Patents Examined by Todd J. Kilkenny
  • Patent number: 6660123
    Abstract: A device embodying the invention comprises a pair of members presenting a lower base surface and a member presenting an upper parallel surface when in an operative position. A platen pad material, which converts microwave energy to heat, is provided on one of the surfaces. When in an operative position the two platens provide uniform pressure over the surfaces of a laminating pouch carrying a document. The device is placed in a domestic microwave oven and the oven is operated for a period of time dependent on the rated power of the oven, the size of the document and the energy conversion capability of the platen pad. The platen pad converts the microwave energy to heat energy while applying uniform pressure over the surfaces of the pouch. This produces liquefaction of the adhesive which bonds the film to the document. The device is then removed from the microwave oven, permitted to cool, the lamination removed, and trimmed as may be necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Willis A. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6656318
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of joining two reinforced thermoplastic material tubes having the same diameter. Ends of the two tubes are first butt welded along a peripheral weld. After forming the weld, a reinforced thermoplastic material outer jacket is fitted over most of the length of the peripheral weld, extending on either side of the weld over end sections of the two tubes. The outer jacket is heated and pressed radially until the outer jacket and the end sections of the two tubes interpenetrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Seva
    Inventors: Alain Sabouraud, Alain Tournier, Michel Derycke, Gerard Joly
  • Patent number: 6656314
    Abstract: A multi-layered substrate is manufactured utilizing a sheet material. The sheet material is a dielectric material with a dielectric adhesive coated on one side. A catalyst layer is at a boundary between the dielectric material and the adhesive. The catalyst layer is thin in comparison to the dielectric material and the dielectric adhesive. In the manufacture of the multi-layered substrate, the material is processed using patterning and metallizing steps. During this manufacture the processed sheet material may be supported with a releasable layer. Laminating additional sheet materials onto previously processed sheets produces multiple layers. These additional sheets are then processed. Multiple lamination steps may be performed in order to obtain an end product of a desired number of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Hannsjorg Obermaier
  • Patent number: 6638390
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing polymer/metal disks in a single piece batch size comprises applying a bonding agent to a metallic hub, pressing a polymeric ring over the metallic hub to form a ring/hub assembly, and heating the ring/hub assembly to cause bonding to occur between the polymeric ring and the metallic hub. The bonding agent may either be sprayed or applied directly to the metallic hub. Other methods of application may also be employed, such as dipping of the metallic hub in the bonding agent. The bonding agent is generally an organosilane, although other compounds capable of bonding a polymer to a metallic substrate can be used. The pressing of the polymeric ring over the metallic hub comprises enlarging the polymeric ring and mounting it over the metallic hub. The enlargement of the polymeric ring is typically effectuated either with heat or by stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J Sizelove, Steven J Schultz, David E. Witucki, Todd Fredrick Jammer, William W Heminghous
  • Patent number: 6638393
    Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus for the manufacture improved structural panel with synthetic ingredients, such as vermiculite and fibers. The improved structural panel achieves enhanced lateral and surface integrity by the use of fibers within the core of the structural panel and adhesives and smooth materials (such as foil) as a surface coating. The apparatus is particularly suited for manufacture of the structural panel at low cost and high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Enviro-Ply International, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Lehan
  • Patent number: 6635134
    Abstract: Multi-ply tissue product is bonded by an adhesive spray whose position is controlled so that the web path distance between the spray application and the location where the webs are forced together permits sprayed adhesive to partially but not completely set during travel over that web path distance at operating web speeds. Typically, the web path distance between the nozzle and the location is more than 140 inches. The webs are positioned one in back of the other and each is unwound onto its own carrier roll, with the spray positioned between the carrier rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastern Pulp & Paper Corp.
