Patents by Inventor James Kendall Hankins

James Kendall Hankins 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: 7337507
    Abstract: A fastener strip comprising a reclosable portion including an elongated first backing, including a trough extending lengthwise along the first backing and an elongated second backing, including a ridge extending lengthwise along a second backing, the ridge removably insertable into the trough to essentially prevent air flow across the trough, and a generally planar portion including essentially no ridge and essentially no trough, and a plug that joins the ridge of the reclosable portion and the trough of the reclosable portion at the adjacent end of the reclosable portion to the plug in an airtight seal that prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: COM-PAC International
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Patent number: 7074359
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough, joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials, in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary, with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Com-Pac International
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Patent number: 7041249
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having a permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Com-Pac International
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Publication number: 20040261234
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having a permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Publication number: 20040128806
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having a permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Publication number: 20040130050
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough, joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials, in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary, with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins