Bonding Of Facing Continuously Contacting Laminae At Spaced Points Only Patents (Class 156/290)
  • Patent number: 7179514
    Abstract: A laminar label (7) which comprises a base label (4), which is attached to a release web (3) by means of a glue layer (5) on top of which base label a supplement (13) is applied, which is covered by a top label (11). The base label with a matching release web is made of the same starting material (40, 41) as the top label with a matching release web (9) and the base label and the top label are brought together on the release web (3) of the base label in a relative displaced position and with a special treatment, e.g., a removal of portions through punching of said starting material in order to form a base label and a top label, respectively. Also a method and an apparatus for providing laminar labels (7), base labels (4) being applied on a release web (3), supplements (13) being positioned on top of the base labels and top labels (11) being positioned in such a way that they overlap the supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Skanem Oslo AS
    Inventors: Per Harald Olsen, Arnt Erik Haarstad
  • Patent number: 7175734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fabrication methods and apparatus for irrigating medical catheters. Such catheters include at least one section of standard thermoplastic catheter tubing coupled to a section of porous tubing (e.g., ePTFE and the like). A source of fluid couples to the porous portion of tubing to dispense diverse fluids. The manufacturing technique overcomes the inability of such porous material to liquefy and/or bond to most available adhesives by creating a mechanical-based coupling. One aspect of the present invention involves pre-treatment of a portion of a porous material such as ePTFE; that is, a “pre-imbibing” process is employed wherein the ePTFE is saturated with a solution of solvent and dissolved thermoplastic resin. After the solution evaporates a resin-based interstitial residue provides suitable structure that fuses to adjacent thermoplastic material during application of heat, such as during thermal bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, James R. Skarda, Patrick R. Vettling
  • Patent number: 7169250
    Abstract: Nanofibrous articles can be manufactured by a process that includes preparation of a surface of a substrate to provide an adhesion mechanism for securing the nanofibers to the surface. The nanofibers can be dispersed in an area near the substrate for the purpose of being adhered to the surface. If an ordered arrangement of nanofibers is required, an electric field can be provided in the area where the nanofibers are dispersed to selectively control an ordering of the nanofibers as they are adhered to the surface by the adhesion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Kim, Bonnie J. Bachman, Stephen O. Bozzone
  • Patent number: 7138024
    Abstract: A process for producing an elastic composite film having a textile surface including at least one unwinding fibrous web being irreversibly extended at right angles to its direction of transport. The increase in the width of the fibrous web due to transverse extension is formed into foldlets by pulling tension acting in the direction of transport of the fibrous web. The fibrous web, which is under pulling tension and modified by transverse extension, is applied atop a transversely elastic film web of a thermoplastic elastomer and is adhered or welded thereto at contact sites which are spaced apart at right angles to the direction of transport of the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Nordenia Deutschland Gronau GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Hamulski
  • Patent number: 7132032
    Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John C Tawney, Daniel R Potter, Michael A Aveni, Joel L Passke, David B Herridge, Alaric Naiman, Alastair R MacGregor, Julian A Scarfe, Colin D Ager, Edward G Colby
  • Patent number: 7125468
    Abstract: Method of making a gas matrix composite ultrasound transducer comprises aligning piezoelectric rods or fibers substantially parallel to each other on an adhesive side of a plurality of curable adhesive-faced sheets, stacking the sheets so as to maintain the gaps between the rods or fibers, curing the adhesive, cutting the cured structure perpendicular to the rods or fibers into narrow slices, and applying a conductive layer to each cut face to form electrical contacts with both ends of the rods or fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Ultran Group
    Inventor: Mahesh C. Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 7112250
    Abstract: A method 10 for forming a relatively stiff and/or a substantially tight joint 10, 30, 46 while concomitantly reducing the likelihood that the applied adhesive 12 will seep from the joint 10, 30, 46. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive 12 is placed upon about one half of the coverage portion and upon about ten percent of the fillet portion of each coach and one-half coach joint 10, 30. The adhesive 12 is further placed upon at least fifty percent of the coverage portion 48 of a lap joint 46.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Ondrus
  • Patent number: 7097730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching an ornamental overlay to a vehicle wheel by injecting adhesive foam through an aperture of the wheel and into a cavity formed between the wheel and the overlay. A first nest engages the outboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the inner periphery of the overlay, the valve stem opening of the overlay, the lug bolt receiving holes of the wheel, the pilot aperture of the wheel, and/or the valve stem opening of the wheel. A secondary nest engages the inboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the wheel apertures and a plurality of turbine openings in the overlay. A nozzle disposed within the secondary nest is adapted to inject the adhesive foam into the cavity through either a gap between the periphery of a wheel aperture and the periphery of a corresponding turbine opening in the overlay, through a straight or angled hole within a spoke, or through a groove within a spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Woelfel, Brian C. Wrase
  • Patent number: 7083691
    Abstract: A method for the production of an elastic, air-permeable laminate film is disclosed, whereby material webs made of a fiber non-woven fabric are applied to both sides of an elastomer layer, and the multi-layered material subsequently runs through an ultrasound bonding station. The elastomer layer is melted to form point-shaped bonds at discrete locations by means of ultrasound, while maintaining the substance of the fiber non-woven fabric. An air-permeable structure is formed at the melted sites. According to the method, a melt film made of a thermoplastic elastomer is passed to a laminating unit and introduced, in the thermoplasticized state, between two material webs of fiber non-woven fabric that run into the laminating unit. The melted intermediate layer of the multi-layered material is cooled to solidification temperature, whereby a laminate with cover layers made of fiber non-woven fabric is produced. The laminate is subsequently passed to the ultrasound bonding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Nordenia Deutschland Gronau GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Hamulski, Georg Baldauf, Marcus Schönbeck
  • Patent number: 7078089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are elastic laminate materials. The elastic laminate materials are laminates of extensible nonwoven fibrous webs and thermoplastic elastic materials. The laminate may be a two-layer composite material having a single nonwoven fibrous web bonded to one side of the thermoplastic elastic material, or it may be a three-layer composite having a nonwoven fibrous web bonded to each side of the thermoplastic elastic material. The extensible nonwoven fibrous webs may be staple fiber webs. The thermoplastic elastic material may be single-layer or multi-layer elastic films, or elastic fibrous layers. Where single- or multi-layer elastic films are used, the films may be breathable films. The elastic material, or some of the staple fibers, or both, may be selected such that the staple fiber webs are thermally compatible with the thermoplastic elastic material to facilitate laminate bonding. Processes for forming the elastic laminate material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Jackson Ellis, Arthur Edward Garavaglia, Jay Sheldon Shultz
  • Patent number: 7063758
    Abstract: A method of laminating first and second members to each other includes the steps of applying a resin material to a plurality of regions on the laminating surface of at least one of the first and second members such that an air escape passage extending in a predetermined direction is formed; providing a laminating force to the first and second members along the extending direction of the air escape passage in a state where the first and second members are disposed with their laminating surfaces opposed to each other, so that air is expelled toward the outside through the air escape passage and the applied resin material is made to be continuous so as to form a thin film layer; and then laminating the first and second members to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: Three Bond Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimasa Sakayori, Kenichi Horie, Takashi Sugio, Takehito Miura, Yuichi Iwase, Yasunori Kijima
  • Patent number: 7060142
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus includes an anvil of a sealing abutment surface, which is driven to circulate with a constant peripheral velocity, and an ultrasonic horn of a sealing abutment surface, which is driven to reciprocate with varying velocities. Since the relative velocity of a soft workpiece moving along with the anvil against the sealing abutment surface of the ultrasonic horn can be made low, a sealing energy from the ultrasonic horn may be applied to the soft workpiece sufficiently long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7060147
    Abstract: A system is provided for application of a layer permanently adhering to the inside of a breast prosthesis formed as a shell-shaped body made from a soft-elastic material, in which a two-component silicone rubber forming the adhesive layer is injected into a mold prior to curing of the body and then cured together with the body. Alternatively, the two-component silicone rubber forming the adhesive layer is first cured in a shell, with the shell then being applied to the body in a mold and then cured again with the body. In a third alternative, the adhesive layer is cured while being joined to a carrier film, with the carrier film then being adhered to the prosthesis sheath which is then filled with addition-vulcanizing two-component silicone rubber and cured in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Amoena Medizin-Orthopadie-Technik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Paul Reitmaier, Ulrike Esterer, Nils Stelter, Georg Stuffer, Hans Stuffer
  • Patent number: 7060149
    Abstract: This invention relates to nonwoven fabrics with advantageous characteristics and the method to produce these fabrics. Advantageously, the fabrics of the subject invention have increased thickness (loft) compared to conventional nonwoven fabrics and have high air permeability and open space while maintaining softness and strength at the same basis weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Albert E. Ortega, R. Wayne Thomley, Jan Mackey
  • Patent number: 7056404
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for bonding and/or embossing of materials, especially materials used in the manufacture of hygienic articles, including, but not limited, to absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene articles, disposable diapers, incontinence devices, wipes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ronald Ray McFall, Dennis Allen DeHaan
  • Patent number: 7048991
    Abstract: An elastic composite is formed by securing an elastic member to a substrate along a securement path extending longitudinally of the substrate. The position of the elastic member on the substrate varies laterally along the longitudinally extending securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern having at least one period within the securement path. The periodic wave pattern is such that the elastic composite is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path. In another embodiment, the securement path varies laterally as it extends longitudinally along the securement path. The position of the elastic member varies transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Valerie V. Finch, Jon M. Verbruggen, Robin K. Nason
  • Patent number: 7045191
    Abstract: A stuffed textile article and method of manufacturing the same has at least one compartment having a baffle gate which receives a tube-like stuffing tool through which loose stuffing is blown into the compartment. Upon removal of the tool, the surrounding layers and panels which define the compartment are placed under tension by the stuffing causing the baffle gates to automatically close upon removal of the tool permanently preventing migration of the stuffing out of the compartment. The gate has a primary panel secured to the top and bottom layers of the article and an adjacent secondary panel at least partially covering the primary panel. The primary panel has a slit and the secondary panel has a slot. Taken individually, the slit and slot are each preferably longer than the thickness of the stuffed textile article and longer than half the circumference of the stuffing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: American Quality Assurance Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Huntley
  • Patent number: 7033451
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly comprising a horn, an anvil and an anvil cover. The horn comprises a generally T-shaped flattening surface and a rail projecting forward of the flattening surface. The rail is shaped to serve as a dam for flowing thermoplastic zipper material during stomping of slider end stops. The horn further comprises a plurality of vertical energy directors designed to direct ultrasonic energy into the mass of zipper material and deflect flowing zipper material toward the dam. The horn further comprises first and second recesses located on opposite sides of a stem of the T-shaped flattening surface. The anvil cover overlies opposing portions of the anvil and comprises a T-shaped cutout. The T-shaped flattening surface of the horn fits in the T-shaped cutout of the anvil cover. The resulting zipper has slider end stops located at opposing ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McMahon, Lawrence Share, Michael A. Pollack, Donald L. Crevier, Nigel D. Knight, Stanley Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 7032620
    Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg, Joel L. Passke
  • Patent number: 7029545
    Abstract: A process for making a disposable wearing article for securing an elastic member to the wearing article without reducing a comfortable feeling of touch with a wearer's skin of the wearing article. A production line of the wearing article includes a step of securing elastic member to a sheet material using an adhesive. The elastic member is coated on its peripheral surface with the adhesive in a pattern of substantially continuous line and then the elastic member secured to sheet material of the wearing article. The continuous line runs in a longitudinal direction of the elastic member so that the curved line undulates on a plane defined by developing the peripheral surface of the elastic member with a height of undulation substantially corresponding to or being larger than a circumferential length A of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7029546
