Patents Issued in March 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6197398
    Abstract: A geosynthetic liner may be formed of sheets of substantially liquid impermeable synthetic material such as high density polyethylene. The adjacent edges of adjacent sheets may be lapped over one another to form a lapped joint. The lapped joint may be covered by a relatively narrow seam cover which seals the region between the two sheets. The cover may be formed of a geomembrane layer over a clay layer. The clay layer may be formed of particles of bentonite which are adhesively secured to the geomembrane layer. Thus, the geomembrane liner seam may be sealed by simply unrolling the cover over the lapped joint and covering the sheets and the cover with a layer of overburden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: GSE Lining Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Mathieson
  • Patent number: 6197399
    Abstract: A recording medium comprising a hydrophilic film formed on a substrate, recording domains formed directly on the hydrophilic film so as to form a predetermined pattern, each recording domain being made of an organic dye molecule and having a size of 50 nm or less, and an isolation region surrounding the recording domains, the isolation region being made of an organic molecular film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Naito, Takashi Ishino, Hiroyuki Hieda
  • Patent number: 6197400
    Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mannington Carpets, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Desai
  • Patent number: 6197401
    Abstract: Disclosed is concrete comprising: a plurality of fiber rings for reinforcing a tensile strength of the concrete, each of the plurality of fiber rings forming a closed loop. The plurality of fiber rings included in concrete according to the present invention can remarkably increase a tensile strength of the concrete, are prevented from being entangled and poorly distributed, and do not hurt the human body and prevent an object from being damaged and thereby being broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jeong Ho Ahn
  • Patent number: 6197402
    Abstract: Heavy density honeycomb structures which include alternating layers of primary corrugated sheets and bisector sheets which are bonded together. The primary corrugated sheets are offset so that the bisector sheets are bonded to the corrugated sheet nodes so that the upper and lower bonding locations on each bisector sheet are displaced from each other. This displacement provides flexibility regions in the bisector sheets which enhance the formability of the heavy density honeycomb. The displaced node configuration is useful for enhancing thermal formability of both metallic and non-metallic honeycomb structures. The offset configuration is used with both substantially flat bisector sheets and corrugated bisector sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: P. Shane Miller, Robert B. Morrison, Earl F. Ayle
  • Patent number: 6197403
    Abstract: An integral sound absorber and water deflector door panel positionable in space defined between an inner wall and a passenger compartment door panel of an automobile vehicle door assembly. The integral panel is composed of a first polymeric layer made of a water impervious polymeric film having an essentially constant thickness. The first polymeric layer has a first face adapted to contact the interiorly oriented face on the inner wall of the vehicle door assembly and remain in overlying parallel orientation thereto. A second polymeric layer is composed of a polymeric foam integrally connected to the second face of the first polymeric layer in continuous overlying relationship thereto. The second polymeric layer has an outer face opposed to the first polymeric layer which, preferably, has at least one region adapted to directly contact a portion of the exteriorly oriented face of the passenger compartment door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: HP Pelzer (Automotive Systems), Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Brown, Guy W. Boitos
  • Patent number: 6197404
    Abstract: A creped nonwoven web having permanent crepe includes regions of interfilament bonding which are permanently bent out-of-plane, alternating with regions of no interfilament bonding. The non-bonded regions include a multiplicity of filament loops which terminate at both ends in the creped interfilament-bonded regions. The creped nonwoven web is useful as the female component of a hook-and-loop fastener, and can also be used in diaper outercovers, liners, transfer and surge layers, wipers, and other fluid handling products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugenio Go Varona
  • Patent number: 6197405
    Abstract: A surface decoration having a 3-dimensional effect, for placement on a surface, comprising a transparent base sheet of film, a printed design on at least a portion of said base sheet, at least object illustration formed by said printed design and a shaded depiction of said object illustration formed by said printed design, said printed design being transparent in said shaded depiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Graphic Origins Limited
    Inventors: Torill Johnsen, Harald Johnsen
  • Patent number: 6197406
    Abstract: A method for producing visco-elastic fluidic material flows by drawing a visco-elastic fluidic material with corresponding separate second fluid flows associated therewith to form a visco-elastic fiber vacillating in a repeating, generally omega-shaped pattern having a bowed portion with first and second side portions that first converge toward each other and then diverge outwardly in generally opposing directions. In one operation, the visco-elastic fiber vacillating in the repeating, generally omega-shaped pattern is an adhesive material deposited onto woven and non-woven fabric substrates and stretched elongated elastic strands in the manufacture of a variety of bodily fluid absorbing hygienic articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 6197407
