Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6558551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrochemically modifying the retention of a species on a chromatography material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an effluent flow channel adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The effluent flow channel comprises chromatography material. The apparatus further comprises first and second electrodes positioned such that at least a portion of the chromatography material is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and fluid flow through the apparatus is between, and in contact with, the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alltech Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anderson, Jr., Raaidah Saari-Nordhaus, Carl W. Sims, Yuri E. Gerner
  • Patent number: 6558552
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite solid material fixing mineral contaminants, with a metal hexacyanoferrate basis, characterised in that it comprises a solid support coated with a pellicle of an anion-exchange polymer to which is fixed an insoluble metal hexacyanoferrate forming a thin layer. The present invention also relates to the method of preparing the said composite solid material fixing mineral contaminants with a hexacyanoferrate basis. The present invention finally relates to method of fixing, which can be carried out in a column and continuously, of at least one mineral contaminant contained in a solution, on the said composite solid material fixing mineral contaminants. The said solution is in particular a liquid or an effluent originating from the nuclear industry and installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Christiane Loos-Neskovic, Claire Vidal-Madjar, Jacqueline Dulieu, Anastasia Pantazaki
  • Patent number: 6558553
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a relatively stable magnetic photocatalyst comprising an insulated magnetite core coated with a layer of photoactive titanium dioxide. In one example the insulation layer is silicon dioxide which blocks direct electrical contact between the titanium dioxide and the magnetite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Unisearch Limited
    Inventors: Rose Amal, Donia Beydoun, Gary Low, Stephen Mcevoy
  • Patent number: 6558554
    Abstract: A method for switching filters on-line while continuously supplying a fluid to a downstream operation such as a photographic product coating device comprising transmitting the fluid to a filter selection valve having a first flow path therethrough to a first filter and a second flow path therethrough to a second filter; flowing the fluid through the first flow path and through the first filter to a filter diverter valve having a first fluid from the first filter to the downstream operation, a second fluid path from the second filter to the downstream operation, a third fluid path from the first filter to a drain, and a fourth fluid path from the second filter to the drain; directing the fluid through the first fluid path; determining when the first filter will soon become inoperable; opening the second flow path through the filter selection valve and opening the fourth fluid path through the filter diverter valve; closing the fourth fluid path after the fluid has flowed through the second filter but prior to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Angela H. R. Jones, Steven D. Possanza, Brian J. Connolly
  • Patent number: 6558555
    Abstract: A process and system for enhanced phosphorus removal in a wetlands wastewater treatment facility is disclosed. A portion of the effluent is recycled back through a media which is capable of removing phosphorus from water through sorptive processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Flowers
  • Patent number: 6558556
    Abstract: A method of oxidizing an inorganic species in an aqueous solution of pH 5 or greater, comprises the steps of (i) supplying an oxidizable form of a sulfur compound, and oxygen to the solution; and (ii) adding a source of iron to the solution and allowing oxidation to take place. The method finds particular application in the treatment of manganese and other species in potable water, industrial waste waters and process liquors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, CRC for Waste Management & Pollution Control, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ging Hauw Khoe, Myint Zaw
  • Patent number: 6558557
    Abstract: Process and decker for bringing together a first aqueous pulp suspension layer with at least one additional suspension layer. The process includes moving the first pulp suspension layer and the at least one additional suspension layer on moving layer supports, and guiding sides of the first pulp suspension layer and the at least one additional suspension layer that are adapted to contact each other on guiding surfaces that are one of stationary and limitedly moving. The guide surfaces include contoured surfaces arranged to run substantially parallel to the layer supports. The process further includes applying the at least one additional suspension layer onto the first pulp suspension layer at a wedge-shaped gap, and draining the first pulp suspension layer and the at least one additional suspension layer. The decker includes at least one rotating cylinder, and an endless wire guided around at least a portion of an outer circumference of the at least one rotating cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Gommel, Josef Schneid, Rolf Wenske
  • Patent number: 6558558
