Patents Examined by Michael W. Ball
  • Patent number: 6638386
    Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image has a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and, optionally, a lacquer overlay. It may be adhered to a substrate without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of adhering or in a separate operation at a different time and may have printing applied to the layer of metal or to the lacquer overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Novavision, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Boswell, Michael J. Messmer
  • Patent number: 6634397
    Abstract: A radial ply tire (10) has a floating reinforcement ply on the inside shoulder/sidewall region of the tire. The reinforcement ply comprises ply rubber having a gauge sufficient to delocalize flexing in the tire shoulder/sidewall region, and in one embodiment may be reinforced with 0.50 to 6.0 phr fibers. Depending on the type of tire in which the reinforcement ply is used, the reinforcement has a total gauge of 0.005 inch to 0.175 inch (0.127 to 4.445 mm). When fiber is used in the illustrated embodiment, the fiber is oriented circumferentially in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Thomas Reed Oare, Melissa Marie Beauvais, Jennifer Ann McDougal, Robert Allen Losey
  • Patent number: 6634185
    Abstract: A method of treating a rock chip in a vehicular windshield consists of the step of inscribing in the glass of the vehicular windshield a circular crack barrier that surrounds the rock chip. Any cracks emanating from the rock chip tend to remain confined within the circular crack barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Edward John Chomay
  • Patent number: 6634399
    Abstract: High modulus reinforcement is used to make a radial ply pneumatic tire having only one carcass ply, i.e. a monoply tire. Poly-ethylene naphthalate (PEN) reinforcement is prepared in a manner that provides sufficient strength whereby the monoply tire can be made having reduced weight (as compared to a two ply tire) while having comparable durability, some improved handling, reduced rolling resistance, and improved flatspotting properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: James Cletus Sykora, Walter Kevin Westgate, Charles Elmer Hamiel
  • Patent number: 6634403
    Abstract: In an apparatus for bonding window pieces to envelope blanks having window cut-outs, window pieces are cut from a transparent material web and then the window pieces and envelope blanks are brought together by a suction roller serving as a bonding cylinder and joined to one another by adhesive applied onto the window pieces by a gluing mechanism while the window piece is on the suction roller before being joined to the envelope blank. A suction belt conveyor device is provided, at least in the region of the joining location, as a carrier for the envelope blanks and as a counter-tool for the suction roller serving as a bonding cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventor: Martin Bluemle
  • Patent number: 6632314
    Abstract: A method of making a surface planarization is provided using a separate pre-cut or precured film laminated onto a metallized surface to form planarized dielectric coating. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a thin film interconnect module with a polyimide adhesive laminated with a pre-cut or pre-cured polyimide lamination film on the top of the polyimide adhesive, the polyimide lamination film being covered with a glass plate; (b) applying pressure and heat in a synchronized format to ensure a uniform curing and gap filling in the thin film module metal for the adhesive layer; and (c) releasing the glass plate to expose a smooth lamination film surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: RongQing Yu, Kimberley A. Kelly, Chandrika Prasad, Sung Kwon Kang, Sampath Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 6631748
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply passenger tire (10) having a tread (12), a casing with two sidewalls (20), two radial plies (38, 40) extending from and wrapped about two annular beads (26) and a belt reinforcement structure (36) located radially between the tread and the plies. Inner ply (38) is reinforced with essentially inextensible metal cords and is designed to carry a compressive load during runflat operation. Outer ply (40) is reinforced with organic-fiber cords designed to withstand tensile stresses during runflat operation. A circumferentially deployed insert (42) is disposed between the inner and outer radial plies (38, 40) in each sidewall (20) adjacent to the shoulder of the tread. The metal cords (41) of inner ply (38) have compressive-load-hearing capacity which reduces the mass of the insert material (42). The metal cords (41) also have thermal conductivity properties that dissipate heat buildup from both ply (38) and insert (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Alain Emile Francois Roesgen
  • Patent number: 6630094