    Abstract: Through holes formed in an electrical insulating substrate having adhesive layers on its both surfaces are filled with a conductor. Then, supporting bases having wiring layers with a predetermined pattern are laminated on both the surfaces of the electrical insulating substrate, which are then heated and pressurized. After that, the supporting bases are removed, thus obtaining a circuit board in which the wiring layers have been embedded in the adhesive layers. The conductor within the through holes are compressed sufficiently, thus forming minute via holes with high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daizou Andou, Toshio Sugawa, Tadashi Nakamura, Hideki Higashitani, Masahide Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 6197408
    Abstract: Provided is electromagnetic shielding bonding film which has an electromagnetic shielding capability, infrared blocking capability, transparency, invisibility and favorable bonding property, and an electromagnetic shielding assembly and a display device using such bonding film. The electromagnetic shielding bonding film is characterized by plastic film carrying a bonding agent layer which flows under specific conditions, and an electroconductive metallic material layer which is geometrically patterned by micro-lithography so as to have an aperture ratio of 50% or more. This electromagnetic shielding bonding film is combined with a plastic plate to obtain an electromagnetic shielding assembly. Also is provided a display device such as CRT, PDP, LCD, or EL which has the electromagnetic shielding bonding film or the electromagnetic shielding assembly on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashige Kanbara, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Minoru Tosaka
  • Patent number: 6197409
    Abstract: Media are disclosed having a substrate, water-absorbing layer, and adhesive ink-receiving layer. After being printed with an aqueous pigmented ink, the ink-receiving layer may be laminated to a permanent substrate. Exposure to an energy source may render the printed image more durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Bodager, Jon Gregory Moehlmann, Daphne Pinto Fickes, Robert Paul Held, Ray Alexander Work, III
  • Patent number: 6197410
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shapable prepreg comprising fibers and a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix is a multiphase matrix comprising a first matrix component consisting of a monomer or a dendrimer, and a second matrix component consisting of high molecular weight organic molecules, said second matrix component forming a sticky membrane of the prepreg with an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) bonding to the first matrix component. Preferably, the prepreg further comprises a third matrix component consisting of high molecular weight organic molecules, said third component being distributed between the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Stick Tech Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Vallittu, Antti Yli-Urpo, Ilkka Kangasniemi
  • Patent number: 6197411
    Abstract: An elongated part, of composite, metal matrix material, respectively comprises 35 to 45 vol. % of a matrix based on aluminum or magnesium alloy and 65 to 55 vol. % of continuous carbon fibers, arranged in sheets parallel to the length thereof. At least approximately 90% of the carbon fibers are ultra-high modulus fibers. In 25 to 60% of the sheets, said fibers are oriented at 0%±5° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the part, when the matrix is based on aluminum. In the other sheets, the fibers are then oriented between ±20 and ±40° with respect to said direction. When the matrix is based on magnesium, the ultra-high modulus fibers are oriented at 0°±5° in at least 90% of the sheets. This gives a high rigidity and high stability in the indicated direction, which favors applications in the space industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Laetitia Billaud, Jocelyn Gaudin, Martine Nivet Lutz, Joël Poncy
  • Patent number: 6197412
    Abstract: A method of forming a plastic component. The method includes a first step of forming a profile by pulling fibrous material, having been wetted out by a resin, through a first die and curing the composite formed so that it maintains its ultimate shape. The surfaces to be coated are treated to create free radicals (bonding sites) which are then available for bonding of an acrylic compound coating. Thereafter, the acrylic compound is applied to the profile to form a coating directly thereon. Application is effected by passing the cured and treated profile through a crosshead extrusion die. The acrylic compound coating is bonded directly to the profile. The invention also includes a fiber reinforced plastic component manufactured in accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tecton Products
    Inventor: John C. Jambois
  • Patent number: 6197413
    Abstract: The molded article comprises a matrix of transparent plastics material incorporating a filler that is essentially constituted by fibers, the filler comprising 1% to 25% by mass of the mixture and the mean length of the fibers constituting said filler lying in the range 100 &mgr;m to 700 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 6197414
