Patents by Inventor Masafumi Matsunaga

Masafumi Matsunaga 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).

  • Publication number: 20150111313
    Abstract: Provided are a high-quality LED and LED member, and a method and a device with which it is possible to manufacture the same in large quantities and at minimal manufacturing cost. The present invention comprises a detachment/attachment unit for the LED or the LED member, a coating unit for performing automatic coating, and a drying unit. A coating is applied using the coating unit, and provisional drying is performed or hardening is accelerated using the drying device. Alternatively, coating and drying are repeated multiple times, after which drying or hardening is finally performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20140342480
    Abstract: Provided are a high-quality LED and LED member, and a method and a device with which it is possible to manufacture the same in large quantities and at minimal manufacturing cost. The present invention comprises a detachment/attachment unit for the LED or the LED member, a coating unit for performing automatic coating, and a drying unit. A coating is applied using the coating unit, and provisional drying is performed or hardening is accelerated using the drying device. Alternatively, coating and drying are repeated multiple times, after which drying or hardening is finally performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20120288973
    Abstract: Disclosed are a dispensing method and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a coating material over an object to be applied by a dispensing device within a dispensing chamber including a top plate, a bottom plate and side plates, in which a fresh air inlet and an exhaust outlet are formed in an upper portion and a lower portion of the dispensing chamber, respectively; at least a discharge hole of the dispensing device is exposed to within the upper portion of the dispensing chamber; an object mounting unit is set to be exposed to within the dispensing chamber from the side of the bottom plate. At least one of the dispensing device and an object mounting unit are movable linearly, and at least one of the dispensing device and an object mounting unit is moved by a driving mechanism disposed outside the dispensing chamber, thereby positioning the dispensing device with respect to the object to be applied and dispensing the coating material over the object with a dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Mtek-smart Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7387681
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a liquid, which handles a minimum amount of liquid without wasting it and to dispense and spray an exact amount of the liquid without precipitating solid particles. The method including the steps of regulating a flow rate of liquid in a flow passage by orifices 8-1, 8-2 while letting the liquid flow through flow passages 10-1 and 10-2 between syringes 5-1 and 5-2 by applying a pressure of 0.001 MPa to 10 MPa to liquid 6 including solid particles and filled in one syringe vessel 5-1 and by setting a pressure of liquid in the other syringe 5-2 at a lower level than the pressure of liquid in the syringe 5-1 and dispensing the liquid from the flow passage by an auto dispensing valve 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Matsunaga, Takayuki Aoyagi, Kouki Terao
  • Publication number: 20070190253
    Abstract: A method of applying and drying a liquid, with which a high-quality coating film can be formed by applying a liquid on an object and drying the object in a short time. The method includes: sucking an object (6) on an air-permeability circulating member (2); applying a liquid (14) into a thin film on the object sucked on the circulating member while staking the thin films on top of one another; and drying the liquid applied on the object at least to the touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20060216563
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane is for forming an electrode having a desired shape with high quality and highly efficient productivity. Masking members (12 and 13) having holes (12a and 13a) bored in a desired electrode shape are attached to at least one side of an electrolyte membrane (11) for a fuel cell before an electrode is applied to the electrolyte membrane, in a self-adhering fashion or through a slight adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20050150449
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a liquid, which handles a minimum amount of liquid without wasting it and to dispense and spray an exact amount of the liquid without precipitating solid particles. The method including the steps of regulating a flow rate of liquid in a flow passage by orifices 8-1, 8-2 while letting the liquid flow through flow passages 10?1 and 10?2 between syringes 5-1 and 5-2 by applying a pressure of 0.001 MPa to 10 MPa to liquid 6 including solid particles and filled in one syringe vessel 5-1 and by setting a pressure of liquid in the other syringe 5-2 at a lower level than the pressure of liquid in the syringe 5-1 and dispensing the liquid from the flow passage by an auto dispensing valve 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Masafumi Matsunaga, Takayuki Aoyagi, Kouki Terao
  • Patent number: 6227769