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a sheet of paper comprising at least two crimped cotton-wool-like cellulose plies (20, 40). It consists in: unwinding a first ply (20) in the form of a strip from a reel, embossing it on an embossing unit (10, 12) and forming protuberances at its surface, unwinding a second ply (40) in the form of a strip from a reel, guiding it downstream of the embossing unit (10, 12), superposing the two strips, with their protuberances facing inwards, and in applying a linking means (14, 16) so as to make the two strips integral with each other. Said method is characterised in that immediately upstream of said linking means (14, 16), a tension regulating means (18) is applied in the machine direction on one of the strips, such that the two strips have the same elastic deformation in the machine direction when the linking means is applied. The invention also concerns a product obtained by said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Michel Basler, Pierre Laurent, Gilles Roussel, Rėmy Ruppel
  • Patent number: 7025841
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ultrasonically welding plastic parts together. The ultrasonic welding apparatus includes: an air cylinder having a piston rod; an ultrasonic horn substantially rigidly coupled to an end of the piston rod and having a distal end; a rotary anvil having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to an axis of the piston rod and comprising a periphery; a transducer for converting electric potential differences into ultrasound wave energy, the horn being acoustically coupled to the transducer; and drive means for causing the anvil to rotate. The distal end of the horn confronts the periphery of the anvil throughout rotation of the anvil. On one application, interlocked zipper strips are passed through a gap between the distal end of the horn and the periphery of the anvil. The anvil periphery has a plateau that presses the zipper against the distal end of the horn. The transducer is energized in synchronism with the plateau being opposed to the distal end of the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Owen
  • Patent number: 7022197
    Abstract: A process for bonding several layers of plastic film, particularly plastic bags, into a block, where it is supposed to be possible to remove the plastic films or plastic bags form the block individually; the plastic films or plastic bags are bonded together in an edge strip by means of ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Huhtamaki Forcheim Zweigniederlassung der Huhtamaki Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 7018495
    Abstract: An inflatable cushioning article is made by a process of extruding two multilayer films (or extruding one film which is either annular or folded over) each having (a) a seal layer, (b) a tie layer containing an anhydride modified olefin polymer containing anhydride at a level of at least 150 ppm, based on the weight of the modified olefin polymer, and (c) an oxygen barrier layer comprising crystalline polyamide, crystalline polyester, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, and/or crystalline polycycloolefin. Selected portions of the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area providing a heat seal pattern which leaves inflatable chambers between the films, whereby an inflatable cellular cushioning article is produced. At some point after extrusion, at least one of the multilayer films are aged for a time and at a temperature in accordance with at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (i) 141° F. to 250° F. for a period of at least 1 second; (ii) 101° F. to 140° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Robert O'Dowd
  • Patent number: 7014729
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification labels are made in a high speed and effective manner in a variety of different ways utilizing a number of different sources of RFID inlets, each inlet including an antenna and a chip. A plurality of webs are matched together and RFID labels are die cut from the webs, to produce lined RFID labels. Alternatively linerless RFID labels are produced from a composite web with a release material on one face and pressure sensitive adhesive on the other, the labels formed by perforations in the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Moore Wallace North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Grabau, Nancy G. Mitchell, Thomas P. Nash, Eric V. Palmer, Adele C. Shipston, John R. Soltysiak
  • Patent number: 7011779
    Abstract: An improved double wall tank has two or more threaded fittings, with a steel outer tank and a thermoplastic inner tank. The inner tank is formed within the outer tank by rotational molding. The inner tank is bonded to the outer tank in an area of the fittings, but is otherwise separate and apart from the outer tank. Before carrying out the rotational molding process, bonding material is applied to the outer tank in the area of the fittings. The thermoplastic material is in powder form and includes mold release material. The thermoplastic material is inserted into the outer tank before rotational molding. The degree of shrinkage of the inner tank can be controlled by air pressure including an area between the fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Clemmer Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Elson G. Fernandes
  • Patent number: 7007356
    Abstract: A method of forming a cushioning pad includes placing a component formed of polyurethane foam onto a first web of polyethylene foam. A second web of polyethylene foam is then placed over the component to sandwich the component. Heat and pressure is applied to the sandwich, which flattens the component and forms a seam between the first web and the second web encircling the component. If an unsealed cushioning pad is to be formed, a hollow needle is inserted into one of the first web or the second web. Air passes through the hollow needle and into the component, which absorbs the air and expands. Later, the needle is removed. If a sealed cushioning pad is to be formed, an insertion point of the hollow needle is in the seam, between the first web and the second web. After the component absorbs air and expands, the needle is removed and the insertion point of the hollow needle is re-seamed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Phoenix Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Cudney, Karen Breitbach
