Patents by Inventor Walter Crofton

Walter Crofton 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: 8821218
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk is provided that includes the steps: forming a layer of a lubricant material on a surface of a magnetic storage medium, the layer of lubricant material also being located on an interior and/or exterior edge of the medium; and removing at least some of the lubricant material from the edge 160 of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thuan Luu, Walter Crofton, Bill Liu, David Spaulding, Kwang Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 8172954
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk, which has memory storage capabilities, may be simultaneously cleaned by equipment designed to clean one double-sided disk. Conversely, no effort is expended in cleaning the abutting inactive surfaces of the disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Walter Crofton, Andrew Wypych
  • Publication number: 20100261418
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk is provided that includes the steps: forming a layer of a lubricant material on a surface of a magnetic storage medium, the layer of lubricant material also being located on an interior and/or exterior edge of the medium; and removing at least some of the lubricant material from the edge 160 of the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Thuan Luu, Walter Crofton, Bill Liu, David Spaulding, Kwang Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 7748532
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with adjustably positionable side wall inserts. The inserts or panels may be moved between a plurality of positions to accommodate disks of different diameters. The inserts may also be substituted to accommodate disks of different thickness or different orientations, such as pairs of disks in gap merge orientation or contact merge orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, David Newman
  • Patent number: 7682653
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk is provided that includes the steps: (a) forming a layer 128 of a lubricant material on a surface of a magnetic storage medium 300, the layer 128 of lubricant material also being located on an interior and/or exterior edge of the medium 300; and (b) removing at least some of the lubricant material from the edge 160 of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thuan Luu, Walter Crofton, Bill Liu, David Spaulding, Kwang Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 7168153
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling single-sided hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with ribs formed on the inside surface of opposing side walls. The ribs form disk receiving grooves or channels. The ribs further comprise an alternating pattern of large and small ribs. The large ribs separate pairs of disks from other pairs, the small ribs separate and maintain spacing of the two disks comprising each pair of disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, Bruce Hachtmann, David Newman
  • Patent number: 7083376
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for handling a plurality of disks and repositioning them into pairs is provided. In one embodiment, a nest is configured to hold a cassette and includes a nest. The nest includes a curved surface with ribs or teeth extending therefrom which define a row of grooves. The grooves are dimensioned to hold a pair of disks in concentric contact merge orientation and the teeth facilitate movement of pairs of disks into the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Crofton, David Newman, Nghia Ta
  • Patent number: 7083502
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously texturing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in a concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk may be simultaneously subjected to texturing by equipment designed to texture one double-sided disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, Barry Okamoto, Lynnette A. Sagen, Nghia Ta
  • Publication number: 20060115599
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for lubricating hard memory disks. A mandrel is provided in one embodiment with three rows of teeth and provides a stable, three-point engagement with the inside edge of the disks at the center aperture. When removing disks from a cassette, the mandrel preferably places a uniform space between the disks. In a second embodiment, the mandrel may be used to lubricate single-sided hard memory disks. The single-sided hard memory disk may be positioned on the mandrel in pairs in a gap merge orientation, or equally spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Peter Cheng, Walter Crofton, Kwang Kim, William Maida, David Newman
  • Patent number: 7052739
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for lubricating hard memory disks. A mandrel is provided in one embodiment with three rows of teeth and provides a stable, three-point engagement with the inside edge of the disks at the center aperture. When removing disks from a cassette, the mandrel preferably places a uniform space between the disks. In a second embodiment, the mandrel may be used to lubricate single-sided hard memory disks. The single-sided hard memory disk may be positioned on the mandrel in pairs in a gap merge orientation, or equally spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Peter Cheng, Walter Crofton, Kwang Kon Kim, William Maida, David Newman
  • Publication number: 20040070092
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously texturing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in a concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk may be simultaneously subjected to texturing by equipment designed to texture one double-sided disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, Barry Okamoto, Lynnette A. Sagen, Nghia Ta
  • Publication number: 20040068862
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling single-sided hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with ribs formed on the inside surface of opposing side walls. The ribs form disk receiving grooves or channels. The ribs further comprise an alternating pattern of large and small ribs. The large ribs separate pairs of disks from other pairs, the small ribs separate and maintain spacing of the two disks comprising each pair of disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, Bruce Hachtmann, David Newman
  • Publication number: 20040070859
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk, which has memory storage capabilities, may be simultaneously cleaned by equipment designed to clean one double-sided disk. Conversely, no effort is expended in cleaning the abutting inactive surfaces of the disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Walter Crofton, Andrew Wypych
  • Publication number: 20040069662
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with adjustably positionable side wall inserts. The inserts or panels may be moved between a plurality of positions to accommodate disks of different diameters. The inserts may also be substituted to accommodate disks of different thickness or different orientations, such as pairs of disks in gap merge orientation or contact merge orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, David Newman
  • Publication number: 20040071535
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for handling a plurality of disks and repositioning them into pairs is provided. In one embodiment, a nest is configured to hold a cassette and includes a nest. The nest includes a curved surface with ribs or teeth extending therefrom which define a row of grooves. The grooves are dimensioned to hold a pair of disks in concentric contact merge orientation and the teeth facilitate movement of pairs of disks into the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Walter Crofton, David Newman, Nghia Ta
  • Publication number: 20030209389
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for lubricating hard memory disks. A mandrel is provided in one embodiment with three rows of teeth and provides a stable, three-point engagement with the inside edge of the disks at the center aperture. When removing disks from a cassette, the mandrel preferably places a uniform space between the disks. In a second embodiment, the mandrel may be used to lubricate single-sided hard memory disks. The single-sided hard memory disk may be positioned on the mandrel in pairs in a gap merge orientation, or equally spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Peter Cheng, Walter Crofton, Kwang Kon Kim, William Maida, David Newman
  • Patent number: 3981040
    Abstract: A wet mop head construction comprising a pile fabric having a central headband for attachment to the gripping elements of a wet mop tool and a flared main body portion extending freely therefrom for contact with a surface, such as a floor, to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Deering Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: John Walter Crofton