Patents Examined by Vivian Chen
  • Patent number: 6673425
    Abstract: A multilayer optical body having improved dimensional stability is disclosed. The optical body includes an optical film, such as an oriented multilayer optical film, and a dimensionally stable layer, such as a transparent polycarbonate layer. In addition, in specific implementations, the invention includes an intermediate layer between the optical film and the dimensionally stable layer. Methods of making the optical body are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 6673423
    Abstract: The invention relates to an information-carrying molded part containing one or more plastic layers, at least one of which bears an informative representation. A ‘molded part’ is understood to be in particular a card such as ‘smart cards’, key cards, identification cards, telephone cards, credit cards or bank cards. According to the invention at least one of the plastic layers herein is made from a block-copolyester consisting of soft blocks of a flexible polymer and hard polyester blocks of repeating units of at least one alkylene glycol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid or an ester thereof. The block-copolyether layer can very well be provided with an informative representation with the aid of laser writing and for example sublimation printing. The information-carrying molded part according to the invention also has a good stiffness combined with a good flexibility and a good resistance to breaking and tearing, good adhesion to for example polycarbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventors: Saskia I. Kranenburg-Van Dijk, Franciscus W.M. Gelissen, Markus J.H. Bulters, Christiaan Schröder
  • Patent number: 6667095
    Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided. The films, which have at least three layers of different composition in the optical repeating unit, reflect light in a first portion of the spectrum while transmitting light in a second portion of the spectrum, exhibit improved reflectivities at oblique angles, and can be designed to suppress one or more higher order harmonics of the main reflection band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Timothy J. Nevitt, William W. Merrill, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6663928
    Abstract: Heat-shrinkable polyester films, each having a heat shrinkability of 5-60% after treatment in hot water at 70° C. for 5 seconds and 65-95% after treatment in hot water at 85° C. for 5 seconds, both in the main shrinkage direction of the film, and 10% or lower after treatment in hot water at 85° C. for 5 seconds in a direction perpendicular to the main shrinkage direction of the film, the heat-shrinkage stress in the main shrinkage direction of the film being 13 MPa or smaller, and the film haze being lower than 10%, exhibits excellent shrinkage finish in appearance with only rare occurrence of wrinkles, shrinkage spots and strains by shrinkage; therefore, these films are suitable for full labels on bottles, particularly for full labels on PET bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Ito, Norimi Tabota, Hiroshi Nagano
  • Patent number: 6663977
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-sealable polyester composition having an amorphous processing window ranging from a Tg in the range of about 40° C. to about 70° C., to a Tcg in the range of about 70° C. to about 150° C. The composition preferably contains a mixture of poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or copolymer and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or copolymer, either as a physical blend or as a copolyester oligomer or polymer prepared from the respective monomers. The resulting composition is heat-sealable at low temperatures, retains barrier properties and is non-flavor-scalping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Numours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph V. Kurian, Diane M. Hahm, Benjamin A. Smillie
  • Patent number: 6660388
    Abstract: An antisoiling hardcoated film comprising a substantially transparent substrate, a hardcoat layer comprising inorganic oxide particles dispersed in a binder matrix, and an antisoiling layer comprising a perfluoropolyether. The antisoiling layer can be very thin, thus reducing the cost of the perfluoropolyether. The film has very good scratch, smudge and glare resistance and very good interlayer adhesion and durability. The film can be in the form of a single flexible substrate or a stack of such substrates. The film or stack can be sized to fit the display screen of an electronic display device such as a personal digital assistant or cell phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junkang J. Liu, Bettie C. Fong, Bruce D. Kluge
  • Patent number: 6660398
    Abstract: The invention concerns powder thermosetting coating compositions comprising (a) an amorphous polyester containing carboxyl groups, rich in isophthalic acid and neopentylglycol, optionally branched with a polycarboxylic acid or a polyol containing at least three functional groups; (b) a semicrystalline polyester containing carboxyl groups prepared from one or several saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids with linear chain, and from a saturated aliphatic diol with linear or cyclic chain optionally branched with a polycarboxylic acid or with a polyol containing at least three functional groups, and having a melting point (Tm) of at least 40° C. and an acid value of 5 to 50 mg of KOH/g, and (c) a cross-linking agent. Said compositions are useful for preparing powder paints and varnishes providing excellent quality coatings whereof the brilliance, measured at an angle of 60°, according to the ASTM D 523 standard is always less than 50%, that is half-gloss or matt coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: UCB, S.A.
