Channel-shaped Edge Component (e.g., Binding, Etc.) Patents (Class 428/122)
  • Patent number: 7441740
    Abstract: An impact protection apparatus has a body portion formed of a first resilient material and a number of members protruding radially outward from the body portion. The members are formed of a second resilient material which is the same as or different from the first resilient material. The impact protection apparatus has an adhesive material or a mechanical fastener disposed about the body portion and/or the members. The apparatus may be affixed to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas J. Drew
  • Publication number: 20080241470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for molding a profiled bead (1) made of a plastics material composed of a plurality of components, especially of a polyurethane-based material, onto at least a peripheral part of a glazing unit (2) with the aid of at least one injection head (3), in which process said material ejected through an outlet opening (4) in the injection head (3) then penetrates into a molding cavity (5) to form said molded profiled bead, characterized in that the material ejected through said outlet opening (4) in the injection head (3) penetrates directly into said molding cavity (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Guy Leclercq, Thierry Thuillier, Fabrice Ducreuzot
  • Patent number: 7393451
    Abstract: A compressible boot seal for sealing the side of a vertical traveling water screen with flights. The boot seal is formed by a U-shaped, bent nylon plate having a bottom base that resides in the boot section at the lower end of the traveling water screen and two upwardly extending arms that are attached at their distal ends to a side of the water screen support. The plate is bent at the intersection of the base and the arms to form a living hinge that allows the plate to deflect toward the side of the support on contact with side edges of the flights. The hinge seals the plate against the side edges of the flights. A resilient filler material fills the void between the plate and the side of the support to prevent sand and debris from interfering with the deflection of the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Philip J. Wunsch, Rocky Portillo
  • Patent number: 7386928
    Abstract: A safety bumper, and method for covering edges and corners of a street sign, has an elongate bumper element and a clip element. The elongate bumper element has a pliable body, a generally U-shaped cross-section for fitting around the edges and corners of the street sign, and two ends. The pliable body has a thickness for preventing the street sign from causing injuries, while the pliable body is still pliant enough to wrap closely around the corners of the sign without bulging away from the street sign, enabling the elongate bumper to cover substantially all of the edges and corners. The clip element functions to clip together or otherwise fasten the two ends of the elongate bumper element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Steven M. Crorey
  • Patent number: 7354639
    Abstract: A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line including a sheet of material (30) includes a plurality of dividing slits (37) and a plurality of strap slits (39) formed therethrough. The dividing slits extending substantially along a desired bend line (35) and divide the sheet of material into first and second planar regions (32, 33). The strap slits intersect the desired bend line and adjacent pairs of strap slits form a bending strap therebetween. The bending strap has a longitudinal strap axis intersecting the desired bend line. The sheet of material may be formed of composite materials. A method of forming and using the sheet of material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Alan D. Pendley
  • Patent number: 7329450
    Abstract: A pile article is provided having a band of textile material, and a plurality of fiber loops defining a pile having sides from ends extending longitudinally along the band. The band is ultrasonically welded to the ends and a portion of the sides of the pile, and is sufficiently wide to support the sides of the pile substantially upright. An interior textile strip may optionally extend longitudinally within the pile at the ends of the pile and within a portion of the pile sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ultrafab, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant E. Wylie, Thongdy Chanthabane, Robert C. Horton
  • Patent number: 7316444
    Abstract: A method of fabricating composite vehicle panels includes the steps of forming a first, upper panel having a depending peripheral lip, forming a second, lower panel of laid up woven mat or strips of a fibrous material such as fiberglass or carbon fibers and a plastic resin to form a corrugated panel having a depending peripheral lip, placing an adhesive on the raised portions of the corrugations and the peripheral lip of the second panel and securing the panels together at the corrugations and about their peripheral lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Montagna, Leslie E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7306839