  • Patent number: 6998008
    Abstract: An apparatus for a laser transmission welding process for attaching a synthetic filter material to a filter tower frame in an ink jet printer cartridge. The apparatus includes a laser beam source and a filter clamping fixture containing a base, slide rods attached on first ends thereof to the base, an optics support plate attached to second ends of the slide rods, a movable platform for holding an ink cartridge slidably disposed on the slide rods between the base and the optics support plate, a platform moving device for translating the platform to and from a laser welding position, a laser beam transparent plate suspended by support legs from the optics support plate to a position between the movable platform and the optics support plate. The apparatus greatly improves synthetic filter attachment to a filter tower frame in an ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin Ming Kwan, David T. Shadwick, Jeanne M. Saldanha, Paul T. Spivey, Jon B. Whitney, Julie A. Gordon Whitney
  • Patent number: 6994761
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core form a layered assembly including a front region, a back region, and a crotch region disposed between the front region and the back region. The garment is characterized by a vertical longitudinal plane that extends substantially centrally through the front, back and crotch regions. Each of the front and back regions includes a pair of ear portions extending in substantially opposite lateral directions with respect to the longitudinal plane. Each ear portion is a breathable stretchable layer assembly having a plurality of vent sites. Further, each ear portion includes an outer layer that is an extension of the backsheet and which extends laterally to the side edge of the ear portion, and an inner layer that is an extension of the topsheet and which also extends laterally to the side edge of the ear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fameccanica Data S.p.A.
    Inventors: Walter V. Klemp, Daniel D. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6989070
    Abstract: To weld a filter made of a laser beam-transmittable fiber material to a case made of a laser beam-nontransmittable resin material by a laser beam the filter is first placed on the case; subsequently, the filter is pressurized by a jig to increase the fiber density of a welding portion; and then the welding portion is irradiated by the laser beam. In the step of increasing the fiber density, a periphery of the welding portion is pressurized by the jig to increase the fiber density of the filter in a larger area than the welding portion. Accordingly, the laser beam transmitting through the filter melts a part of the case, and the melted resin material permeates through gaps between the fibers constituting the filter, thereby welding the welding portion to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sakai, Masami Hirata, Kanehiro Fukaya, Hideo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6986825
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for laminating a first material (40) such as a spunbonded polymer having a point emboss pattern (41) formed thereon, to a second material (43) such as a polymer film, involves use of a lamination process using a point lamination pattern (56) provided on a heated calender roll (50). One or more geometric characteristics of two patterns (41, 56) such as bonding/contact area, pitch or angle of axes, is selected and differentiated, prior to lamination, to control, during lamination, the amount of point or mis-registration between the two patterns (41, 56). The laminate (60) can have optimum all over lamination if the amount of point mis-registration is maximized. An adhesive can be provided between the first and second materials (40, 43) to enable lamination of dissimilar composition materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hunt Technology Limited
    Inventors: Leslie James Squires, Timothy Woodbridge
  • Patent number: 6979382
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making garments that can cool or heat the wearer of the garment. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a pattern board having a channel configuration formed thereon that defines at least one channel circuit, disposing a first fusible fabric over the channel configuration of the pattern board, disposing a length of tubing over the channel configuration and depressing the tubing into the channels, disposing a second fabric over the tubing and first fusible fabric to form a first laminate assembly, and applying heat and pressure to the laminate assembly to form a laminate garment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Stephen P. Szczesuil, Matt Correa
  • Patent number: 6966960
