Patents by Inventor Minoru Yoshinaka

Minoru Yoshinaka 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: 5318837
    Abstract: Soundproofing materials consisting essentially of zinc oxide whisker particles having a nucleus body and needle crystal portions extending radially from the central body in different plural directions. The materials may comprise a support material for supporting the zinc oxide whisker particles. Such support materials include inorganic materials such as metals, ceramics, glasses, cements, mortars and various fillers in the form of powder, flakes, fibers and the like, and organic materials such as resins, rubbers, waxes and the like. These materials are particularly suitable for sound insulation, sound proofing, vibration damping and vibration insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Takeshi Hamabe, Motoi Kitano
  • Patent number: 5310598
    Abstract: A radio wave absorbing material comprising zinc oxide whiskers. In a preferred embodiment, the zinc oxide whiskers are comprised of a central part and needle crystal projections extending from said central part in plural different axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Kouziro Matsuo, Hidenosuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5183594
    Abstract: A conductive composition containing at least zinc oxide whiskers. The conductive composition can be used to provide a conductive resing composition and a conductive coating composition, which have various uses, particularly in conductive layers, conductive supports or protective layers of electrophotographic photosensitive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Motoi Kitano, Yoshio Nakatani, Hideyuki Yoshida, Toshiya Hatta, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5171480
    Abstract: A conductive composition containing at least zinc oxide whiskers having a tetrapod structure. The conductive composition can be used to provide a conductive resin composition and a conductive coating composition, which have various uses, particularly in conductive layers, conductive supports or protective layers of electrophotographic photosensitive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Motoi Kitano, Yoshio Nakatani, Hideyuki Yoshida, Toshiya Hatta, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5164260
    Abstract: Soundproofing materials consisting essentially of zinc oxide whisker particles having a nucleus body and needle crystal portions extending radially from the central body in different plural directions. The materials may comprise a support material for supporting the zinc oxide whisker particles. Such support materials include inorganic materials such as metals, ceramics, glasses, cements, mortars and various fillers in the form of powder, flakes, fibers and the like, and organic materials such as resins, rubbers, waxes and the like. These materials are particularly suitable for sound insulation, sound proofing, vibration damping and vibration insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Takeshi Hamabe, Motoi Kitano
  • Patent number: 5158643
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing zinc oxide whiskers, whereby zinc powders composed of particles coated with an oxide film, preferably an oxide film having a superior sealing property are, heated for oxidization in an atmosphere containing oxygen.The atmosphere may contain carbon dioxide or steam.The obtained zinc oxide whiskers are formed in a single crystal comprised of a core part and an acicular part spreading in four different directions from the core part.For a baking furnace to obtain zinc oxide whiskers, is employed one that successively forms an atmosphere of a high partial pressure of zinc steam at the source side and an atmosphere of a high partial pressure of oxygen for facilitating formation of whiskers. The zinc oxide whiskers can be controlled in size by selecting the relative ratio of the partial pressure of zinc steam and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Motoi Kitano, Jun Yagi, Hideyuki Yoshida, Takashige Sato
  • Patent number: 5091765
    Abstract: A photoconductive cell comprises a photodetector section which consists of an aggregate of tetrapod-like zinc oxide whiskers. Each whisker consists of a core and needle-shaped crystals extending in four different directions from the core. Since this novel tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker consists of single crystal zinc oxide, it suffers less deterioration. In addition, since the single crystals are transparent and an aggregate thereof has a high porosity, light tends to enter deep portions of the cell so that it exhibits high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizou Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Motoi Kitano, Hideyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5087654
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polypropylene resin composition which is superior in mechanical strength and affords molded articles having good appearance which comprises (A) a crystalline polypropylene, (B) a polypropylene modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an acid anhydride thereof, and (C) a zinc oxide whiskers. When the composition additionally contains an inorganic filler such as glass fibers, molded articles further improved in appearance can be obtained. The zinc oxide whiskers preferably have a tetrapod type crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Kenichi Ohkawa, Masashi Yamamoto, Minoru Yoshinaka, Jun Yagi, Kouziro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5087655