    Abstract: Apparatus for circulating a fluid, for example a liquid or a gas, from a first end to a second end is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments or cells running the length of the tube, the compartments being arranged in rows and columns so that the tube divided by dividing walls has a honeycomb structure, with a first end of the tube on a base and a second end of the tube above the first end of the tube; first flow means and second flow means a fluid inlet into the first row of compartments; and a fluid outlet from the last row of compartments; so that fluid introduced through the fluid inlet flows either up or down the compartments in the first row, through the first or second flow means between the first and second rows, and then down or up the compartments in the second row, through the second or first flow means between the second and third rows, and so on until the fluid reaches the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Alethea Rosalind Melanie Hall
  • Patent number: 6558559
    Abstract: A method of sacrificial layer etching of micromechanical surface structures, in which a sacrificial layer is deposited on a heatable silicon substrate and is structured. A temperature difference between the substrate and the vapor phase of an etching medium is established in such a way that exposed metal contacts made of aluminum alloys are not attacked at the same time and are not subsequently exposed to any risk of corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Becker, Franz Laermer, Michael Offenberg, Andrea Schilp
  • Patent number: 6558560
    Abstract: A method for the fabrication of electrical contacts using metal forming, masking, etching, and soldering techniques is presented. The method produces a plurality of specialized electrical contacts, capable of use in an interposer, or other device, including non-permanent or permanent electrical connections providing contact wipe, soft spring rates, durability, and significant amounts of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Bradley E Clements, Joseph M White
  • Patent number: 6558561
    Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having a particularly short throat height and a fine pole portion with no magnetic saturation and a small magnetic flux leakage is manufactured on a mass scale in an efficient and speedy manner as follows. After forming a lower shield for a magnetoresistive type thin film magnetic head on a substrate, a magnetoresistive layer embedded in a shield gap layer is formed, a first magnetoresistive layer constituting an upper shield for the magnetoresistive type thin film magnetic head as well as a lower pole of an inductive type thin film magnetic head is formed, a recess is formed in its surface, an insulating layer is embedded in the recess, and a surface is flattened. On the thus flattened surface, is formed a write gap layer, and a second magnetic layer constituting a pole chip is formed into a desired pattern. A rear edge of said second magnetic layer is extended inwardly beyond an edge of the recess opposing to an air bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6558562
    Abstract: A wafer handling wand allows the efficient loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers to and from a CMP apparatus. The wand includes identical work piece gripping, alignment, and loading/unloading mechanisms on the top and bottom sides. A processed wafer can be unloaded from the apparatus onto one side of the wand and an unprocessed wafer can be loaded into the apparatus from the second side. The gripping mechanism includes a support area and a spaced apart moveable gripping finger. Wafer loading is facilitated by a cam attached to the support area that rotates when the cam contacts the apparatus. Upon rotation, the cam provides a surface for directing the work piece into the apparatus. The surface of the cam also includes an alignment aid that can be brought into contact with a reference surface on the apparatus to insure proper alignment between the wand and the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Speedfam-IPEC Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel S. Mallery, Doug Kreager, Chris E. Barns
  • Patent number: 6558563
    Abstract: A thermal head fabricating method forms a lower protective layer made of ceramics for protecting a plurality of heat-generating resistors and electrodes, subjects the lower protective layer to etching processing by a plasma and forms a carbon protective layer on the thus subjected lower protective layer. The etching processing is performed using a mask which defines an area where the carbon protective layer is formed, a protective layer is formed on a surface of the mask, and the protective layer is made of a material which is etched at an extremely slow rate or substantially not etched compared with ceramics composing the lower protective layer and/or which does not impart an adverse effect to the carbon protective layer that is subsequently formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kashiwaya, Junji Nakada
  • Patent number: 6558564
    Abstract: In the present invention, electron temperature is controlled by modifying the power delivered to the plasma by inducing or enhancing natural instabilities between the plasma and the power source. As a result, no pulse modulation of the RF power or RF generator is required. The instability is enhanced until the desired reduction in electron temperature has been achieved. In accordance with the invention, there are several modes for inducing such a natural instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Loewenhardt, Wade Zawalski
  • Patent number: 6558565
    Abstract: A composite magnetic body used for a choke coil, etc. is formed by compression molding of a mixture of magnetic alloy powder containing iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) as the main component, an insulating material and a binder of an acrylic resin. In the composite magnetic body, high packing rate of the magnetic alloy powder and good insulation between the powder particles stand together, exhibiting a low core loss and a high magnetic permeability. The composite magnetic body can be formed in various core pieces of complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Matsutani, Yuji Mido, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6558566