    Abstract: The invention provides a fiberboard, as well as its manufacturing method, which comprises lignocellulose long fibers with a fiber length 50 mm or more and resin. The fiberboard of the invention has high mechanical strength and superior dimensional stability. Since lignocellulose-base materials of long fibers are utilized, the fiberboard can save the consumption of precious wood resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kawai, Kenji Ohnishi, Yuzo Okudaira, Ryo Sugawara, Takumi Ueda
  • Patent number: 6197415
    Abstract: The invention provides gel-coated materials that provide enhanced flame-, physical- and chemical-resistance to the foamed materials. The gel coatings can be created with a sol-gel process. Such treated materials can be used, for example, in the manufacture of articles of clothing that are to be used in environments in which fire and exposure to acids, bases or other chemicals which tend to corrode foamed materials is a potential hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Frisby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Holman
  • Patent number: 6197416
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising a transparent polymer sheet, at least one layer of biaxially oriented polyolefin sheet and at least one image layer wherein said polymer sheet has a stiffness of between 20 and 100 millinewtons, and said biaxially oriented polyolefin sheet has a spectral transmission of at least 40% and a reflection density less than 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Aylward, Robert P. Bourdelais, Alphonse D. Camp
  • Patent number: 6197417
    Abstract: A 2-oxetanone sizing agent that is made from fatty acid(s) containing linoleic acid. Paper that is sized with the 2-oxetanone alkaline sizing agent does not encounter machine feed problems in high speed converting or reprographic machines, so the sizing agent is useful for paper including continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, processes for converting the paper into envelopes, continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Kyle J. Bottorff
  • Patent number: 6197418
    Abstract: A material is disclosed which comprises a substrate and an organic electroconductive layer provided on said substrate, characterised in that the substrate is a laminate comprising a glass layer and a support. The glass layer is preferably a flexible glass layer having a thickness from 10 to 500 &mgr;m. The material can be used as an electrode in electric or semiconductor devices thereby providing an improved lifetime, e.g. displays, photovoltaic cells or light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Tom Cloots, Frank Louwet, Hieronymus Andriessen, Bart Verlinden, Jean-Pierre Tahon, Leo Vermeulen, Luc Leenders, Rudi Goedeweeck
  • Patent number: 6197419
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive article including a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which exhibits ultraviolet radiation resistance and has a midblock Tg of about −5° C. to about −30° C. at a frequency of about 1.0 Hz. An adhesive article according to the invention is suitable for use in window insulation kits because of its improved stability over a wide temperature range and upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) as well as its adhesion to low energy surfaces, such as a surface of films made from polyolefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Hyde, James L. White, Jon E. Stickrod, Bryan C. Feisel
  • Patent number: 6197420
    Abstract: A mat surface layer made of a water-soluble resin mixed with a powder capable of working as a matting agent is formed on an aqueous liquid-permeable sheet material such as water-absorptive paper by coating or the like to produce a transfer substrate. A color printing and/or coating layer is formed either directly or via a protective layer (formed by solid printing or the like) on the mat surface layer of the transfer substrate, followed by forming thereon an adhesive layer made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an aqueous liquid-active adhesive by screen printing or the like. An antiblocking separator may be provided on the adhesive layer. The resultant transfer seal can give a mat state to the surface of the transferred portion of the transfer seal remaining on an adherend such as the skin after transfer thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Cosmotec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Takamizawa, Masanobu Maeda
  • Patent number: 6197421
    Abstract: A short carbon fiber bundling mass is disclosed, which can provide a high-modulus fiber-reinforced resin composition and comprises short carbon fibers bundled by using a sizing agent and heated to a maximum temperature ranging from 1,600° C. to 3,300° C. in an inert gas atmosphere so as to be graphitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Yamamoto, Akihiko Yoshiya, Tadahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6197422
    Abstract: Provided is a ribbon assembly having the functional capability of providing break-out of ink coated or colored outer primary coated optical glass fibers from the ribbon assembly. The ink coating or colored outer primary coating is formulated from a benzophenone compound and at least about 1 wt. % of a homolytic photoinitiator to provide a level of adhesion between the ink coating or colored outer primary coating and matrix material which is less than the level of adhesion between the ink coating or colored outer primary coating and an adjacent underlying coating. Also provided are ink coating and colored outer primary coating compositions adapted to form ink coatings and colored outer primary coatings suitable for use on optical glass fibers contained in a ribbon assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: DSM, N.V.