    Inventors: Luc Moens, Kris Buysens, Daniel Maetens
  • Patent number: 6660397
    Abstract: An abrasion resistant coated film including a polyester film coated with a highly crosslinkable melamine coating with a crosslinking density of greater than about 50% and less than about 100%, wherein the coating is cured after transverse stretching and heat setting the film, a melamine coating having a crosslinking density between about 50% and about 100% containing between about 0.01% by weight and about 1.0% by weight of a colloidal particle selected from the group consisting of silica, TiO2, graphite and blends thereof, and a method of producing an abrasion resistant coated film including stretching a polyester film in the machine direction to form a uniaxially oriented film, applying a coating of highly crosslinkable melamine with a crosslinking density between about 50% and about 100% onto the uniaxially oriented film, heating and stretching the coated film in the transverse direction and curing the coating on the coated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: John Fitch, Steven J. Sargeant
  • Patent number: 6660389
    Abstract: Information display protectors for display devices having an information display area, comprising a stack of flexible substantially transparent sheets, the sheets having on one side thereof an adhesive layer and having on the other side thereof a hardcoat layer comprising inorganic oxide particles dispersed in a binder matrix and a low surface energy fluorinated compound, the stack being cut so that the sheets will fit the information display area. The low surface energy fluorinated compound can be part of the hardcoat layer or can be a separate layer atop the hardcoat layer. The protectors have very good scratch, smudge and glare resistance. The stack of protectors can be stored, for example, on a personal digital assistant or its cover or case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junkang J. Liu, Bettie C. Fong, Bruce D. Kluge
  • Patent number: 6656561
    Abstract: A composite solid surface article which includes a molded overlay composed of a solid surface material fabricated in a mold; an underlay core material composed of a polymeric material molded onto the overlay but which only covers a center portion of the overlay so that peripheral edges of the overlay are not covered by the underlay core material; and solid surface edge component of additional solid surface material at the edge of the underlay core material, and a method of making the composite using a removable liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Vangala Bala Venkata Subbulu
  • Patent number: 6652959
    Abstract: Disclosed are marking particles comprising a resin, a chelating agent, and a spiropyran material which is of the formula The marking particles are prepared by an emulsion aggregation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Foucher, Raj D. Patel, Naveen Chopra, Peter M. Kazmaier
  • Patent number: 6652979
    Abstract: Biaxially-drawn polyester film for fabrication which is characterized in that it is a film comprising polyester in which ethylene terephthalate units and/or ethylene naphthalate units are the chief structural component and containing 0.1-2 wt % of a carnauba wax and 1 to 200 ppm of germanium, and the melting point of said film is 180-270° C., the angle of contact to water is 70°-120°, and the planar orientation coefficient is 0.08-0.15. This film shows outstanding release properties following repeated use, use after fabrication and use in an aqueous environment and, furthermore, it exhibits stable properties with little variation and, in particular, following lamination to metal sheet such as steel or aluminium, when used as the inner face of a fabricated metal can, it is outstanding in its non-stick properties to the contents, and provides a combination of heat resistance and processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kohzo Takahashi, Ryosuke Matsui, Masahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 6652961
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film with a substantially non-crosslinked polymeric coating containing styrene and acrylate, wherein the coating is highly thermally stable with a primary onset temperature of greater than about 350C, having a glass transition temperature between about 0C and about 50C, having a solubility in a low molecular weight organic solvent, and having a surface energy of greater than about 35 dyne/cm and less than about 40 dyne/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Sargeant, Yasushi Takada, Masaaki Sudo, John Fitch
  • Patent number: 6649245
    Abstract: A composition veneer that is extremely flexible, foldable and moldable, is provided by impregnating a wood veneer with a plastic film. The veneer has a smooth protective polymer surface without separate and distinguishable layers. As a result, the composition veneers of this invention exhibit moldability and shapeability properties similar to plastic sheeting, but contain natural wood and have the appearance of natural wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas A. Lenderink
  • Patent number: 6649247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealable, flame-retardant, coextruded, biaxially oriented polyester film with one matt side, and composed of at least one base layer B and of, applied to the two sides of this base layer, a sealable outer layer A and a matt outer layer C. The film also comprises at least one flame retardant. The invention further relates to the use of the film and to a process for its production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH
    Inventors: Ursula Murschall, Ulrich Kern, Guenther Crass, Herbert Peiffer, Hans Mahl
  • Patent number: 6649250
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising a base polyester layer, an absorbent polyester layer above said base layer, and a glossy polymer layer above said absorbent layer; wherein said element has a 60° Gardner gloss greater than 30% wherein said glossy polymer layer has openings comprising between 5.0 and 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Laney, Cathy Fleischer
  • Patent number: 6645589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a white biaxially oriented polyester film having a two-layer structure of layer A/layer B, wherein the layer A contains a polyester having a melting point of 240° C.-260° C. and containing titanium dioxide in a proportion of 5-30 wt %, the layer B contains a polyester having a melting point of 210° C.-235° C., and the film shows a dimensional change of not more than 2%, which is obtained by thermally adhering a layer B side of the film to a metal plate to give a laminate, which is heat-treated at 210° C. for 2 minutes, and subjecting the film after the treatment to the measurement, a film-laminated metal plate using the polyester film and a metal container obtained by forming this film-laminated metal plate. The polyester film of the present invention has superior heat resistance and is capable of stably covering the surface of a metal plate even after a heat treatment during a can forming process and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Fujii, Hideki Igushi, Hiroshi Nagano
  • Patent number: 6645584
    Abstract: The invention relates to compostable polymer coated paper or paperboard (1), a method for making the same and products obtained therefrom. According to the invention, a compostable biodegradable coating (3) of paper or paperboard (1) includes an outer layer (6) containing polylactide the weight of which is at the most about 20 g/m2, and of an adhesive layer (7) that binds the outer layer to the paper or paperboard (1) and is of biodegradable polymer material that is coextruded with the polylactide. Suitable materials for the adhesive layer (7) are biodegradable polyesters. The production is by coextrusion of the polylactide layer (6) and the adhesive layer (7) on either one side of the paper or paperboard or on both sides thereof. Products obtained include in particular packages for food stuffs and disposable dishes such as containers for frozen foods, disposable drinking cups, heat-sealed carton packages and packaging wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: ENSO Oyj
    Inventors: Jurkka Kuusipalo, Kimmo Nevalainen, Tapani Penttinen
  • Patent number: 6645615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-supporting polymer film with a silicone-containing coating layer on the front surface that is capable of releasing free silicone oil and a slip control coating on the back surface, where the slip control coating has an exposed surface adapted to contact the free silicone oil. The slip control coating includes water soluble copolyester; and optionally includes a coupler, preferably a silane. A method for controlling the slip of silicone coated film by coating the back side of the film with this slip control coating is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Heberger, Kenneth J. Muschelewicz
  • Patent number: 6641919
    Abstract: A resin-bonded type magnet molded from a composition comprising a magnetic powder and a resin powder in which a resin binder comprises at least one unsaturated polyester resin cured product as the main ingredient. The resin binder contains a peroxide or a reaction product thereof capable of curing at a temperature of 150° C. or lower, and an anisotropic magnetic field of the magnetic powder is 50 kOe or more, and 50% by weight or more of the particles of magnetic powder has a grain size of 100 &mgr;m or less. The resin-bonded type magnet is obtained by molding by an injection molding process, an injection molding, a compression process, an injection compression molding process, an injection pressing molding process, or a transfer molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hayashi, Shoichi Yoshizawa