Patents Examined by Nancy A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9790012
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing one or more physical properties of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction and/or transverse direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while maintaining or increasing a ratio of the machine direction to transverse direction resistance to tear. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Carl L. Bergman, Kyle R. Wilcoxen, Michael G. Borchardt, Stacie A. Palmer, Robert T. Dorsey, Jason R. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 9765489
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based pre-manufactured thermoplastic airport runway signage that is applied in relatively large sections onto an airport runway where the alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based composite includes a functionalized wax incorporated in the resin-based composite within the range of 0.2 to 3 percent by weight, thereby allowing the resin-based composite to exist in a molten state within a viscosity range of between 35,000 and 85,000 centipoise and wherein the top surface provides an area for surface indicia materials existing on the top surface together with retroreflective glass beads with an index of refraction of 1.9 such that when the beads are suspended in and applied on the surface of the resin-based composite in a molten state the beads do not sink into the resin-based composite provide for allowing and maintaining an overall retroreflectivity of about 1000 millicandellas/m2/lux (mcd).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Flint Trading, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Greer, Simon Yakopson, Catherine Binder
  • Patent number: 9732481
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a preformed or in some cases a hot applied thermoplastic marking composition comprising a planar top surface portion and a planar bottom surface portion that are coplanar to each other, wherein said bottom surface portion is directly applied to a substrate via application of heat or pressure or both heat and pressure and wherein said top surface portion comprises an intermix that exits throughout said thermoplastic composition and includes large grit size aggregate in the range of about 8 to about 20 mesh or grit size, thereby reducing or eliminating tire tracking while also improving long-term skid resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Flint Trading, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Greer, Simon Yakopson
  • Patent number: 9724865
    Abstract: Method and extrusion die (1030) for producing a three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands (1070a, 1070b, 1070c) are periodically joined together in a regular pattern at bond regions throughout the array, wherein a majority of the polymeric strands (1070a, 1070b, 1070c) are periodically bonded to at least two (three, four, five, six, or more) adjacent polymeric strands, and wherein no polymeric strands are continuously bonded to a polymeric strand. Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Timothy J. Diekmann, Thomas P. Hanschen, William J. Kopecky, Shou-Lu Wang
  • Patent number: 9724892
    Abstract: A water repellent film (200) according to the present invention includes a first layer (10) having a plurality of fine protrusions (100) on the surface thereof, a second layer (20) covering the fine protrusions (100) and having a water repellent property, and a third layer (30) provided on the surface of the first layer (10) on the opposite side of the fine protrusions (100). When a modulus of elasticity of the first layer (10) is defined as E1, a modulus of elasticity of the second layer (20) is defined as E2, and a modulus of elasticity of the third layer (30) is defined as E3, a definition of E2>E1>E3 is fulfilled. Accordingly, the water repellent film having excellent resistance to abrasion in which a fine structure is not easily abraded and damaged by an external friction force or the like can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiko Kuroda, Yuji Noguchi, Isao Yamamoto, Takayuki Fukui
  • Patent number: 9718260
    Abstract: The invention provides a biaxially stretched multilayer polyamide resin film having 8 or more layers in total and using a same resin composition for 80% based on the ratio of the number of the layers. The film is stretched 2.5 to 5.0 times in the longitudinal direction of the film and has an in-plane orientation coefficient (?P) of 0.057 to 0.07 and a strain of 0.1 to 2.0% after boiling treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shimizu, Naofumi Kajita, Yasumasa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9701093
