Patents by Inventor Norman Blank

Norman Blank 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: 20230023633
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns expandable silica particles having a coating comprising talc powder and kaolin powder provided on the outer surface of the expandable silica particle and expandable and expanded silica particles comprising silica fume and/or ultrafine quartz silica sand beneath the surface of the particles. Methods for producing expandable and expanded silica particles are disclosed, including a method using a vibration plate and a furnace having a vibration plate for carrying out that method. The expanded silica particles have high compressive strength, substantially uniform cell size and distribution, low water absorption, and low porosity on the outer surface. They are useful as a filler in matrix materials, like concrete or epoxy, as insulation material with various binder materials, and as water filtration medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: VALUNOR AG
    Inventors: Finn Erik SOLVANG, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 10543619
    Abstract: Method of fabricating a 3-dimensional structure, mesh formwork element for fabricating a 3-dimensional structure, and method of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating a 3-dimensional structure comprises providing a mesh formwork element such that a cavity bound by at least two opposing portions of the mesh formwork is formed; accumulating a material in the cavity; and allowing the material to harden; wherein apertures in the at least two opposing portions of the mesh formwork element are adapted to the hydro-static pressure of the accumulated material or vice versa such that at least two surfaces of the hardened material substantially take on the respective shapes defined by the two opposing portions of the mesh formwork element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: ETH SINGAPORE SEC LTD., ETH ZURICH (SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZURICH), SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Norman Peter Hack, Willi Viktor Lauer, Fabio Matteo Gramazio, Matthias Kohler, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 10427722
    Abstract: In a reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, a support element is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The support element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the support element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the support element and the structural element by means of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Norman Blank, Jürgen Finter, Vincent Belpaire
  • Publication number: 20160207220
    Abstract: Method of fabricating a 3-dimensional structure, mesh formwork element for fabricating a 3-dimensional structure, and method of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating a 3-dimensional structure comprises providing a mesh formwork element such that a cavity bound by at least two opposing portions of the mesh formwork is formed; accumulating a material in the cavity; and allowing the material to harden; wherein apertures in the at least two opposing portions of the mesh formwork element are adapted to the hydro-static pressure of the accumulated material or vice versa such that at least two surfaces of the hardened material substantially take on the respective shapes defined by the two opposing portions of the mesh formwork element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Norman Peter HACK, Willi Viktor LAUER, Fabio Matteo GRAMAZIO, Matthias KOHLER, Norman BLANK
  • Publication number: 20150300023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane including a partition layer, wherein the partition layer contains at least 50 wt % of PVC, and a barrier layer. The barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer has a polyamide layer containing more than 50 wt % of copolymer, wherein said polyamide layer is connected to the partition layer by a polyurethane layer, wherein the polyurethane layer contains more than 10 wt % of polyurethane. Alternatively, the barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is made of a composition containing 5-50 wt % of polyurethane and 50-95 wt % of copolymer. The membranes according to the invention have significantly lower plasticizer migration compared to the membranes of the prior art and are characterized by improved aging resistance, in particular with regard to the adhesion of the barrier layer to the partition layer, and impermeability to moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Elyes JENDOUBI, Norman BLANK
  • Publication number: 20150284034
    Abstract: In a reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, a support element is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The support element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the support element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the support element and the structural element by means of the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Norman BLANK, Jürgen FINTER, Vincent BELPAIRE
  • Patent number: 9149985
    Abstract: In the case of a reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, a carrier element is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The carrier element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the carrier element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the carrier element and the structural element by means of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Norman Blank, Jürgen Finter, Vincent Belpaire
  • Patent number: 9097018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane including a partition layer, wherein the partition layer contains at least 50 wt % of PVC, and a barrier layer. The barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer has a polyamide layer containing more than 50 wt % of copolymer, wherein said polyamide layer is connected to the partition layer by a polyurethane layer, wherein the polyurethane layer contains more than 10 wt % of polyurethane. Alternatively, the barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is made of a composition containing 5-50 wt % of polyurethane and 50-95 wt % of copolymer. The membranes according to the invention have significantly lower plasticizer migration compared to the membranes of the prior art and are characterized by improved aging resistance, in particular with regard to the adhesion of the barrier layer to the partition layer, and impermeability to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Elyes Jendoubi, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 8747602
    Abstract: A polyurethane adhesive which is useful in bonding porous and non-porous surfaces is provided. The adhesive is especially useful in bonding windshield glass into automotive frames under a variety of environmental conditions, particularly in after market windshield replacement applications. The polyurethane includes at least one urethane prepolymer which is based on at least one thermoplastic polyol. In one embodiment, the urethane prepolymer may be formed from one or more polyisocyanates, one or more polyetherpolyols and one or more thermoplastic polyesterpolyols, wherein the prepolymer has a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane. In another embodiment, a one-part adhesive composition is provided which includes an isocyanate-functional and thermoplastic polyurethane prepolymer having a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Steven Rosenberg, Hong Yao, Thomas Bove, Adrian Van Maurik, Hans Peter Tschan, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 8653161
    Abstract: Polymers P as dispersants, in particular as liquefiers, for hydraulically setting systems, and hydraulically setting systems including the polymer P. The polymer P includes at least one acid unit, at least one ester unit, and at least one unit containing terephthalate or naphthalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Christina Hampel, Ulf Velten, Ueli Sulser, Jabbar Al Shemari, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 8636870