    Abstract: A material for use in fabricating three-dimensional objects includes a mixture of thermoplastic particles and a water-soluble polymer matrix formed as a film that is fusible into a non-water soluble state when exposed to heating. The film further includes a surfactant system bound to the thermoplastic particles, the surfactant system providing an inversion property such that the thermoplastic particles are hydrophilic but, upon a fusing of the film, become hydrophobic as the surfactant become incorporated into the bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Melissa D. Boyd, Darrel H. Cummings, Laura Kramer
  • Patent number: 6964721
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite sheet by joining a second of thermoplastic synthetic fiber and capable of inelastic extension to at least one surface of a first web capable of elastic strech and contraction in an intermittent manner. The process includes a step of extending the first web, a step of joining the second web to the extended first web and a step of extending the joined first and second webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Tange
  • Patent number: 6946049
    Abstract: A tissue paper used for heat sensitive stencil sheet to be used for a heat-sensitive stencil sheet comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or their mixture, which being impregnated with an ionizing radiation curable type of resin, and a heat-sensitive stencil sheet having a thermoplastic resin film being bonded thereto, wherein, at surface of one side of the resin film, there is provided the tissue paper used for heat-sensitive stencil sheet, which is that being bonded the thermoplastic resin film by point-bonding with using an ionizing radiation-curable resin, and there is provided an anti-sticking layer on the other side of the thermoplastic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6942748
    Abstract: An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Stephen D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6943678
    Abstract: An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nextreme, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Scott A. W. Muirhead
  • Patent number: 6936130
    Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg, Joel L. Passke
  • Patent number: 6926791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding documents by individually binding each media sheet to previously bound media sheets using imaging material as the binding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6918180
    Abstract: To adhere an actuator unit onto one surface of a diaphragm, a dipping plate is used to evenly cling an adhesive agent to tip ends of a plurality of actuators formed in the actuator unit. The dipping plate is formed with a plurality of grooves corresponding to the respective ones of the plurality of actuators. An adhesive agent is poured into the grooves to the same level and the actuators are dipped into the adhesive pond while maintaining a state in which an imaginary first line that connects the tip ends of said plurality of actuators is in parallel with an imaginary second line that connects borders between immersed and non-immersed portions of the plurality of actuators. The actuators are drawn from the adhesive ponds and adhered to one surface of the diaphragm. An ink channel unit is connected to the opposite surface of the diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Koda, Kunihiro Tamahashi, Jun Nagata
  • Patent number: 6905565
    Abstract: A disposable sanitary article having elastic members extending to be associated with leg-openings secured under tension to the article along transversely opposite side edge portions of the sanitary article. The transversely opposite side edge portions respectively have first elastic zones extending across a crotch region in the longitudinal direction along a desired length, second elastic zones extending from the first elastic zones into a front waist region along a desired length and third elastic zones extending from the first elastic zones into a rear waist region along a desired length. The sections of the elastic members extending along the second elastic zones and the third elastic zones has values of stretch stress represented by a relationship of the second elastic zones<the third elastic zones or the third elastic zones<the second elastic zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: UNI-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Nariaki Shimoe
  • Patent number: 6899776
    Abstract: The invention provides a water blocking tape for use in a variety of cable designs, such as power cable, data communications cable and telecommunications cable. A water blocking tape according to the invention includes layers of lightweight nonwoven fabric with one or more swellable water blocking compounds, such as water absorbent polymers, disposed between the layers. The nonwoven fabric layers are bonded in a pattern using an ultrasonic bonding technique. The bonding pattern helps to contain and to restrain movement of the water blocking compounds between the layers. The bonding pattern compartmentalizes the water blocking compounds to prevent pooling of the compounds and to facilitate a substantially consistent distribution of the compounds between the layers such that when a tape contacts water, the tape achieves a substantially consistent swell height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Neptco Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig A. Bahlmann, Ethan E. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6890398