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for spraying powder into the interior of welded hollow can bodies from a spray gun mounted to the welding arm of a can forming machine. The spray gun can either apply a stripe of highly charged powder on the welded seam areas of hollow can bodies, or can simultaneously apply a coating of powder having a first thickness on the longitudinally welded seam areas and a second thickness less than the first thickness on the remainder of the interior surface. Air is vented off from the powder flow being transported through the welding arm so that the powder to air ratio is increased. Air is introduced at the downstream end of the welding arm to provide a suction force to help draw the powder flow through the welding arm and to increase the velocity of the powder flow for better tribo charging of the powder in the gun and to improve spray pattern stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Wilson, Masafumi Matsunaga, Wataru Kakuta, Raymond J. Merk, Ronald E. Niemiec, Laurence B. Saidman, Gerald W. Crum, William L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5997643
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for spraying powder into the interior of welded hollow can bodies from a spray gun mounted to the welding arm of a can forming machine. The spray gun can either apply a stripe of highly charged powder on the welded seam areas of hollow can bodies, or can simultaneously apply a coating of powder having a first thickness on the longitudinally welded seam areas and a second thickness less than the first thickness on the remainder of the interior surface. Air is vented off from the powder flow being transported through the welding arm so that the powder to air ratio is increased. Air is introduced at the downstream end of the welding arm to provide a suction force to help draw the powder flow through the welding arm and to increase the velocity of the powder flow for better tribo charging of the powder in the gun and to improve spray pattern stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Wilson, Masafumi Matsunaga, Wataru Kakuta, Raymond J. Merk, Ronald E. Niemiec, Laurence B. Saidman, Gerald W. Crum, William L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5800867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deflecting a liquid or powder stream during dispensing with a plurality of independently actuatable flows. A gun has a nozzle with an orifice for dispensing a stream. Blowout ports surround the orifice and are aimed at the flow path of the stream, just beyond the end of the gun. The blowout ports are connected via conduits to a pressurized source. A timer actuates solenoid valves to control liquid or powder dispensing through the orifice and flows from the blowout ports. By coordinating liquid or powder dispensing with the directional flows, the stream may be deflected to achieve a desired dot or spray distribution pattern on a substrate or uniform spray coating of the inside surface of a can. Additionally, protective structure may be added to the end of the gun nozzle to eliminate the adverse effects typically caused by accumulation of some deflected liquid at the end of the gun nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Matsunaga, Ikuo Yamagata, Shigenori Kitasako, Akito Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 5747106
    Abstract: A two stage powder coating method involves applying relatively large size powder particles to a surface to be coated during a first coating stage, followed by applying relatively small size powder particles to the large size particles during a second coating stage. The particles may be heated to cause melting after the first and/or the second stages, thereby to level the coating. This two stage powder application method assures a level, uniform and aesthetically pleasing finish for the applied powder coating, even for surfaces with hollow and/or recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5725670
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for spraying powder into the interior of welded hollow can bodies from a spray gun mounted to the welding arm of a can forming machine. The spray gun can either apply a stripe of highly charged powder on the welded seam areas of hollow can bodies, or can simultaneously apply a coating of powder having a first thickness on the longitudinally welded seam areas and a second thickness less than the first thickness on the remainder of the interior surface. Air is vented off from the powder flow being transported through the welding arm so that the powder to air ratio is increased. Air is introduced at the downstream end of the welding arm to provide a suction force to help draw the powder flow through the welding arm and to increase the velocity of the powder flow for better tribo charging of the powder in the gun and to improve spray pattern stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Wilson, Masafumi Matsunaga, Wataru Kakuta, Raymond J. Merk, Ronald E. Niemiec, Laurence B. Saidman, Gerald W. Crum, William L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5654040
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spraying a liquid or hot melt material involve placing the material in a plurality of parallel grooves arranged across the entire width of a movable member and then causing a compressed gas to impinge upon the material in the grooves, thereby to spray the material from the grooves toward a substrate, as by extending, fiberizing or atomizing the material, or by mixing a gas with the material. For some materials of relatively high viscosity, a scraper is used to scrape the material from the grooves, and the compressed gas impinges the material while it is on the scraper, thereby to cause spraying. This provides a wide band deposition of a liquid or hot melt material with uniform material distribution across the entire width, along with improved ability to quantify the amount of material deposited on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5615830
