Patents Issued in January 12, 2016
  • Patent number: 9233493
    Abstract: A throttle body assembly, and method of manufacturing such, is disclosed having a unitary shaft and blade component injection molded in situ within a throttle body housing to mechanically entrap the shaft and blade component, yet still allowing for it to partially rotate, within the throttle body housing. The throttle body housing defines an interior passage, a shaft through-hole, and a shaft socket opposite the shaft through-hole, both aligned along a transverse axis to the interior passage. The shaft and blade component is a single unitary piece injection molded in situ within the throttle body housing, such that it has a blade section disposed within the interior passage, first and second shaft sections extending from the blade section opposite each other partially disposed within the shaft socket and shaft through-hole, respectively, and a pivotable axis generally coaxial with the transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROJET, INC.
    Inventor: Kyle E. E. Schwulst
  • Patent number: 9233494
    Abstract: There is disclosed an injection mold which may allow for a uniform flow front of the thermo-plastic melt during the injection mold process. Further, a corresponding injection-molded part is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: PAS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Seikel, Robert Schulze
  • Patent number: 9233495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet for forming a hard coating and a method of formation. The present invention can provide a transfer material or a surface protection sheet having a high index of refraction and superior physical properties, such as hardness, friction resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, transparency, luster, and the like, for forming a hard coating on the surface of various molded products, including resin molded products or wood products, and a method for forming a hard coating from such transfer material or surface protection sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG HAUSYS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Bong Kim, Won-Kook Kim, Dong-Joo Gwon, Yang-Gu Kang, Jin-Woo Kim, Mu-Seon Ryu
  • Patent number: 9233496
    Abstract: A mold system includes a carrier platform and an adjustment mechanism. The carrier platform is provided to arrange at least one mold member. The adjustment mechanism includes at least two adjustment units arranged on the carrier platform. Each of the adjustment units includes a positioning member and an electrically-driven adjustment member pivotally-connected therewith. In adjustment operation, the positioning members commonly engage with the mold member and are driven by the electrically-driven adjustment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Wu, Cheng-Hao Chiu, Chieh-Ju Wu, Kai-En Chang
  • Patent number: 9233497
    Abstract: A gate valve is configured to have a first fluid flow path. In a state where a gate valve pin is at a first pin position, a front end section on an injection hole side of the gate valve pin closes an injection hole. In a state where the gate valve pin is at a second pin position that is more distant from the injection hole than the first pin position, a front end section opens the injection hole to make communication between the first fluid flow path and the injection hole and thereby form a resin supply line. In a state where a sleeve is at a first sleeve position and the gate valve pin is at the first pin position, a second fluid flow path is formed in the gate valve to connect an injection hole-side end of the first fluid flow path to outside of the gate valve and is made to communicate with the first fluid flow path and thereby form a cleaning line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Yasumoto Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9233498
    Abstract: A closing unit of an injection molding machine includes a moveable mold mounting plate and a fixed mold mounting plate, a hydraulic pressure mechanism for building up a closing pressure, at least one column provided with an external profile, and at least one two-part nut which is provided with an internal profile and the half members of which are coupled in motionally opposite relationship. The at least one column in the closed condition of the two-part nut is lockable by a positively locking relationship between the internal profile and the external profile relative to the moveable mold mounting plate or relative to the pressure mechanism. There is also provided an electric drive for opening and closing the two-part nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ENGEL AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Ing. Franz Dirneder, Johannes Mayr
  • Patent number: 9233499
    Abstract: A feed device for feeding fibers during the production of fiber-reinforced plastics materials has a multi-shaft screw machine for the lateral guidance of the fibers into a preparation system for producing fiber-reinforced plastics materials. The multi-shaft screw machine comprises a housing, a plurality of housing bores penetrating one another as well as screw shafts, which are rotatably drivable and are arranged therein, and a feed opening. A suction mechanism, which produces an airstream sucking in the fibers, is provided to suck the fibers through the feed opening into the housing bores. The fibers are filtered by means of a filter mechanism out of the airstream. In order to ensure a long service life, the filter mechanism has a plurality of flow channels, which have a widening cross section in a flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SKZ-KFE gGmbH Kunstsoff-Forschung und-Entwicklung
    Inventors: Peter Heidemeyer, Christian Deubel
  • Patent number: 9233500