    Abstract: The core mold in the molding device (51) for forming the molded member (4) of the weather strip (1) is provided with a center core (61) having a center core body (63), and a side core (62) having a pair of side core bodies (66L, 66R) The base bottom portion (21) of the molded member (4) is made so that a center slit (33) having substantially an H-shape, a pair of slide slits (32L, 32R), and slit-less bridge portion (34). In order to open the molds, the side core (62) is slid, and the center core body (63) is thereby separated from the side core bodies (66L, 66R). The center core body (63) is thereby withdrawn from the weather strip (1), and the side core bodies (66L, 66R) thereafter are withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kubo, Masahiko Ito
  • Patent number: 7294386
    Abstract: A glass run has extruded portions and molded portions. The extruded portions and the molded portions are made of TPO. The glass run is attached to sashes DS. Insert members made of PP are embedded respectively in a base portion of the glass run correspondingly to a long side portion and an upper side portion of each of the molded portions. When the glass run is attached, protrusions of the insert members protruding from the base portion can engage with or stand close to edge portions of the sashes so that the protrusions can be locked with the sashes. Since the protrusions are harder than the molded portions under a relatively high temperature atmosphere, the protrusions are hardly deformed or broken even when stress caused by opening and closing of a glass is applied repeatedly to the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Murase, Atsushi Yatsuda, Masanori Aritake
  • Patent number: 7287350
    Abstract: An electronic shelf label (ESL) holder, including an attachment member portion to be secured to a supporting surface, such as a C-channel, a holder member with protrusions for removably receiving and supporting the ESLs and, optionally, a cover member pivotally carried by the holder member to overly and protect the ESLs. The holder member includes a lip extending from at least one of the top or bottom fingers of the holder formed of flexible PVC material that is flexible relative to the remaining portion of the holder and is compressible for providing a tight fit of the ESL to the holder. The flexible lip is utilized in combination with a backing member which, in one embodiment, is a flexible PVC bead that extends along the length of the holder and, in a second embodiment, includes a relatively broad or wide pad of flexible PVC material that further provides a seal against the battery or other electronics of the ESL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: Jacob Fast, Michael G. Lowry
  • Publication number: 20070237922
    Abstract: An extrusion molded article for automobiles, having a body portion (1) and a hollow sealing portion (11), where the body portion (1) comprises a core (2) made of a resin having a U-shaped cross-section extending in a longitudinal direction and a covering layer (3) surrounding and covering the core partly or entirely, and the hollow sealing portion (11) is bonded integrally with an outer surface (4) of the body portion, characterized in that the covering layer (3) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a tensile elongation at break of at least 350%, as determined according to JIS K6251, and a change in 100% modulus of at most 40%, wherein the change in 100% modulus=[(100% modulus at 23° C.?100% modulus at 80° C.)/100% modulus at 23° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: RIKEN TECHNOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohisa Miyakawa, Hiromasa Sanada, Naoyuki Ono, Tomozo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7192635
    Abstract: A U-shaped thermoplastic hair-connecting element is provided with at least one intermediate partition disposed between parallel legs of the U-shaped element. The intermediate partition can be designed as a longitudinal partition which runs essentially parallel to the legs and which projects from a connector of the U-shaped element. Alternatively, the intermediate partition can be a transverse partition which runs essentially transverse to the legs and perpendicular to the connector which connects the legs to one another. There can also be provided longitudinal partitions together with transverse partitions. Foreign hairs can be embedded into the hair-connecting element either during manufacturing, or in a separate manufacturing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Bege Privatstiftung
    Inventor: Gerhard Ott
  • Patent number: 7182993
    Abstract: A table cushioning assembly includes an elongated member that comprises a resiliently compressible material. The elongated member has a generally oval shaped cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The elongated member has a top side, a bottom side, a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge has a slot extending therein along a length of the elongated member. A covering is positioned over and encloses the elongated member. A plurality of suction cups is attached to and extends away from the covering. The suction cups are positioned in the slot. An edge of a table may be extended into the slot and the suction cups releasably attached to the table so that the elongated member extends over and along the edge of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Colleen M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7163253