    Inventors: Edward J. Murphy, Edward P. Zahora, Johannes C. van den Burg
  • Patent number: 6197423
    Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler
  • Patent number: 6197424
    Abstract: A ceramic composition for insulating components, made of ceramic matrix composites, of gas turbines is provided. The composition comprises a plurality of hollow oxide-based spheres of various dimensions, a phosphate binder, and at least one oxide filler powder, whereby the phosphate binder partially fills gaps between the spheres and the filler powders. The spheres are situated in the phosphate binder and the filler powders such that each sphere is in contact with at least one other sphere and the arrangement of spheres is such that the composition is dimensionally stable and chemically stable at a temperature of approximately 1600° C. A stationary vane of a gas turbine comprising the composition of the present invention bonded to the outer surface of the vane is provided. A combustor comprising the composition bonded to the inner surface of the combustor is provided. A transition duct comprising the insulating coating bonded to the inner surface of the transition is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Alan Morrison, Gary Brian Merrill, Evan McNeil Ludeman, Jay Edgar Lane
  • Patent number: 6197425
    Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board having resinous insulating layers and conductor layers alternately superposed on a circuit board with ample adhesive strength, a method for the production thereof, and a curable resin composition useful for the formation of resinous insulating layers are disclosed. The manufacture of the multilayer printed circuit board is accomplished by applying the curable resin composition to the surface of conductor layer of the circuit board, thermally curing the applied layer thereby forming resinous insulating layer, then boring a through-hole in the circuit board, treating the resinous insulating layer with a coarsening agent thereby imparting undulating coarsened surface thereto, subsequently coating the surface of resinous insulating layer and the inner surface of the through-hole with a conductor layer as by electroless plating, and thereafter forming a prescribed circuit pattern in the conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Taiyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Sekimoto, Shinichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6197426
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of treating a substrate, comprising applying to the substrate a fluorochemical composition comprising fluorochemical copolymer derived from at least one fluorochemical monomer A, at least one monomer B, at least one monomer C and at least one monomer D, wherein the fluorochemical monomer A contains a fluoroaliphatic group and is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the monomer B is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the monomer C is an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride, the monomer D is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the fluorochemical monomer A and the monomers B and C contain only one polymerizable group and monomer D contains, as a second polymerizable group, an ethylenically unsaturated group that has a higher affinity to copolymerize with the monomer C than fluorochemical monomer A or monomers B or D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dirk M. Coppens
  • Patent number: 6197427
    Abstract: A process for the production of a composite membrane constituted by a continuous zeolite layer which is principally located on the surface of a glass support is described. The process comprises, in succession, at least one step in which partial hydrolysis of the silica of the internal and external surfaces of the porous support is carried out, and a zeolite crystallization step. The supported zeolite membranes obtained are advantageously used in continuous separation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Martine Anstett, Ronan Le Dred, Jean-Louis Guth, Alain Methivier, Christian Streicher
  • Patent number: 6197428
    Abstract: An article useful as a gemstone or decorative object. A formed substrate is used as a base for an optical interference coating applied on the exterior of the substrate. The optical interference coating is made of alternating layers of materials with relatively high refractive indices and relatively low refractive indices, the refractive indices and thicknesses of the alternating layers being chosen so that at least part of the light of wavelengths between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers incident on the article is reflected. The optical coating creates an interference filter formed of alternating layers of a material with a low refractive index and a material with a high refractive index. The article provides a visual appearance that is novel and different from other gemstones or decorative objects, either man-made or natural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Deposition Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Z. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6197429