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rubber modified styrene resin composition which comprises 50-98% by weight of a rubber modified styrene resin and 50-2% by weight of zinc oxide whiskers. This composition can provide molded articles excellent in mechanical strength, surface state and vibration damping characteristics. Impact strength can be further improved by adding to the above composition a rubber-like material. The zinc oxide whiskers preferably have a tetrapod-formed crystal structure and furthermore, is preferably surface treated with a coupling agent such as silane compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Okamoto, Yoshinori Kanno, Kouziro Matsuo, Minoru Yoshinaka, Jun Yagi
  • Patent number: 5066475
    Abstract: Whiskers of zinc oxide whose crystal structure includes a central body and four needle crystal projections radially extending from said central body are described. The whiskers are so unique a structure that they are applicable to various materials such as metals, resins, ceramics and the like as a reinforcing material. The whiskers may be in the form of a mixture of whiskers of zinc oxide having crystal structures including two, three, four and/or five needle crystal projections. A method for preparing such whiskers is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Toshihiro Misaki, Motoi Kitano, Hideyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4960654
    Abstract: A metal composition comprising zinc oxide whiskers dispersed in a metal matrix. The whiskers comprise at least one needle crystal having a basal part whose diameter is from 0.7 to 14 micrometers and a length from the basal part to its tip of from 3 to 200 micrometers. The metal composition is isotropically reinforced with respect to mechanical strength and is significantly improved in free cuttability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Eizo Asakura, Mitsumasa Oku, Takeshi Hamabe, Motoi Kitano, Hideyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4937428
    Abstract: A welding contact tip for use on a consumable electrode type welder has a core part having a bore for guiding a consumable electrode and capable of supplying welding current to the consumable electrode, and a main part which embraces and supports the core part. The core part is made of a heat- and wear-resistant conductive metallic material such as a phosphor bronze alloy, while the main part is made from a less-expensive material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Chuji Kiuchi, Harumi Tokushige, Yoshikatsu Sakano, Yukitoshi Yamada, Katsumi Handa
  • Patent number: 4929518
    Abstract: A sealed lead-acid storage battery is formed with a casing (1) made of a thermoplastic resin receives a group of electrodes (6) consisting of a positive electrode (2), a negative electrode (3), and a separator (4). A peripheral rim of a metal plate (7) laminated with a thermoplastic resin film or sheet on one surface thereof and serving as a battery casing and a terminal is thermally bonded to the body (1). A polyolefin resin on the surface of an epoxy resin covering protruding portions (5a) of positive and negative electrodes is thermally bonded to both the casing and the resin on one surface of the metal plate so as to hermetically seal the protruding portion (5a).With this structure it is possible to provide a miniaturized and low-cost sealed lead-acid storage battery having a high volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshinaka, Koujirou Matsuo, Kiichi Koike, Yoshie Suzuki, Mansaku Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 4745039
    Abstract: A sealed lead storage battery including at least one negative electrode plate capable of absorbing oxygen gas generated from a positive electrode plate during recharging thereof, which battery comprises a battery casing having a breathing hole defined therein in communication with the interior of the battery casing, and a safety valve including a flat rubber plate of synthetic material overlaying the breathing hole in contact with the battery casing and an elastic pad made of open-celled elastic material placed over the flat rubber plate so as to urge the flat rubber plate against the battery casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Yoshinaka
  • Patent number: 4664994
    Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosed lead storage battery comprising a plate assembly consisting of a positive plate, negative plates and a separator, an electrolyte held in position by the plate assembly, and a jacket made of film- or sheet-formed synthetic resin and surrounding the plate assembly and electrolyte. The jacket is of a multilayer laminate structure made by disposing a polyolefin film on the inside contacting the plate assembly and laminating a film of thermoplastic synthetic resin in two or more layers on the outside thereof. According to the present invention, the plate assembly can be encased with an unexpensive jacket of a simple construction, and the joint of the jacket to the pole posts of the plate assembly is strengthened to offer a leak-proof enclosed lead storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Dainippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichi Koike, Yoshie Suzuki, Minoru Yoshinaka, Mitsuo Okabe, Makoto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4659636
    Abstract: The present invention is a sealed storage battery wherein a plurality of flattened unitary cells formed by sealing a polar plate group in an outer bag made of a sheet or a film of synthetic resin are stacked in a direction thicknesswise thereof and accommodated in a pressurized manner in a casing.By so constructing, the unitary cells can be uniformly applied with pressure with the increased capacity for efficiency for a battery, any possible deviation in the lifetime of the cells can be eliminated, and a highly reliable battery of flat type easy to fabricate, and suitable for use as an electric power source for portable electric appliances can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshie Suzuki, Kiichi Koike, Minoru Kadowaki, Minoru Yoshinaka