    Abstract: A method of fabricating composite vehicle panels includes the steps of forming a first, upper panel having a depending peripheral lip, forming a second, lower panel of laid up woven mat or strips of a fibrous material such as fiberglass or carbon fibers and a plastic resin to form a corrugated panel having a depending peripheral lip, placing an adhesive on the raised portions of the corrugations and the peripheral lip of the second panel and securing the panels together at the corrugations and about their peripheral lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Montagna, Leslie E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7153380
    Abstract: A method of affixing a gasket to a transparent substrate utilizing a fixture having a channel formed therein, into which the gasket is inserted and held in place by, for example, a vacuum. Alternatively, a removable form may be inserted into the channel, and the elastomeric member/gasket is inserted into the removable form. A suitable substrate is precisely positioned on the fixture in a predetermined position relative to the elastomeric member. An adhesion promoting primer may be applied to the substrate, and an adhesive may be applied to the gasket, or to the substrate. The elastomeric member is then bonded to the transparent substrate. Finally, the completed assembly is removed from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Pilkington North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Thomas S. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7152374
    Abstract: A composite extrusion for an automotive seal strip is formed of an extruded body, and a veneer extruded onto the body. The extruded body is composed of ethylene-propylene diene rubber compound. The veneer is composed of a polymer blend that includes the reaction product of an acrylate polymer and a glycidyl acrylate polymer. The reaction of the acrylate polymer and the glycidyl acrylate polymer improves adhesion and also provides a barrier to inhibit migration of vulcanizing agents from the ethylene-propylene diene rubber body into the veneer that would otherwise cause discoloration during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Krishnamachari Gopalan
  • Patent number: 7147907
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing splinters and minimizing the number of injuries attributable to falling onto pressure-treated wooden members, such as landscape ties or timbers used in play areas and landscape projects, through the use of a resilient cover. A cover and various embodiments include a moldable or extrudable waterproof material in the form of a channel having a top wall and two opposing side walls. The combination of channel thickness and composition provides an impact resistance suitable to prevent injuries when one falls upon it. The inner dimensions of the channel are such that the channel fits tightly over the top and sides of a construction beam or timber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Robert L. Hiltz
  • Patent number: 7135216
    Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for a car which is made up of a grip and a seal part. The grip is U-shaped in cross section and is attached to a flange. The grip has a holder part and an insert which is embedded in the holder part. The seal part performs a sealing function. The holder part is made of an olefinic rubber or thermoplastic resin, and the insert is made of an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer or a material containing a filler such as talc or glass fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Tsujiguchi
  • Patent number: 7074474
    Abstract: A composite material-stiffened panel has a skin obtained by molding a fiber-reinforced resin composite material into a flat skin, stiffeners arranged in rows on one surface of the skin, and a fiber-reinforced resin-composite material stitched on the skin covering the stiffeners. The composite material-stiffened panel can be manufactured as follows: A first fabric material is placed on a tool having a panel-shaped surface. Stiffeners are placed on the first fabric materials. A second fabric material is placed on the stiffeners to cover at least some of the stiffeners. The second fabric materials are reformed to match the shape of the stiffeners. The reformed second fabric material is stitched on the first fabric material along edges of the stiffeners. All the materials are covered with a bagging film for vacuum. Resin is infiltrated into the fabric materials by a RTM or a RFI method. The infiltrated resin is heated to be hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Toi, Masahiro Noda, Atsushi Harada, Shigeki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7036826
    Abstract: A continuous extrusion molding system for continuously extrusion molding a weather strip for an automobile includes a prickly gear, rotatable while pressed in contact with the weather strip being extruded, and disposed so as to be adjacent to a mouth piece of an extruder. Tiny holes having a depth reaching a core bar are defined preferably in a groove bottom of a U-like shape of a part of a slightly foamed solid rubber portion, in such a way as to be arranged in line along the longitudinal direction of the weather strip by use of the prickly gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7001684
    Abstract: The fuel cell interconnect units may include a fuel compartment, an air compartment adjacent to the fuel compartment, a plurality of fuel flow fields that are in communication with the fuel compartment and have a fuel outlet, and a plurality of air flow fields that are in communication with the air compartment and have an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Jie Guan
