Patents by Inventor Leonard W. Harvey

Leonard W. Harvey 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: 8053549
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a modified fluoropolymer powdered material is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles together with PTFE particles in an aqueous carrier, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of modified fluoropolymer particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Whitford Plastics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew J. Melville, Leonard W. Harvey, Joel Ginies, Michael Coates, Julie K. Wright
  • Publication number: 20110268857
    Abstract: Devices and methods for applying vibrations to cooking surfaces to prevent sticking of foodstuffs to the cooking surfaces and to facilitate improved cooking, such as by producing an aeration and/or spreading effect, and devices and methods for applying vibrations to the iron sole of an ironing appliance to facilitate the movement of the iron sole over a fabric, thereby improving the effectiveness of the ironing appliance in removing wrinkles, especially on thicker fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: LENFORD, INC.
    Inventor: Leonard W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110224350
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a modified fluoropolymer powdered material is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles together with SiC particles in an aqueous carrier, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of modified fluoropolymer particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: WHITFORD PLASTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Coates, Robert I. Whitlow, Joel Ginies, Julie K. Wright, Andrew J. Melville, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7997018
    Abstract: Devices and methods for applying vibrations to the iron sole of an ironing appliance to facilitate the movement of the iron sole over a fabric, thereby improving the effectiveness of the ironing appliance in removing wrinkles, especially on thicker fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Lenford, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110095673
    Abstract: A shatter containment coating composition for glass substrates, such as the glass tubing of compact fluorescent light bulbs If the light bulb breaks or shatters, the coating aids in containing shattered glass fragments of the light bulb, as well as gases and other elements within the light bulb, to thereby aid in disposal of the light bulb and/or to prevent the escape of gases or other elements into the environment The coating may be provided in the form of an aqueous dispersion having a relatively low viscosity such that, when coated onto a glass surface having complex geometry, such as the tubing of a compact fluorescent light bulb for example, the coating can conform to the surfaces having the complex geometry The coating may be a modified polyolefin provided in one or more layers, including a base coat, and the coating may be cured to form a film at a temperature of less than 150 C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: WHITFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel C. Chung, Michael J. Lindstrom, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20100204440
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a modified fluoropolymer powdered material is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles together with PTFE particles in an aqueous carrier, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of modified fluoropolymer particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: WHITFORD PLASTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew J. Melville, Leonard W. Harvey, Joel Gines, Michael Coates, Julie K. Wright
  • Publication number: 20100080959
    Abstract: Blended fluoropolymer compositions that, in one exemplary application, may be applied as a coating to a flexible substrate and, optionally, to a flexible substrate that has been previously coated with a primer or basecoat and/or a midcoat. In one embodiment, the composition is a blend of at least one low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethyelene (LPTFE) and at least one melt-processible fluoropolymer (MPF). In another embodiment, the composition includes a fluoropolymer base component including at least one fluoropolymer such as high molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene (HPTFE), and additionally includes the LPTFE/MPF blended fluoropolymer composition. After being applied to the flexible substrate, optionally over a primer or basecoat and/or midcoat, and then cured, the present compositions form coatings that demonstrate improved abrasion resistance and/or improved release characteristics and/or increased translucency/transparency and /or improved impermeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: WHITFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonard W. Harvey, Helen L. Brain
  • Publication number: 20100080955
    Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition that may be applied over a primer and/or at least one midcoat in a non-stick coating system. The coating composition may be prepared and applied in the form of a liquid dispersion, and includes at least one fluoropolymer base component, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and, in particular, at least one high molecular weight PTFE (HPTFE). The coating composition additionally includes a blended fluoropolymer composition. The blended fluoropolymer composition is a blend of at least one low molecular weight PTFE (LPTFE) and at least one melt-processible fluoropolymer. After application directly to a substrate or over an underlying coating, the coating demonstrates improved abrasion and scratch resistance, as well as improved release characteristics, as compared to known coatings that include only HPTFE or HPTFE with a small amount of melt processible fluoropolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: WHITFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonard W. Harvey, Lawrence D. Leech
