Patents Examined by Kimberly A Stewart
  • Patent number: 8678807
    Abstract: The invention relates to molding systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a molding apparatus includes a first cylindrical roll that is rotatably coupled to a frame and an adjacent pressure device, the frame is configured so that a substrate can pass through a nip formed between the first cylindrical roll and the pressure device while a portion of the substrate extends laterally beyond at least the frame and the first cylindrical roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Banker, Ernesto S. Tachauer, William P. Clune
  • Patent number: 8672666
    Abstract: Composite material and plunger-cast pipe manufacturing method and system wherein the composite material includes waste, chemically unmodified PET material, one or more waste filler materials (e.g. rock crusher fines, lime sludge or waste coal combustion by-products), and fiber reinforcement (e.g. glass, metal, ceramic, carbon, organic, and polymer fibers) and wherein the PET material is melted and mixed in a container to disperse filler material and fiber reinforcement in the PET material. The resulting mixture can be formed into a tubular pipe shape using the plunger-cast manufacturing method and system wherein a plunger piston and inner collapsible mold are pushed into the melted composite material contained in an outer mold. When cooled and solidified in the mold, a composite material having a matrix comprising PET with filler material and fiber reinforcement distributed in the matrix is formed in the shape of a tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. White
  • Patent number: 8652393
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving robust layer separation during the separation process of an imprint lithography process are described. Included are methods of matching strains between a substrate to be imprinted and the template, varying or modifying the forces applied to the template and/or the substrate during separation, or varying or modifying the kinetics of the separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Frank Y. Xu, Mario Johannes Meissl, Michael N. Miller, Ecron D. Thompson, Gerard M. Schmid, Pawan Kumar Nimmakayala, Xiaoming Lu, Byung-Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 8628321
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Allen Jenkins, Neil Emerton, Timothy Large
  • Patent number: 8623256
    Abstract: A process for simultaneously activating two or more portions of a web in different directions. The process involves feeding a web into an apparatus that includes a pair of intermeshing activation rolls having three dimensional surface features configured to simultaneously activate different portions a web in different directions. The three dimensional surface features are arranged in discrete regions on the rolls such that at least two of the regions provide different directions of activation. The rolls include one or more buffer regions positioned between the discrete regions on the roll that provide different directions of activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Khalid Qureshi, Fred Naval Desai
  • Patent number: 8591783
    Abstract: The preparation and use of medical devices having radiopaque and echogenic materials including coated tungsten and/or tungsten carbide particles are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ebert, Steven L. Waldhauser, Mark D. Schneider, Gregory P. Shipe
  • Patent number: 8585390
    Abstract: A mold making system for surface patterning of a roller mold is provided. The roller mold includes a transparent hollow roller and a polymer layer disposed at an outer surface of the transparent hollow roller. The mold making system includes a laser generation device, an optical path changing device, and a control device connected to the optical path changing device. The laser generation device is used for generating an ultrafast laser. The optical path changing device is disposed at an inner space of the transparent hollow roller to receive the ultrafast laser. The control device controls the optical path changing device to guide the ultrafast laser to pass through the transparent hollow roller and to be focused at a focus position in the polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Hung-Yin Tsai, Tien-Li Chang, Shao-Wei Luo
  • Patent number: 8562885
    Abstract: Disclosed are multilayer film structures having annular profiles, and methods and apparatus of making the structures disclosed. The annular multilayer articles have a uniform thickness, at least four layers and comprise overlapped and non-overlapped circumferential areas; wherein the layer structure of the non-overlapped area is doubled in the overlapped layer. A method of making the structure includes providing a multilayer flow stream with at least four layers of thermoplastic resinous materials; feeding the multilayer flow stream to a distribution manifold of an annular die to form an annular multilayer flow stream; and removing the annular multilayer flow stream from the annular die to form the annular multilayer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Dooley, Jeffrey M. Robacki, Mark A. Barger, Robert E. Wrisley, Sam L. Crabtree, Calvin L. Pavlicek
  • Patent number: 8556610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the direct production of polyester granulate from a highly viscous polyester melt with a polymerization degree of 132 to 165, as well as the granulates formed thereform. In the method, the highly viscous polyester melt is subjected to a pre-drying and drying/degassing after a hot cutting method. Hot cutting is implemented at water temperatures of 70° C. to 95° C. and with a liquid to solid ratio of 8 to 12:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH, BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Hanimann, Eike Schulz Van Endert, Theodor Anton Bruckmann
  • Patent number: 8551389
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing an anisotropic material comprising providing a viscoplastic material having a yield stress, and a plurality of magnetic particles disposed therein, and then subjecting the viscoplastic material to a magnetic field for a time sufficient to at least partially align at least a portion of the magnetic particles to at least one of a predetermined position or orientation. Also disclosed is an article having anisotropic properties comprising a viscoplastic material, and a plurality of magnetic particles distributed therein and at least partially aligned to a predetermined orientation. An article having anisotropic properties, comprising a fixed viscoplastic material, and a plurality of magnetic particles distributed and at least partially anisotropically aligned in the fixed viscoplastic material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrey V Filippov, Charlotte Diane Milia
  • Patent number: 8535587
