Patents Examined by Wendy Boss
  • Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same
    Patent number: 6596352
    Abstract: A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Epoxy resin composition for fiber-reinforced composite material prepreg, and fiber-reinforced composite material
    Patent number: 6596373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for a fibre reinforced composite material, which is thermosetting resin composition where the glass transition temperature Tg of the cured material obtained by heating for 2 hours at 180° C. is at least 150° C., and the modulus of rigidity G′R in the rubbery plateau in the temperature region above the aforesaid Tg is no more than 10 MPa. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a fibre-reinforced composite material which is outstanding in its resistance to hot-wet environmental condition, impact resistance, and strength characteristics such as tensile strength and compression strength, and furthermore it is possible to provide a thermosetting resin composition and a prepreg outstanding in terms of their peel strength to a honeycomb core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Kishi, Hiroaki Ninomiya, Junko Kawasaki
  • Honeycomb structure
    Patent number: 6592963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to honeycomb structures having cell walls of increased thickness wherein multiple layers of cell wall material are not bonded together except on two opposite cell wall sides. The invention also includes a process for making such honeycomb structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Mikhail R. Levit
  • Cordierite honeycomb structural body and its production process
    Patent number: 6589627
    Abstract: There is provided a cordierite honeycomb structural body that allows the thickness of the cell walls to be reduced and heat capacity to be decreased by improving the fluidity of the molding material when passing through a mold for extrusion molding while maintaining the shape retention of the molding material. A water-soluble cellulose ether is used as a binder that is added to a cordierite-converted starting material. This water-soluble cellulose ether contains methoxyl groups substituted for the cellulose hydroxyl groups within the range of a substitution rate of 27.5 to 31.5%, does not contain hydroxypropoxyl groups and hydroxyethoxyl groups in an amount greater than the amount of unavoidable impurities (0.1 wt %), and has a viscosity in a 2 wt % aqueous solution at 20° C. of less than 8000 centipoise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Nakanishi, Masanori Yamada, Yosiyasu Andou
  • Ultralight, sound and shock absorbing component set
    Patent number: 6569509
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultralight, sound and shock absorbing component set comprising at least one base layer (2), an intermediate layer (3) and a covering layer (6). The intermediate layer (3) consists of a plurality of hollow bodies (4) arranged next to each other, whose walls are perforated and which thus form a complex labyrinth of hollow spaces. The covering layer (6) preferably has a microporous stiffening layer (8) which generates an airflow resistance of 900 Ns/m3<Rt<2000 Ns/m3. The dimensions of the walls of the hollow bodies (4) are such that they allow for compression of at least 50% at a maximum plateau tension of 0.5 Mpa<&sgr;<1.2 Mpa and inelastically and fully convert an impact energy of approximately 0.5 MJ/m3 into deformation work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Alts
  • Composite panel having a thermoplastic seam weld
    Patent number: 6565942
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for joining thermoplastic composite sandwich panels with thermoplastic welds (fusion bonds) made without autoclave processing of the joint. The preferred joint is a double interleaf staggered joint with supporting titanium doublers providing a tensile strength of at least 12,000 lb/in. The joint is particularly suited for joining sections of a cryogenic tank for spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David M. Anderson, Steven E. Hahn, Douglas A. McCarville
  • Flexible graphite sheet and method of producing the same
    Patent number: 6558782
    Abstract: Flexible graphite article of manufacture made by compressing a mixture of expanded graphite particle and a fluoro-resin including ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) copolymers after additional heat treatment. An article of manufacture of a gasket material made shows enhanced mechanical properties especially after oil immersion and reduced leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: SGL Technic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoliy S. Bakman, Akira Kubo
  • Low friction coating
    Patent number: 6551718
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metal sulphide coating composition of the formula MXSiVRYSZFW where M is one or more metals selected from: Mo, Ti, W, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf; Si is silicon; R is one or more elements selected from: C, B, Al, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Sm, Au, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, N, H, and O; S is sulphur; F is fluorine; X is 0.2 to 1.5; V is 0.02 to 3; Y is 0 to 4; Z is 0.2 to 6; and W is 0.01 to 6, and in which X, Y, Z, V, and W are given in amounts by atomic ratio. The compositions show good non-stick properties, low hydrophilia, and high stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Gencoa Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Bellido-Gonzalez
  • Synthetic grass with resilient granular top surface layer
    Patent number: 6551689
    Abstract: A synthetic grass assembly for installation on a supporting soil substrate includes a pile fabric with a flexible sheet backing and rows of upstanding synthetic ribbons representing grass blades, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the backing. An infill layer of two distinct graded courses of particulate material is disposed interstitially between the upstanding ribbons upon the upper surface of the backing and of a depth less than the length of the ribbons. A bottom course of intermixed hard sand and resilient rubber granules with substantially identical particle size distribution characteristics is installed upon the backing and a top course exclusively of resilient rubber granules is placed upon the bottom course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fieldturf Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Prevost
  • Silica glass honeycomb structure from silica soot extrusion
    Patent number: 6548142
    Abstract: The present invention describes a glass honeycomb structure having a variety of shapes and sizes depending on its ultimate application. Unlike prior art honeycomb structures made from ceramics, the inventive glass honeycomb can be readily bent and/or redrawn. Furthermore, the inventive honeycomb structure is lightweight, yet able to support heavy loads on its end faces. Therefore, the inventive honeycomb can be used as a light-weight support for such objects as mirrors. Other useful properties of the extruded glass honeycomb are its high softening temperature, its transparency to ultraviolet and visible light, and its ability to be redrawn. Embodiments that rely upon one or more of these properties include: a bio-reactor, a membrane reactor, a capillary flow controller, a high efficiency filtration system, in-situ water treatment, high temperature dielectric material, and photonic band gap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gitimoy Kar, Kenneth E. Hrdina, John F. Wight, Jr., C. Charles Yu