  • Patent number: 6982112
    Abstract: A novel laminate useful for seals particularly for vehicle window seals that are flexible, wear resistant and have a low coefficient of friction, is provided. The laminate comprises a rubber substrate and a polyolefin coating disposed on and adherent to the rubber substrate. The invention also provides novel methods of making laminates, particularly seals. Such method comprises the following steps: providing a rubber substrate; then applying a powdered crystalline polyolefin to the rubber substrate, in an amount sufficient to form a continuous layer when melted; and then melting the powdered crystalline polyolefin to form a continuous polyolefin coating disposed on, and adherent to, the rubber substrate. The invention also relates to seals comprising: an polyolefin rubber body; and a continuous coating of fused polyolefin disposed on and adherent to the rubber seal. Preferably the continuous coating of fused polyolefin is disposed in the glass run channel in the rubber body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: GenCorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Aubert Y. Coran
  • Patent number: 6972140
    Abstract: A door opening trim weather strip for a motor vehicle, which exhibits excellent noise insulating properties between a door opening portion of a vehicle body and a door of a motor vehicle, and requires a small force for closing the door, thereby improving feelings in closing the door. The door opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion in which a flange provided in the door opening portion is adapted to be inserted, and a tubular seal portion for sealing between the door opening portion and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6969551
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and assembly for fastening and reinforcing a structural member (e.g., an automotive vehicle pillar, such as an automotive “B” pillar). The assembly preferably includes a structural member having a first and a second portion defining a cavity therebetween. An expandable reinforcement material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcement material, and a spacer are typically disposed within the cavity. The assembly also typically includes a fastener or fastening assembly. In operation, the spacer preferably assists in supporting the first and second portions of the structural member during changes of state (e.g., softening) of the reinforcement material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: L & L Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Dean Jeffrey Schneider
  • Patent number: 6964803
    Abstract: Absorbent structures having controlled liquid intake, distribution and absorption properties include at least one substrate layer and a flexible absorbent binder formed on and bound to the substrate at selected locations. The flexible absorbent binder is selectively formed so as to provide flow channels, regions of higher and lower fluid intake and absorption, dams for preventing fluid leakage, and other desirable features. The absorbent structures are useful in personal care absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, training pants, adult incontinence garments and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Russell Paul George, Kenneth Russell Casson, Dave Allen Soerens, Jason Matthew Laumer, James Hongxue Wang
  • Patent number: 6936320
    Abstract: A weather strip has a molded section and extruded sections. A seal part of the molded section is connected to an end face of a hollow seal part of the extruded section. Concave cutout portions, which serve as a deformation facilitating portion or a stress absorbing portion, are respectively formed in regions of the seal part, each of which is located in the vicinity of a connection surface between the seal part and a corresponding one of the extruded sections. The molded section is made of TPO instead of a rubber material. Although stress acting in the direction of extension of the weather strip may be applied, the presence of the concave cutout portions limits the concentration of stress on the connection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kubo, Masahiko Ito
  • Patent number: 6933035
    Abstract: A thermal heat shield is formed of a plurality of layers that are sandwiched together and which is adapted for a plurality of uses, including use on an automobile seat to shield a driver from heat generated behind the driver or beneath the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventors: Frank C. Wickstrom, Penny J. Wickstrom
  • Patent number: 6929842
    Abstract: Disclosed is a removable edge guard (10) for installation close to an edge of a vehicle door or the like. The edge guard is made of polymeric material for removable installation on a vehicle door having a trim. The edge guard (10) comprises:—a bumper (12) section and—two planar sections (14), each adjoining said bumper section,—said bumper section (12) comprising a U-shaped portion conceived to bridge said trim of said vehicle door and extending laterally over said edge of said vehicle door,—said planar sections (14) comprising means to removably install said guard on said edge of said vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: NMC, S.A.
