Patents Examined by Paul Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 6558766
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite wood flooring is designed particularly for use in van-type truck trailers which experience adverse operating conditions due to heavy lift truck traffic on the top side and water spray during rainy periods on the bottom side. The composite wood flooring comprises edge-glued laminated wood which is underlaid with a thin layer of fiber reinforced plastic. The top surface of the composite wood floor is the same as that of a conventional laminated wood floor. The fiber reinforced plastic underlay is composed of glass and/or carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric resin such as epoxy, phenolic, vinyl ester, polypropylene or polyamide resin. The fiber reinforcement is designed to enhance the mechanical properties of the flooring in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the floor. The fiber reinforced plastic improves the fatigue resistance of the composite wood flooring and prevents water leakage into the trailer through the floor boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Havco Wood Products L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gopalkrishna Padmanabhan, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani, James N. Vangilder
  • Patent number: 6558774
    Abstract: A magnetic tape comprises a substrate having on one side thereof a magnetic layer serving as a recording surface, and on the other side thereof at least two layers containing inorganic particles which serve as a non-recording surface, wherein said magnetic tape has a region on the side of the non-recording surface along the longitudinal direction of the tape in which a regular pattern for servo tracking having different optical properties from the other major region of the side of the non-recording surface is or can be formed. The layers on the non-recording surface are characterized in that the inorganic particles in the outermost layer are larger than the inorganic particles in the underlying layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Saliba, Satya Mallick, Daravuth Seng, Geon Choe
  • Patent number: 6558783
    Abstract: Disclosed are a curable polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin composition comprising (a) a PPE resin and (b) a of a compound having a 3,4-dihydro-3-substituted-1,3-benzoxazine skeleton (DSBS compound), or a mixture of the DSBS compound and a ring-opening polymerization re-action product thereof; a cured PPE resin composition obtainable by curing the curable PPE resin composition; and a laminate structure obtained by using the curable or cured PPE resin composition. The curable PPE resin composition exhibits, after cured, excellent chemical resistance, moisture resistance, dielectric characteristics, heat resistance, flame retardancy and dimensional stability, so that it can be used as a dielectric, insulating or heat resistant material in the electrical, electronic, space and aircraft industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Kato, Shozo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6558787
    Abstract: A precursor which may be imaged by heat is made up of a substrate, for example a copper board, and a composite layer structure composed of two layers. Preferably, the first layer is composed of an aqueous developable polymer mixture containing a photothermal conversion material which is contiguous to the substrate. The second layer of the composite is composed of one or more non-aqueous soluble polymers which are soluble or dispersible in a solvent which does not dissolve the first layer. The precursor is exposed with an infrared laser or a thermal print head, and upon aqueous development, the exposed regions are removed, revealing regions of the substrate surface able to be etched or otherwise treated. The second layer may also contain a photothermal conversion material. Alternatively, the composite layer may be free of photothermal conversion material when thermal imaging is carried out using a thermal print head. The precursor may be used, for example, as a mask precursor or electronic part precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Barry Ray, Anthony Paul Kitson
  • Patent number: 6558785
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an insulated reentry heat shield for minimizing heat transfer to a spacecraft structure or the like during atmospheric reentry. The heat shield (10) comprises an outer heat resistant layer (12) including an ablative first material backed by an inner insulating layer (14) including an insulating second material. The outer and inner layers (12, 14) are bonded to one another by a middle layer (16) disposed therebetween. The middle layer is formed by disposing at least one layer of a phenolic loaded third material between the outer and inner layers and heating all three layers simultaneously to remove phenolic volatiles from the middle layer. In one embodiment, the ablative first material is carbon-carbon, the insulating second material is carbon foam, and the phenolic loaded third material is carbon scrim cloth. The present invention also discloses a method for use in constructing a heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Suraj Prakash Rawal, Janine M. Thornton, William H. Willcockson
