Patents by Inventor Donald L. Kurtz

Donald L. Kurtz 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).

  • Patent number: 6998170
    Abstract: Disclosed are both a method and composition for providing a flooring visual by agglomeration of components. The flooring visual is comprised of a jaspe or marble like finish. The agglomerated mix may be formed into welding rods or into decorative sheets. The decorative sheets may be seamed with the welding rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Balmer, Donald L. Kurtz, David R. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6815041
    Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for providing a three dimensional welding rod. The welding rod essentially comprises a first layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer having pigmented particles and a second layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer of clear particle. The three dimensional welding rod includes three dimensional pigmented particles which appear to be dispersed about the clear particles and having an excess of clear upon forming the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Blamer, Donald L. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20030077431
    Abstract: Disclosed are both a method and composition for providing a flooring visual by agglomeration of components. The flooring visual is comprised of a jaspe or marble like finish. The agglomerated mix may be formed into welding rods or into decorative sheets. The decorative sheets may be seamed with the welding rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Balmer, Donald L. Kurtz, David R. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20030072936
    Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for providing a three dimensional welding rod. The welding rod essentially comprises a first layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer having pigmented particles and a second layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer of clear particle. The three dimensional welding rod includes three dimensional pigmented particles which appear to be dispersed about the clear particles and having an excess of clear upon forming the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Balmer, Donald L. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5955173
    Abstract: The welding rod used to weld the surface covering has a laminate structure in which a print layer is disposed between a first thermoplastic layer and a second transparent thermoplastic layer. Preferably the welding rod is in the form of an elongated element having a half-round cross-sectional shape. The welding rod is used to join two pieces of thermoplastic sheeting, particularly flooring, together. If the welding rod has a pattern similar to the printed pattern of the sheeting the resulting surface covering looks seamless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Balmer, Donald L. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5712032
    Abstract: The welding rod is a laminate structure in which a print layer is disposed between a first thermoplastic layer and a second transparent thermoplastic layer. Preferably the welding rod is in the form of an elongated element having a half-round cross-sectional shape. The welding rod is used to join two pieces of thermoplastic sheeting, particularly flooring, together. If the welding rod has a pattern similar to the printed pattern of the sheeting the resulting surface covering looks seamless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Balmer, Donald L. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5084501
    Abstract: A highly filled PVC resin powder is formed by coating filler particles with a liquid and blending a dispersion grade PVC resin with the coated filler particles in a low shear mixer. Resin compositions having 60% to 95% filler can be formed. A majority of the resin particles have a size of less than 15 microns. The filler has a particle size distribution in which at least 50% by weight and preferably at least 95% by weight of the particles are retained on a 200 mesh (U.S. Standard) screen. The liquid is a plasticizer and/or stabilizer. Such a composition may be sintered to form a porous mass or layer and the mass or layer printed with a plastisol or acrylate ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. Drout, Donald L. Kurtz, Elvin M. Weidman