    Abstract: A tear-resistant flexible hinge structure is placed between a pair of substantially rigid panels so as to permit the panels to be hinged one with respect to the other, where the flexible hinge is formed from a plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. The hinge structure is formed under heat and pressure so as to comprise at least three parallel rows of alternating flat and raised portions, in staggered relationship. This causes a structure whereby any rip or tear which starts in the formed flexible hinge cannot continue because it will encounter a discontinuity in the configuration and thickness of the material, which precludes further propagation of the rip or tear. Typically, after the hinge structure has been formed, it is configured in a semi-circular cross section, re-heated and cooled, so as to set and have a memory in its closed configuration as opposed to the originally pre-formed flat, open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Vidpro International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Abramson, Steven Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6629551
    Abstract: A conduction welding apparatus and method for bonding abutted thermal plastic tubular end portions is particularly suitable for welding PFA. In a preferred embodiment, a folding weld head embraces the abutted the tubular end portions to be welded, each tubular end portion including a flange spaced from the surfaces to be joined. The weld head includes means for securing the flanges within the weld head and further include bias means. The bias means provide an inward axial bias on the adjoined tubular end portions when the tubular end portions are displaced axially outward from the weld head due to the expansion of the plastic during the weld process. The bias means in a preferred embodiment is substantially inoperative prior to the weld and provides bias, or a substantial increase in bias, when the flanges are displaced due to the expansion of the molten PFA during the weld process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Jeffrey J. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6627035
    Abstract: A method for producing a gas diffusion electrode in which a slurry of carbon black, alcohol, water and a tetrafluoroethylene emulsion is applied as a layer a non-Teflonized carbon cloth substrate, which is then heated to remove water. The dried coated carbon cloth is then rolled followed by heating to remove wetting agents present in the tetrafluoroethylene emulsion. The coated carbon cloth is then cooled and rolled again to produce the final end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, Siem Le
  • Patent number: 6623579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for assembling a structure onto a substrate. A method according to one aspect of the invention includes dispensing a slurry onto a substrate wherein the slurry includes a first plurality of elements, each of which is designed to mate with a receptor region on said substrate and each of which comprises a functional element, and wherein the slurry also includes a second plurality of elements which are not designed to mate with receptor regions on the substrate. Typically, these second plurality of elements help movement of the first plurality of elements. A method according to another aspect of the invention includes dispensing in a flow having a first direction a slurry onto a substrate, wherein the slurry includes a fluid and a plurality of elements, each of which is designed to mate with a receptor region on the substrate and each of which includes a functional element, and vibrating substrate in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Stephen Smith, Mark A. Hadley, Gordon S. W. Craig, Frank Lowe
  • Patent number: 6623584
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carcass structure for vehicle tires includes preparing strip sections, each comprising longitudinal and parallel thread elements coated at least partly with at least one layer of raw elastomer material. A first series of strip sections is laid down onto a toroidal support. First primary portions of annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series strip sections. At least one second series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the first and second series define a first carcass ply. A third series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Second primary portions of the annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the third series strip sections. At least one fourth series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the third and fourth series define a second carcass ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renato Caretta
  • Patent number: 6623593
    Abstract: A funnel-shaped chip tube and a tubular-shaped press frit are prepared. After the chip tube is disposed on a major surface of a substrate so that the center axis of an exhaust hole provided in the substrate of a sealed container body and the center axis of the chip tube may substantially coincide with each other, the press frit is so disposed as to be located on a surface of an opening portion. After that, by heating the whole device, the press frit is heated and melted, to provide a sealing member contiguously from an outer-rim outside portion of the flare-shaped opening portion of the chip tube to a portion of a tubular portion beyond a boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunichi Igeta
  • Patent number: 6623587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fibrous loop member which can be used in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence devices, sanitary napkins, and the like. The fibrous loop member includes a backing and a sheet of fibers which has arcuate portions projecting from the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jorg Muller, Gabriele Stiehl
  • Patent number: 6623588
