Patents by Inventor Ken Foster

Ken Foster 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: 9871199
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a light emissive window assembly for providing illumination to an occupant compartment of an automobile comprises a window panel comprising a transparent viewing area and an emissive area, wherein the emissive area is configured to emit light into the occupant compartment and the transparent viewing area is not configured to emit light; wherein the emissive area comprises an abrasion resistant layer, an ultraviolet protective layer, a base layer, and an emissive layer; wherein the ultraviolet protective layer is located in between the abrasion resistant layer and the base layer; and wherein the base layer is located in between the ultraviolet protective layer and the emissive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Schwenke, Wilfried Hedderich, Chengtao Li, Christophe Lefaux, Ken Foster
  • Publication number: 20160185287
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a light emissive window assembly for providing illumination to an occupant compartment of an automobile comprises a window panel comprising a transparent viewing area and an emissive area, wherein the emissive area is configured to emit light into the occupant compartment and the transparent viewing area is not configured to emit light; wherein the emissive area comprises an abrasion resistant layer, an ultraviolet protective layer, a base layer, and an emissive layer; wherein the ultraviolet protective layer is located in between the abrasion resistant layer and the base layer; and wherein the base layer is located in between the ultraviolet protective layer and the emissive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Schwenke, Wilfried Hedderich, Chengtao Li, Christophe Lefaux, Ken Foster
  • Patent number: 9315148
    Abstract: A window assembly having a first transparent area and a light emissive area. The panel includes a first transparent layer with an ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer. The light emissive area includes a light emissive layer that may be an organic light emitting display, an electroluminescent display, a polymer light emitting display or a light pipe configured to receive light from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: EXATEC LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schwenke, Wilfried Hedderich, Chengtao Li, Christophe Lefaux, Ken Foster
  • Publication number: 20140376243
    Abstract: A window assembly having a first transparent area and a light emissive area. The panel includes a first transparent layer with an ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer. The light emissive area includes a light emissive layer that may be an organic light emitting display, an electroluminescent display, a polymer light emitting display or a light pipe configured to receive light from a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Schwenke, Wilfried Hedderich, Chengtao Li, Christophe Lefaux, Ken Foster
  • Patent number: 8361601
    Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having a decorative marking and/or opaque border printed from a UV curable ink is presented. This economical method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel; printing an opaque pattern from an ink, the pattern having an A-side and a B-side with the B-side being in contact with the plastic panel; curing the ink in the shape of the printed pattern using UV radiation directed at the ink from both the A-side and B-side; applying a weatherable layer on the A side of the pattern and on the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; and depositing an abrasion resistant layer onto the weatherable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Exatec LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Lefaux, Nandakumar Menon, Korey Stellmach, Sunitha K. Grandhee, Keith D. Weiss, Ken Foster
  • Publication number: 20080280060
    Abstract: A process for flow, dip, or curtain coating a plastic panel with a weather resistant coating system of relatively uniform thickness is presented. More specifically, the process includes the step of rotating the plastic panel by about 180 degrees between the application of subsequent coating layers in order to minimize the variation in thickness measured near the top and bottom of the coated panel. The coatings are applied to the plastic panel at a predetermined coating angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jason P. Beaudoin, Keith D. Weiss, Jonathan R. Sargent, Ken Foster, Sunitha K. Grandhee
  • Publication number: 20080274321
    Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having a decorative marking and/or opaque border printed from a UV curable ink is presented. This economical method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel; printing an opaque pattern from an ink, the pattern having an A-side and a B-side with the B-side being in contact with the plastic panel; curing the ink in the shape of the printed pattern using UV radiation directed at the ink from both the A-side and B-side; applying a weatherable layer on the B-side of the ink and on the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; and depositing an abrasion resistant layer onto the weatherable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Christophe Lefaux, Nandakumar Menon, Korey Stellmach, Sunitha K. Grandhee, Keith D. Weiss, Ken Foster
  • Patent number: 7258079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for waterproofing game birds is provided. The game birds are sprayed with a waterproofing composition in amounts that prevent excessive water absorption by the feathers of the birds in wet weather, while still permitting the game birds to fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventors: Ken Foster, Ralph Brendle
  • Publication number: 20070084415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for waterproofing game birds is provided. The game birds are sprayed with a waterproofing composition in amounts that prevent excessive water absorption by the feathers of the birds in wet weather, while still permitting the game birds to fly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Ken Foster, Ralph Brendle
  • Publication number: 20060209551
    Abstract: A window assembly having a first transparent area and a light emissive area. The panel includes a first transparent layer with an ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer. The light emissive area includes a light emissive layer that may be an organic light emitting display, an electroluminescent display, a polymer light emitting display or a light pipe configured to receive light from a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Schwenke, Wilfried Hedderich, Chengtao Li, Christophe Lefaux, Ken Foster
  • Patent number: 5955648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wild rice seed, a wild rice plant, and a method for producing a wild rice hybrid seed. More specifically, the invention relates to a hybrid wild rice seed and plant produced using a cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility system. The F.sub.1 hybrid seed is produced by crossing male sterile wild rice plants with restorer wild rice plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: NorCal Wild Rice
    Inventors: Ken Foster, ZanHua Zhu
  • Patent number: 5773680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wild rice seed, a wild rice plant, and a method for producing a wild rice hybrid seed. More specifically, the invention relates to a hybrid wild rice seed and plant produced using a cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility system. The F.sub.1 hybrid seed is produced by crossing male sterile wild rice plants with restorer wild rice plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Ken Foster