    Abstract: A method for making an activatable material having a handling film layer thereon, comprising the steps of providing a continuous mass of a polymeric material having a longitudinal axis and being capable of adhering to a metal surface; applying a handling layer (e.g., film) over at least one side of the mass; forming stress relief indentations in the mass, with the handling layer at least partially extending into the indentations, wherein the stress relief indentations allow a resulting part to be applied in conforming geometry with a surface to which it is applied. The teachings also contemplate parts made by the above method and use thereof to bond to surfaces having a non-planar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: David G. Billette, Dean W. Smitterberg, Yoshihiko Yasu
  • Patent number: 9657443
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to creped tissue webs, and products produced therefrom. The creped tissue webs and tissue products made therefrom are soft and strong, such as having a TS7 value less than about 8.0. Moreover, the tissue of the present disclosure also preferably has low TS750 values such as less than about 7.0. Further, while webs prepared according to the present disclosure have low TS7, and in certain embodiments low TS750 values, they are also strong enough to withstand use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Rekoske, Dave Allen Soerens, Frank Gerald Druecke, Jeffrey James Timm
  • Patent number: 9581734
    Abstract: There is provided an optical film including an ultraviolet light absorbent having a first peak with a maximum absorption coefficient of 0.07 to 0.10 phr?1?m?1 in a wavelength band of 290 to 320 nm and a second peak with a maximum absorption coefficient of 0.11 to 0.16 phr?1?m?1 in a wavelength band of 330 to 400 nm, and acrylic resin, wherein the content of the ultraviolet light absorbent is 0.3 to 1.0 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the acrylic resin, and a polarizing plate including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Suk-Il Youn, Sang-Min Kwak, Kyung-Jae Kwon, Nam-Jeong Lee
  • Patent number: 9574028
    Abstract: A high frequency semi-isotropic embossed polymer interlayer sheet is disclosed. The embossed polymer interlayer sheet has a first side; a second side opposing the first side; and an embossed surface on at least one of the sides, and a surface texture ratio, Str, (as measured per ISO 25178) of between 0.1 and 0.99. The embossed polymer sheet may have at least 50 roughness peaks per centimeter (R PC, as measured per ASME B46.1 [1985]). The embossed polymer sheet may have a mottle value of less than or equal to 2.5 (as measured by a Clear Mottle Analyzer [CMA]). The embossed polymer sheet may be polyvinyl butyral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Solutia Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Yacovone
  • Patent number: 9519082
    Abstract: In a protective film affixed to a microscopic roughness structure having a microscopically rough structure on the surface, water contact angle of the surface of the microscopic roughness structure is 40° or less, compressive stress obtainable when the adhesive layer of the protective film is compressed to a compression ratio of 20% is 0.6 MPa to 3.0 MPa; in the infrared absorption spectrum of the surface on the microscopically rough structure side of the microscopic roughness structure, ratio (A1/A2) of peak area A1 having absorption maximum of 3700 cm?1 to 3100 cm?1, and peak area A2 having absorption maximum of 1730±10 cm?1, is 0.1 to 0.8; in the surface of adhesive layer of the protective film, ratio (B1/B2) of peak area B1 having absorption maximum of 3700 cm?1 to 3100 cm?1, and peak area B2 having absorption maximum of 1730±10 cm?1, is 0.6 to 1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takihara, Seiichiro Mori, Eiko Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9486179
    Abstract: A multilayered optical tissue phantom fabrication approach and inherently produced test target structure which address the issues of of optical conformity known in the art by controlling the formation of micrometer scale monolayers embedded with light-scattering microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce The National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Jeeseong Hwang, Christopher Stafford, Robert Chang
  • Patent number: 9484473
    Abstract: A glass substrate of which at least one surface multiple concave and convex portions. Rp representing the size of the convex portion is 37 nm to 200 nm; a tilt angle ?p indicating a maximum frequency in the frequency distribution of a tilt angle ? of the convex portion is 20° to 75°; and an absolute value of a difference between ?p and ?50 (?p??50) is 30° or less, where ?50 indicates a value showing 50% of a cumulative frequency distribution of the tilt angle ?. The concave and convex portion is such that the surface roughness (Ra) is 2 nm to 100 nm, the maximum height difference (P?V) is 35 nm to 400 nm, and the area ratio (S-ratio) is 1.1 to 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Naoki Okahata
  • Patent number: 9471019
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for polymer-based fixing members that have a textured surface with reduced surface energy and increased surface hydrophobicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Woo Soo Kim, Yu Qi, Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 9459410
    Abstract: To provide an optical device sealing structure capable of simply sealing an optical fiber inserting portion. Provided is a structure that seals an optical device including a metallic case having an optical element disposed therein and an optical fiber inserted through a through hole of the case, wherein a Zn-containing surface is formed on a surface of a bare fiber portion that is formed by partly removing a coating of the optical fiber so as to expose a bare fiber, and wherein an Sn-containing sealing material is charged between the Zn-containing surface and an inner wall of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Kondou, Masaru Shiroishi, Kazuhiro Ooto
  • Patent number: 9442221
    Abstract: A precursor sol of aluminum oxide contains a polycondensate formed by the hydrolysis of an aluminum alkoxide or an aluminum salt, a solvent, and an organic aluminum compound having a specific structure. An optical member is produced by a process including a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base. A method for producing an optical member includes a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Makino, Tomonari Nakayama, Keiko Abe, Norishige Kakegawa
  • Patent number: 9427935
    Abstract: A three dimensional retroreflective article having an outer surface with a reflectivity of at least about 200 lux, and method for making such an article from a thermoformable laminate is provided. The laminate includes a base layer of thermoformable plastic sheet material; and a layer of microbeads configured in a high-density arrangement and silvered on their bottom sides to enhance retroreflectivity. The microbeads are adhered to an outer surface of the base layer by a thermoformable cushion coat which may include a phosphorescent pigment to further enhance reflectivity. A protective sheet of transparent thermoformable sheet material overlies and may be in contact with the layer of microbeads. The laminate is heated and thermoformed into a self supporting three dimensional article having a pre-selected shape and an encapsulated bead retroreflective surface having a reflectivity of at least about 200 lux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Hannington
  • Patent number: 9427917
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a new intermediate material to be associated with a thermosetting resin for making composite parts, consisting of a unidirectional layer of carbon fibers with a weight of 100 to 280 g/m2, associated on each of its faces, with a web of thermoplastic fibers having a thickness of 0.5 to 50 microns, preferably 3 to 35 microns, the intermediate material having a total thickness of 80 to 380 microns, preferably from 90 to 320 microns, and a process for manufacturing composite parts from such a material and the resulting composite parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hexcel Reinforcements
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Beraud, Jean-Florent Lamethe, Jean-Christophe Minni
  • Patent number: 9427921
    Abstract: A PDMS sheet that ensures good adhesion, handleability and stability to metal thin films or metal patterns of any desired shape, an optical element that is kept against de-bonding or exfoliation of metal patterns and has high reliability as well as good handleability and stability, and manufacturing methods thereof. The inventive optical element comprises a polydimethyl-siloxane sheet having a pattern-formation surface defined by one surface and a base surface defined by another surface, and a plurality of metal patterns positioned on the pattern-formation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Chiba, Hiroshi Fujita, Yuki Aritsuka
  • Patent number: 9429685
    Abstract: The laminate of an embodiment is a laminate including an antireflection film and a protection film bonded onto the antireflection film, wherein the surface of the antireflection film includes a plurality of protrusions; the protection film includes a supporting film and an adhesive layer; the adhesive layer includes an adhesive agent, a copolymer, and a carboxyl group-containing monomer; the weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is 1000000 or more and 2000000 or less; the copolymer includes the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester with the alkyl group having 4 or less carbon atoms in the largest weight proportion among the monomer components; the acid number of the copolymer is 16 mg KOH/g or more and 120 mg KOH/g or less; and the mixing amount of the epoxy cross-linking agent in relation to 100 parts by weight of the copolymer is 1.5 parts by weight or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Minoura, Takao Imaoku, Tokio Taguchi, Seiichi Shimizu, Ryuta Ooka