  • Publication number: 20090317553
    Abstract: Blended fluoropolymer compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a liquid dispersion of a first fluoropolymer is blended with a liquid dispersion of a second fluoropolymer. The first fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as a low molecular weight PTFE (LPTFE) that has been polymerized via a dispersion or emulsion polymerization process, and which has not been agglomerated, irradiated, or thermally degraded. The LPTFE may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion, having a mean particle size of less than 1.0 microns (?m), with the LPTFE having a first melt temperature (Tm) of 332° C. or less. The second fluoropolymer may be a melt processible fluoropolymer (MPF), such as methylfluoroalkoxy (MFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), for example, in the form of an aqueous dispersion, and having a mean particle size of less than 1.0 microns (?m).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WHITFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonard W. Harvey, Michael Coates, Julie K. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080287599
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm dispersed in water whereby the dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol or contains the fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol in an amount of not more than 0.025% by weight based on the total weight of solids in the dispersion. The dispersion further comprises a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant selected from fluorinated anionic surfactants having a molecular weight of at least 1000 g/mol, non-fluorinated anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Michael C. Dadalas, Rebekka Epsch, Friedrich Kloos, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7279522
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm dispersed in water whereby the dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol or contains the fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol in an amount of not more than 0.025% by weight based on the total weight of solids in the dispersion. The dispersion further comprises a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant selected from fluorinated anionic surfactants having a molecular weight of at least 1000 g/mol, non-fluorinated anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Dadalas, Rebekka Epsch, Friedrich Kloos, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6861466
    Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, a fluoropolymer dispersion, preferably a PTFE dispersion, is provided that comprises fluoropolymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm dispersed in water whereby the dispersion has an amount of solids between 35 and 70% by weight. The dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol (hereinafter called low molecular weight fluorinated surfactant) or contains the low molecular weight fluorinated surfactant in an amount of not more than 0.05% by weight based on the total weight solids of the dispersion. The dispersion further comprises a non-ionic non-fluorinated surfactant or mixture of non-ionic non-fluorinated surfactants and one or more non-fluorinated anionic surfactants. Through the use of a non-fluorinated anionic surfactant, a dispersion is obtained that has a low viscosity at room temperature (20° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Dadalas, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20040186219
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm dispersed in water whereby the dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol or contains the fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol in an amount of not more than 0.025% by weight based on the total weight of solids in the dispersion. The dispersion further comprises a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant selected from fluorinated anionic surfactants having a molecular weight of at least 1000 g/mol, non-fluorinated anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Michael C. Dadalas, Rebekka Epsch, Friedrich Kloos, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20040171736
    Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, a fluoropolymer dispersion, preferably a PTFE dispersion, is provided that comprises fluoropolymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm dispersed in water whereby the dispersion has an amount of solids between 35 and 70% by weight. The dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol (hereinafter called low molecular weight fluorinated surfactant) or contains the low molecular weight fluorinated surfactant in an amount of not more than 0.05% by weight based on the total weight solids of the dispersion. The dispersion further comprises a non-ionic non-fluorinated surfactant or mixture of non-ionic non-fluorinated surfactants and one or more non-fluorinated anionic surfactants. Through the use of a non-fluorinated anionic surfactant, a dispersion is obtained that has a low viscosity at room temperature (20° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Dadalas, Leonard W. Harvey
  • Patent number: 5502161
    Abstract: An improved process for preparing free flowing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymer powders is disclosed in which a TFE polymer powder is (1) wetted with an aqueous solution containing a wetting agent selected from the group consisting of (a) ethylene glycol ethers, (b) propylene glycol ethers and (c) diols or triols, (2) agglomerated and (3) dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: ICI Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard W. Harvey, Eric N. Martin