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement material is provided that includes a base material selected from thermosets, low viscosity thermoplastics with short transition phases and low viscosities, low melting point metallic alloys, and combinations thereof. At STP, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a formable dough or a mixture thereof. When heated to an activation temperature, the structural reinforcement material becomes flowable into a cavity. Following cooling, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a thermoset with a strength sufficient to reinforce the cavity. A structural reinforcement insert comprising the structural reinforcement material is also provided, as is a reinforced cavity of an automobile and a method of reinforcing a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Vincent Belpaire, Dominique Mellano, Norman Blank, Juergen Finter
  • Publication number: 20130216839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane including a partition layer, wherein the partition layer contains at least 50 wt % of PVC, and a barrier layer. The barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer has a polyamide layer containing more than 50 wt % of copolymer, wherein said polyamide layer is connected to the partition layer by a polyurethane layer, wherein the polyurethane layer contains more than 10 wt % of polyurethane. Alternatively, the barrier layer can be a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is made of a composition containing 5-50 wt % of polyurethane and 50-95 wt % of copolymer. The membranes according to the invention have significantly lower plasticizer migration compared to the membranes of the prior art and are characterized by improved aging resistance, in particular with regard to the adhesion of the barrier layer to the partition layer, and impermeability to moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Elyes Jendoubi, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 8512506
    Abstract: An automotive windshield replacement method which includes: a) applying an adhesive to an automotive windshield and/or an automobile body substrate, said adhesive including at least one urethane prepolymer formed from reaction materials including: i) isophorone diisocyanate and/or 4,4?-diphenylmethanediisocyanate; ii) an ethylene oxide-end-capped triol having a weight average molecular weight of about 4500 to about 5000; and iii) hexanediol adipate; b) contacting the substrates together, within the working time of the adhesive, along at least a portion of the substrate(s) to which the adhesive has been applied; and c) allowing the adhesive to bond the substrates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Steven A. Rosenberg, Hong Yao, Thomas Bove, Adrian Van Maurik, Hans Peter Tschan, Norman Blank
  • Publication number: 20120240996
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a membrane is disclosed having a barrier layer and a solar cell arranged on one side of the barrier layer. A compensation layer can be arranged between the solar cell and the barrier layer. This compensation layer can, for example, be a foamed composition composed of a thermoplastic that is solid at room temperature or a thermoplastic elastomer that is solid at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Stefan KEISER, Adrian MICHEL, Norman BLANK, Josef LUSSI, Heinz MEIER
  • Publication number: 20120227793
    Abstract: A method for sealing the edges of photovoltaic modules, including the steps of i) providing a photovoltaic module by applying at least one photovoltaic laminate to a carrier; ii) treating the photovoltaic module produced in step i) along the edge region of the photovoltaic laminate by means of a plasma pretreatment or by flame application by means of a gas flame, such that both the edge region of the photovoltaic laminate and, at least partially, the carrier is detected by the plasma pretreatment or the flame application; and iii) applying a sealing mass at least partially to the pretreated location, wherein the sealing mass is a silicone composition or a composition based on silane-terminated poly(meth)acrylates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Heinz Meier, Hans Rohrer, Stefan Keiser, Josef Lussi, Norman Blank
  • Publication number: 20120207986
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement material is provided that includes a base material selected from thermosets, low viscosity thermoplastics with short transition phases and low viscosities, low melting point metallic alloys, and combinations thereof. At STP, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a formable dough or a mixture thereof. When heated to an activation temperature, the structural reinforcement material becomes flowable into a cavity. Following cooling, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a thermoset with a strength sufficient to reinforce the cavity. A structural reinforcement insert comprising the structural reinforcement material is also provided, as is a reinforced cavity of an automobile and a method of reinforcing a cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Vincent BELPAIRE, Dominique MELLANO, Norman BLANK, Juergen FINTER
  • Patent number: 8215172
    Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the dynamic elastic modulus of a material, such as a material comprising a mineral binder like cement, or gypsum, or the like, or a polymer, or ceramic, preferably mortar or concrete, in particular shotcrete, using sound, preferably ultrasound waves which penetrate the material and are continuously measured and analyzed. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus, to a measuring device, and to a method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of a material using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Didier Lootens, Julien Lopez Rios, Robert Flatt, Norman Blank
  • Patent number: 8178167
    Abstract: The invention relates to humidity hardening compounds containing at least one polyurethane polymer, P, exhibiting an isocyanate group, at least one polyimine ALD of Formula (I) of at least 22% by weight, in relation to the sum of the components of the compound which contain the isocyanate group, as well as, if necessary, a polyisocyanate oligomer OP. The humidity hardening compound is particularly suitable for providing coatings and linings. The use of the imines makes possible VOC-free or VOC-poor compounds, which is a substantial advantage for indoor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Walther, Urs Burckhardt, Susanne Strauss, Carsten Zilg, Norman Blank
  • Publication number: 20120012035
    Abstract: A method for producing chemically modified lignin decomposition products. To this end, a lignin-containing starting material is decomposed into low-molecular and high-molecular lignin decomposition products under acid conditions in the presence of a liquid medium, and the low-molecular lignin decomposition products are at least largely separated in order to obtain a high-molecular fraction. Subsequently, the high-molecular lignin decomposition products present in the high-molecular fraction are converted into chemically modified lignin decomposition products. The chemically modified lignin decomposition products obtained in this way can be used, for example, as dispersing agents, complexing agents, phenol component, flocculant, thickener or auxiliary agents for cementous systems, coatings, paints or adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Norman Blank, Irene Schober, Philipp Rudolf Von Rohr, Tobias Voitl
  • Publication number: 20120009400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rollable tile structure, to a process for the production of the tile structure, and to the use of the tile structure in the production of a tiled covering. The invention relates further to the use of organic polysilazanes in the production of a rollable tile structure. The tile structure has a first carrier layer (1) and a surface layer (2), the surface layer (2) comprising a network of organic polysilazanes and the tile structure as a whole being in rollable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Marcel Nauer, Alex Kummer, Stefan Brand, Hubert Liebe, Norman Blank, Urs Erb, Harald Jenny