Patents by Inventor Gianfranco Chicarella
Gianfranco Chicarella 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).
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Patent number: 9186593Abstract: Described are stretchable and formable lighter than air balloons including a high barrier lamination. The stretchable and formable balloons stretch when overinflated instead of failing. The balloons are formed from a lamination including a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m including a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The polyester film has an Elongation % in the transverse direction (TD) or machine direction (MD) of greater than 125%.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignees: Toray Plastics (America), Inc., Anagram International, Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco Chicarella, Nao Yokota, Tracy A. Paolilli, John J. Fitch, Todd Richard Sarnstrom, Dean Borchardt, Paul Andrew Ansolabehere, Steven Sargeant, Larissa M. Boutin, Robert T. Ervolino, Douglas J. Bower, Delaware Hood
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Patent number: 8399080Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignees: Toray Plastics (America), Inc., Anagram International, Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco Chicarella, Nao Yokota, Tracy A. Paolilli, John J. Fitch, Todd R. Sarnstrom, Dean Borchardt, Paul A. Ansolabehere, Steven Sargeant
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Patent number: 8323759Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco Chicarella, Nao Yokota, Tracy A. Paolilli, John J. Fitch, Todd Richard Sarnstrom, Dean Borchardt, Paul Andrew Ansolabehere, Steven Sargeant
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Patent number: 8236399Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Toray Plastics (America), Inc., Anagram International, Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco Chicarella, Nao Yokota, Tracy A. Paolilli, John J. Fitch, Todd Richard Sarnstrom, Dean Borchardt, Paul Andrew Ansolabehere, Steven Sargeant
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Publication number: 20120035034Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metalized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Todd Sarnstrom, Paul Ansolabehere, Dean Borchardt, Andrew Swanson, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Michael Fatica, Gianfranco Chicarella
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Publication number: 20110287199Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicants: Anagram International, Inc., TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.Inventors: Gianfranco CHICARELLA, Nao YOKOTA, Tracy A. PAOLILLI, John J. FITCH, Todd R. SARNSTROM, Dean BORCHARDT, Paul A. ANSOLABEHERE, Steven SARGEANT
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Publication number: 20110287200Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicants: Anagram International, Inc., TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.Inventors: Gianfranco CHICARELLA, Nao YOKOTA, Tracy A. PAOLILLI, John J. FITCH, Todd R. SARNSTROM, Dean BORCHARDT, Paul A. ANSOLABEHERE, Steven SARGEANT
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Publication number: 20110223828Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Todd Sarnstrom, Paul Ansolabehere, Dean Borchardt, Andrew Swanson, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Michael Fatica, Gianfranco Chicarella
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Patent number: 7972193Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Anagram International , Inc.Inventors: Todd Sarnstrom, Paul Ansolabehere, Dean Borchardt, Andrew Swanson, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Michael Fatica, Gianfranco Chicarella
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Patent number: 7799399Abstract: A process for fabricating a high barrier lamination suitable for the construction of lighter than air materials including providing a thin, two layer thermoplastic film consisting of an amorphous copolyester skin and a high crystalline polyester core; plasma treating the high crystalline polyester core layer to a surface energy of about 50 to about 68 dyne; depositing a metal barrier layer to an optical density of about 2.2 to about 3.2; and extrusion coating a linear low density polyethylene sealant layer on the amorphous copolyester skin layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.Inventors: Steven Sargeant, Gianfranco Chicarella, John Medeiros, Joseph Anthony Bourgeault, Todd Richard Sarnstrom, Paul Andrew Ansolabehere, Todd Fayne
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Publication number: 20100159795Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Todd Sarnstrom, Paul Ansolabehere, Dean Borchardt, Andrew Swanson, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Michael Fatica, Gianfranco Chicarella
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Publication number: 20090022919Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicants: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC., Anagram International, Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco CHICARELLA, Nao Yokota, Tracy A. Paolilli, John J. Fitch, Todd R. Sarnstrom, Dean Borchardt, Paul A. Ansolabehere, Steven Sargeant
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Publication number: 20070287017Abstract: A process for fabricating a high barrier lamination suitable for the construction of lighter than air materials including providing a thin, two layer thermoplastic film consisting of an amorphous copolyester skin and a high crystalline polyester core; plasma treating the high crystalline polyester core layer to a surface energy of about 50 to about 68 dyne; depositing a metal barrier layer to an optical density of about 2.2 to about 3.2; and extrusion coating a linear low density polyethylene sealant layer on the amorphous copolyester skin layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: Toray Plastics (America), Inc. Lumirror DivisonInventors: Steven Sargeant, Gianfranco Chicarella, John Medeiros, Joseph A. Bourgeault, Todd R. Sarnstrom, Paul A. Ansolabehere, Todd Fayne
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Publication number: 20070004299Abstract: Described are barrier films that include a modified polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl amine coating resin. The barrier films exhibit a combination of good oxygen barrier properties, moisture resistance and adhesion properties characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC. LUMIRROR DIVISIONInventors: John Fitch, Steven Sargeant, Gianfranco Chicarella, Bonnie Adams
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Publication number: 20040229033Abstract: A directly embossable, coated polyethyleneterephthalate film including a dry, uniaxially oriented PET film, and a coating applied to the PET film, wherein the coating and the PET film have as a composite been transversely stretched, the coating resin being capable of impregnating the PET surface on drawing, rendering the film surface susceptible to embossing under pressure and the coating having low heat sealability and a method of producing a coated, directly embossable polyethyleneterephthalate film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Toray Plastics (America), Inc. a corporation of Rhode IslandInventors: John Fitch, Jan Moritz, Gianfranco Chicarella, Yuji Shimizu, Yasuo Nishigaka, Bonnie Adams, Michael G. Fatica, Steven J. Sargeant
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Patent number: 6761958Abstract: A directly embossable, coated polyethyleneterephthalate film including a dry, uniaxially oriented PET film, and a coating applied to the PET film, wherein the coating and the PET film have as a composite been transversely stretched, the coating resin being capable of impregnating the PET surface on drawing, rendering the film surface susceptible to embossing under pressure and the coating having low heat sealability and a method of producing a coated, directly embossable polyethyleneterephthalate film.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.Inventors: John Fitch, Jan Moritz, Gianfranco Chicarella, Jr., Yuji Shimizu, Yasuo Nishigaki, Bonnie Adams, Michael G. Fatica, Steven J. Sargeant
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Publication number: 20030108756Abstract: A directly embossable, coated polyethyleneterephthalate film including a dry, uniaxially oriented PET film, and a coating applied to the PET film, wherein the coating and the PET film have as a composite been transversely stretched, the coating resin being capable of impregnating the PET surface on drawing, rendering the film surface susceptible to embossing under pressure and the coating having low heat sealability and a method of producing a coated, directly embossable polyethyleneterephthalate film.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.Inventors: John Fitch, Jan Moritz, Gianfranco Chicarella, Yuji Shimizu, Yasuo Nishigaki, Bonnie Adams, Michael G. Fatica, Steven J. Sargeant