Patents by Inventor Terrence James Wathen

Terrence James Wathen 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).

  • Method of forming a composite article with a textured surface
    Patent number: 7048880
    Abstract: A molding process for a composite article uses a textured film layer to shape the surface of the composite article. The film layer is placed in the mold with the textured film surface exposed and a composite material is placed over the textured film surface. Preferably, the film layer is vacuum-formed onto the mold to take the shape of the mold. As it cures, the composite article takes the shape of the textured film layer to form a textured article surface. After demolding, the film layer adheres to the article as a protective coating, but can be readily removed from the article to expose an underlying textured surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hamid Ghavami Kia, Peter Herbert Foss, John Neal Owens, Terrence James Wathen
  • Method of forming a composite article with a textured surface and mold therefor
    Patent number: 6699419
    Abstract: A molding process that uses a textured interfacial layer to isolate the surface of a mold from the surface of a composite article produced with the mold. A solution is deposited on the mold surface to form the interfacial layer, whose surface opposite the mold is textured. The texture of the interfacial layer is then transferred to the surface of the composite article produced with the mold. After demolding, the interfacial layer adheres to the article as a protective coating, but can be readily removed from the article to expose an underlying textured surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hamid Ghavami Kia, Sheila Farrokhalaee Kia, Joseph C. Simmer, Terrence James Wathen, Mark A. Buffa
  • Method of forming a composite article with a textured surface
    Publication number: 20030030177
    Abstract: A molding process for a composite article uses a textured film layer to shape the surface of the composite article. The film layer is placed in the mold with the textured film surface exposed and a composite material is placed over the textured film surface. Preferably, the film layer is vacuum-formed onto the mold to take the shape of the mold. As it cures, the composite article takes the shape of the textured film layer to form a textured article surface. After demolding, the film layer adheres to the article as a protective coating, but can be readily removed from the article to expose an underlying textured surface of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Hamid Ghavami Kia, Peter Herbert Foss, John Neal Owens, Terrence James Wathen