    Abstract: Ni—Cu—Zn based oxide magnetic materials, in that not only the internal conductor is stabilized at very low firing temperatures, but also the characteristics in the high frequency zones of 100 MHz or higher are excellent. The oxide magnetic materials comprises, Fe2O3: 35.0 to 51.0 mol %, CuO: 1.0 to 35 mol %, NiO: 38.0 to 64.0 mol %, ZnO: 0 to 10.0 mol % (including 0%) and Ca: 0.3 wt % or lower (not including 0%), and, optionally, CoO: 0.7 wt % or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ono, Ko Ito
  • Patent number: 6558567
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric ceramic compact useful as a material for a piezoelectric ceramic compact device or the like, having SrBi4Ti4O15 as a main component, containing no or a small amount of lead or lead compound, and exhibiting a Qmax improved to a level permitting practical use application. The piezoelectric ceramic compact includes a bismuth layer compound as a main component composed of Sr, Bi, Ti and oxygen, and when the molar ratio of Sr, Bi and Ti of the bismuth layer compound as the main component is a:b:c, the relations of 0.13≦a/c<0.25 and 3.5≦(2a+3b)/c≦3.75 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Kimura, Takuya Sawada, Akira Ando
  • Patent number: 6558568
    Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing a hydroxide such as Lithium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Beryllium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Hydroxide and the mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the hydroxide is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the hydroxide is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Claude Q. C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 6558569
    Abstract: Low viscosity functional fluid compositions particularly useful as brake fluids in anti-lock brake systems comprising a borate ester component, an alkoxy glycol component and an additive package which includes a corrosion inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tammy Tyler Shannon, Brian Terry Keen, James Leonard Hansen, Pearl Lesley Crossen
  • Patent number: 6558570
    Abstract: A method for polishing a grid of a field emission display (FED) with a polishing slurry contain very small particle of colloidal particles of amorphous silica in an alkaline medium. The method results in highly selective planarization well-suited for chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) of the grid for the self-aligned CMP-FED fabrication process. An FED grid made according to this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Alwan, Craig M. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6558571
    Abstract: An oxygen-absorbing composition including in relatively sufficient proportions a dry acid, iron, and an inhibited carbon dioxide generating compound. A method of absorbing oxygen from a closed environment including the steps of providing an oxygen-absorbing composition comprising in relatively sufficient proportions by weight a dry acid, iron and an inhibited carbon dioxide generating compound, and injecting water into said composition. An oxygen-absorbing packet including an oxygen-permeable packet containing an oxygen-absorbing composition including iron and an inhibited carbon dioxide generating compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Powers
  • Patent number: 6558572
    Abstract: A glass-forming liquid crystal composition comprises a compound having a molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to 5000 grams per mole and having the formula (NEM)x—CYC—(CHI)y wherein CYC is a substituted cycloaliphatic core moiety containing about 24 to about 60 carbon atoms or a substituted aromatic core moiety containing about 6 to about 36 carbon atoms, NEM is a nematogenic pendant moiety, CHI is a chiral pendant moiety, x is 3 to 9, and y is 0 to 4. An optical device is formed from the liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Shaw H. Chen, Fred Y. Fan
  • Patent number: 6558573
    Abstract: Disclosed is a binder-loaded type charge-transport liquid crystal material which comprises a liquid crystal compound and a binder and, in spite of the presence of the binder, can substantially retain the properties inherent in the liquid crystal compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hanna, Kyoko Kogo
  • Patent number: 6558574
    Abstract: A red phosphor having effective emission at low voltages, prepared using a conductive luminescent material, and a method for preparing the same, which is applicable in low-voltage driving image display displays such as field emission displays (FEDs) with improved luminance. By coating the surface of a red phosphor with the conductive luminescent material, accumulation of charges in FEDs can be prevented and thus the luminance is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., ZAO Scientific Production Firm (SPF) Luminphor
    Inventors: Ji-hye Gwak, Shang-hyeun Park, Yong-wan Jin, V. A. Vorobyov
  • Patent number: 6558575
    Abstract: Highly efficient ZnS:Mn phosphors can be obtained by using triazole or diazole compounds during homogeneous precipitation in aqueous medium. Coated layers containing such phosphors can be incorporated in Thin Film Inorganic Light Emitting Diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Hieronymus Andriessen, Steven Lezy
  • Patent number: 6558576
    Abstract: An electroconductive adhesive to which a luminescent heterocyclic compound, especially a benzoxazol, is added. The ratio of the heterocyclic compound in the adhesive, which preferably is a silver-charged, epoxy-resin adhesive, is 0.01% to 0.5% by weight. The adhesive is especially suitable for bonding electrical components to circuit carriers where automated process control is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Brielmann, Hans-Peter Fuessl
  • Patent number: 6558577
