Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Ensign

Thomas C. Ensign 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: 7201202
    Abstract: A transfer device for adhering a transferable material to a target substrate is disclosed. The transfer device includes a supply of transfer substrate. The transfer substrate has a carrying surface and an adhesive-type transferable material provided on the carrying surface. A pressure applicator member has an engaging surface with a release characteristic and is positioned in pressure applying relation adjacent the carrying surface of the transfer substrate. The target substrate may be passed between the transfer substrate and the pressure applicator member so that the adhesive is transferred to the target substrate. The transfer device also includes a take-up roll for winding up spent portions of the transfer substrate from which the transferable material has been transferred to the target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C Ensign, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7104304
    Abstract: The present application discloses a master processing apparatus. One aspect of the application relates to the use of a take-up roll in the apparatus. Another aspect of the application relates to the use of a take-up roll in a cartridge mountable to the apparatus. Yet another aspect of the application relates to a cover for the apparatus. Still another aspect of the invention relates to a cartridge including a pressure applying assembly mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr., Joseph P. E. Velasquez, Jerry L. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20020124970
    Abstract: The present application discloses a master processing apparatus. One aspect of the application relates to the use of a take-up roll in the apparatus. Another aspect of the application relates to the use of a take-up roll in a cartridge mountable to the apparatus. Yet another aspect of the application relates to a cover for the apparatus. Still another aspect of the invention relates to a cartridge including a pressure applying assembly mounted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: XYRON, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Joseph P.E. Velasquez, Jerry L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6422281
    Abstract: The application discloses an adhesive transfer apparatus comprising a frame, a first feed roll carrying a supply, of an adhesive transfer substrate, and a second feed roll carrying a supply of an adhesive mask substrate. The adhesive transfer substrate has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on an adhesive carrying side thereof. The first and second feed rolls are rotatably mounted to the frame. The adhesive mask substrate has a bonding side to which the adhesive will bond. Tie first and second feed rolls are positioned such that The selected substrate can be inserted between the transfer substrate and the mask substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr., Joseph P. E. Velasquez, Jerry L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6146490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a leader device for initially feeding web materials between a set of nip rollers. The device comprises a pair of leg portions each having a nip roller engageable exterior surface and a web material engaging interior surface. The leg portions have connected end portions defining a leading end portion and free end portions movable apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Ensign
  • Patent number: 5821691
    Abstract: At least one conductive layer runs the length of an EL panel and individual lamps are connected to the conductive layer. In one embodiment of the invention, the electroluminescent layer of the panel does not cover a portion of the front electrode and the conductive layer is electrically coupled to the exposed portion of the front electrode. In another embodiment of the invention, the EL panel includes at least two rear electrodes and the conductive layer is coupled to one of the rear electrodes. An insulating layer between the conductive layer and other parts of the EL panel prevents unintended electrical connections to the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Durel Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Richie, Kristin R. Lavanway, Ramona R. Fechter, Rodney T. Eckersley, Thomas C. Ensign, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5686792
    Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp includes a continuous electroluminescent dielectric layer and a patterned rear electrode overlying the electroluminescent dielectric layer, wherein the rear electrode includes at least two conductive segments separated by a gap. An insulating layer fills the gap and a conductive interconnect overlies the insulating layer, joining the segments. The insulating layer spaces the interconnect from the electroluminescent dielectric layer a sufficient distance to reduce the electric field in the electroluminescent dielectric layer below the point at which the lamp appears luminous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5530318
    Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp includes at least one bus bar attached to an electrode of the lamp. The bus bar has a gap and a conductive trace bridges the gap. The trace is preferably an isolated segment of the front electrode of the lamp and is made when the front electrode is patterned. The bus bar includes at least one pair of holes extending through the bus bar. The holes each have a diameter less than the width of the bus bar and are spaced along the length of the bus bar. The segment of the bus bar between the holes can be curved to define a path through the holes adjacent the bus bar. A conductive pin through the holes makes electrical contact with the bus bar and is held in place by the holes and the curved segment. The bus bar is an integral connector and the conductive trace is an integral fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Durel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr., Ramona R. Fechter, Rodney T. Eckersley, Donald H. Savery
  • Patent number: 4318092
    Abstract: Means for checking the voltage level of a battery used in an apparatus including an operational amplifier powered from the battery and an indicating means operatively connected to the output of the operational amplifier. The indicating means provides a replace battery indication which is presented when the battery is in a replacement condition and the amplifier is operated at saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Arthur L. Cowles, Thomas C. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4203325
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing electrode structure provided by flat cable which has a plurality of insulated conductors cut to various lengths with end portions exposed to provide sensing electrodes is used in a liquid level sensing system. A common electrode is provided for the system. A separate voltage inverter is provided for each sensing electrode and connects with a voltage source to provide a microprocessor compatible signal when liquid is presented to the common electrode and the sensor for the inverter. A liquid utilization apparatus having a liquid sensing system provides a flow of liquid along the electrode structure to prevent sediment buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Arthur L. Cowles, Thomas C. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4044251
    Abstract: A sensing device is provided for the detection of electromagnetic radiation through the use of a large area pyroelectric/piezoelectric sensing medium. The detection operation of the sensing device is constructed to ignore spurious detection indications due to bending or compression of the sensing medium. In a preferred embodiment the sensing device is formed from a two housing construction that includes outer and inner housings. The outer housing of the device includes an infrared transmissive window at one end. To substantially physically isolate the two housings from one another, the inner housing of the device is supported inside the outer housing by means of support members protruding through the opposite end of the outer housing. The sensing medium is disposed in one end of the inner housing and is protected by the outer housing from bending or compressive stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Allen L. Taylor, Thomas C. Ensign