    Abstract: A die comprising two die cavities, with each capable of supplying polymeric material, and a distribution plate interposed between at least a portion of each of the two die cavities. The distribution plate has a dispensing edge and a plurality of extrusion channels. First and second extrusion channels extend from entrance openings at the first and second die cavities, respectively, to exit openings on the dispensing edge. The exit openings of the first and second extrusion channels are disposed in alternating positions along the dispensing edge. A method of extruding with such a die and an extruded article made therefrom are also disclosed. The method includes co-extruding a first polymeric composition and a second polymeric composition. The extruded article comprises a plurality of longitudinal first stripes of the first polymeric composition alternating with a plurality of longitudinal second stripes of the second polymeric composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, John H. Horns, Anthony B. Ferguson, Thomas J. Rieger, Ronald W. Ausen, William C. Unruh
  • Patent number: 9233501
    Abstract: The linear friction welding (LFW) apparatus of this invention, in various embodiments includes a vibrating assembly or assemblies, which simultaneously vibrates both work pieces along the weld axis during the weld process. In one embodiment, separate vibrating assemblies are used to vibrate each work piece along the weld axis relative to each other. Each vibrating assembly has its own oscillator mechanism with motors and cams that can be moved into and out of phase with that of the other vibrating mechanism to generate the relative movement between the work pieces. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a vibrating assembly that uses a single oscillator and two sets of rocker arms supporting carriages operatively connected by a linkage mechanism to simultaneously vibrate both work pieces along the weld axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: APCI, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9233502
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a bag made of a polymeric material by applying heat activated layers on different portions of the bag, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have respective heat activation temperatures below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material; creasing the bag along a fold line, applying heat at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material to activate the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer to adhesive states after the bag has been filled with contents; and folding the bag to form an adhesive-to adhesive seal by contact between the heat activated first adhesive layer and the heat activated second adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Coating Excellence International LLC
    Inventors: Gary F. Sargin, Mark E. Jansen
  • Patent number: 9233503
    Abstract: The present invention provides a band seal for hard capsules filled with PEG, particularly a low-molecular-weight PEG, PEG 200 to 600, the band seal being capable of effectively preventing content leakage through the gap between the body and cap of the capsule; and a liquid for preparing the band seal. The present invention further provides a hard capsule filled with PEG, particularly a low-molecular-weight PEG, PEG 200 to 600, the filled capsule being prevented content leakage through the gap between the body and cap of the capsule. The band seal can be prepared using a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, or a mixture thereof as a main component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: QUALICAPS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Tochio
  • Patent number: 9233504
    Abstract: A supply of build material such as a spool or cartridge is instrumented with a data tag that includes information about the build material. A three-dimensional printer can read the information from the tag and determine how to use the build material during fabrication of a three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Ariel Douglas, Robert J. Steiner, Aric Lynn Jennings, William B. Buel, Anthony D. Moschella
  • Patent number: 9233505
    Abstract: Powder compositions and articles and methods of forming articles from powder compositions are provided. The powder compositions include at least one polymer powder and an amount of reinforcing particles having an aspect ratio of preferably at least about 5:1. In a preferred embodiment, the powder composition is capable of being formed, via a laser sintering process, into a three-dimensional article that exhibits one or more desirable mechanical properties in an elevated temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Raffaele Martinoni
  • Patent number: 9233506
    Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, where the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier tube, a nozzle secured to an outlet end of the liquefier tube, a heating element extending at least partially around the liquefier tube to generate a hot zone in the liquefier tube, a hollow spacer disposed in the channel; and a hollow liner disposed in the channel abutting against an upstream shoulder of the hollow spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Leavitt
  • Patent number: 9233507
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a 3D printing apparatus with a sensor device. The apparatus comprises a base platform, a support frame mounted on the base platform and a print head mounted on the support frame. The print head is aligned with a working surface on which the 3D object to be printed is placed. A sensor device is configured to determine and adjust a spatial parameter between the working surface and a print head. The sensor device is mounted on the print head and detects misalignment in the position of the working surface with the print head. The sensor device employs photo detection method for determining a desired orientation of the working surface. The printing apparatus comprises a controller unit for receiving the input from the sensor device to correct the orientation of the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Bibas