    Abstract: A deformable conductive elastomer excellent in reliability, linearity, and mechanical characteristics, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. Elastomer particles with a particle size of 10 through 300 &mgr;m and conductive particles with a particle size of 10 through 40 &mgr;m are almost uniformly dispersed in a non-conductive elastomer. Ceramic particles with a particle size of 1000 nm or less are also almost uniformly dispersed in the non-conductive elastomer. At least the non-conductive elastomer uncrosslinked, the elastomer particles, and the conductive particles are added to the dispersion medium, and the mixture is vibrated, mixed, and dried to crosslink the uncrosslinked non-conductive elastomer. At least the non-conductive elastomer, the elastomer particles, and the conductive particles are added to the dispersion medium, and the mixture is vibrated, mixed, and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Inabagomu Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Niihara, Yong-Ho Choa, Manwar Hussain, Hiroshi Nishida, Yoshiyuki Hamahashi, Kotaro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6558578
    Abstract: Conductive paste for the electrical industry based on at least one elastomer (10) and on an admixture of conducting particles in the form of fibers (20), in which the fibers (20) are flexible and have been embedded in the elastomer (10) in random orientation and with formation of a large number of contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Alec Ducros, Mohamed Aït El Cadi
  • Patent number: 6558579
    Abstract: The invention aims to provide an organic PTC thermistor having a lower operating temperature than prior art organic PTC thermistors and exhibiting improved characteristics. The object is attained by an organic PTC thermistor comprising a polymer synthesized in the presence of a metallocene catalyst and conductive particles having spiky protuberances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuhiko Handa, Yukie Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 6558581
    Abstract: A transparent electro-conductive structure comprising a transparent substrate and formed successively thereon a transparent electro-conductive layer and a transparent coat layer, which is used in, e.g., front panels of display devices such as CRTs. The transparent electro-conductive layer is composed chiefly of i) noble-metal-coated fine silver particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum, and ii) a binder matrix. A transparent electro-conductive layer forming coating fluid used in the production of this transparent conductive structure comprises a solvent and noble-metal-coated fine silver particles dispersed in the solvent and having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Yukinobu, Kenji Kato
  • Patent number: 6558582
    Abstract: A semiconductive ceramic contains a compound of MgO and SiO2 as a main component, and an iron oxide such as FeO, Fe2O3, and Fe3O4 as an electric conductivity provider. According to necessity, the semiconductive ceramic further contains at least one of zinc oxide, niobium oxide, and chromium oxide as an electric conductivity provider. The semiconductive ceramic has a desired electric conductivity and a mechanical strength required for structural material, thus being usable in various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuji Hayasaki, Masahiro Okumura
  • Patent number: 6558583
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel naphthopyran-type compounds, which are annelated in position C5-C6 with a seven-membered carbocycle, and which are of formula (I) given below: These compounds (I) possess interesting photochromic properties. The invention also relates to their preparation, their applications as photochromes as well as the compositions and (co)polymer matrices containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olivier Breyne, You-Ping Chan, Jean Patrick
  • Patent number: 6558584
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling an ophthalmic lens in a manufacturing line where lenses are presented for picking and transport to a respective lens receptacle. The problem of lens fly-away is prevented by a cover which releasably couples to the lens picking means and is deposited over the lens receptacle immediately following release of the lens into the secondary receptacle and withdrawal of the lens picking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Trevor O'Neill, Thomas Stevenson, Anthony LaRuffa, Ted Foos, Ger Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6558585
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electro-optic polymer waveguide device including the step of electrode poling an electro-optic polymer material of the device in an oxygen-free environment. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode poling is performed at a temperature close to a glass transition temperature of the electro-optic polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Wave Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Min-Cheol Oh, William Steier, Harold R. Fetterman, Joseph Michael
  • Patent number: 6558586
    Abstract: A process is disclosed of fabricating a surface of an ophthalmic lens. The process includes a step a) of machining the surface by removing material by moving a cutting tool along a continuous trajectory to form grooves, two adjacent grooves being spaced by a constant pitch from 0.01 mm to 3 mm, and a step b) of smoothing the machined surface by moving a smoothing tool along a continuous trajectory formed of passes, two adjacent passes being spaced by a constant pitch from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, to effect band-pass filtering of the undulations of the surface between a low frequency corresponding to a surface envelope and a high frequency corresponding to a background roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Padiou, Joel Bernard, Christophe Jeannin
  • Patent number: 6558587