    Inventors: Rene Dujardin, Jean-Pierre Mayeres
  • Patent number: 6926944
    Abstract: A door opening trim weather strip for a motor vehicle, which can be readily attached to a flange provided in a door opening portion of a vehicle body and is difficult to be pulled thereoff. The door opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion in which the flange is adapted to be inserted, and a seal portion for sealing between the door opening portion and a vehicle door. The trim portion includes a plurality of outer flange holding lips which respectively extend from an outer side wall of the trim portion, and two inner flange holding lips which respectively extend from an inner side wall of the trim portion. Each of the two inner flange holding lip has a connecting part which obliquely extends from the inner side wall toward an open mouth of the trim portion, and a main part which extends from an extending end of the connecting part obliquely toward the bottom wall of the trim portion, thereby defining a generally inverted v-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6905745
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a hollow member comprising a rigid reinforcing member having a shape that substantially conforms to the cross section of the section of the hollow member to be reinforced with an expandable adhesive material over at least a portion of the surface of the rigid reinforcing member sufficient to bond the reinforcing member to at least two nonparallel internal surfaces of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: L & L Products Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Sheldon, Eric Le Gall, Jean Philippe Bourdin, Serge Bieber
  • Patent number: 6899935
    Abstract: A method of affixing a specialized dual durometer gasket to a substrate is disclosed. The method utilizes a fixture having a channel formed therein, into which the dual durometer gasket is inserted and held in place by, for example, a vacuum. Alternatively, a removable form may be inserted into the channel, and the elastomeric member/gasket is inserted into the removable form. A suitable substrate is precisely positioned on the fixture above the channel containing the gasket. An adhesion promoting primer may be applied to the substrate, and an adhesive is applied to the gasket, or to the substrate, so that upon application of a lifting force, the gasket is raised from the channel into bonding contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Pilkington North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Thomas S. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6874282
    Abstract: A system for utilizing a hazardous apparatus with a pad of fibrous fabric embedded in cement to shield a protectable surface from hazards produced by the hazardous apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Diversitech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff S. Sweeney, Raymond E. Shelor
  • Patent number: 6863957
    Abstract: A reinforced structural assembly comprises a structural member and a reinforcing member disposed adjacent to a wall of the structural member. The reinforcing member is an insert having a carrier portion and an expandable portion in the form of a one-part epoxy system having an outer surface disposed toward the wall of the structural member. The epoxy system contains in weight percent about 30% to about 70% epoxy resin and contains a filler in the form of hollow glass microspheres. The epoxy system is in the form of a high-viscosity dough so that in its uncured state it does not significantly flow from and remain supported by the carrier portion of the insert whereby the insert may be placed near the wall before the epoxy dough is cured to bond the dough to the wall when the dough is cured and expands into intimate contact with the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventor: Joseph S. Wycech
  • Patent number: 6849310
    Abstract: A contiguous surface film for a composite strip, such as a weatherseal is disclosed, wherein the surface film is formed of a colliquefied powder coating. The surface film can be located on a carrier, sealing or trim portion of the weatherseal, wherein the surface film can be colored, and selected to provide a desired surface characteristic such as reduced coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Schlegel Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin R. Willett
  • Patent number: 6846544
    Abstract: A slider device and methods of making. The slider device is for use with a resealable package having a zipper closure, and includes a top wall with first and second ends, a spreader depending from the top wall, a first sidewall with a first hook construction extending therefrom, and a second side wall with a second hook construction extending therefrom. An extended length of profiled material is extruded and can be converted to form individual slider devices. The spreader can be tapered, either in its width or the distance in which is depends from the top wall. These slider devices can be incorporated into resealable packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 6838155
    Abstract: A foam pad comprising a surface to which a trim cover can be secured, the surface comprising a channel having a width of up to about 15 mm. Disposed in the channel is one of a male portion or a female portion of a releasably engageable male-female trim cover attachment system. A trim cover having the other of the male or female portion attached thereto may be readily attached to the foam pad. A process and a mold for producing the foam pad are also described. The foam pad is particularly useful as a component of a vehicular seat system (e.g., seat bottom, seat back and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
