beam with a first end and a second end. A first roller is positioned adjacent to the first end of the support beam opposite the welding machine body. A swing arm with a body end and a roller end is attached to the welding machine body. The roller end is opposite the welding machine body and is configured to move to a first position and a second position. A heat element attached to the first end of the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Miller Weldmaster Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Henry
  • Patent number: 8945325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Spirit AreoSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Everhart, David E. Havens, Randy Rex Kysar, Carl Ray Fiegenbaum, Jeffrey W. Priest, Delbert Leon Strelow, Kodi Elizabeth Ann Caster
  • Patent number: 8945323
    Abstract: The invention enables to pressure-bond a carcass ply sheet pasted onto a rubber laminating member wound around a periphery of a building drum firmly along a recessed and projected shape of the rubber laminating member without producing a deformation or a warp of a carcass cord, by using a stitcher apparatus constituted by arranging a plurality of pressure-bond rollers having axis centers in a tangential direction of a concentric circle having a diameter larger than that of a building drum in a peripheral direction by a plurality of rows and by a constant pitch by being respectively supported to be able to progressively displace to an inner side in a diameter direction, while moving the building drum in an axial direction relative to the pressure-bond rollers on an inner side of a circular arrangement of the pressure-bond rollers, a carcass ply sheet is pressed by a predetermined pressure to pressure-bond over an entire periphery and simultaneously by the respective pressure-bond rollers progressively displace
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Fujiki, Tomoyuki Takatsuka, Yu Hatayama, Taizo Yamamoto