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a gasket seal or transition fitting affixed to one of two parts to be joined in a gasketed joint by use of the gasket. The method includes the step of providing a mold having a walled mold cavity of the shape desired for the gasket, at least one wall of the mold cavity being a junction surface of the one part and the remaining walls of the mold cavity being formed in a mold piece. The mold is closed by placing the mold piece over the junction surface of the one part to establish the mold cavity as a closed generally toroidal volume. Then a molten gasket-forming thermoplastic material is injected into the mold cavity to form the gasket, the thermoplastic material including a bonding agent for establishing an adhesive bond between the junction surface and the gasket. The thermoplastic material is cooled to solidify the gasket and affix it to the junction surface and the mold piece is removed away from the junction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: O'SO, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry F. Leicht
  • Patent number: 6558588
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an injection molding machine, a screw is advanced from an injection start position by means of velocity control, and when the screw reaches a control changeover point, pressure control is effected in place of the velocity control to apply pressure to the screw. Preliminary molding is performed to obtain an acceptable product; a total charged amount of resin during the preliminary mold is obtained on the basis of a movement distance over which the screw has moved before reaching the control changeover point during the preliminary mold; and the total charged amount is stored as a changeover target value. During ordinary molding, a total charged amount of resin is obtained on the basis of a movement distance over which the screw advances from the injection start position; and pressure control is started when the total charged amount reaches the changeover target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Shioiri, Masashi Suganuma, Hisato Shimizu, Yoshitoshi Yamagiwa
  • Patent number: 6558589
    Abstract: A device for molding objects includes a mold having a molding space enclosed therein and adapted to be filled by a fluid mold material intended to solidify therein. The fluid mold material is injected under pressure into the molding space and solidifies under this high pressure. A chamber receives the mold and is filled with a medium. The medium filling the chamber and surrounding the mold is pressurized. The pressurized medium acts upon the mold from all directions with at least the same pressure magnitude as the pressure of the mold material within the mold. Therefore, the mold is isostatically balanced by the forces acting upon the mold by the mold material and the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Flow Holdings GmbH (SAGL) Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Carl Bergman
  • Patent number: 6558590
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded structure in a press that includes the steps of positioning a preform (24) having a thickness in the lower mold (20), placing a quantity of resin adjacent the preform (24) so as to create a resin reservoir, and then selectively actuating one or more of the pressure actuators (28) to apply pressure to the resin reservoir to force at least a portion of the resin reservoir to infuse through the thickness of the preform (24). After the step of positioning, a top cover (32) may be placed upon the preform (24). The step of selectively actuating one or more of the pressure actuators (28) attached to an upper platen (60), may include a computer for controlling the pressure actuators (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: David H. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6558591
    Abstract: A microporous film of polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity above 5 dl/g is prepared from a homogeneous solution in an evaporable solvent. The film is cooled and evaporable solvent is evaporated at a temperature below the dissolution temperature. The film is stretched to produce the micorporous film and is passed through a calender. The microporous films with a porosity of up to about 70% by volume and a battery separator quality factor (F) of at least 2.5 are described. Battery separators formed from the microporous films are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbertus H. M. Calis
  • Patent number: 6558592
    Abstract: The present invention is constituted such that chambers 13 and 14, independent from cavity 4, are formed at the rear side of a set of dies 2 and 3 for molding a molded foam product, first openings 30a and 30b opening to the cavity 4 are formed along the joint of the dies 2 and 3 as a molding section of the dies 2 and 3, which is to mold a non-outstanding portion of the molded foam product, wherein the first openings 30a and 30b are connected to the external utility pipes 15-18 as different systems for the chambers 13 and 14, via inter-die passages 31a and 31b and internal pipes 32a and 32b, which are connecting passages, so as to supply or exhaust such utility fluid as steam and compressed air to/from the cavity 4 independently from the chambers 13 and 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Daisen Industry Co., Ltd., Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Nohara, Tomio Nakajima, Kiyotaka Ida, Masahiko Sameshima, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Kenji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6558593
    Abstract: In a method for pressing ceramic powders comprising a powder compaction stage within a mold, after exerting the powder compacting pressure the powder is subjected to close-together pressure pulses while maintaining the compacting pressure applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sacmi - Cooperativa Meccanici Imola - Soc. Coop. A.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Cassani
