Patents by Inventor Charles C. Mentzer

Charles C. Mentzer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Thermoforming process for producing class “A” finish, high gloss automotive exterior parts
    Patent number: 7645416
    Abstract: A thermoforming methodology for laminated thermoplastic sheets which preserves the class “A” finish and high gloss thereof. In a thermoforming process including heating followed by vacuum and opposing air pressure application, and then followed by application of chilled compressed air, control of spherulite formation using any of: addition of a nucleating agent to the paint film, using the chilled compressed air at a temperature of substantially about 32° F., heating to no more than about 311° F., selecting a paint film having a high melting point temperature, and selecting a paint film that is non-crystalline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles K. Buehler, Charles C. Mentzer, Michael P. Balogh, Catherine A. Ostrander, Steven J. Schmidt
  • Article covered with painted carrier films
    Patent number: 4957802
    Abstract: A article made by the method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The article comprises a prepainted carrier film surface layer, an adhesive layer, and a rigid substrate layer. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation containing flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 15 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to such stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Mentzer, Howard W. Cox, William T. Short
  • Article covered with painted carrier films
    Patent number: 4868030
    Abstract: A method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation not containing any flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 10 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to the such stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Mentzer, Howard W. Cox, William T. Short
  • Method of applying painted carrier films to automobile body parts
    Patent number: 4838973
    Abstract: A method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation containing flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 15 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to such stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Mentzer, Howard W. Cox, WIlliam T. Short
  • Method of applying painted carrier films to automobile body parts
    Patent number: 4828637
    Abstract: A method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation not containing any flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 10 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to the such stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Mentzer, Howard W. Cox, William T. Short
  • Method of applying carrier films prepainted with metallic paint to automobile body panels
    Patent number: 4769100
    Abstract: A method of applying a carrier film prepainted with metallic paint containing metal flakes to an automobile body panel in a vacuum forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Short, Charles C. Mentzer, Howard W. Cox