Patents by Inventor Eckhard Prinz

Eckhard Prinz 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: 7989034
    Abstract: A method for continuous atmospheric plasma treatment of an electrically insulating workpiece. The workpiece is arranged at a distance beneath at least one high-voltage electrode which extends across a direction of movement. The electrode and the workpiece are set in motion relative to one another. The high voltage being applied to the high-voltage electrode, preferably is in the form of an AC voltage. A first space situated between the high-voltage electrode and the workpiece is filled with a first atmosphere and a second space on the side of the workpiece facing away from the high-voltage electrode is filled with a second atmosphere that is different from the first atmosphere. The second space is adjacent to a back side of the workpiece. The choice of high voltage and of the first and second atmospheres is made in such a way that a plasma discharge is ignited in the second atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Softal Corona & Plasma GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Peter Palm, Frank Forster
  • Patent number: 7859180
    Abstract: Disclosure of an electrode arrangement (1) as high voltage electrode for continual plasma treatment or plasma coating of web material with several knife electrodes (3) arranged at a right angle to any transport direction of the web material and essentially located parallely to each other which is characterized by the fact that the distances (a?e) of adjacent knife electrodes (3) vary. In tests it has turned out that a more uniform coating result or, respectively, treatment result can be achieved with such an electrode arrangement than with comparable arrangements in which the knife electrodes are arranged equidistant. Preferably, the distances (a) between adjacent knife electrodes (3) are larger at the edges of the electrode arrangement (1) than the distances (e) between adjacent knife electrodes (3) in its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Softal Electronic Erik Blumenfeld GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Peter Palm, Frank Forster
  • Publication number: 20100221451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method with which a workpiece can be subjected to an atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment and/or plasma discharge on a side facing away from the high-voltage electrodes inducing the plasma discharge. This is a method for continuous atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment and/or plasma coating of electrically insulated workpieces, in particular boards or sheets of material in which a workpiece to be treated is arranged at a distance beneath at least one high-voltage electrode extending across the direction of movement over at least the width of the surface of the workpiece to be treated, and the electrode and the workpiece are set in motion in relation to one another in a direction of movement, a high voltage being applied to the high-voltage electrode, preferably in the form of an a.c.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: SOFTAL ELECTRONIC ERIK BLUMENFELD GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Peter Palm, Frank Forster
  • Publication number: 20100112235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plasma under continuous atmospheric pressure of, in particular, electrically insulating workpieces, in particular material plates or strips. According to said method, the workpiece which is to be machined, is arranged at a distance below at least one electrode which is made of two barrier electrodes, which are arranged in a successive manner in the direction of displacement with a gap, and which extends in a manner which is transversal to the direction of displacement at least over the width of the surface of the workpiece which is to be machined. The electrode and the workpiece are mutually offset in the direction of displacement. High voltage, which is in the form of an alternating voltage, is applied to the barrier electrodes, in order to provoke at least plasma discharge in the gap. The plasma discharge is driven by the gas flow from the gap in the direction of the surface of the workpiece which is to be machined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SOFTAL ELECTRONIC ERIK BLUMENFELD GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Peter Palm, Frank Forster
  • Publication number: 20090211894
    Abstract: The application of CORONA discharge is proposed in continuous and semi-continuous processes for the finishing of cotton, flax, cotton/flax blends or other cellulosic materials, either in form of yarns, woven or knitted fabrics, in order to obtain complete hidrophilization and an increase of reticulation potential. The goal is to achieve easier and uniform wetting and impregnation with treatment products and an improved adhesion of resins and binders. The operations where CORONA discharge is included are desizing, alkaline treatment, bleaching, caustification, mercerization, dyeing, printing and final finishing treatments, namely softening, hydrophilization, easy-care, anti-shrinkage and fireproofing. Discharge is continuously applied in open width materials with controlled humidity and temperature, in the stages of raw, desized, bleached or finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Noemia Maria Ribeiro De Almeida Carneiro Pacheco, Antonio Pedro Garcia De Valadares Souto, Eckhard Prinz, Frank Förster
  • Publication number: 20090200911
    Abstract: Disclosure of an electrode arrangement (1) as high voltage electrode for continual plasma treatment or plasma coating of web material with several knife electrodes (3) arranged at a right angle to any transport direction of the web material and essentially located parallely to each other which is characterized by the fact that the distances (a?e) of adjacent knife electrodes (3) vary. In tests it has turned out that a more uniform coating result or, respectively, treatment result can be achieved with such an electrode arrangement than with comparable arrangements in which the knife electrodes are arranged equidistant. Preferably, the distances (a) between adjacent knife electrodes (3) are larger at the edges of the electrode arrangement (1) than the distances (e) between adjacent knife electrodes (3) in its center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SOFTAL ELECTRONIC ERIK BLUMENFELD GMBH & CO.