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plugged honeycomb structure includes: a step of forming a columnar honeycomb formed body, and a plugging step of forming plugging portions in each of cells of the honeycomb formed body; wherein the plugging step has a plugging slurry injection operation where plugging slurry is injected into the cells by inserting the honeycomb formed body into a bottomed cylindrical inside container containing the plugging slurry and having a Young's modulus of 5 to 550 MPa and a tensile stress of 0.5 to 11 MPa and being disposed in a bottomed cylindrical outside container and by pressing one end portion against the bottom face of the inside container, and then the honeycomb formed body is pulled out from the inside container. There is provided a method for manufacturing a plugged honeycomb structure, the method being capable of inhibiting depression and protrusion of plugging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 8534831
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens with an energy receptor capable of powering a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Tepedino, Jr., Randall B. Pugh, Robert Marciello, Tom Aelbrecht, Anthony Milinowicz, James P. Milkowich
  • Patent number: 8529243
    Abstract: A mold includes a bottom die and an upper die. The bottom die defines a bottom cavity and includes a bottom parting surface. The upper die defines an upper cavity and includes an upper parting surface. The bottom cavity and the upper cavity cooperatively form a mold cavity, and at least one of the bottom parting surface and the upper parting surface defines receiving grooves. The mold further includes a block and a spacer. The spacer is received in a specific one of the receiving grooves. The block is detachably fixed in the specific receiving groove and holds the spacer in the specific receiving groove. The block protrudes out of the specific receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jia-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 8507030
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a metal oxide film on a CNT and a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube transistor using the same. The method includes forming chemical functional group on a surface of the CNT and forming the metal oxide film on the CNT on which the chemical functional group is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo-seb Min, Eun-ju Bae, Un-jeong Kim, Eun-hong Lee
  • Patent number: 8506285
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 10?) and a machine (100) for reforming a portion of a plastic package (50) using induction heating. The apparatus and machine comprise a frame (20) engaging the plastic package and a workpiece support (40) having an electrically conducting workpiece (44, 48, 102). An induction workhead (62) provides an alternating current power supply to an induction element (60, 104). The induction element is positioned proximate the workpiece of the workpiece support and heats the workpiece via induction. A mechanism (22) positions the plastic package proximate the heated workpiece so that the workpiece transfers heat to the portion of the plastic package thereby softening the portion. A forming die (30) supported on the frame engages the portion to reform the portion. Also provided is a process of using the apparatus and machine to reform a portion of a plastic package using induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Garrett R. Pennington, Thomas Scott Smeltzer, Patrick Matthew Oconnell, David Wayne Cargile, Gregory Duane Taylor
  • Patent number: 8486316
    Abstract: Continuous manufacture of at least a layer of latex foam with recesses of unlimited length to be divided in a plurality of blocks of latex foam by transverse cuts. The layer has a thickness between 10 and 20 cm and more. The process includes advancing along a predetermined longitudinal direction a metal laying surface provided with protuberances, gelating, curing. The process includes: a) Before depositing the latex foam inserting, by interference fit, supporting elements of resilient deformability having a predetermined thickness between pairs of protuberances of horizontal rows, the supporting elements of unlimited length; b) Carrying away the supporting elements with the advancing laying surface between an injection latex foam station and a layer extracting station; c) Embedding with latex foam the supporting elements. Advantageously the process forwards the blocks to a washing station and squeezes the blocks to a thickness reduction between 3% and 5% of their initial thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sapsa Bedding S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luciano Abrigo, Renzo Villa
  • Patent number: 8475153
    Abstract: Strips containers are formed using two continuous webs in thermoformable and heat-sealable material facing each other. The webs are indexed along a feed line through different operating stations that transform the webs into a continuous strip of containers, each one of which is provided with a mouth. The containers are arranged according to two parallel rows that are opposed to a longitudinal median zone. The mouths of the containers of the upper row are arranged on the upper longitudinal edge of the strip and face upwards, whilst the mouths of the containers of the lower row are arranged on the lower longitudinal edge and face downwards. The method enables productivity to be increased and waste to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sarong Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Primo Finetti, Andrea Bartoli
  • Patent number: 8469688
    Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Engineering & Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Minney, Tulsie P. Sumeer, Yee Chin Wong, Joseph G. Augustine
  • Patent number: 8444407
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for applying glue to fibers for the production of fiberboard, especially MDF board or similar wood material board. Said installation comprises a fiber feed unit having at least one fiber feed conduit which opens into a fiber exit tube via a fiber deflection element and receives the air that is used to transport the fibers, a chute which is located downstream of the fiber exit tube, a glue application device which has spray nozzles for spraying the fibers that emerge from the fiber exit tube and enter the chute with drops of glue, and a collection device, located downstream of the chute and having an air-permeable transport belt for collecting and optionally carrying off the fibers and a suction device located below the transport belt for suctioning air from the chute through the transport belt, the suction device having one or more suction boxes to which one or more suction pipes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Siempelkamp Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Aengenvoort, Michael Schöler, Klaus Schürmann, Lothar Sebastian
  • Patent number: 8444889
    Abstract: An imprint pattern forming method includes contacting a template with a pattern in a front surface with an imprint material formed in a substrate to fill the imprint material into the pattern, curing the imprint material filled in the pattern to form an imprint material pattern, and after forming the imprint material pattern, separating the template from the imprint material pattern while applying pressure to the back surface of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tokue, Ikuo Yoneda, Ryoichi Inanami