    Abstract: A glass-ceramic material which exhibits extremely low (e.g. less than 100 ppm) shrinkage, when exposed to 900° C. for 6 hours, and methods for making such glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramic is cerammed at a sufficiently high temperature and then cooling in a controlled manner, preferably to below the strain point of the resultant material. Using this technique, glass-ceramic materials were fabricated which exhibited dimensional shrinkage comparable to and in some cases even less than that achieved by fused silica substrates, when exposed to high temperature poly-Si processing temperatures (e.g. 900° C. for 6 hours).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Josef C. Lapp, Chad B. Moore, Linda R. Pinckney
  • Patent number: 6197430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a biaxially oriented polyester film that is 7.0 GPa or more in either the Young's modulus in the machine direction (YmMD) or in the transverse direction (YmTD), and in the range of 55° to 85° in the circumferential half-width of the diffraction line from the crystal plane in the direction of the polyester's backbone chain that is determined through crystal orientation analysis by wide angle X-ray diffractometry performed while rotating the polyester film around its normal. The film is high in rigidity in all directions within the film plane, high in tear resistance, high in dimensional stability, and resistant to deformation under load, and have very great industrial advantages as material for high-density magnetic recording media, with wide applicability as material for electrostatic capacitor, heat transfer ribbon, and base paper for thermosensitive stencil printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Asakura, Kenichi Etou, Tetsuya Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 6197431
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing machining tools out of composite powdered metal which is first formed to approximate the desired shape of the machining tool; then bonded metallurgically; and machined to the desired finished shape. Desirably, the forming step employs at least two distinct powdered metals, the first formed to the outer shape over the portion of the tool that interfaces with the work piece and selected to exhibit the desired hardness and wear-resistance properties. The second material supports the hollow form of the first material and includes a shank to interface with the machine that the tool will be employed with. The second material is chosen to exhibit the desired ductility, surface hardness, abrasion resistance and reduced cost. Additional materials can be used for different facets of the tool to obtain an optimum balance of long life, efficient operation and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Arthur Cox, Herman Carter Denny
  • Patent number: 6197432
    Abstract: A sliding material which is used for bearings, washers and other parts of automobiles, industrial machines, agricultural machines and the like, possesses an excellent abrasion resistance, and is useful under sever boundary lubricating conditions. The sliding material comprises a back plate (5) of a steel plate and a sinter bearing layer integrally provided on one surface of the back plate (5). A powder (2) of a hard material is dispersed in an amount of 0.5 to 20% by weight in a matrix (4) of the sinter bearing layer. The matrix (4) comprises 1 to 30% by weight of Pb and 1 to 15% by weight of Sn with the balance consisting of Cu. The powder (2) of a hard material comprises 7.5 to 9.5% by weight of Cr, 27 to 30% by weight of Mo, and 2.0 to 3.0% by weight of Si with the balance consisting of Co.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NDC Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Fujita, Yasushi Saitou
  • Patent number: 6197433
    Abstract: A rolled copper foil for flexible printed circuits contains not more than 10 ppm by weight of oxygen and has a softening-temperature rise index T defined as T=0.60[Bi]+0.55[Pb]+0.60[Sb]+0.64 [Se]+1.36[S]+0.32[As]+0.09[Fe]+0.02[Ni]+0.76[Te]+0.48[Sn]+0.16[Ag]+1.24[P] (each symbol in the brackets representing the concentration in ppm by weight of the element) in the range of 4 to 34. The concentrations of the elements are in the ranges of[Bi]<5, [Pb]<10, [Sb]<5, [Se]<5, [S]<15, [As]<5, [Fe]<20, [Ni]<20, [Te]<5, [Sn]<20, [Ag]<50, and [P]<15 (each symbol in the brackets representing the concentration in ppm by weight of the element).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Hatano
  • Patent number: 6197434
    Abstract: A glazing covered ferrite core electrode terminal has a ferrite core, a glazing covered layer coated on a surface of the ferrite core, a silver paste layer disposed on the glazing covered layer, a nickel plated layer disposed on the silver paste layer, a solder plated layer disposed on the nickel plated layer, and a solder paste layer disposed on the solder plated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph M. E. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6197435
    Abstract: An article comprising a metal circuit and/or a heat-radiating metal plate formed on a ceramic substrate, wherein the metal circuit and/or the heat-radiating metal plate comprise either (1) the following first metal-second metal bonded product, wherein the first metal and the second metal are different, or (2) the following first metal-third metal-second metal bonded product, and wherein in (1) and (2), the first metal is bonded to the ceramic substrate; first metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), platinum (Pt) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components; second metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components; and third metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Tsujimura, Miyuki Nakamura, Yasuhito Fushii
