Patents by Inventor Samuel C. Ruffner

Samuel C. Ruffner 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).

  • Laser-induced fabrication of metallic interlayers and patterns in polyimide films
    Patent number: 7758927
    Abstract: Self-metallizing polyimide films are created by doping polyamic acid solutions with metallic ions and solubilizing agents. Upon creating a film, the film is exposed to coherent light for a specific time and then cured. The resulting film has been found to have a metallic surface layer and a metallic subsurface layer (interlayer). The layer separating the metallic layer has a uniform dispersion of small metal particulates within the polymer. The layer below the interlayer has larger metal particulates uniformly distributed within the polymer. By varying the intensity or time of exposure to the coherent light, three-dimensional control of metal formation within the film is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gilda A. Miner, Diane M. Stoakley, Gregory A. Gaddy, Brent D. Koplitz, Steven M. Simpson, Michael F. Lynch, Samuel C. Ruffner
  • Method for high definition dip transfer printing and article made according to method
    Patent number: 6953511
    Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Immersion Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Royce J. Bowles, Jr., James Patrick Epling, James Phillip Hand, Samuel C. Ruffner, Jeffery Wayne Walker
  • Method for high definition dip transfer printing and article made according to method
    Publication number: 20030007053
    Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Royce J. Bowles, James Patrick Epling, James Phillip Hand, Samuel C. Ruffner, Jeffery Wayne Walker