Patents by Inventor John Ralph

John Ralph 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: 6153304
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture are provided with a low surface energy, permanently non-stick, non-fouling and ice-phobic surface by a system of coating comprising applying a primary coating having a surface energy of 22-28 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a novel polymeric material having non-stick and hardness properties and then applying a top coating having lower surface energy of from about 18-21 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a siliconic polymer and interdigitating means to make the top coating permanent, the means preferably comprising a bi- or polyfunctional organic compound adapted to wet the surface of the primary coating and chemically or physically bond thereto and to couple to the siliconic polymeric substance in the top coating. The coated substrates are resistant to marking by graffiti, to adherence by marine fouling organisms, and frozen ice on the surface is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Decora Incorporated
    Inventors: John Ralph Smith, Nissim N. Garti
  • Patent number: 6119657
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed which is intended for use with an injector. The connector comprises a projection defining an inlet passage sealed, in use, within a bore provided in the injector. The inlet passage communicates with at least one outlet passage. The connector further comprises at least one tooth received within a recess provided in the injector to secure the connector to the injector. The recess is conveniently defined by a body and nut forming part of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: John William Stevens, Keith Graham Walker, Martin John Ralph, Alan Conway Green, Andrew Joseph John Drummond, David Frederick Greenfield, Adrian Mark Greaney, Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 6120849
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture are provided with a low surface energy, permanently non-stick, non-fouling and ice-phobic surface by a system of coating comprising applying a primary coating having a surface energy of 22-28 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a novel polymeric material having non-stick and hardness properties and then applying a top coating having lower surface energy of from about 18-21 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a siliconic polymer and interdigitating means to make the top coating permanent, the means preferably comprising a bi- or polyfunctional organic compound adapted to wet the surface of the primary coating and chemically or physically bond thereto and to couple to the siliconic polymeric substance in the top coating. The coated substrates are resistant to marking by graffiti, to adherence by marine fouling organisms, and frozen ice on the surface is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Decora, Incorporated
    Inventors: John Ralph Smith, Nissim N. Garti
  • Patent number: 6087015
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoplastic film having a matte surface comprising: a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer, the core layer having a first side and a second side, and a matte surface layer on a first side of the core layer, the matte surface layer comprising a blend of (i) a copolymer of ethylene and propylene or a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefin or a propylene homopolymer; (ii) an ethylene polymer and (iii) a polydialkylsiloxane selected from the group consisting of (1) a polydialkylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight above about 250,000, typically above about 300,000 and a viscosity of above about 10,000,000 cSt, usually ranging from about 15,000,000 to about 20,000,000 cSt., and (2) a polydialkylsiloxane functionalized polyolefin. The external surface of the matte surface layer demonstrates a coefficient of friction ranging from about 0.1 to about 0.85 as determined by ASTM D1894 with an 18.14 kg (4 lb.) pound sled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: George Forman Cretekos, John Ralph Wagner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6086995
    Abstract: An improved self-wound roll of a pressure sensitive adhesive coated laminate comprising a substrate which becomes dimensionally-unstable under normal processing conditions, e.g., printing, at least one layer comprising a continuous film of a normally dimensionally stable polymer adhesively fixed to one or both sides of the substrate thereby stabilizing it during processing, a transparent flexible release layer of a resin on the outwardly facing surface of the laminate, and a layer of a modified pressure sensitive adhesive on the inwardly facing surface of the substrate. The laminate can be processed without distortion, wound into rolls, unwound and applied to a surface to be decorated without delamination or shrinkage and without distortion of printed indicia, and it ultimately can be stripped without damage to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Decora North America
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 6084020
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture are provided with a low surface energy, permanently non-stick, non-fouling and ice-phobic surface by a system of coating comprising applying a primary coating having a surface energy of 22-28 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a novel polymeric material having non-stick and hardness properties and then applying a top coating having lower surface energy of from about 18-21 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a siliconic polymer and interdigitating means to make the top coating permanent, the means preferably comprising a bi- or polyfunctional organic compound adapted to wet the surface of the primary coating and chemically or physically bond thereto and to couple to the siliconic polymeric substance in the top coating. The coated substrates are resistant to marking by graffiti, to adherence by marine fouling organisms, and frozen ice on the surface is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Decora, Incorporated
