Patents by Inventor Frank J. Kronzer

Frank J. Kronzer 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: 10519320
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a release sheet. To form the release sheet, a release coating is applied over a first surface of a base sheet. Generally, the release coating includes a fatty alcohol ester of acrylic acid and a curable monomer, and can also include a curable polymeric resin. Then, the release coating can be cured. In one particular embodiment, the release coating can be substantially free from siloxanes. The release sheet formed according to this method is also generally provided, along with methods of forming a casting sheet using the release sheet are also generally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Neenah, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Melanie K. Calkins, Gerry D. Rector
  • Patent number: 9745701
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a casting paper. In one embodiment, the casting paper can be made by coating a first surface of a base sheet with a release coating such that the release coating covers the entire first surface of the base sheet. A printed release coating is then applied on a portion of the first release coating, and is dried or cured as needed to form the casting paper having a textured surface defined by elevated areas corresponding to the printed release coating and valley areas corresponding to exposed areas of the printed release coating. In another embodiment, the casting paper can be made by first printing a base sheet with a patterned, structured coating, then coating over the patterned, structured coating with a release coating such that the release coating covers at least the unprinted areas of the base sheet. The casting paper can be used to form a texturized surface in a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Steven E. Rosenberg, John A. Pugliano
  • Patent number: 9227451
    Abstract: Methods are generally provided of transferring an image to a substrate using a colorless fusible polymer material printed onto a printable surface of a printable transfer sheet to form an imaged area. The printable transfer sheet can be positioned adjacent to a coating transfer sheet such that the imaged area is adjacent to a meltable coating layer of the coating transfer sheet. The meltable coating layer and the imaged area can then be fused together, and the sheets separated to form an intermediate coated imaged sheet, such that the imaged area is coated with the meltable coating layer. The intermediate coated imaged sheet can be positioned adjacent to the substrate such that the imaged area coated with the meltable coating layer is adjacent to substrate, and heat and pressure can be applied. The intermediate coated imaged sheet can be separated from the substrate to leave the imaged area on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Dolsey, Frank J. Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20140287201
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a release sheet. To form the release sheet, a release coating is applied over a first surface of a base sheet. Generally, the release coating includes a fatty alcohol ester of acrylic acid and a curable monomer, and can also include a curable polymeric resin. Then, the release coating can be cured. In one particular embodiment, the release coating can be substantially free from siloxanes. The release sheet formed according to this method is also generally provided, along with methods of forming a casting sheet using the release sheet are also generally provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Melanie K. Calkins, Gerry D. Rector
  • Patent number: 8758548
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a release sheet. To form the release sheet, a release coating is applied over a first surface of a base sheet. Generally, the release coating includes a fatty alcohol ester of acrylic acid and a curable monomer, and can also include a curable polymeric resin. Then, the release coating can be cured. In one particular embodiment, the release coating can be substantially free from siloxanes. The release sheet formed according to this method is also generally provided, along with methods of forming a casting sheet using the release sheet are also generally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Melanie K. Calkins, Gerry D. Rector
  • Publication number: 20130045349
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a release sheet. To form the release sheet, a release coating is applied over a first surface of a base sheet. Generally, the release coating includes a fatty alcohol ester of acrylic acid and a curable monomer, and can also include a curable polymeric resin. Then, the release coating can be cured. In one particular embodiment, the release coating can be substantially free from siloxanes. The release sheet formed according to this method is also generally provided, along with methods of forming a casting sheet using the release sheet are also generally provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: NEENAH PAPER, INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Melanie K. Calkins, Gerry D. Rector
  • Publication number: 20130045330
    Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a casting paper. In one embodiment, the casting paper can be made by coating a first surface of a base sheet with a release coating such that the release coating covers the entire first surface of the base sheet. A printed release coating is then applied on a portion of the first release coating, and is dried or cured as needed to form the casting paper having a textured surface defined by elevated areas corresponding to the printed release coating and valley areas corresponding to exposed areas of the printed release coating. In another embodiment, the casting paper can be made by first printing a base sheet with a patterned, structured coating, then coating over the patterned, structured coating with a release coating such that the release coating covers at least the unprinted areas of the base sheet. The casting paper can be used to form a texturized surface in a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: NEENAH PAPER, INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Stephen C. Lapin, Steven E. Rosenberg, John A. Pugliano
  • Publication number: 20120325401
    Abstract: Methods are generally provided of transferring an image to a substrate using a colorless fusible polymer material printed onto a printable surface of a printable transfer sheet to form an imaged area. The printable transfer sheet can be positioned adjacent to a coating transfer sheet such that the imaged area is adjacent to a meltable coating layer of the coating transfer sheet. The meltable coating layer and the imaged area can then be fused together, and the sheets separated to form an intermediate coated imaged sheet, such that the imaged area is coated with the meltable coating layer. The intermediate coated imaged sheet can be positioned adjacent to the substrate such that the imaged area coated with the meltable coating layer is adjacent to substrate, and heat and pressure can be applied. The intermediate coated imaged sheet can be separated from the substrate to leave the imaged area on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Russell Dolsey, Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 8236122
    Abstract: A method of forming an opaque image on a substrate is generally provided. The method generally includes the use of three papers: a toner printable sheet, a coating transfer sheet, and an opaque transfer sheet. Toner printing can be utilized to print an image on the toner printable sheet, and then the toner ink can be utilized to remove a portion of a melt coating layer from the coating transfer sheet to form an intermediate imaged coated transfer sheet. This intermediate imaged coated transfer sheet and the opaque transfer sheet can then be utilized to form an image, defined by the opaque areas, on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 8172974
    Abstract: Methods and products for forming a coated image on a substrate are generally disclosed. The methods can include forming an image on a printable surface of a transfer coating layer of a printable transfer sheet. In a separate step, the negative mirror image of that same image is printed with toners on a toner printable sheet. After registering the sheets together, a portion of the transfer coating layer of the printable transfer sheet is transferred to the toner printable sheet, such that the portion of the transfer coating layer transferred to the toner printable sheet corresponds to the imaged areas on the toner printable sheet. However, the image formed on the printable surface of the transfer coating layer and the underlying transfer coating substantially remain on the printable transfer sheet. Thereafter, the image and the transfer coating layer remaining on the printable transfer sheet are transferred to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 8157944
    Abstract: Methods of making a stenciled screen for use in screen printing an image onto a substrate are generally disclosed. The method involves removing a portion of a transfer coating from a transfer sheet via heat transfer with a printable sheet defining a printable surface. The portion of the transfer coating removed from the transfer sheet corresponds to areas where an ink is present on the printable surface of the printable sheet. The transfer coating can then be transferred to a screen to form a stenciled screen having closed mesh areas corresponding to where the transfer coating is present. The stenciled screen can then be used to screen print an image onto any of a variety of fibrous substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7828922
    Abstract: Methods of making fibrous webs having a visible transparency variation image and products constructed from such methods are generally disclosed. The variation in transparency creates a transparency variation image in the fibrous substrate in the form of a false watermark and/or a false shadow mark. In the method disclosed, a transfer sheet having a transfer coating is utilized. A portion of the transfer coating is removed from the transfer sheet by heat transfer with a printable sheet having a toner image applied thereon. The transfer coating of the transfer sheet includes a powdered thermoplastic polymer and a film-forming binder. The film-forming binder can have a melting point that is less than that of the powdered thermoplastic polymer. In the final step of the method, the remaining transfer coating is transferred to a fibrous substrate to form the transparency variation image in the fibrous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20100089525
    Abstract: A method of forming an opaque image on a substrate is generally provided. The method generally includes the use of three papers: a toner printable sheet, a coating transfer sheet, and an opaque transfer sheet. Toner printing can be utilized to print an image on the toner printable sheet, and then the toner ink can be utilized to remove a portion of a melt coating layer from the coating transfer sheet to form an intermediate imaged coated transfer sheet. This intermediate intermediate imaged coated transfer sheet and the opaque transfer sheet can then be utilized to form an image, defined by the opaque areas, on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7604856
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring a discontinuous coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior crack resistance, washability, and breathability compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without washed-out appearance typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the use of discontinuous coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Kronzer, Robert A. Janssen
  • Publication number: 20090136866
    Abstract: Methods of making a stenciled screen for use in screen printing an image onto a substrate are generally disclosed. The method involves removing a portion of a transfer coating from a transfer sheet via heat transfer with a printable sheet defining a printable surface. The portion of the transfer coating removed from the transfer sheet corresponds to areas where an ink is present on the printable surface of the printable sheet. The transfer coating can then be transferred to a screen to form a stenciled screen having closed mesh areas corresponding to where the transfer coating is present. The stenciled screen can then be used to screen print an image onto any of a variety of fibrous substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20090110850
    Abstract: Methods and products for forming a coated image on a substrate are generally disclosed. The methods can include forming an image on a printable surface of a transfer coating layer of a printable transfer sheet. In a separate step, the negative mirror image of that same image is printed with toners on a toner printable sheet. After registering the sheets together, a portion of the transfer coating layer of the printable transfer sheet is transferred to the toner printable sheet, such that the portion of the transfer coating layer transferred to the toner printable sheet corresponds to the imaged areas on the toner printable sheet. However, the image formed on the printable surface of the transfer coating layer and the underlying transfer coating substantially remain on the printable transfer sheet. Thereafter, the image and the transfer coating layer remaining on the printable transfer sheet are transferred to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: NEENAH PAPER, INC.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20090111039
    Abstract: Methods of making fibrous webs having a visible transparency variation image and products constructed from such methods are generally disclosed. The variation in transparency creates a transparency variation image in the fibrous substrate in the form of a false watermark and/or a false shadow mark. In the method disclosed, a transfer sheet having a transfer coating is utilized. A portion of the transfer coating is removed from the transfer sheet by heat transfer with a printable sheet having a toner image applied thereon. The transfer coating of the transfer sheet includes a powdered thermoplastic polymer and a film-forming binder. The film-forming binder can have a melting point that is less than that of the powdered thermoplastic polymer. In the final step of the method, the remaining transfer coating is transferred to a fibrous substrate to form the transparency variation image in the fibrous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7364636
    Abstract: The present invention was directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring an image-bearing coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used in cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior washability, compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without graying of the opaque background or dulling of colored images typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the addition of crosslinking agents to the coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7238410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring a discontinuous coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior crack resistance, washability, and breathability compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without washed-out appearance typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the use of discontinuous coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20020146544
    Abstract: The present invention was directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring an image-bearing coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used in cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior washability, compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without graying of the opaque background or dulling of colored images typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the addition of crosslinking agents to the coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Frank J. Kronzer