  • Patent number: 6558594
    Abstract: Powder mixture is supplied into a die under a state that a center pin is located lower than the top surface of the die, after which the center pin is lifted up to a given molding position where an annular molding space is defined between the center pin and the die. The powder mixture is then compressed from upper and lower sides with an upper plunger and a lower plunger to form a pellet. The center pin and the lower plunger are simultaneously lifted up to remove the pellet out of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kouda, Shigeharu Hattori, Saburo Nakatsuka, Hiroshi Takebayashi, Toshio Sanukiya
  • Patent number: 6558595
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing close-to-final-shape moldings from pressing compositions, in which reinforcing fibers, fiber bundles, fiber fabrics, fiber mats and/or random fiber agglomerates based on metal, glass, carbon, nitrogen, silicon and/or boron, one or more binders and, if desired, one or more additives or fillers are mixed to give a pressing composition and pressed in a pressing mold under the action of pressure to give a molding, where a curable carbonizable polymer is used as binder. The invention provides for a cold-curing binder to be used and the curing reaction to be initiated by addition of a catalyst, with pressure only being applied after the curing reaction has commenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Lotz
  • Patent number: 6558596
    Abstract: A peripherally encapsulated product, such as an oven door outer shell, is molded in accordance with this invention by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of relatively movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. Preferably both bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material (SMC or BMC) is placed upon selected areas of one of the mold bodies within and about an area corresponding to an annular mold cavity and outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped between mold clamping portions of the mold bodies which are then progressively closed creating compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The thermosetting polymeric material is cured, the mold bodies are opened and the product is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Gemtron Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Bienick, Bob Herrmann, Howard Daley
  • Patent number: 6558597
    Abstract: A process for forming an end cap in an extruded ceramic tube. An end cap forming cavity of an end cap forming die is positioned so that, when the body of the end cap forming die is situated against an extrusion die, ceramic material is able to be forced into the end cap forming cavity, through a passageway communicating between the end cap forming cavity and a backfill reservoir, and into the backfill reservoir. A plunger projects into the backfill reservoir to force the ceramic material from the backfill reservoir back through the passageway and into the end cap forming cavity to compact the ceramic material so that the ceramic material within the end cap will be provided with a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joey Michael Corpus
  • Patent number: 6558598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Witold Neter, Faisal Oueslati, Tiemo Brand, Gordon Elliott, Richard Unterlander, Gheorghe Olaru
  • Patent number: 6558599
    Abstract: A method of making a painted part out of molded thermoplastic material, the method including making the part to be painted by a method of molding thermoplastic material in the cavity of a mold; allowing the part made in this way to cool at least on the surface, cooling being accompanied by shrinkage, and being performed by opening the mold that was used to make the part that is to be painted; and injecting paint around the part in a cavity of a mold having the same shape as the mold cavity that was used for molding the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Alain Bethune
  • Patent number: 6558600
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a mold having an internal volume with a first portion configured to receive the microelectronic substrate coupled to a second portion configured to receive a pellet for encapsulating the microelectronic substrate. A plunger moves axially in the second portion to force the pellet into the first portion and around the microelectronic substrate. The pellet has overall external dimensions approximately the same as a conventional pellet, but has cavities or other features that reduce the volume of the pellet and the amount of pellet waste material left after the pellet encapsulates the microelectronic substrate. Accordingly, the pellet can be used with existing pellet handling machines. The mold and/or the plunger can have protrusions and/or other shape features that reduce the size of the first portion of the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon M. Williams, Chad A. Cobbley
  • Patent number: 6558601
    Abstract: The method of the present invention is performed by providing a glass sheet having first and second opposite surfaces merging with each other along a peripheral ground angled surface setting-off with the glass sheet first surface an included angle substantially greater than normal. The glass sheet is placed in a mold having opposing cavity portions which collectively define a cavity including a peripheral edge cavity portion defined in part by a cavity defining surface which lies in the plane of the glass sheet first surface when the mold is closed. The mold is then closed such that the cavity defining surface and the glass sheet round angled surface set-off and angled complementary to the included angle and with the glass sheet per surface abutting the cavity defining surface inboard of the glass sheet -ground angled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Gemtron Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Reames, Bob Herrmann, Howard Daley