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Peter Palm, Frank Forster
  • Patent number: 7396783
    Abstract: A fibrous structure testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test includes exposing the fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and the fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic, wherein the fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, and wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anna Nihlstrand, Barbro Moberg-Alehammar, Shabira Abbas, Asa Lindstrom, Alain Villermet, Francois Coeuret, Panayotis Cocolios, Bernd Martens, Eckhard Prinz, Franck Forster
  • Patent number: 7147758
    Abstract: Methods for treating polymeric substrates by placing the substrate in a gaseous mixture and subjecting it to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge. The gaseous mixture, which has a pressure around atmospheric, contains a carrier gas, a reducing gas and an oxidizing gas. The amount of the oxidizing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and about 2000 ppm by volume, while the amount of the reducing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and 30000 ppm by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A' Directolre et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude Et. l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, SOFTAL Electronic Erik Blumentfeld GmbH Co
    Inventors: Panayotis Cocolios, François Coeuret, Franck Forster, Jean-Louis Gelot, Bernd Martens, Eckhard Prinz, Géraldine Rames-Langlade, Alain Villermet
  • Publication number: 20060097170
    Abstract: A device for corona treatment of electrically insulating plastic films has a counter electrode across which a plastic film to be treated is guided and a high-voltage electrode extending transversely to a travel direction of the plastic film. The high-voltage electrode has several electrode segments extending in the travel direction of the plastic film to be treated. The electrode segments are arranged to be pivotable transversely to the travel direction out of a treatment area. Discharge edges of the electrode segments are divided into individual discharge tongues spaced apart from one another in the travel direction of the plastic film and project in a direction toward the plastic film. The discharge tongues of adjacently positioned electrode segments are staggered relative to one another in the travel direction of the plastic film such that the discharge tongues are positioned tongue on gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Frank Forster, Peter Palm
  • Publication number: 20030153227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous structure, being testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test comprises exposing said fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and said fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic. wherein said fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test, use of said fibrous structure, tissue product and nonwoven material made of said fibrous structure. Further, it relates to an absorbent article comprising at least one of said fibrous structure and to use of said absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Anna Nihlstrand, Barbro Moberg-Alehammar, Shabira Abbas, Asa Lindstrom, Alain Villermet, Francois Coeuret, Panayotis Cocolios, Bernd Martens, Eckhard Prinz, Franck Forster
  • Publication number: 20030091754
    Abstract: A method for treating cellulosic fibres, according to which the fibre is submitted to an electrical discharge, in presence of a treatment gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, as well as a reducing gas and/or an oxidizing gas, at the atmospheric pressure, characterized in that:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Thami Chihani, Panayotis Cocolios, Franck Forster, Bernd Martens, Anna Nihlstrand, Eckhard Prinz
  • Publication number: 20030075432
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the surface treatment of polymeric substrates whereby the substrate is subjected to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge, in a gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, and a reducing and/or oxidising gas, at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following implementing conditions: when the mixture comprises an oxidising gas, the oxidising gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 2000 ppm by volume; when the mixture comprises a reducing gas, the reducing gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 30000 ppm by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Panayotis Cocolios, Francois Coeuret, Franck Forster, Jean-Louis Gelot, Bernd Martens, Eckhard Prinz, Geraldine Rames-Langlade, Alain Villermet
  • Patent number: 6458330
    Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: L′Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l′Etude et l′Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Panayotis Cocolios, François Coeuret, Wolfgang Döring, Franck Förster, Jean-Louis Gelot, Bernd Martens, Stéphane Melen, Eckhard Prinz, Jean-Yves Thonnelier, Alain Villermet
  • Publication number: 20020057999
    Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Panayotis Cocolios, Francois Coeuret, Wolfgang Doring, Franck Forster, Jean-Louis Gelot, Bernd Martens, Stephane Melen, Eckhard Prinz, Jean-Yves Thonnelier, Alain Villermet
  • Patent number: 6361748
    Abstract: A barrier electrode for the treatment of surfaces of electronically conductive or non-conductive materials with medium frequency electric discharges and a barrier electrode arrangement with one or more such barrier electrodes, wherein the barrier electrode is constructed as a tube of dielectric material with two ducts extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tube. The duct which in the position of use faces the counter electrode is provided with a high voltage conductor and the other duct serves for supplying a temperature-influencing medium or a process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: SOFTAL Electronic Erik Blumenfeld GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Eckhard Prinz, Bernd Martens, Claus Lorentz
  • Patent number: 6312767
    Abstract: A process for the surface treatment of a running substrate by an electrical discharge created between two roller electrodes, comprising a first roller electrode and a second roller electrode, in a gas mixture comprising the steps of passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against the first roller electrode; injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a first surface treatment to the substrate; passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against a second roller electrode; and injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a second surface treatment to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Alain Villermet, François Coeuret, Panayotis Cocolios, Bernd Martens, Eckhard Prinz, Jürgen Salge
  • Publication number: 20010002288
    Abstract: Device for the surface treatment of a substrate (3) by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a gas mixture liable to generate by-products (powders, for example) which may be deposited on the electrodes, in which device one (9) of the electrodes is a roller against which the substrate may be applied, means being provided for rotating the roller and the substrate and for injecting the gas mixture between the electrodes, the device being noteworthy in that the second electrode is a roller electrode (11) against which the running substrate may also be applied, this roller (11) being placed parallel to the other roller (9) with a suitable gap. By virtue of this arrangement, the substrate (3) protects each electrode (11) and prevents it from being covered with powder during the treatment, as well as preventing the corresponding contamination, thereby allowing the device to operate continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: ALAIN VILLERMET, FRANCOIS COEURET, PANAYOTIS COCOLIOS, BERND MARTENS, ECKHARD PRINZ, JURGEN SALGE
  • Patent number: 5952108
    Abstract: A product substrate coated with a uniform deposit of silicon oxide created by subjecting the substrate to an electrical discharge with a dielectric barrier in the presence of a controlled atmosphere containing a silane and an oxidizing gas, the atmosphere being at a pressure higher than 10,000 Pa, and wherein the atmosphere is maintained in the immediate vicinity of an electrode in the region where the electrical discharge is produced and further wherein any entrainment of oxygen other than that forming part of the atmosphere in the region is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frank Slootman, Pascal Bouard, Fran.cedilla.ois Coeuret, Eckhard Prinz, Dominique Jouvaud
  • Patent number: 5753193
    Abstract: A device for creating a deposit of silicon oxide on a traveling solid substrate, wherein the substrate is subjected to an electrical discharge with a dielectric barrier in the presence of a controlled atmosphere containing a silane and an oxidizing gas, the atmosphere being at a pressure higher than 10,000 Pa, and wherein the atmosphere is maintained in the immediate vicinity of an electrode in the region where the electrical discharge is produced and further wherein any entrainment of oxygen other than that forming part of the atmosphere in the region is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Softal Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Slootman, Pascal Bouard, Fran.cedilla.ois Coeuret, Dominique Jouvaud, Eckhard Prinz
  • Patent number: 5576076
    Abstract: According to the process the substrate (2) is subjected to an electrical discharge with a dielectric barrier, for example a discharge in the presence of an atmosphere containing a silane, an oxidizing gas, NO, N.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2 or O.sub.2, in particular, and a neutral carrier gas such as nitrogen or argon. A controlled atmosphere containing the silane and the oxidizing gas is maintained in the immediate vicinity of the electrode, around the electrode (6) employed for the electrical discharge, while avoiding the process being perturbed by atmospheric air entrained, for example, by the substrate (2) as it travels (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frank Slootman, Pascal Bouard, Fran.cedilla.ois Coeuret, Dominique Jouvaud, Eckhard Prinz