  • Patent number: 6555239
    Abstract: A composition and method is described for providing conformal protective or decorative polymer coatings on metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, steel, zinc, and their by dip autopolymerization. In accordance with the present invention, an acidic solution of organic monomer undergoes autopolymerization upon contact with a metal substrate, thereby forming a polymeric coating on the substrate. The method comprises providing the acidic monomer solution, dipping the metal substrate to be coated for a prescribed period of time depending on the thickness of the coating desired, and then removing the substrate from the solution. Importantly, the polymerization requires no application of external driving force, such as thermal or electrical energy. The coatings thus formed are up to 50 microns thick, and conform to the shape of the substrate. These coatings further have uniform thickness, and thermal stability and protective properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: James P. Bell, Eric Zhang, Rajat Agarawal
  • Patent number: 6555201
    Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90° angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: MCNC
    Inventors: Vijayakumar R. Dhuler, David A. Koester, Mark D. Walters, Karen W. Markus
  • Patent number: 6555205
    Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the process comprising: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer, in non-aqueous solvent. The ionic polymers interact and adhere to the substrate, so that after drying a durable printing plate is formed, without chemical development. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Grant, Patrice M. Aurenty, Edward Stone, Mark J. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 6551693
    Abstract: A heating appliance, such as a cooking container, has an inside surface coating including a decoration which changes color as a function of temperature. A decoration based on a thermostable resin and a chemical substance which changes color as a function of temperature is applied over a fluorocarbon resin coating on the inside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Buffard, Laurent Voisin, Claudine Gardaz
  • Patent number: 6551686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented polyester film which has three layers and which, together with very good electromagnetic properties compared with prior art films, has improved abrasion properties. The two sides of the film are built up from at least one base layer B and, applied to this base layer, outer layers A and C, where these outer layers have a defined number of elevations of defined height. The invention also relates to a process for producing the film and to its use as magnetic tape film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Hellmann, Gottfried Hilkert, Wolfram Goerlitz
  • Patent number: 6548154
    Abstract: A bias transfer member or bias charging member for a xerographic device includes a support substrate, and a multi-layer conductive surface coating over the support substrate. The multi-layer coating includes a base layer of metal-containing particles in a polymer binder, an intermediate layer of conductive particles in a polymer binder, and a top layer of conductive particles in a polymer binder, wherein the amount of the conductive particles in the top layer is greater than the amount of the conductive particles in the intermediate layer. The multi-layer coating exhibits ideal electrical and abrasion resistance performance for use in bias charging or transfer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald S. Stanton, Bing R. Hsieh, Allen J. Thompson, Yuan Yu, William H. Wayman, Michelle L. Schlafer, Heiko Rommelmann, Ann M. Kazakos, Alan R. Kuntz
  • Patent number: 6544909
    Abstract: A single ply reinforced roofing membrane having advantageous tensile and seam strength comprising a reinforcement scrim sandwiched between polyolefin cap and base layers, characterized in that at least one of said layers includes a functional polyolefin as additive therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Venkataswamy, Krishna Srinivasan, Li-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 6544667
    Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium having Co-based alloy magnetic layer containing Pt formed on a substrate through an underlayer, by forming said underlayer with plural underlayers including double layer structure which is formed by piling up 1st underlayer of Cr-based alloy containing Ti and 2nd underlayer of Cr-based alloy containing at least one element selected from a group comprising Mo and W in this sequence, crystal grain diameter is decreased and then medium noise can be decreased, and c axis is oriented to in-plane direction and then high coercivity can be obtained, consequently the magnetic recording medium having high signal to noise ratio at high recording density region is obtained. Further a small size large capacity magnetic recording system can be provided by combination of said magnetic recording media with a MR (magnetoresistive) head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Hosoe, Yoshibumi Matsuda, Yotsuo Yahisa, Kiwamu Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Koji Sakamoto, Akira Kato
