Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Falls

Thomas F. Falls 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: 6588592
    Abstract: A package for enclosing a plurality of sheets. The package comprises a pouch adapted to receive the plurality of sheets, a leader, and a closure member. The pouch comprises a leading end and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end is open to receive the plurality of sheets. The trailing end is folded back at least once to form a closure flap to light-tightly close the pouch. The leader is disposed at the leading end of the pouch and is folded back onto the pouch. The closure member includes a first end affixed to the leader, a second end affixed to the closure flap, and a rupturable portion disposed adjacent the first end. When the rupturable portion is ruptured, the first end separates from the closure member and adheres to leader while the remaining portion of the closure member adheres to the closure flap by the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Falls, Walter A. Brink, Connie L. Magnuson, Friedrich Ueffinger
  • Publication number: 20030015449
    Abstract: A package for enclosing a plurality of sheets. The package comprises a pouch adapted to receive the plurality of sheets, a leader, and a closure member. The pouch comprises a leading end and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end is open to receive the plurality of sheets. The trailing end is folded back at least once to form a closure flap to light-tightly close the pouch. The leader is disposed at the leading end of the pouch and is folded back onto the pouch. The closure member includes a first end affixed to the leader, a second end affixed to the closure flap, and a rupturable portion disposed adjacent the first end. When the rupturable portion is ruptured, the first end separates from the closure member and adheres to leader while the remaining portion of the closure member adheres to the closure flap by the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F. Falls, Walter A. Brink, Connie L. Magnuson, Friedrich Ueffinger
  • Patent number: 6506547
    Abstract: A roll package comprising a spool, a length of web material wound about the spool, and a length of a protective material wound about the length of web material. The length of a protective material has a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 0.1 grams per one hundred square inches for 24 hours when tested at 100 degree F., 100 percent relative humidity. In a particular embodiment, the spool includes a core and a pair of flanges, each flange having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface of each flange including a substantially planar portion adjacent an outer edge of the flange and a recessed portion inboard of the substantially planar portion. Edges of the protective material abut the substantially planar portion when wound about the length of web material such that the edges are held in intimate contact with the substantially planar portion to form a light seal barrier and a moisture vapor barrier seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Robertson, Thomas F. Falls
  • Patent number: 5685192
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring isotherms comprising a two-pressure and/or two-temperature humidity generator having a temperature controlled internal chamber and a microbalance mounted externally such that the mass of a sample suspended within the chamber can be determined without disturbing the controlled environment surrounding the sample. The two-pressure humidity generator has a front panel for controlling humidity and temperature within the internal chamber and an access port that extends into the internal chamber. The balance is situated near the port such that the balance mechanism extends within the internal cheer. The balance mechanism utilizes a means for holding a sample within the chamber such that the mass of the sample can be determined as it equilibrates to the temperature and relative humidity maintained within the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Katherine A. Shriner, Robert A. Curtis, Thomas F. Falls