  • Patent number: 6197436
    Abstract: A method for diffusion coating workpieces of ferrous base metals such as carbon steel and cast iron includes the step of weighing and mixing the following components, in powdered form: Chromium 40-50 wt % Ferrochromium 25-37 wt % Tantalum Carbide 0.40-0.65 wt % Vanadium 0.35-0.70 wt % Ammonium Halide 4-5 wt % Aluminum Oxide Remainder The workpieces are preferably degreased and then placed in a container with the mixed components. The container is sealed and heated to a temperature of 1000°-1050° C. The workpieces and the composition are kept at that temperature for a predetermined period, on the order of forty-five minutes or longer, to permit a surface layer of desired thickness to form. The container is then cooled in a conventional cooling chamber and the workpieces are removed. The method produces coatings having good wear and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Jamar Venture Corporation
    Inventors: Inna I. Zayets, Lidia O. Chunayeva, Grigory A. Tkach
  • Patent number: 6197437
    Abstract: A composite barrel for use in extrusion or injection molding is disclosed. The composite barrel includes an outer housing having a cylindrical bore that extends throughout the length of the outer housing. A wear-resistant lining is disposed on an interior surface that defines the cylindrical bore. The lining is fabricated from an alloy that includes a base metal and phosphorus and the lining may contain hard abrasion-resistant particulate, such as tungsten carbide. The base metal is nickel or cobalt or a mixture of nickel and cobalt. The alloy is typically applied by centrifugal casting and can be cast in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere without creating undesirable lining porosity. Such linings can be made for a fraction of the cost of comparable linings that must be cast under vacuum or in an atmosphere of argon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wall Colmonoy Corporation
    Inventors: David Martin Bielec, Samuel Conrad DuBois, Subramaniam Rangaswamy
  • Patent number: 6197438
    Abstract: The invention consists of improved foodware with a ceramic food contacting surface, which includes cookware, cooking utensils, food serving devices, and utensils for eating food. Such ceramic-coated foodware leaches fewer ionic contaminants into food than prior art foodware. Improved toughness of ceramic coatings on foodware can be achieved via primer or topcoat layers of the tough ceramics aluminum and/or chromium nitride. Ceramic coated foodware based on a plasma-sprayed aluminum alloy substrate is also disclosed, wherein the outermost layer of the plasma spray consists of chromium or a high-chromium alloy, which serves as a substrate for application of the various PVD and CVD coatings of this invention. Ceramic foodware with improved scratch resistance and thermomechanical fatigue resistance is also disclosed, based on a wholly ceramic design, using silicon carbide, or aluminum nitride fired ceramics to form an item of foodware, with a polished food-contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roger Faulkner
  • Patent number: 6197439
    Abstract: Non-magnetic transition metal spacer layers 2.5 to 50 Angstroms thick with compositions of Os, Ru and Re are used in laminated magnetic structures. The ultra-thin non-magnetic transition metal spacer layers are useful to fabricate micron and sub-micron laminated magnetic devices. The laminated magnetic structures using ultra-thin non-magnetic transition metal spacer layers of Os, Ru and Re have anti-ferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic layers. The anti-ferromagnetic coupling provides a mechanism for reduced edge curling and efficient directional magnetization. Alloying the non-magnetic transition metal layer provides a method for engineering coupling strengths, coercivities and remanences in magnetic structures useful for high frequency applications. These laminated magnetic structure have applications in magnetic read head, magnetic write head, magnetic memory, and miniature transformer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart Stephen Papworth Parkin, David Allen Thompson
  • Patent number: 6197440
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises a stack of four magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer 11 is a layer for reproducing information recorded on the medium. The third magnetic layer 13 is a storage layer for storing information recorded on the medium in the form of domain walls. The second magnetic layer 12 has a lower Curie temperature Ts than the first and third magnetic layers and is interposed between the first and third magnetic layers. The fourth magnetic layer 14 is interposed between the first 11 and second 12 magnetic layers, and has a larger domain wall energy density than that of the first magnetic layer 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Shiratori
  • Patent number: 6197441
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to form a cubic nitride semiconductor layer of excellent surface flatness and crystallization on a cubic III-V family compound semiconductor substrate, featuring a fabrication method that comprises the steps of forming a cubic semiconductor layer 2 containing aluminum, nitriding one surface of the semiconductor layer 2 by heating in an atmosphere of a nitrogen compound and then supplying a nitrogen compound and a compound containing III family elements to form a cubic nitride semiconductor layer 3 on the semiconductor layer 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Yuri, Tetsuzo Ueda, Takaaki Baba