    Inventors: John Ralph Smith, Nissim N. Garti
  • Patent number: 6074762
    Abstract: A block-resistant film is described which comprises a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer having a first side and a second side; a functional layer which is printable or sealable or treatable for printing or sealing is on the first side of the core layer, and a block-resistant layer is on the second side of the core layer. The block-resistant layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an amount of a polydialkylsiloxane, based upon the entire weight of the block-resistant layer, sufficient to inhibit blocking of the block-resistant layer to the functional layer when they are in contact and which polydialkylsiloxane deposits silicon onto the functional layer but the amount of silicon deposited is not substantially detrimental to the printing function or the sealing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: George Forman Cretekos, Lucy Dang, John Ralph Wagner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6057276
    Abstract: This invention provides graffiti removers for removing permanent ink stains from painted surfaces. This graffiti removers include an active solvent for dissolving the stains, which are organic in nature, an optional secondary solvent for concentrated attack on the stain without being adversely affected by dilution with water, an emollient for maintaining a uniform dispersion of particulates in the remover and on the graffiti-stained painted surfaces, and an amorphous, particulate, mildly abrasive filler for imbiding the solvents, the filler being selected to permit the slow release of the active solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Decora Incorporated
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 5986852
    Abstract: A low profile, high capacity, high performance disk drive includes a plurality of disk surfaces mounted in parallel for simultaneous rotation about an axis. Each of a plurality of data transducer heads for reading and/or writing data to the data surfaces is attached to a slider. A stacked arm actuator for moving the data transducer heads in a radial direction across the disk surfaces includes a supporting arm and a suspension load beam attached to the supporting arm. The suspension load beam connects the supporting arm to the slider. The suspension load beam includes a load dimple bearing on the slider and has opposed stiffening flanges extending in a plane adjacent the slider. The actuator includes a stack of 9 head arm suspension assemblies and the stack has a height of 16.634 mm. An interdisk spacing of less than 1.4 mm provides a height dimension of 14.635 for a stack of 8 disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell James Berg, William Woodrow Brooks, Jr., Jerome Thomas Coffey, Daniel Lee Good, Richard Greenberg, Peter Maurice Herman, John Charles Jans, Sr., Kenneth William Meyer, Jerry Lee Neubauer, John Ralph Reidenbach, Steven Harry Voss, Donald John Wanek, Walter Ervin Zahn
  • Patent number: 5935692
    Abstract: A transfer composite for in-mold decoration of molded plastic or rubber articles complexing a casting substrate having a controlled release surface, and a thin discontinuously printed pressure sensitive adhesive tape-strippable pattern deposited on the casting substrate, whereby the transfer composite is suitable for inserting into a mold and adapted to resist print-distorting movement during flow of plastics or rubbers in the mold, yet capable of permanently bonding to the molded article without the use of adhesives. After removal from the mold the casting substrate and the controlled release surface are stripped from the decorated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Decora Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 5929005
    Abstract: This invention provides graffiti removers for removing permanent ink stains from painted surfaces. The graffiti removers include an active solvent for dissolving the stains, which are organic in nature, an optional secondary solvent for concentrated attack on the stain without being adversely affected by dilution with water, an emollient for maintaining a uniform dispersion of particulates in the remover and on the graffiti-stained painted surfaces, and an amorphous, particulate, mildly abrasive filler for imbibing the solvents, the filler being selected to permit the slow release of the active solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Decora, Incorporated
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 5920013
    Abstract: A protective coating is utilized to protect the silicon during a wet chemical etch step in the process of making a micromachine, thereby preventing the formation of etched holes or pits in the micromachine. In another embodiment, silicon sacrificial pedestals are used to eliminate or greatly reduces the electrical potential difference between metal on the glass substrate and the silicon, thereby eliminating arcing and the resulting damage to silicon and metal. These pedestals may be removed after the anodic bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: William John Boardman, John Crumlin, John Ralph Lindsey, Paul Thomas Carson, Judd Steven Carper, John Ames, Paul Elwin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5910535
    Abstract: A modified coating composition including a water based coating and a silicone component comprising 2 to 12 weight percent of the composition. The water based coating is preferably an acrylic latex paint. Preferably a filler is also included in the composition. The coating provides a sacrificial characteristic wherein layers may be removed with a stain or mark, leaving the coated surface looking new, using no more than soap and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Decora, Incorporated
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 5814402