    Abstract: An improved powder particle supply and transport apparatus and method include a hopper filled with powder particles, an ejection chamber spaced from the hopper and a movable conveying member with a plurality of cavities formed therein. During operation, the conveying member moves the cavities between the hopper and the chamber, and the cavities are filled with powder particles at the hopper and emptied of powder particles at the chamber. An ejector nozzle sprays pressurized air into the chamber toward an aligned outlet, thereby to: 1) create negative pressure in the chamber to draw powder particles from the cavities as the cavities are moved therethrough; and 2) transport powder particles through the outlet to a spray gun. Additional structure may be used to assure complete powder filling of the cavities at the hopper and/or complete powder emptying of the cavities in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Matsunaga, Wataru Kakuta, Hikaru Saito
  • Patent number: 5612096
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying powder coating material includes a rotatable turret which moves articles to and from a work station. A powder spray gun is operable to spray a pattern onto each of the articles in turn while the article is at the work station. The powder flows through the spray gun as a series of pulses. A diverter assembly is operable to divert a portion of each pulse of powder away from the nozzle to more sharply define the pulse. An excess powder collector draws a flow of powder away from the work station. A virgin powder container supplies powder to a powder collector container which supplies powder to a powder feed container which supplies powder to the spray gun. Sensors associated with the virgin, collector and feed containers ensure that a predetermined quantity of powder is maintained in each container. During transport of powder from the virgin and collector containers, the containers and their associated pumps are vibrated to facilitate the flow of powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Mulder, Ronald E. Niemiec, Joseph Pintelon, Harald Pleuse, Lawrence J. Macartney, Masafumi Matsunaga, Don R. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 5582663
    Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an object, it shape, length, size, etc., and if a heating material such as a hot melt adhesive applied to the object is applied to given places, or in the proper amount is accomplished by an infrared detection system which is not influenced by external disturbances. A radiant energy detection sensor is placed opposite a radiant energy source, and an object is moved between the radiant energy source and radiant energy detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5474609
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying powder coating material includes a rotatable turret which moves articles to and from a work station. A powder spray gun is operable to spray a pattern onto each of the articles in turn while the article is at the work station. The powder flows through the spray gun as a series of pulses. A diverter assembly is operable to divert a portion of each pulse of powder away from the nozzle to more sharply define the pulse. An excess powder collector draws a flow of powder away from the work station. A virgin powder container supplies powder to a powder collector container which supplies powder to a powder feed container which supplies powder to the spray gun. Sensors associated with the virgin, collector and feed containers ensure that a predetermined quantity of powder is maintained in each container. During transport of powder from the virgin and collector containers, the containers and their associated pumps are vibrated to facilitate the flow of powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Mulder, Ronald E. Niemiec, Joseph Pintelon, Harald Pleuse, Lawrence J. Macartney, Masafumi Matsunaga, Don R. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 5389148
    Abstract: A spray method and apparatus for uniformly coating a surface with a high degree of efficiency includes filling the pores of a porous sheet with a liquid and then directing compressed fluid from a nozzle into the sheet from one side to spray the liquid onto a surface spaced from an opposite side. Because the total volume of the pores is known, the volume of the sprayed liquid is also known. Moving the nozzle relative to the sheet and the substrate enables the entire surface to be uniformly coated. The size and distribution of the pores on the sheet define the distribution of the liquid sprayed onto the substrate. The coating may be a thick or a thin film of uniform thickness, or may even comprise a recognizable pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 4859266
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for powder sewing two plies of cloth or fabric material by spraying an adhesive powder onto one side of one ply of cloth or fabric from a powder spray gun having a corona discharge electrode mounted thereon. A second pin electrode is provided on the opposite side of the one ply of cloth or fabric. Electrical charges of differing polarity are applied to the electrodes while the cloth or fabric material is moved between the two and powder is sprayed thereon. In the course of migrating through the electrostatic field created between the two electrodes, the powder is caused to follow the force lines created within that field and to migrate onto one side of fabric in the form of a long, narrow band of powder. A second ply of cloth or fabric is then positioned over the first ply and over the band of powder. Pressure and heat applied to the powder activates the powder and causes it to become tacky so that when subsequently cooled, it adheres the two plies together along the narrow powder band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Akasaki, Masafumi Matsunaga, Takashi Watanabe, Hironari Matsushima