  • Patent number: 6197442
    Abstract: A water transport plate is provided with optimized physical characteristics to greatly improve fuel cell operation. In a preferred method of manufacturing, graphite powder, reinforcing fibers, cellulosic fibers, and a thermosetting resin are mixed with a liquid to form a slurry and showered onto a screen to form a planar sheet which is dried to form paper. The paper is cut into the desired size and is laid-up. The lay-up is laminated with pressure and heat, carbonized, and graphitized to form a water transport plate for later machining as desired. The finished water transport plate exhibits optimal physical characteristics for bubble pressure, water permeability, median pore size, porosity, thru-plane resistivity and compressive yield strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Edgar Gorman
  • Patent number: 6197443
    Abstract: A battery chamber structure of an electronic device is constructed such that it comprises a casing 2 of the electronic device, which is formed with a battery chamber 66 for resiliently holding a battery B between a spring terminal 65 and a fixed terminal provided in the battery chamber 66 and a cover member 63 equipped on the casing 2 for opening and closing the battery chamber 66, a lock piece 4 provided in the casing 2 for fixing the cover member 63 to and unfixing the cover member 63 from the casing 2 by reciprocating with respect to the casing 2 and a battery receiving piece 10 formed on the lock piece 4 for restricting a movement of the battery B in the battery chamber 66 in an axis direction of the battery B toward the spring terminal 65 in the battery chamber 66, the battery receiving piece 10 being adapted to move between a battery movement restriction position and a battery movement non-restriction position by the reciprocal movement of the lock piece 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Seiitirou Gotou
  • Patent number: 6197444
    Abstract: A battery case comprising a pair of case members joined together along a seam to form a housing. Each case member includes a pair of sidewalls adapted to define a base surface on which the case rests so as to permit a plurality of resting orientations of the battery case. The seam is positioned above the lowermost base surface of the casing to contain any leaked battery acid regardless of case orientation. Further, the battery case includes supports for supporting the lower surface of the battery above any leaked acid, as well as partitions that define a discrete cavity for each battery to isolate the battery from an adjacent battery that may be leaking. The battery case also includes an electrical connector mounted for two dimensional movement that facilitates completion of a blind and automatic connection of the battery case with a complementary connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A Vackar
  • Patent number: 6197445
    Abstract: An elongate, generally tubular, air depolarized electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (14), including an air cathode assembly (26), extending about the tubular circumference, and along the tubular length, of the cell (10), an anode (12), a separator (16) between the anode (12) and the cathode (14), electrolyte, a top closure member (177, 200), and a bottom closure member (114, 202). The cathode assembly (26) is fixedly held, by a friction fit, in a slot (116) at the bottom of the cell. The slot can be developed, for example, by inner (110) and outer (114) walls of a cathode can (28), by inner (226) and outer (224) walls of a bottom closure member (202), or by an outer wall (114) of a cathode can (28) and an opposing outer wall of a plug (128) on the interior of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Ward, Robert Brian Dopp, Joseph Lynn Passaniti, Gregory Scott Moy, John Edward Oltman
  • Patent number: 6197446
    Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements are accommodated in cases made of resin formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells constituted by sealing the apertures of cases by covers made of resin are arranged in series, these being electrically connected by electrical connection elements, wherein: the cases of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary case and the covers of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary cover, support elements made of resin in which are fixed electrical connection elements are joined to support element mounting passage sections provided on partition sections that define the space for the cells, said electrical connection elements being thereby arranged so as to pass through said partition sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Mitsugu Takaki, Kenji Sato, Rye Iwamura, Toshinobu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6197447
    Abstract: A battery container comprising a box with a lid. Ventilation openings are provided in the sides of the box. Part of the sides in which ventilation openings are provided may be attached to the lid. Apertures having drainage channels beneath are provided in the lid. The openings and apertures provide sufficient ventilation to meet the relevant regulations. The provision of apertures in the lid allows the overall height of the container to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Oldham Crompton Batteries Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey William Purdy, Mark Downing