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive dry transfer article comprising a backing film, a release coating applied to a first face of the backing film, a continuous film of brittle polymeric compound applied to the release coating, and a pigmented pressure sensitive adhesive coating applied in imagewise fashion to said polymeric film to form a graphic pattern. On application of the article to the bonding substrate by pressure applied to the areas defined by the graphic pattern, the pigmented pressure sensitive adhesive is transferred to the bonding substrate and, after peeling the article away from the bonding substrate, the polymeric film fractures along the borders defining the graphic pattern such that the polymeric film in union with the graphic pattern is transferred with the pressure sensitive adhesive to the bonding substrate and the polymeric film not in union with the graphic pattern remains with the release coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Decora Incorporated
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 5768064
    Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Holger Johan Baasch, Lowell James Berg, Alexander Gredinberg, Peter Maurice Herman, Jerry Lee Neubauer, John Ralph Reidenbach, Oscar Jaime Ruiz, Victor Wing Chun Shum
  • Patent number: 5746083
    Abstract: A hemming machine adapted to externally and internally hem a sheet metal fabrication comprising an anvil which itself is apertured so as to register with an aperture in the metal fabrication which is to be internally hemmed, wherein additional hemming apparatus is provided mounted at the upper end of a drive, and support means is located below and protruding up through the opening in the anvil so as to protrude the opening in the fabrication, further comprising a hemming tool displaceable vertically and horizontally having a chamfered lower leading edge, a slidable block carrying the tool at one end, drive means for positioning the slide vertically, and further drive means for positioning the block within the slide for positioning the tool horizontally, a second anvil resiliently displaceable and engaging the underside of the tool or normally raise the latter relative to its lowermost position, and wherein the upper surface of the block is adapted to withstand an impact force and transmit same to the tool to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Western Atlas U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Josef Kovarovic, John Ralph Kowalewsky
  • Patent number: 5740691
    Abstract: A press is described for prehemming and final hemming the internal periphery of an aperture in sheet material received on an anvil (10) on which the sheet material (12) is held down so that the upturned edge (14) of the aperture which is to be hemmed is substantially in alignment with the edge of the opening in the anvil (10). A composite hemming tool (40, 42) is provided adapted to perform prehemming and final hemming and carried b a tool carrier (36, 38). Drive means (24, 26) protrudes up from the press through the opening in the anvil so that a lower inclined leading edge (44, 46) of the tool substantially registers with the upturned edge (14) to be hemmed. The drive means operates so as to force the tool first of all towards the edge so as to bend the upturned edge over until it is bent through substantially 90 degrees from its upstanding position and thereafter to move in a generally downward direction so as to compress the downturned ege. A method of hemming is also described based on this machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Western Atlas U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Josef Kovarovic, John Ralph Kowalewsky, Gerrit Wesley Sloat
  • Patent number: 5736249
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture are provided with a low surface energy, permanently non-stick, non-fouling and ice-phobic surface by a system of coating comprising applying a primary coating having a surface energy of 22-28 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a novel polymeric material having non-stick and hardness properties and then applying a top coating having lower surface energy of from about 18-21 dynes/cm.sup.2 comprising a siliconic polymer and interdigitating means to make the top coating permanent, the means preferably comprising a bi- or polyfunctional organic compound adapted to wet the surface of the primary coating and chemically or physically bond thereto and to couple to the siliconic polymeric substance in the top coating. The coated substrates are resistant to marking by graffiti, to adherence by marine fouling organisms, and frozen ice on the surface is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Decora, Incorporated
    Inventors: John Ralph Smith, Nissim N. Garti
  • Patent number: 5707472
    Abstract: A transfer composite for in-mold decoration of molded plastic or rubber articles comprising a casting substrate having a controlled release surface, and a thin discontinuously printed pressure sensitive adhesive tape-strippable pattern deposited on the casting substrate, whereby the transfer composite is suitable for inserting into a mold and adapted to resist print-distorting movement during flow of plastics or rubbers in the mold, yet capable of permanently bonding to the molded article without the use of adhesives. After removal from the mold the casting substrate and the controlled release surface are stripped from the decorated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Decora Incorporated
    Inventor: John Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 4034975
    Abstract: A processing machine, particularly a reader, for punched document cards including a hopper for a deck of the document cards, pick rolls disposed beneath the hopper in such position as to feed the document cards transversely thereof from the bottom of the hopper, a vertically movable hopper bed for moving the deck onto and off of the pick rolls to make them effective or ineffective, a deck lifter positioned beneath the card deck in the hopper for supporting one side of the card deck after the bottommost card has been moved transversely thereof partially out from underneath the other cards in the deck, driving rolls for moving the bottommost card longitudinally after it has been partially so moved from underneath the rest of the deck and means operative for reading punched holes in the document card on continued longitudinal movement of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Charles Agnew, John Ralph Reidenbach, James Michael Rigotti