  • Patent number: 6544647
    Abstract: Non-magnetic composite particles composed of non-magnetic core particles having an average particle size of 0.01 to 0.3 &mgr;m, and inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 0.001 to 0.07 &mgr;m. The fine particles are present in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the non-magnetic particles are on the surface of each non-magnetic particle, and are fixed or anchored on the surface of each non-magnetic particle through a silicon compound.The non-magnetic composite particles have a high polishing effect and a high dispersibility, and are useful as a non-magnetic undercoat layer for a magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hayashi, Keisuke Iwasaki, Hiroko Morii, Mineko Ohsugi
  • Patent number: 6537686
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided with a dual layer protective overcoat system comprising a SiN corrosion barrier layer, as at a thickness of about 25Å to about 50 Å, and a protective carbon-containing overcoat layer thereon, as at a thickness of about 25 Å to about 50 Å,. The SiN layer effectively prevents or significantly reduces Co and Ni diffusion to the medium surface. Embodiments include magnetic recording media comprising a SiN corrosion barrier layer over a magnetic layer and a protective layer of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, amorphous nitrogenated carbon, amorphous hydrogen-nitrogenated carbon, ion-beam deposited carbon or cathodic-arc-deposited carbon on the SiN corrosion barrier layer, with solid and mobile lube layers are sequentially deposited on the protective carbon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 6534169
    Abstract: The application discloses a transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film having a base layer at least 80% by weight of which is composed of a thermoplastic polyester, and having at least one outer layer, wherein the outer layer is composed of a polymer or a mixture of polymers which comprises at least 40% by weight of ethylene 2,6-naphthalate units and up to 60% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units and/or units from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic diols and/or dicarboxylic acids, with the proviso that the base layer has a diethylene glycol content in the range from 0.9 to 3.0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Pfeiffer, Cynthia Bennett, Gottfried Hilkert
  • Patent number: 6534182
    Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE) film, wherein polar groups are present on the surface of the film after a surface treatment, and the surface roughness Ra is at most the surface roughness Ra of the surface of an untreated film; an ETFE film, wherein polar groups are present on the surface of the film after a surface treatment, and the amount of a weak boundary layer is at most one time of the amount of a weak boundary layer on the surface of an untreated film; a laminate employing such a film having an extremely excellent bonding strength; and a process for producing it with a mass production property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Oki, Atsushi Hayashi, Makoto Fukawa, Hiroshi Aruga, Yasuo Hayashi, Shigeaki Yonemori, Yukio Jitsugiri
  • Patent number: 6534180
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a charge-imparting member which can be produced at low cost and maintains superior characteristics for a long period of time. The invention provides a charge-imparting member including an elastic layer formed of an epichlorohydrin rubber material and a surface-treated layer formed by use of a surface treatment liquid containing at least one polymer selected from among an acrylic fluoropolymer and an acrylic silicone polymer; a conductivity-imparting agent; and an isocyanate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hokushin Corporation
    Inventor: Junya Hoshi
  • Patent number: 6531213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a recyclable recording medium comprising; a base member, a surface layer comprising a water-swelling resin, and having a thickness of 3 to 30 &mgr;m; a saturated swelling amount in the direction of thickness is 4 to 25 &mgr;m when the recyclable recording medium is immersed in an aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshie, Chiaki Yamaoka, Toshimitsu Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6531227
    Abstract: An intermediate medium for use as a temporary image support in an imaging device, comprising a rubber top layer which contains a rubber and a conductive material and is formed by polymerization of a rubber oil in the presence of the conductive material. As conductive material, the top layer contains an intrinsically conductive polymer so modified that it can be combined with the rubber oil used as the starting material. This results in high miscibility of the polymer in the rubber oil so that the conductivity of the rubber is high. The conductivity of the top layer can thus be adjusted to the correct level while curing of the rubber oil with UV radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Adrianus van den Reek, Edgarius Jakobus Hermanus Beers, Karel Pieter Daniel van Zeeventer