    Inventors: Ralph B. Lichtenberg, Joseph H. Torras, Sr., Eric C. Taylor, Michael Brown
  • 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: 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: 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: 6616792
    Abstract: A surface covering has a base to which is laminated a rigid vinyl film. The film is precoated with an electron beam cured wearlayer. The preferred wearlayer composition is a polymerizable organic urethane-polyester wearlayer coating. The coated printed film is prepared by application of a polyester urethane acrylate composition to a printed sheet of rigid vinyl film and the coating is exposed to a low accelerating energy Electro-curtain to form an abrasion resistant topcoat with no apparent degradation of printed rigid vinyl film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Sigel, John R. Eshbach, Jr., George E. Bagley, F. Joseph Appleyard
  • Patent number: 6613175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying a hot melt adhesive to an absorbent article, such that the article has low autoadhesion, yet maintains excellent attachment properties during use in a consumer's undergarments. This is achieved by selecting the rheological properties of the adhesive and the mechanical properties of the substrate being coated. The adhesive is directly applied to a backsheet layer outer surface, wherein the adhesive has a viscosity of less than about 10,000 centipoise at a temperature of about 130 to about 177 degrees Celsius. The backsheet layer has a tensile strength of at least 5 Newtons per 25 millimeter width of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Moscherosch, Joseph Michael Luizzi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6607628
    Abstract: A method for modifying a porous mechanical component by using an ER or MR substance including the steps of providing at least one porous component having a porosity sufficient to receive the MR substance within a plurality of pores and impregnating the component with the MR substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman Szalony
  • Patent number: 6605169
    Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Perkins, Oliver M. Reyes, Philipp Borchard, Nicholas P. De Luca
  • Patent number: 6602368
    Abstract: A method of coating core having a metal surface with a uniform thickness, smooth, thin layer of fluorinated polymer calls for inserting the core into a sleeve of the polymer. The sleeve has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the core so that the sleeve stretches to form a skin-tight fit over the core upon insertion. The assembly of sleeve and core is then subjected, in sequence, to aging under vacuum at a temperature below the softening point of the polymer prior, heating to a temperature above the softening point, and cooling below the softening point to thermally bond the fluorinated polymer to the metal surface. A firm bond is achieved without additional adhesive components or etching of the surface. A fuser roll for suitable for electrophotographic copy machine service can be prepared by this method without the need for a separate, post-bonding burnishing step to smooth the exposed surface of the fluorinated polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Geiger
  • Patent number: 6592702
    Abstract: An anti-microbial container for food items is formed from a polymeric resin which contains an anti-microbial agent. In one embodiment the container comprises an anti-microbial liner for a container which is utilized in receiving, storing, transporting, and displaying food items. In another embodiment the container comprises a plurality of cavities each for receiving a food item and an overlying transparent anti-microbial film for securing the food items in the containers. In yet another embodiment the container comprises a tube for receiving food items and having permanent or releaseable seals at the ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Super Sack Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Nickell, Norwin C. Derby, Bradley Matthew Eisenbarth
  • Patent number: 6585843
    Abstract: A flexible, collapsible receptacle (hereinafter bag) for handling flowable materials which is fabricated from polymeric fabric and which provides (1) improved static control; (2) improved corrosion inhibition; and/or (3) improved microbial inhibition characteristics. The bag is manufactured by providing a quantity of thermoplastic resin having a predetermined conductivity (anti-static resin); forming the anti-static resin into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-static material (anti-static tapes); weaving the anti-static tapes into an anti-static fabric having a predetermined, controlled electrical resistivity; cutting the anti-static fabric into a plurality of pieces; and joining the pieces of anti-static fabric together thereby constructing the anti-static bag. Similar methods are disclosed for manufacturing bags having improved corrosion inhibition and/or improved microbial inhibition characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Super Sack Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Nickell, Norwin C. Derby, Bradley Matthew Eisenbarth
  • Patent number: 6582542
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a channeled wall fluid apparatus (2) is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing at least one rib (16) on one of either a liner (8) having a length or an interior surface of at least a first mold (18). The method also includes the step of placing the first mold around the liner to form a gap (78) between the first mold and the liner. A removable casting material (24) is inserted within the gap. The method also includes removing the removable casting material from within the gap to form at least one channel (14) extending at least a portion of the length of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Mark C. Russell, Sean P. Doyle, Charles T. Russell
  • Patent number: 6582549
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pointing stick is provided. A post or a substrate of the present invention is provided with a hollow portion, and a predetermined gap is defined between the post and the substrate. After an adhesive is supplied to the gap through the hollow portion, it is heated to join the post and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jia Hung Liu, Pin-Chien Liao
  • Patent number: 6579401
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a polymeric pressure vessel includes two, coaxial plastic extruders separated by a hole-forming laser and connected to a variable die, a vacuum/blow molding apparatus, a fusing device, a braiding mechanism, and an overcoat applicator. The first extruder forms a tubular core, and the laser forms axially-spaced apertures in the core. The second extruder forms an outer tube coaxially over the tubular core and the variable die is alternately opened and closed to form parisons of increased material at axially-spaced locations along the outer tube. The parisons are moved into the molding apparatus and are expanded in a vacuum/blow molding process into hollow chambers of preferably ellipsoidal shape. The fusing device fuses the outer tube to the tubular core at locations between the spaced-apart hollow chambers, the braiding mechanism then applies a layer of interwoven reinforcing filament fiber, and the overcoat applicator applies a protective polymeric coating over the fiber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Izuchukwu, Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6565946
    Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Free-Flowing Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Perkins, Oliver M. Reyes, Philipp Borchard, Nicholas P. De Luca