    Inventors: Debra Marie Cappucci, Randall Joseph Lansue
  • Publication number: 20040241391
    Abstract: A disposable floor mat specially adapted for use in bathrooms and kitchens, although it may be attractive for other uses such as automobile floor mats. The mat is made of several layers including a backing of plastic or plasticized waterproof material, a tear and scuff resistant exterior layer, and a highly absorbent layer sandwiched between the backing and exterior layers. The exterior layer is adapted to pass moisture to the highly absorbent layer by providing sized apertures therefor. The mats are disposable and preferably mounted in multiple units on a pad from which they can easily be separated as, for example, by tearing along a frangible seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: M. Cristina Levine
  • Publication number: 20040241388
    Abstract: A padding for a rollbar tube is an elongated member of resilient material having a substantially uniform cross-section. The cross-section is defined by an upper portion and a lower portion having a common maximum width greater than the width of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: James Michael Ray
  • Publication number: 20040214958
    Abstract: Elastomeric polymers that have been functionalized are shown to provide superior extruded profiles for use in vehicle sealing systems. Generally the, polymers functionalized are the ethylene, -alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene monomer terpolymers or ethylene, -alpha-olefin copolymers. The elastomeric polymers are functionalized with one or more of carboxylic acids, anhydrides, hydroxyl, epoxide or amine functionality. The functionalized elastomeric polymers are generally used in conjunction with non-functionalized elastomeric polymers. The functionalized elastomeric polymers provide superior adhesion to the additional components used to enhance functionality and/or aesthetics. Among the vehicle sealing systems discussed are glass run channels, inner belt line seals, outer belt line seals and door seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Paul Jourdain, J R H. Schauder, Guy J. Wouters
  • Patent number: 6797352
    Abstract: Edges, hems, patches and seams for woven fabric that has been treated for water repellency, and methods for making the same, are shown and described. In one particular embodiment of the invention, for example, a lapped seam between two pieces of water repellent fabric has an outer material at least partially overlapping an inner material, and a laminate strip positioned between the overlapping portions of the materials. The outer and inner materials, which are both oriented in the same direction, have an exterior layer of woven fabric that has been treated with water repellent and/or stain repellent chemicals, and an inner layer comprising a polymer membrane, such as polyurethane. The laminate strip has a bottom portion in contact with the outer layer of the inner material. The bottom portion has a low melt point, high flow rate adhesive system of one or more layers that penetrates and surrounds the fibers in the woven fiber of the outer layer of the inner piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Rick Fowler
  • Publication number: 20040175540
    Abstract: In an incombustible duct hose, a cloth material with a predetermined width is spirally wound to form a cylindrical shape, and a metal strip-like material caulks adjacent side edge portions of the spirally-wound cloth material to connect them. The cloth material is fabricated in a gas impermeable state by coating a silicone at least on one surface of a silica cloth sheet so that a texture of the silica cloth sheet is clogged by the coated silicone. The silicone is subjected to a fire retardant treatment by mixing a flame retardant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Totaku Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouki Fukui, Isao Kurimoto, Masahiko Ogake
  • Publication number: 20040170805
    Abstract: A U-shaped thermoplastic hair-connecting element is provided with at least one intermediate partition disposed between parallel legs of the U-shaped element. The intermediate partition can be designed as a longitudinal partition which runs essentially parallel to the legs and which projects from a connector of the U-shaped element. Alternatively, the intermediate partition can be a transverse partition which runs essentially transverse to the legs and perpendicular to the connector which connects the legs to one another. There can also be provided longitudinal partitions together with transverse partitions. Foreign hairs can be embedded into the hair-connecting element either during manufacturing, or in a separate manufacturing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: BEGE PRIVATATIFTUNG
    Inventor: Gerhard Ott
  • Publication number: 20040166285