    Abstract: When manufacturing a foil-wrapped breast prosthesis with a filling consisting of a curable compound, the curing is performed after placing a filled prosthesis bag formed by two joined foil sheets in a mould cavity without closing the mould cavity and maintaining vacuum at least in the beginning of the curing, whereby especially an increased degree of freedom is obtained with respect to shaping the rear side of the prosthesis, so that this, among other things, can be provided with thin edge parts for obtaining good fitting to the body. To ease the mounting of the bag and the accurate positioning of this in the mould cavity, the latter is formed in a first mould part of a shaping tool, which furthermore comprises a tightening frame having a packing, which provides an unambiguously oriented tightening of the bag when this is placed in the mould cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Laurits Boye Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6623591
    Abstract: The invention intends to provide a method of manufacturing an optical disc capable of efficiently manufacturing a high quality optical disc by a consecutive product line, and to improve productivity in an injection molding step. The method is constituted by bonding two disc halves wherein a first disc half storing information therein and molded by a mold of a first injection molding unit and second disc half storing information therein, which information is different from that stored in the first disc half, and molded by a mold of a second injection molding unit are paired with and bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kitano Engineering Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoko Kitano, Kaname Yamada, Takafumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6623581
    Abstract: In order to regenerate a brake lining, preferably for a railway vehicle, a friction lining is worked by machining, starting from its worn surface, and provided with a three-dimensional surface profile. The profiled surface is then coated with an agglutinant, and a fresh friction lining substance is pressed on. The worn surface is preferably worked by profile grinding or profile milling, such that a profiled surface structure is produced having a teeth-like, trapezoidal or meander-shaped profile that is vertical to the surface, wherein the profile depth of the surface structure lies in the region of approx. 1-30 mm, preferably 5-20 mm. The profile is preferably oriented in one direction, crosswise to the main strain of the friction lining during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rütgers Automotive Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Baumeister
  • Patent number: 6619358
    Abstract: A method and system for bonding plastic parts together utilizing a heat-activated adhesive and at least one infrared lamp are disclosed. The system preferably includes first and second infrared lamps for emitting infrared radiation. A first base section supports a first infrared lamp adjacent the first plastic part and a second base section supports the second infrared lamp adjacent the second plastic part. The system also includes a controller coupled to the first and second infrared lamps for controlling power supplied to the first and second infrared lamps so that the first infrared lamp emits infrared radiation which propagates through the first plastic part and is absorbed by the adhesive and the second infrared lamp emits infrared radiation which propagates through the second plastic part and is absorbed by the adhesive for a time sufficient to heat the adhesive to a desired temperature at which the adhesive is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Patent Holding Company
    Inventor: John F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6619360
    Abstract: The present invention is a floor vinyl repair technique and tool. According to the present invention, the prior art repair technique is practiced, except a special domed-disc spacer is placed between the patch and the damaged piece to be removed before the cut through both layers with the knife. This way, the replacement patch is elevated slightly above the damaged piece. This slight elevation allows for a slight increase in the perimeter of the patch, and offsets the slight stretching of the patch during the cut, thereby resulting in a more exact fit between the patch and the surrounding, original undamaged vinyl when the patch is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Tracy P. Roesler, Glen L. Durrant
  • Patent number: 6619355
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has radially outer black sidewall rubber, radially inner black sidewall rubber, white sidewall rubber therebetween and a wing rubber layer contacting carcass, tread rubber layer and radially outer black sidewall rubber and white sidewall rubber. The radially outer black sidewall rubber extends from the tread edge (P1) to a point (P3) on the tire outer surface, contacts the wing rubber layer extending from the tread edge (P1) to a point (P2), and contacts the white sidewall rubber extending from the point (P2) to the point (P3). The white sidewall rubber is provided between the point (P3) and the point (P4) with a protrusion so that the thickness (DP) of the white sidewall rubber from outer surface to cords of carcass is not less than 4 mm. The maximum thickness (DS) of the radially outer black sidewall rubber is not less than 3 mm at the point (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Niizato