  • Patent number: 9233508
    Abstract: Composite rigging, rigging terminals, methods of forming composite rigging, and methods of assembling the rigging terminals in a rigging system of a sailboat incorporate a sling of composite fibers having an equivalent cross-sectional profile and stretch resistance, but greater strength and less weight as compared to steel rigging. The rigging terminal includes a terminal fitting having a first opening, a second opening, and an interior space, and a terminal insert disposed inside the interior space. The terminal insert is formed with a first end disposed toward the first opening of the fitting, first and second posts disposed on the first end, and a second end having a shape tapered and disposed toward the second opening of the fitting. One or more composite fibers can be wound around the first end of the insert and held in a space between wall of the terminal fitting interior space and the terminal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hall Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. D. Hall, Norman Reno
  • Patent number: 9233509
    Abstract: A blown-film process for making a fiber-reinforced film comprises providing and melting at least one thermoplastic resin. The at least one thermoplastic resin is extruded through an extension die to form a film bubble. A plurality of fibers is introduced inside of the film bubble. The fibers are distributed inside of the film bubble. The film bubble is collapsed after introducing the plurality of fibers so as to form a fiber-reinforced film. The fiber-reinforced film has a first thermoplastic layer, a second thermoplastic layer, and a plurality of fibers dispersed therebetween. The film may be formed in a bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: REYNOLDS CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brent L Hild, William P. Belias, Steven F. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9233510
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus with uniform illumination distribution, according to various embodiments, can include a lens for area lighting. In one embodiment, the lens comprises a plurality of cross-sections identified by a thickness ratio defined at different angles. The thickness ratio is determined relative to the thickness of the cross-section defined at a center angle of the lens. In another embodiment, the lighting apparatus with uniform illumination distribution includes a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface. A profile of the inner surface and the outer surface is composed of a plurality of piecewise circular arcs defined with radii and circle centers. The lens is formed as a complex curve lens by joining the piecewise circular arcs of the inner surface and the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Gary Allen, Benjamin Yoder
  • Patent number: 9233511
    Abstract: A method of forming lenses includes providing a lens handler having a plurality of cavities formed into an upper surface thereof. For each of the cavities, the method includes dispensing a first polymer material into the cavity, pressing a non-planar stamp surface onto the first polymer material wherein an upper surface of the first polymer material is conformed to the non-planar stamp surface, and applying UV light to the first polymer material to cure the first polymer material. A dispenser carrier can be used that includes a plurality of liquid polymer dispensers. A stamp carrier can be used that includes a plurality of stamps each having a non-planar stamp surface. Alternately, a stamp handler having a plurality of stamps arranged along a curved surface can be used to roll along the polymer material such that an upper surface thereof conforms to the non-planar stamp surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Optiz, Inc.
    Inventors: Vage Oganesian, Zhenhua Lu
  • Patent number: 9233512
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffraction grating having a plurality of grating grooves that extends in parallel in a direction includes a first cutting processing step of moving, in the direction, a work and a cutting tool having a first blade and a second blade relatively to each other, and of forming a first surface of the grating groove in the work through cutting processing using the first blade of the cutting tool, and a second cutting step of moving, in the direction, the work and the cutting tool relatively to each other after the first cutting processing step, so that the first blade does not contact the first surface formed by the first cutting processing step, and of forming a second surface of the grating groove in the work through cutting processing using the second blade of the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitamura, Takashi Sukegawa
  • Patent number: 9233513
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a media insert with an energy source to an ophthalmic lens. The energy source is capable of powering a component included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and the component includes an electro-optical lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 9233514
    Abstract: The tread surface of a tire according to the present invention is molded with a tire mold having a tread molding surface, and at least a portion of the tread molding surface is formed by projecting spherical projection material having a predetermined sphericity and causing the spherical projection material to collide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Katsuno, Ryoichi Watabe, Masahiro Katayama
  • Patent number: 9233515
    Abstract: A carton includes a top portion and a bottom portion. Each portion includes a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls extending therebetween. The top portion and bottom portion include respective top and bottom surfaces. The rear walls of the top and bottom portions are hingedly connected to another along respective outer edges. When closed, the top portion and bottom portion define a cavity for storing an item. The carton also includes a separation region defined on the top and bottom portions that extends from an outside edge of the front wall of the top portion, around the top portion and the bottom portion, to an outside edge of the front wall of the bottom portion. The separation region is configured to facilitate controlled separation of the carton into first and second side portions and to prevent liquid flow through separation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Fu, James Hubbard, Earle Ellis, Lauren Mikos, Kevin Fultz, Jonathan Smyk
  • Patent number: 9233516
    Abstract: A clothing wipe includes an applicator having a novel odor neutralizing formulation deposited on one layer that is bonded to another layer to form a finger mitt. The applicator is removed from a pouch and rubbed against a person's clothing that may have accumulated a variety of smoke, food, and other odors during an outing. The odors clinging to the clothing are neutralized by contact with the odor neutralizing formulation. The applicator is stored in the pouch when not in use. A method of fabricating the clothing wipe in a web process is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kusin & Kusin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Kusin, Charles C. Steward, Ronald C. Griepenburg, Edgardo Guce
  • Patent number: 9233517
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic shielding sheet that has a smaller increase in the thickness of a base after the formation of a metal coating film when compared with conventional electromagnetic shielding sheets, and which has excellent electromagnetic wave shielding properties despite a small amount of adhered metal. According to the present invention, the electromagnetic shielding sheet can endure metal working processes and has high electromagnetic wave shielding properties, resulting in a thin, very flexible fabric sheet. Specifically disclosed is an electromagnetic shielding sheet which is composed of a laminated non-woven fabric that has at least a first layer and a second layer, and which is characterized in that the first layer is a layer of thermoplastic synthetic fibers having a fiber diameter of 6 ?m to 50 ?m, the second layer is a layer of ultrafine fibers having a fiber diameter of 0.1 ?m to 5.0 ?m, and a metal is adhered to at least one surface of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI FIBERS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazufumi Kato, Kazuaki Shikata, Rumina Obi, Ikuo Ueno
  • Patent number: 9233518
    Abstract: A hybrid porous structure may include a base template and an ionic polymer coating layer within the base template. The structural framework of the base template itself is non-porous. The base template fills the gaps among a plurality of imaginary spherical bodies stacked in three-dimensions as an imaginary stack. The ionic polymer coating layer is laminated on an inner surface of the base template inside the imaginary spherical bodies. The imaginary spherical bodies may have a pore in the center which is not occupied by the ionic polymer coating layer. The hybrid porous structure may include a plurality of necks, which are openings formed in a contact part where adjacent imaginary spherical bodies contact each other. The necks may be interconnected to the pores located in the center part of the imaginary spherical bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyo Kang, Pil Jin Yoo, Sung Soo Han, Young Hun Kim, Seon Ju Yeo
  • Patent number: 9233519
    Abstract: A water-absorbent sheet structure comprises a structure in which an absorbent layer containing a water-absorbent resin (A) and a water-absorbent resin (B) is sandwiched with fibrous webs from an upper side and a lower side of the absorbent layer, characterized in that the water-absorbent resin (A) and the water-absorbent resin (B) are contained in a total amount of from 100 to 1,000 g/m2, and that the water-absorbent resin (A) and the water-absorbent resin (B) have the following properties: (1) the water-absorbent resin (A) having a water-retention capacity of saline solution (Ra) from 15 to 55 g/g; (2) the water-absorbent resin (B) having a water-retention capacity of saline solution (Rb) from 10 to 50 g/g; and (3) Ra and Rb mentioned above satisfies the relationship of the following formula: Ra?Rb?(g/g).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamaguchi, Syuji Tsuno, Haruka Inaba, Masayoshi Handa
  • Patent number: 9233520
    Abstract: Laminated articles that include a first textile and a functional film layer bonded together by an adhesive layer having a distinctive, discontinuous adhesive pattern is provided. The discontinuous adhesive pattern creates regions free or substantially free of adhesive that permits the laminate to preferentially bend in those regions. The adhesive regions, together with the non-adhesive regions, create a visible pattern on the surface of the laminate. A second textile may be bonded to the functional film layer opposing the first textile. The first textile or the film layer may be elastic, shrinkable, or expandable. In such embodiments, raised portions of the laminate corresponding to the non-adhesive regions and curled portions corresponding to the adhesive regions are visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kelsey
  • Patent number: 9233521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tin whisker mitigation material using thin film metallic glass underlayer, which is a thin film metallic glass (TFMG) formed between a metal substrate and a tin layer. Particularly, the TFMG can be a Zr46Ti26Ni28 underlayer or a Zr51.7Cu32.3Al9Ni underlayer, capable of blocking off the interaction occurring in the interface of a copper layer (the metal substrate) and the tin layer, so as to carry out the inhibition of tin whisker growth. Moreover, a variety of experiment data are proposed for proving that the TFMG of the Zr46Ti26Ni28 or the Zr51.7Cu32.3Al9Ni can indeed be used to replace the conventionally used thick tin layer for being the underlayer between the copper layer (the metal substrate) and the tin layer, and then effectively inhibit the interaction occurring in the Cu/Sn interface and the growth of tin whisker by low manufacturing cost way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: National Taiwan University Of Science And Technology
    Inventors: Jinn Chu, I Made Wahyu Diyatmika, Yee-Wen Yen, Wen-Zhi Chang
  • Patent number: 9233522
    Abstract: A polyester resin for metal plate coating which contains a dimer acid in an amount of 2 to 10 mol %, as a dicarboxylic acid component and has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 70,000 to 160,000. Thus, there can be provided a polyester resin for metal plate coating that has not only excellent film forming capability and corrosion resistance but also excellent impact resistance. Further, there can be provided a resin-coated metal plate excelling in properties, such as corrosion resistance, impact resistance (dent resistance), workability and flavor, and provided, fabricated from the resin-coated metal plate, a metal can and can lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Ohashi, Kazuhiro Sato, Tomoko Yoshii
  • Patent number: 9233523
    Abstract: The device for sealing together a formed bottom sheet and a lidding sheet between a feed roll and a sealing roll has a heating unit for preheating the lidding sheet before the sealing operation. The heating unit is a contactless induction heating device which has coils and magnetic-field influencing elements which are arranged transversely to the travel direction of the lidding sheet and opposite at least one of the coils. The distance between each of the magnetic-field influencing elements and the at least one coil is adjusted by a control unit on the basis of measurement values of temperature sensors arranged downstream of the magnetic-field influencing elements in order to regulate the temperature profile of the lidding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Gertitschke, Juergen Liebhardt, Robert Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9233524
    Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Mike Metta, Bob O'Dowd
  • Patent number: 9233525
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating a separator assembly. The method comprises: providing a central core element comprising at least one concentrate exhaust conduit and at least one permeate exhaust conduit; disposing a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising a permeate carrier layer, a membrane layer, and a feed carrier layer within the central core element such that the concentrate exhaust conduit and permeate exhaust conduit are separated by the first portion of the membrane stack assembly; radially winding a second portion of the membrane stack assembly around the central core element; and sealing the wound assembly comprising two opposing end surfaces made of the membrane stack assembly by applying an adhesive on both end surfaces of the wound assembly; and applying a negative pressure inside the central core element so that the adhesive penetrates into the membrane stack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chen Wang, Todd Alan Anderson, Su Lu, Hua Li, Zhen Liu, Jie Huang, Anubhav Kumar
  • Patent number: 9233526
    Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layered composite materials and methods for making multi-layered composite materials having good adhesion between the layers. The adhesion between a polymer layer and a metal layer of a multi-layered composite material may be improved by a process including a step of pre-treating a surface of the metal layer prior to contacting the metal surface with the polymer layer, and by including filler particles in the polymer layer. Using this approach, it is possible to increase the peel strength by about 10% or more, by about 20% or more, by about 40% or more, or by about 100% or more, compared with an otherwise identical composite material that does not include both of these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH LLC
    Inventors: Chadwick Lee VanSweden, Shimon Mizrahi
  • Patent number: 9233527
    Abstract: A laminating system and a method of making a laminated product can include a roll of substrate material and a roll of film material to be laminated together to form a laminate. The system includes a sheeter station and, optionally, a breaker bar station and/or a registration station. The sheeter station is configured to cut the laminate at desired locations based on either signals received from the registration station or other system components. The breaker bar station is configured to remove any roll set curl that may reside in the laminate as a result of the substrate and/or film materials being fed to the system directly from rolls. The registration station is arranged, during an automated registration mode, to detect markings on the laminate and instruct the sheeter station to cut the laminate into individual sheets for subsequently processing into cards such as credit cards, gift cards, ID cards, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Klöckner Pentaplast of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Foley, Sr., Teddy L. Cradlebaugh, William J. Crawford, III
  • Patent number: 9233528
    Abstract: An ink-based digital printing method includes applying conditioning fluid to an imaging member surface wherein the fluid is absorbed by imaging member surface, which includes VITON. Dampening fluid is subsequently applied to the imaging member surface for development by a laser imaging system to form a latent image. Ink is applied to the developed latent image on the imaging member surface to form an ink image that is transferred to paper to form a print that is free of tiger stripe image quality defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Chu-heng Liu
  • Patent number: 9233530
    Abstract: According to a drive control method and apparatus, an offset printing section and an intaglio printing section are connected together by a gear train. Separately from an offset printing section prime motor for driving an entire sheet-fed printing press, an intaglio printing section auxiliary motor is provided in the intaglio printing section where load is heaviest and load variations are great. By so doing, the entire sheet-fed printing press is driven by the offset printing section prime motor and the intaglio printing section auxiliary motor. Moreover, the electric current value (driving torque value) of the intaglio printing section auxiliary motor is controlled in accordance with an electric current value (torque value) for driving the offset printing section prime motor, the torque distribution rate of the intaglio printing section auxiliary motor, and the rated electric current value of the intaglio printing section auxiliary motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOMORI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Ishiwata, Shigeru Yanagawa, Kouichi Katsumata, Mikio Matsumoto, Tatsuhiko Yokochi, Hiromitsu Numauchi, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9233531
    Abstract: A flexographic printing system uses a flexographic printing plate to produce printed patterns on a substrate. An ink recirculation system is used to reduce variability in system performance resulting from ink viscosity changes. A recirculation pump moves ink through an ink recirculation line connected to an ink reservoir. A metering pump adds a controlled flow rate of solvent from a solvent replenishment chamber into the ink recirculation line, thereby providing replenished ink. The replenished ink is returned to the ink reservoir through a distribution tube that includes a plurality of supply ports at a plurality of spaced apart locations across a width of the ink reservoir. A control system is used to control the flow rate of solvent provided by the metering pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: James Douglas Shifley, Peter Steven Alexandrovich, James Albert Reczek
  • Patent number: 9233532
    Abstract: Provided is an inkjet recording device for performing print control by increasing or decreasing the number of adjustment ink particles, which are used according to the speed of the object being printed even when the movement speed of the object being printed is increasing or decreasing and which are uncharged particles carrying a fixed electrical charge that takes electrostatic bonding into consideration. The present invention is an inkjet recording device provided with an ink container for holding ink that is to be printed on the object being printed, a nozzle that is connected to the ink container and discharges the ink, a charging electrode for charging specified ink that has been discharged from the nozzle, a deflecting electrode for deflecting the ink charged by said charging electrode, a gutter for collecting the ink that is not used for printing, and a control unit for controlling the printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: An Qiu, Takashi Kawano, Tsuneaki Takagishi
  • Patent number: 9233533
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a front face having a polymer coating, the polymer coating including an oleophobic grafted polymer having a crosslinked fluoroelastomer and a perfluorinated polyether grafted to the crosslinked fluoroelastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mandakini Kanungo, Matthew M. Kelly, Varun Sambhy, David J. Gervasi, Santokh S. Badesha, Chakkaravarthy Chidambareswarapattar, Michael S. Roetker
  • Patent number: 9233534
    Abstract: Provided are a droplet-discharging head, a droplet-discharging device, and a method for positioning head modules of the droplet-discharging head in which the job of adjusting head module installation positions can be easily performed. In an ink jet head (200) configured by linking multiple head modules (210) together, each head modules (210) is mounted on a base frame (212) supported by a head module support unit provided on the base frame (212). The mounting positions of the head modules (210) in an X-direction mounted on the base frame (212) are individually adjusted by X-directional mounting position adjustment unit. The amounts of displacement of the head modules (210) here are detected by displacement detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Koga, Tsutomu Kusakari, Makoto Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9233535
    Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus is provided with a channel unit including: a liquid supply port which is communicated with a liquid supply section and from which a liquid is supplied; a plurality of nozzle arrays from which liquid droplets of the liquid are jetted; and a plurality of common liquid chambers which are communicated with the liquid supply port and through which the liquid supplied to the liquid supply port is supplied to the plurality of nozzle arrays, and an actuator which applies a jetting energy to the liquid supplied to the plurality of nozzle arrays. The same number of nozzle arrays is communicated with each of the common liquid chambers, and each of the common liquid chambers is communicated with at least one of the plurality of the common liquid chambers at a portion different from a portion communicating with the liquid supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 9233536
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head including: a recording element substrate provided with an element; an electric wiring substrate having a bent portion, a connecting portion provided on one side of the bent portion and connected with the recording element substrate, and an input portion provided on the other side of the bent portion; and a housing having a first surface, a second surface, a depression provided on the second surface, and a member separated from a bottom surface of the depression and extending into an opening of the depression, wherein part of the other side of the electric wiring substrate is disposed between the bottom surface of the depression and the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Tomizawa, Takuma Kodoi, Takuya Iwano
  • Patent number: 9233537
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head having a plurality of passage modules that have individual passages, actuator modules that include a plurality of actuators and a drive unit and the liquid ejection head produced by the method. The method comprising ranking the actuator modules according to a magnitude of a capacitance of the actuators, classifying the passage modules into a terminal region group and a central region group, fixing the actuator modules to the passage modules so that the actuator modules that having a capacitance not less than a predetermined capacitance correspond to the passage modules in the terminal group and so that the actuator modules having a capacitance less than the predetermined capacitance in the actuator module ranking correspond to the passage modules in the central region group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9233538
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device including: a first electrode layer provided so as to overlie a substrate; a second electrode layer disposed so as to face the first electrode layer; and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer has a conductive layer and a barrier layer. The barrier layer is provided between the conductive layer and the piezoelectric layer so as to prevent the conductive layer from contacting the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Osawa, Koji Ohashi, Eiju Hirai
  • Patent number: 9233539
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ink jet print head face plate. The ink jet print head face plate includes a face plate; and a siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer disposed on the face plate. The siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer is a polymerization product of a mixture including from about 2 to about 12 alkoxysilane precursor materials, wherein at least one of the alkoxysilane precursor materials is a hydrophobic alkoxysilane precursor material; and at least one of the alkoxysilane precursor materials is an aromatic alkoxysilane precursor material. The siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer is insoluble in solvents selected from the group consisting of ketones, chlorinated solvents and ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Tony J. Wigglesworth, Adrien Pierre Cote, Brynn Mary Dooley
  • Patent number: 9233540
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a flow channel plate including, a pressure chamber, a nozzle including an outlet through which ink contained in the pressure chamber is ejected, and a trench disposed around the nozzle, and the outlet extending into the trench; a piezoelectric actuator configured to provide a change in pressure to eject the ink contained in the pressure chamber; and an electrostatic actuator configured to provide an electrostatic driving force to the ink contained in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-ki Hong, Sung-gyu Kang, Jae-woo Chung, Seung-ho Lee, Joong-hyuk Kim, Yong-wan Jin
  • Patent number: 9233541
    Abstract: A printing system includes a maintenance device that is configured to correspond to different configurations of a scalable printhead array. The printing system includes a first printhead array having a plurality of printheads and a pair of frames disposed in parallel and on opposite ends of the first printhead array. A first maintenance platform is mounted between the pair of frames and configured move from a first position at a first side of the first printhead array to a second position opposite faces of the printheads in the first printhead array. The first maintenance platform is configured to perform a maintenance operation on the plurality of printheads of the first printhead array when the platform is at the second position, and a first actuator is configured to move the first maintenance platform between the first position at the first side of the printhead array and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Cyr, Jorge M. Rodriguez, Steven M. Russel, Paul M. Fromm
  • Patent number: 9233542
    Abstract: A wiper device enables to wipe selectively the unit heads to of an inkjet head has a simple, compact construction. The wiper device of a printer has four wiper units arranged in a line. When a drive shaft turns based on rotation of a wiper motor, the four wiper units operate sequentially from one end to the other in an outbound operating sequence, and operate sequentially in the reverse order in a return operating sequence. Four head units each have a row of unit heads, and a row of unit heads. The four wiper units can move to a position enabling wiping unit heads, and a position enabling wiping unit heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisashi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9233543
    Abstract: A waste liquid container is detachably mounted on a mounting unit which includes a discharge portion discharging a waste liquid and a projection to which a substrate connection portion is joined. The waste liquid container includes: a containing portion that is able to contain the waste liquid; a connection concave portion that is opened in a mounting direction; a circuit substrate that includes connection terminals electrically connected to the substrate connection portion and is joined to the connection concave portion; and a waste liquid introduction portion that is connected to the discharge portion. In the connection concave portion, one pair of guide portions guiding the projection is formed so that the connection terminals are interposed therebetween in a width direction intersecting the mounting direction. Of the pair of guide portions, one guide portion is disposed between the connection terminals and the waste liquid introduction portion in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Hirasawa, Yasuhiro Ogura, Taro Takekoshi, Izumi Nozawa