Patents by Inventor Marc L. Zirkle

Marc L. Zirkle 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).

  • Apparatus for applying a protective finish to a web
    Patent number: 5645639
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for applying a desired protective finish to a web of printed label stock. The web of printed label stock is moved through a coating station, where a layer of hot melt varnish is extruded onto the web of printed label stock. Then, the web of printed label stock is transferred to a working station in an environment which causes the layer of varnish to at least partially solidify to a predetermined state as it reaches the working station. At the working station, the layer of varnish is worked to a desired finish. Preferably the web is carried through a nip formed by a pair of rolls, including a highly polished chrome roll which contacts the layer of varnish and works the layer of varnish to a glossy finish. After the layer of varnish is worked to a glossy finish, the web is directed through a finishing station, where the glossy finish is fixed in the layer of varnish, and the web is conditioned to a state in which it can be processed as a web of finished label stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Eric John Doesburg, Marc L. Zirkle
  • System and method for applying a desired, protective finish to printed label stock
    Patent number: 5520958
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for applying a desired protective finish to a web of printed label stock. The web of printed label stock is moved through a coating station, where a layer of hot melt varnish is extruded onto the web of printed label stock. Then, the web of printed label stock is transferred to a working station in an environment which causes the layer of varnish to at least partially solidify to a predetermined state as it reaches the working station. At the working station, the layer of varnish is worked to a desired finish. Preferably the web is carried through a nip formed by a pair of rolls, including a highly polished chrome roll which contacts the layer of varnish and works the layer of varnish to a glossy finish. After the layer of varnish is worked to a glossy finish, the web is directed through a finishing station, where the glossy finish is fixed in the layer of varnish, and the web is conditioned to a state in which it can be processed as a web of finished label stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Doesburg, Marc L. Zirkle