  • Coating for the working surface of the cylinders of combustion engines and a method of applying such a coating
    Patent number: 6548195
    Abstract: Ferrous coatings of the cylinder working surfaces of combustion engine blocks have a content of bound oxygen in the amount of between 1 to 4% by weight. They are characterized by extraordinary properties as far as tribology and the possibility of processing, e.g. machining, are concerned. Particularly, the coefficient of friction and the tendency to scuffing are substantially reduced. Such coatings can be realized, for example, by adding an amount of 200 to 1000 normalized liters air per minute during the plasma spraying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sulzer Metco AG
    Inventor: Gérard Barbezat
  • Sanitary ware and process for producing the same
    Patent number: 6548162
    Abstract: Sanitary wares having a controlled surface are disclosed which are less likely to be stained or soiled and/or possess excellent gloss. The first sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body, wherein the surface glaze layer has a center line average roughness Ra of less than 0.07 &mgr;m. This sanitary ware is advantageous in that stains or soils are much less likely to be adhered to the surface thereof and, even when adhered to the surface thereof, can be removed by a weak water stream. The second sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body, wherein the surface glaze layer has a kurtosis Rku of less than 2.70. This sanitary ware advantageously possesses excellent surface gloss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Machida, Koichi Hayashi, Hirotaka Ishibashi, Tomoyasu Ichiki, Masaaki Ito, Masami Ando, Atsushi Kitamura, Toshihiro Aoshima, Katsuhiro Kawakami, Satoshi Horiuchi, Makoto Hayakawa
  • Honeycomb cell structure and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 6544623
    Abstract: A honeycomb cell structure has a plurality of first strips each formed into a generally zig-zag configuration and placed side by side to form a plurality of rows of cells in a generally honeycomb configuration with nodes between adjacent cells in each row, and a plurality of second strips of brazing foil. Each second strip is positioned between a respective pair of adjacent first strips and the first and second strips are secured together at each node such that a brazing foil strip extends across each cell in each row of the honeycomb. The second strips have a series of spaced slits extending transversely from at least one side edge across at least a distance equal to greater than half of the width of the second strip, with at least some of the slits being located within the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: George C. P. Straza
  • Consolidated amorphous carbon materials, their manufacture and use
    Patent number: 6544648
    Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Reticle, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl C. Nesbitt, Xiaowei Sun
  • Artificial leather sheet substrate and production process thereof
    Patent number: 6517938
    Abstract: An artificial leather sheet substrate comprising: a fiber entangled nonwoven fabric composed of bundles of a polyamide-based microfine fibers comprising a polyamide or a polyamide composition having a hot toluene swelling degree of 2 to 10%, and having a fineness of 0.1 decitex or less; and an elastic polymer and a releasing agent between the bundles, the releasing agent being also added to the inside of the bundles. This leather-like sheet substrate is soft and is excellent in denseness, dyeability and color fastness. The sheet is suitable, as a suede-like artificial leather or a grain surface like artificial leather, for fields for which high quality is required, for example, for clothing. The sheet is high in denseness of surface napped fiber and is excellent in hand touch, writing effect and draping ability, especially as a suede-like artificial leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kurray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Andoh, Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, Yoshihiro Tamba
  • Consolidated amorphous carbon materials, their manufacture and use
    Patent number: 6511645
    Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Reticle, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl C. Nesbitt, Xiaowei Sun
  • Artificial marble, cured resin containing mica flake and/or glass flakes, and polymerizable composition containing mica flakes and/or glass flakes
    Patent number: 6511750
    Abstract: An artificial marble having appearance remarkably resembling that of a natural stone in which particles (X) containing a vinyl polymer (A) and mica flake (B) and/or a glass flake (C) are dispersed in a matrix (Y) containing a vinyl polymer (E); a mica flake- and/or glass flake-containing cured resin article which is useful as this particle (X); and a mica flake- and/or glass flake-containing polymerizable composition useful for production of the cured resin article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Yanagase, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Shougo Okazaki
  • Fire resistant composite panel
    Patent number: 6511730
    Abstract: Structurally strong composite sandwich panels are made using phenolic resin adhesives to bond the face sheets to the honeycomb. Certain configurations and combinations of phenolic resins and fire protection agents were found to provide low flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) panels which have high structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: F. Dana Blair, George Edward Green
  • Selective codeposition of particulate matter and plated articles thereof
    Patent number: 6506509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electroless coatings with varying densities of codeposited particles in the plated layer along the surface of the substrate where said variation of densities is directed by the angle of rotation of the substrate during the coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Surface Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Feldstein, Thomas Stephen Lancsek
  • Graphite-based heat sink
    Patent number: 6503626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for managing the heat from a heat source like an electronic component. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system effective for dissipating the heat generated by an electronic component using a heat sink formed from a compressed, comminuted particles of resin-impregnated flexible graphite mat or sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Graftech Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Norley, Jing-Wen Tzeng, Jeremy Klug