    Abstract: A thermoglue binding tape to protect and decorate carpet's edges and borders with a fuse system. An adhesive is disposed at strategic locations on a tape. In one embodiment, the adhesive completely covers one surface of the tape and the tape is bent into a channel shape that adhesively captures the unfinished edge of the carpet. In another embodiment, one strip of adhesive extends along one surface of the tape adjacent one edge thereof, another strip of adhesive extends along the other surface of the tape adjacent the other edge thereof, and the tape is bent into a channel shape that adhesively captures the unfinished edge of the carpet, with a terminating portion of the tape bent under itself. In still another embodiment, one strip of adhesive completely covers one surface of the tape and another strip of adhesive extends along the other surface thereof adjacent one edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Benigno G. Perez
  • Publication number: 20040161584
    Abstract: A vehicle glass run is formed with a horizontal-side extrusion part, vertical-side extrusion parts, and corner molding parts for connecting the terminal ends of those in an L shape by molding. The horizontal-side extrusion part and the vertical-side extrusion parts are made of a first material of an olefin thermoplastic elastomer. The corner molding parts are made of a second material which is an olefin thermoplastic elastomer and has a melt flow rate lower than that of the first material. The material swiftly reaches the terminal ends of the extrusion parts, and heat welds them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Masanori Aritake, Hitoshi Omori
  • Patent number: 6777049
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a hollow member comprising a rigid reinforcing member having a shape that substantially conforms to the cross section of the section of the hollow member to be reinforced with an expandable adhesive material over at least a portion of the surface of the rigid reinforcing member sufficient to bond the reinforcing member to at least two nonparallel internal surfaces of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: L&L Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Sheldon, Eric Le Gall, Jean Philippe Bourdin, Serge Bieber
  • Publication number: 20040137197
    Abstract: A door opening trim weather strip for a motor vehicle, which can be readily attached to a flange provided in a door opening portion of a vehicle body and is difficult to be pulled thereoff. The door opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion in which the flange is adapted to be inserted, and a seal portion for sealing between the door opening portion and a vehicle door. The trim portion includes a plurality of outer flange holding lips which respectively extend from an outer side wall of the trim portion, and two inner flange holding lips which respectively extend from an inner side wall of the trim portion. Each of the two inner flange holding lip has a connecting part which obliquely extends from the inner side wall toward an open mouth of the trim portion, and a main part which extends from an extending end of the connecting part obliquely toward the bottom wall of the trim portion, thereby defining a generally inverted v-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6761954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate flexible strip for attachment to a vehicle in the form of a weather sealing strip. The strip includes a core member and a filler layer of elastomeric seal material disposed about and into the voids of the core member. The core member includes a bent wire in an undulating pattern that forms a number of continuously connected longitudinally spaced and laterally extending u-shaped metal clamping clips for reinforcing the seal material and a number of continuous laterally spaced and longitudinally extending linear fibers connected to the clips to maintain the spatial relationship between the bent wire members. While the fibers or laminate maintain the longitudinal spacing of the wires, they also allow the core to flex laterally and compress longitudinally in the finished extrusion. The fibers may be made of the same material as or a material dissimilar to the clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hauser International Group
    Inventor: Bruce H. Hauser
  • Publication number: 20040121119
    Abstract: A fabric having a plastic member integrally connected thereto. A frame member component of plastic is provided with a metal wire extending therethrough. The frame member component is placed in contact with the web, and the wire is heated to soften the plastic of the frame member component, bonding it to the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Levey, Kenneth A. Longstreet, Randy J. Sayers, Pierre Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6751831
    Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Howard C. Willauer, J. David Strength, William L. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20040105953
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insulating member and a method of producing said member. Such an insulating member consists of two sheet metal walls 1, 2, a sealing profile 3 connecting the walls 1, 2 hermetically at the edge, and dimensionally stable sealing material 4, more particularly an open-pored cellular material, which is accommodated in the evacuated cavity formed by the walls 1, 2 and the sealing profile 3 hermetically connected thereto. The sealing material 4 is dimensionally stable and supports the walls 1, 2. To improve the insulating effect of the insulating member in the edge zone also, the hermetic connection of the sealing profile 3 to the walls 1, 2 takes the form of a heat sealing, and the sealing profile itself does not consist of sheet metal, but of a material having a lower thermal conductivity, low vapour permeability and satisfactory hot sealing properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Ekkehard Nowara