    Abstract: The fundamental technique of the method for making cellular cores is to make stacks of components which are configured such that cutting slices off the stacks produces cellular cores and, when needed, components used in stacks used to produce cellular cores. One of the basic components used in the stacks is termed a ribbed ply which is a ply (thin sheet of material such as wood) with a number of ribs (long thin strips of material such as wood) attached to the ply, parallel to each other. If the spaces between the ribs are filled with filler material such as foam plastic, the cells in the cellular core will be filled with the filler material. The filler material is introduced as layers of the material stacked alternately with plies and adhesively attached. Slices of such a stack, sliced parallel to the grain of the plies (if wood) are called ribbed fillers. Stacking ribbed fillers and plies produces a stack having a cross section which, when sliced, produces filled cell cellular cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Sing
  • Patent number: 6890401
    Abstract: A hollow core composite assembly 10 is provided, including a hollow core base 12 having at least one open core surface 14, a bondable solid film 22 applied to the open core surface 14, at least one dry face ply 30 laid up dry and placed on top of the solid film 22, and a liquid resin 32 applied to the at least one dry face ply 30 and then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Karl R. Bernetich
  • Patent number: 6872274
    Abstract: A nonwoven has low tensile and high elongation in the first direction (typically the CD) and high tensile and low elongation in the second direction (typically the MD). The nonwoven has a plurality of bonding points defining a total bonding area along the second direction greater than along the first direction. Accordingly, the nonwoven has unbonded fiber portions and bonded fiber portions, with a bonded portion/unbonded portion ratio greater along the second direction than along the first direction. The bonding points are preferably either circular or oval in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: First Quality Nonwovens, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kauschke, Mordechai Turi
  • Patent number: 6866924
    Abstract: A tissue paper used for heat sensitive stencil sheet to be used for a heat-sensitive stencil sheet comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or their mixture, which being impregnated with an ionizing radiation curable type of resin, and a heat-sensitive stencil sheet having a thermoplastic resin film being bonded thereto, wherein, at surface of one side of the resin film, there is provided the tissue paper used for heat-sensitive stencil sheet, which is that being bonded the thermoplastic resin film by point-bonding with using an ionizing radiation-curable resin, and there is provided an anti-sticking layer on the other side of the thermoplastic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6860960
    Abstract: A polymeric material may be bonded to a polymeric catheter tube by generating at least one annular beam of electromagnetic energy at a wavelength that is at least partially absorbed by at least one of the polymeric material and the polymeric catheter tube, controllably directing the annular beam of energy onto the polymeric material to concentrate the energy in a bond site circumscribing the catheter tube to at least partially melt at least one material selected from the group consisting of the polymeric material and the polymeric catheter tube along the bond site and the immediate region thereof and allowing the at least one partially melted polymeric material to cool and solidify to form a fusion bond between the tube and the polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Aiden Flanagan
  • Patent number: 6858108
    Abstract: A process of making multiple layer labels includes securing an upper label web to a base label web by means of hold-down openings in the upper label web and an adhesive overlaminate laid thereon and extending through to the base web. Die cutting and matrix removal steps, all carried out in-line in a single pass, produce a multiple layer label. Varied processes and label supply and label structures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ampersand Label
    Inventors: Lowell F. Matthews, Thomas P. Miller, Kyle J. Putzier
  • Patent number: 6840387
    Abstract: A multilayer composite filter medium for serial filtration with an onflow side and an outflow side with respect to a medium to be filtered, the filter medium comprising at least two filter layers of the same or different filter media and the filter layers being welded to one another at defined points and/or areas over the complete surface, and at least one filter medium being arranged on the onflow side and at least one filter medium being arranged on the outflow side. Further subject-matters of the invention are a method of producing the composite filter medium, use of the composite filter medium and a filter containing the composite filter medium according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunststoff-/Metallerzeugnisse GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Beer, Marco Rosendahl, Wolfgang Stausberg
  • Patent number: 6837961
    Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material. The bond patterns are arranged and configured to preferentially direct stresses imposed on the bond pattern, inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern for distribution, dissipation, and termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke