Hardness Patents (Class 428/217)
  • Patent number: 6368700
    Abstract: A weatherseal or belt-line seal for a vehicle is formed by extrusion of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer or vulcanizate (first TPV) as an elongate body of arbitrary length and cross-section. The cross-section is adapted for use in a particular location in the opening of a structure to be protected against wind and rain, for example around the glass of a window in a vehicle's door, or around the opening (at the periphery) in which the door is closed, so as to present at least one sealing surface against which the glass or door may be abutted to provide a seal against the elements. A slip-coating is co-extruded onto one or more longitudinal sealing surfaces of the body; the slip-coating contains a novel compatibilizer which allows thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to be chemically bonded to a graft copolymer of polypropylene (PP) and a compound having two anhydride groups. The reaction product of the grafted PP and the TPU effects a thermal bond with the sealing surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Krishna Venkataswamy, Angela Marie Person
  • Patent number: 6368717
    Abstract: A combination wear protection film for components made of substrates susceptible to wear is described. The film has a wear-resistant surface film that contains one or more of the elements carbon, nitrogen, or boron, the proportion of this element—or, if more than one of these elements is present, the sum of the proportions of the elements present—is at least 30% by atomic weight, preferably at least 40% by atomic weight; and a support film, located between a substrate and the surface film and made of a plasma polymer, that exhibits a quasi-continuous transition in modulus of elasticity and optionally in hardness from a value of a base film to a value of the surface film. A method for producing a wear protection film of this kind, and objects equipped with the wear protection film is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Rauschnabel, Jeanne Forget, Johannes Voigt
  • Publication number: 20020031646
    Abstract: A spline, tongue, connector, or snap connector is described and useful for connecting a variety of surface covering products together. In one embodiment the spline is a polymeric material having an elongated shape and dimensions such that the spline has a sufficient width to fit into and extend outside of a groove in a side edge of a first plank and to fit into a respective groove in a side edge of a second plank. The spline may be concealed from view when the first plank and the second plank are connected together by the spline. A surface covering system for connecting two or more planks together is also described as well as methods to connect two or more planks together using the splines of the present invention. The system can include a spline having a length that differs from the length of one or more of the planks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Hao A. Chen, Richard Judd
  • Patent number: 6355332
    Abstract: A portable electrical apparatus includes an electrical device generating heat in operation; a metal case conducting the heat generated by the electrical device, having an external surface, and containing the electrical device; and a film on the external surface including a granulated insulating material providing thermal insulation from the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6352784
    Abstract: A wood decorative material coated with resin composite film, comprising a laminate of, arranged in the following order, a wood substrate; a heat bonding layer (A) formed from a heat bonding resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin (a-1) and 0.001 to 80 parts by weight of a tackifier resin (a-2), the above heat bonding resin composition having a melting point or softening temperature of 170° C. or below and exhibiting a melt flow rate (MFR) at 190° C. of 1 to 500 g/10 min; and a mar-proof surface layer (B). Not only can beautiful appearance be obtained while retaining natural texture without the application of lacquer but also surface protection and bending working properties are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Tohcello Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Katagiri
  • Patent number: 6335086
    Abstract: A substrate is coated with a hydrophobic coating system including highly tetrahedral amorphous carbon that is a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the coating system is deposited on the substrate in a manner to increase its hydrophobicity. In certain embodiments, the coating system is deposited in a manner such that it has an average hardness of at least about 10 GPa, more preferably from about 20-80 GPa. In certain embodiments, the coating system includes first and second DLC inclusive layers that are deposited using one or more ion beam deposition devices, wherein different gases are used to deposit the respective DLC inclusive layers such that the overlying layer has greater scratch resistance characteristics than the underlying layer which functions as an anchoring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6329041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hard coat film used for various types of displays, wherein cracking and peeling of the hard coat layer is prevented, hardness reduction of the hard coat film is suppressed and the pencil hardness of the hard coat film is in the range of 4H-8H. The hard coat film includes a buffer layer (2) with a thickness of 3-50 &mgr;m, formed on at least one side of a plastic base film (1), which has a buffer function against deformation of the hard coat layer in response to deformation of the plastic base film (1), and a hard coat layer (3) with a thickness of 3-15 &mgr;m additionally formed over the buffer layer. The hard coat film (9) is designed so that the pencil hardness of the plastic base film (1), the pencil hardness of the buffer layer and the pencil hardness of the hard coat layer increase in that order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Tsuchiya, Takahiro Niimi
  • Patent number: 6312808
    Abstract: A substrate is coated with a hydrophobic coating system including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and at least one fluoro-alkyl silane (FAS) compound. In certain embodiments, the coating system includes an FAS inclusive layer provided over at least one DLC inclusive layer in order to increase the initial contact angle of the coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl
  • Patent number: 6303209
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes an electrical device generating heat in operation; a metal case conducting the heat generated by the electrical device, having an external surface, and containing the electrical device; and a film on the external surface including a foamed layer providing thermal insulation from the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6287698
    Abstract: A method of bonding two substrates at least one of which is a rubbery polymeric material having carbon-carbon double bonds on the polymer backbone, the method comprising: a) applying an aqueous polyurethane dispersion adhesive composition to at least one of the substrates, the adhesive compostion further comprising an epoxy resin; b) allowing the composition to dry; and then c) joining the substrates with heating to activate the adhesive. The substrates are suitably footwear materials such as a molded rubber outer sole which has been first primed with a chlorinating primer, and a foam midsole of a material such as a lightly crosslinked ethylene vinyl acetate. The process results in bonded assemblies having improved humidity resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: H. B. Fuller Licensing & Financing, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuduo Zhu, Robert J. Duff, Peter Gottschalk, Brian L. Marty
  • Patent number: 6284341
    Abstract: A desk chairmat adapted for use over a carpet and for supporting a desk chair, the chairmat comprising a semi-rigid substantially planar member, said member having four side edges with a lip portion adapted to extend into a well area under the desk; an upper side of the chairmat having a substantially smooth surface; a pair of hang tabs formed integrally with said substantially planar member and projecting away from one of said four side edges, each said hang tab having a relatively small aperture formed therein and adapted to receive a display support member; said upper side of said planar member having at least one elongated groove formed therein and extending substantially between two of said four side edges; and a laminate strip pressed into a lower side of said planar member in alignment with said at least one elongated groove to thereby form a fold hinge in said planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, III, William G. Newman, Gary L. House, John D. Carlton
  • Patent number: 6280834
    Abstract: A substrate is coated with a hydrophobic coating system including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and at least one fluoro-alkyl silane (FAS) compound. In certain embodiments, the coating system includes an FAS inclusive layer provided over at least one DLC inclusive layer in order to increase the initial contact angle of the coated article. At least the FAS inclusive layer may be heated (i.e., thermally cured) to an extent sufficient to at least one of: (a) improve the initial contact angle &thgr; of the resulting coated article, (b) render the hydrophobic nature of the resulting coated article more stable when exposed to solution(s)/material(s) such as hexane and/or isopropyl alcohol, and/or (c) improve bonding characteristics of the FAS inclusive layer within itself and/or between the FAS inclusive layer and a layer immediately beneath it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6277480
    Abstract: A substrate is coated with a coating system including at least one diamond-like carbon (DLC) inclusive layer. In certain embodiments, the coating system includes an anti-reflective layer, a DLC inclusive layer provided for hardness/durability purposes, a primer layer, and an FAS inclusive hydrophobic layer provided over the primer layer. The anti-reflective layer is provided in order to reduce visible light reflections off of the resulting coated article and thus to improve visible transmission of the article. In certain embodiments, the primer layer may be provided in order to enable improved adhesion between the FAS inclusive layer and the DLC inclusive layer that is provided for hardness/durability. In certain embodiments, each of the anti-reflective layer, the DLC inclusive layer, and/or the primer layer may include DLC for purposes described herein. In certain alternative embodiments, the primer and FAS layers need not be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6265070
    Abstract: An abrasion-proof and static-erasing coating is formed on the contact surface of a contact image sensor. The coating comprises a first film having a high hardness and a low conductivity, a second film formed on the first film and having a low hardness and a high conductivity, and a third film having a high hardness and a high resistivity providing an abrasion-proof insulating external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Itoh
  • Publication number: 20010004490
    Abstract: A multiple layered waterproofing coating comprising a first, flexible layer having relatively high flexibility, adhesiveness and elongation properties, which is adapted to bridge cracks even in low temperatures, and a second, protective hard layer having high tensile strength and low adhesiveness properties. The layers are prepared from liquid formulations which are spray applied to the surface to be coated, primarily in below-grade foundations. The first, flexible layer is formed by spraying onto a surface a liquid formulation which provides a dried coating layer having high flexibility, adhesiveness and elongation properties. A second, protective layer is formed over the first, flexible layer by spraying over the first layer a liquid formulation which provides, when dried, a hard coating layer having high tensile strength and modulus, and low adhesiveness properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: MICHAEL R. WAIT
  • Patent number: 6207281
    Abstract: An abrasion-proof and static-erasing coating is formed on the contact surface of a contact image sensor. The coating comprises a first film having a high hardness and a low conductivity, a second film formed on the first film and having a low hardness and a high conductivity, and a third film having a high hardness and a high resistivity providing an abrasion-proof insulating external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Itoh
  • Patent number: 6180212
    Abstract: Method of making an automotive latch handle intended for operation by manually pulling fingertips across a margin of the handle; it includes the steps of: a) molding a latch handle of a first essentially rigid plastic defining an area support for the margin, which plastic when fully solidified and cured has a stiffness of 0.8-5.8 GPa and a durometer ratio of 710,000 shore A; and b) overmolding the support area of the first plastic with a second plastic to define the margin, which margin when fully solidified and cured defines a finger gripping pad that has a stiffness of <0.01 GPa and a durometer ratio in the range of 35-85 shore A. An automotive latch handle structure that comprises: a) a generally flat paddle having means facilitating linear or pivotal movement, the paddle having been formed by molding of a first essentially rigid plastic with a stiffness of 0.8-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Single, Beth M. Wichterman, Daniel Ryan Malwitz, Gerald Arthur Heath
  • Patent number: 6177198
    Abstract: The leather has a finish on a buffed surface. The finish layer is formed in a plurality of layers including an outer layer with a given hardness and a particular surface effect preformed in a hot substrate having a structure corresponding to the particular surface effect the outer layer being formed of a solidified, cross-linked, hydrolysis-resistant, lightfast, polyurethane-containing dispersion, and having a thickness of between 0.01 and 0.08 mm, and an inner layer bonded to the buffed surface leather and comprising a solidified, highly crosslinked, hydrolysis-resistant, lightfast, polyurethane-containing dispersion and having a hardness less than a hardness of the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Philipp Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6159579
    Abstract: A film free from the problem of the generation of abrasion powder on an inner part of a transporting system contacting with the surface of a ribbon in a heat-sensitive transfer printer in the case of using the film as a heat-sensitive transfer ribbon and giving a heat-sensitive transfer ribbon having remarkably improved windability is produced by using a biaxially oriented polyester film having a thickness of from 1.0 to 10.0 .mu.m and composed of a polyester composition containing two or more kinds of inert particles having different average particle diameters and each containing at least one kind of element selected from Al, Si, Ca and Mg, characterized in that the center-line average roughness (SRa) and the 10 points average roughness (SRz) of the film surface are 10 to 80 nm and 700 to 1,500 nm, respectively, the air-escaping rate between films is 20 to 120 mmHg/hr, and the end staggering width is 0 to 500 .mu.m when a film roll slit to 1/2 inch wide is wound at a speed of 250 m/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Kei Mizutani, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 6159574
    Abstract: A laminated support for pressure-relief including an upper layer of visco-elastic foam, a middle layer of visco-elastic foam having a greater hardness, and a bottom layer of highly resilient polyurethane foam. These layers are sandwiched between two layers of reticulated filter polyurethane foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fagerdala World Foams AB
    Inventors: Dag Landvik, Michael B. Allaway
  • Patent number: 6153283
    Abstract: An improved more fabric-like, softer feel surface for a single layer or composite structures, such as utilized for vertical and horizontal blind louvers or slats. A patterned, textured or printed, surface can be formed on one or both sides of the structure. The improved surface provides an enhanced visual and tactile impression. The structure is formed of a single layer of a non-rigid plasticized thermoplastic polymer or a composite structure with a substantially rigid thermoplastic PVC, CPVC or ABS substrate and the softer surface formed by a non-rigid plasticized thermoplastic polymer layer or capstock formed on one or both sides. Either or both of the softer surfaces can be formed with different pigments, including pearlescent and colors, can be printed or patterned and can be embossed with or without an underlying pattern providing a virtually endless array of options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Steelwood Extruding Corp.
    Inventors: Richard E. Pierson, Robert M. Evans
  • Patent number: 6143391
    Abstract: A one-piece, dual-material suction cup includes an inner face having a concave shape when the cup is inactive (that is, unattached to a surface) and an outer portion having a convex shape when the cup is inactive. The inner and outer portions are formed from different elastic materials. The characteristics of the outer material are selected to exhibit relatively high memory, elasticity and recovery to provide a biasing force on the inner face of the cup to increase the vacuum and enhance attachment. The characteristics of the inner material are selected to exhibit conformity, compliance and softness as compared to the outer material. Such characteristics enhance mating and sealing with a surface to which the cup is to be attached. The inner and outer portions are permanently bonded together to form the one-piece suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Apogee Designs, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Barnes, Robert W. Flesher, Michael D. Monteleone
  • Patent number: 6127009
    Abstract: A dispenser unit has a flexible polymer bag, a joining part (10, 11) and a stiff hard part (20). The joining part has an inner layer (11) welded to the hard part and an outer polymer layer (10) welded to the inner material of the flexible bag. The inner material (30) of the flexible bag and the outer material of the joining part (10) are the same and are joined in such a way that they may be thermally sterilized. A process for manufacturing this dispenser unit has a step of coextrusion of the multilayered bag material, a step of extrusion of the multilayered joining part, and steps for sealing the bag material, sealing the multilayered joining part and sealing the hard part. The dispenser unit can be used for dispensing liquids, in particular aqueous liquids for human or animal medicine or in the food industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Gunther Strassmann
  • Patent number: 6093481
    Abstract: A method for continuously manufacturing an insulation board by facing a foam-forming composition with one or two facing sheets to form a singly or doubly faced composite, at least one sheet comprising either a tough polymeric layer or a laminate of a tough polymeric layer with at least one other facing material, the tough polymeric layer of at least one sheet facing to the outside of the composite, and foaming and curing the faced foam-forming mixture to produce an insulation board having an exceptional hardness and puncture resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Celotex Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Lynn, Wayne E. Laughlin, James M. Elstun
  • Patent number: 6093478
    Abstract: A composite member has a diecast part and a hub part that consists of a harder material than the diecast part. The diecast part is attached to the hub part by diecasting within a diecast mold. The hub part has at least one end face. The at least one end face has an annular sealing projection that, during diecasting of the diecast part, rests at a surface of the diecast mold and is deformed by the diecast mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignees: Firma Ford-Werke AG, Firma Druckgusswerk Mossner GmbH
    Inventors: Arthur Jasinetzky, Hans-Peter Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6080474
    Abstract: A polymeric article having improved cut-resistance is composed of (A) an initial polymeric article having cut-resistant properties; and (B) a cut-resistant elastomeric coating disposed on an outer surface of the initial polymeric article, wherein the elastomeric coating is composed of an elastomer and a hard filler distributed in the elastomer. The hard filler has a Mohs Hardness value of at least about 3. The final polymeric article has improved cut-resistance, improved flexibility, and improved comfort and will retain its properties when routinely laundered. The article is preferably in the form of a polymeric textile article, more preferably in the form of an elastomeric protective garment, and most preferably in the form of gloves, e.g., surgical gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventors: Ehteridge Odell Oakley, Gregory J. Johnson, Herman Leslie Lanieve
  • Patent number: 6077593
    Abstract: This invention provides a ceiling board having a durable edge portion. The durable edge portion is obtained by applying a latex composition to the edge portion. The latex composition includes a binder and filler particles of two particle size ranges. The first filler particles have a median diameter of about 0.5 micron to about 5 microns. The second filler particles have a median diameter of about 20 microns to about 300 microns. The ratio of first filler particles to second filler particles is about 2:1 to about 1:8 by weight. The binder is preferably an epoxy, a urethane, a polyester, an acrylic, a melamine, or a vinyl based polymer latex. The binder preferably has a Tg of at least 10.degree. C., and the ratio of filler to binder is about 2:1 to about 12:1 by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bartholomew J. Schlachter
  • Patent number: 6063475
    Abstract: The composite edge banding T-molding is an elongated continuous molding with a T-shaped cross section and having a relatively rigid core body situated between a flexible cover layer and a barbed mounting strip. The core body, the cover layer and the barbed mounting strip are made of compatible thermal plastic materials and are integrally and simultaneously formed by extrusion. The T-molding is bendable to retain selected curved or bent shape along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Salvatore Robert Ciancio, Giovanni Battista Mondino, Jason Corbee Dutchburn
  • Patent number: 6060182
    Abstract: A hard film is covered on the outer circumferential surface of a piston ring by means of an arc ion plating. The hard film has a mixture of crystal structure of CrN and crystal structure of Mo.sub.2 N containing oxygen in a solid solution state, and comprises chromium at 40 to 78 percent by weight, molybdenum at 3 to 35 percent by weight, oxygen at 3 to 20 percent by weight and the remainder of nitrogen. The crystal particle size is less than 1 .mu.m. The Vickers hardness is within a range from 1600 to 2500. The film thickness is preferably 1 to 60 .mu.m. Carbon in a solid solution state at 0.5 to 8 percent by weight may be substituted for the oxygen. Alternatively, both oxygen and carbon may be contained in a solid solution state with oxygen at 3 to 20 percent by weight, carbon at 0.5 to 8 percent by weight with the total content of carbon and oxygen within 25 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Teikoku Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Naoki Ito
  • Patent number: 6042695
    Abstract: A shoe press belt has both sides coated with a resin layer and one or both layers with side edge portions softer than the middle portion of the resin layer. The hardness of the side edge portions may first decrease stepwise laterally outwardly from the middle portion to a section which overlies the edge of the shoe, and then increase stepwise laterally outwardly to the edge of the belt. A first stepwise reduction in hardness may begin laterally inward of the edge of the wet paper sheet and extend laterally outwardly to the edge of the wet paper sheet, where a second stepwise reduction begins that extends laterally outwardly beyond the edge of the shoe. Laterally outwardly of the second reduction, a stepwise increase in hardness extends to the edge of the belt. Alternatively, each side edge portion may be of a single hardness, less than the hardness of the middle portion, and each side edge portion overlies one of the side edges of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishino
  • Patent number: 6004659
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade having a head (1) for fastening in the wiper holder bracket, a tilting rib (2), and a lip (3). It is characterized in that the head (1) comprises a stiff polymer, hardened by halogenation, with a Shore A hardness of 60 to 85; the tilting rib (2) comprises a comparatively soft, elastic polymer that is not hardenable or not substantially hardenable by halogenation, with a Shore A hardness of 50 to 75; and the lip (3) comprises a polymer hardenable by halogenation having a Shore A hardness of 60 to 85. The Shore A hardness of the polymer comprising the tilting rib (2) is less expediently by at least two units than the Shore A hardness of the polymer or polymers that form the head (1) and the lip (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Leutsch, Steven Desmet, Hubert Verelst, Dirk De Coninck, Paul Wynen
  • Patent number: 6004658
    Abstract: The potency to be written via ink during recording so as to write the ink image and the re-transferability during re-transferring of the ink image on a recording medium should be retained, securely, for a long term. The transferring layers of the intermediate transferring medium comprise surface layer and intermediate layer, wherein the material of the surface layer comprises a silicone rubber containing 1 to 20 parts by weight of a non-reactive organopolysiloxane of a viscosity of 100 to 100,000 at 25.degree. C. per 100 parts by weight of an addition-type silicone rubber with no inorganic filler; and the material of the intermediate layer comprises a silicone rubber containing 1 to 20 parts by weight of a non-reactive organopolysiloxane of a viscosity of 100 to 100,000 at 25.degree. C. per 100 parts by weight of an addition-type silicone rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignees: Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Shinetsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Owada, Hiroyoshi Zama, Makoto Satoh, Noboru Shimamoto, Kouichi Dobashi
  • Patent number: 5998004
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film having excellent scratch resistance and chipping resistance by the inclusion of particles (A) having an average primary particle diameter of 5-300 nm, an average degree of aggregation of 5-100 and a Mohs' hardness of 6-10 by the content of 0.01-5 wt. %. The scratch resistance and chipping resistance of the film can be further increased by the inclusion of particles (B) having an average particle diameter of 0.3-3 .mu.m, a Mohs' hardness smaller than that of particles (A) and/or non-incorporated particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoru Nishino, Koichi Abe, Takeo Fukuyama, Hidehito Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 5993935
    Abstract: A composite article is provided having covalently reactive particles incorporated in a continuous, porous matrix. The reactive particles have surfaces of covalently reactive functional groups capable of directly forming covalent chemical bonds with ligands without need for an intermediate activation step. An adduct composite article is also provided comprising a continuous, porous matrix and derivatized particles dispersed therein. The derivatized particles comprise a direct, covalent reaction product of ligand with the covalently reactive particles. Methods of making and using the composite articles and adduct composite articles are also provided. Preferred covalently reactive functional groups are azlactone-functional groups of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jerald K. Rasmussen, Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Patrick L. Coleman, Dean S. Milbrath, Margaret M. Walker, Donald F. Hagen, Paul E. Hansen, John C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5989699
    Abstract: A foam composite material comprising a first isocyanate-based polymer foam comprising at least one uncontoured surface and a second, molded isocyanate-based polymer foam, the first isocyanate-based polymer foam and the second isocyanate-based polymer foam being: (i) of different composition, and (ii) fixed with respect to one another. A process for producing the foam composite material also disclosed. The foam composite material is useful in another of vehicular and non-vehicular applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Kuczynski, Ian L. Hughes, Charles R. Burchi
  • Patent number: 5989694
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rolling bearing comprising races and rolling elements, in which at least one of the races and the rolling elements has at least one of a carbide and a carbonitride precipitated in a surface layer thereof, inclusive of a cutting allowance, wherein the finished surface of at least one of the races and the rolling elements has a hardness of Hv600 to Hv700 at 300.degree. C. The rolling bearing has reliable wear resistance under severe conditions and thereby having an extended bearing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Mitamura, Kazuo Sekino, Yasuo Murakami
  • Patent number: 5958570
    Abstract: A laminated composite body, in particular a conveyor belt, consists of a carcass (2, 2', 2") that determines the mechanical stability of the laminated composite body, and at least one cover (1, 1') made of rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and/or plastics that are highly resistant to mechanical damages such as notches, cuts, or the like. In order to improve the resistance of the laminated composite body, the cover (1) is made of at least two layers (10, 11, 12) with different properties that are interconnected so as to form a clear phase limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Contitech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dana Schwambach, Hans Uwe Bender, Hans Joachim Koch
  • Patent number: 5955182
    Abstract: A heat resisting member having ceramics heat shield layers which is directly formed on a metal base material or formed on it via a metal bonded layer formed on the metal base material. The ceramics heat shield layers comprise a first ceramics layer which is formed on the metal base material or the metal bonded layer and has a high elastic modulus, high hardness and high density, and a second ceramics layer which is formed on the first ceramics layer and has a low elastic modulus, low hardness and low density. Delamination from the neighborhood of the interface or oxidation of the lower layer can be prevented by the first ceramics layer which is formed on the metal base material or the metal bonded layer. Thermal shock resistance and heat shielding effect of the ceramics heat shield layers as the whole can be enhanced by the second ceramics layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yasuda, Seiichi Suenaga, Kunihiko Wada, Hiroki Inagaki, Masako Nakahashi
  • Patent number: 5945206
    Abstract: An interior molded article for automobiles is disclosed, comprising a hard core portion and a soft coating portion for covering the hard core portion, wherein the soft coating portion comprises one or more layers and at least one of them comprises a thermoplastic elastomer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Jogan, Masafumi Kurokawa, Takayuki Ito, Tsugunori Sugiura, Junji Koizumi, Motoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 5942332
    Abstract: A composite molding comprising a silicone gel molding and a peelable film which does not suffer from the problems of adhesion of dirt and dust, adhesion of moldings to each other or deformation of moldings, and which has improved handling characteristics. The invention also covers a method for manufacturing such a composite molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akito Nakamura, Yuichi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5932323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting, inspecting, and adjusting probe card needles used during testing of fabricated circuits. A build wafer, comprised of build and scrub target patterns, is used to mount and re-work probe needle assemblies onto a probe card. Each build target is composed of a hard material that is resistant to probe needle scratching, and is offset a preset distance from the position of the bonding pads on the actual wafer to be tested. Each scrub target is composed of a soft material that is easily disturbed by the probe needle's scrubbing action. By counting the number of lines broken or cut by a probe needle's scrub mark, the approximate length and width of the scrub mark may be ascertained. An adjustment tool is designed to fit snugly around the untapered, thickest portion of the probe needle. The tool is rotated along the axis of the probe needle shaft, allowing the technician to "tweak" the probe needle either up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Fred Throssel
  • Patent number: 5932312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing profile 1 for plastic, metal, and even wooden windows that is able to cover large gaps because the sealing lip 13 and the sealing gap 12 are of a specific form and occupy a specific position. Also, it is able to do this by the fact that they are comprised of different soft and hard plastic materials. The sealing lip 13 and the sealing pad 12 are arranged at a V-shaped incline in relation to one another, with the boundary surface 14 between the softer material of the sealing pad 12. The harder material of the sealing lip 13 then extends very close to the sealing lip 13 on one side and to the anchoring wedge on the other. In addition to the security of being able to span large gaps without problems, the sealing profile 1 also provides the advantage of being able to be completely mounted in corners without difficulty. It also ensures that a secure seal is created since the sealing pad 12 and the sealing lip 13 become properly molded when installed against the glass pane 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Saar-Gummiwerk GmbH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steffen
  • Patent number: 5922443
    Abstract: A polymeric article and method for making a polymeric article, such as a catheter, are disclosed wherein the article is contacted with a swelling agent, such as a solvent, and a plasticizer to make the polymeric material softer and/or more pliable or flexible. The contacting may be carried our sequentially or simultaneously, using a solution containing a plasticizer and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Leonard Pinchuk, Thomas D. Weldon
  • Patent number: 5916669
    Abstract: An abrasion resistant, radiation or heat curable dual composition is applied to a polymer substrate, such as an opthamlic lens. An abrasion enhancement layer is deposited on a surface of the substrate. The abrasion enhancement layer has a modulus of M.sub.1 and a Shore A value of 50 or less. A top coating is deposited on the abrasion enhancement layer. It has a modulus of M.sub.2 that is greater than M.sub.1. The top coating has an abrasion resistance Bayer Haze Gain ratio of 1.0 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: 2C Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore L. Parker, David S. Soane, Nam Thanh Le, Anthony Lam
  • Patent number: 5905231
    Abstract: A tubular sheathing channel assembly for housing bunched cables. The assembly includes a longitudinally slit sheathing wall of elastic plastic material and includes a pair of projections which are molded on along the slits (2) and which are formed with an L-shaped cross-section, and which are embraced by C-shaped clamp members. Clamp walls (13) of the clamp member (5) are guided on the projections (4) such that they may be moved in longitudinal direction and are equipped with fastening portions (6) in order to anchor the sheathing wall (1) on a carrier plate (21). The projections (3) preferably are equipped with interlockable groove and tongue (10) and (11) on the inside walls (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: A. Raymond & Cie
    Inventors: Bernard Houte, Jean-Jacques Legat, Antoine Raymond, Daniel Boville, Hans-Jurgen Lesser
  • Patent number: 5902685
    Abstract: A grinding roll for use in a material bed roll mill for the comminution of brittle material has a cylindrical body in the periphery of which are alternating grooves and lands. To the exterior of each land is secured a wear strip. The grooves of the confronting rolls may be directly opposite one another or the grooves may be offset axially so that the grooves in one roll confront a land of the opposite roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Krupp Polysius AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schroder, Oswald Haberhauer
  • Patent number: 5888638
    Abstract: A sealing element is made up of a shut-off body with a sealing surface; a bonding layer component provided on the sealing surface of the shut-off body and containing silicon and carbon; and a sliding layer component provided on the bonding layer component and containing silicon and carbon. The bonding layer component has a silicon content greater than that of the sliding layer component so that the bonding layer component has more ductile properties than the sliding layer component. The sliding layer component is harder than the bonding layer component. The sliding layer component is thinner than the bonding layer component and less than one um so that the bonding layer component takes up stresses of the sliding layer component without impairing adhesion capability of the bonding layer component to the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG
    Inventors: Werner Kleinhans, Veit Bechte, Friedrich Wagner
  • Patent number: 5885700
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of (i) a hydrocarbon resin, preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon resin; (ii) a side chain crystallizable hydrocarbon polymer or copolymer; and (iii) optionally an modifier or mixture of modifiers, preferably straight chain alcohols. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James A. Weldon, Michael Govek, Carole Sedlock, John H. Ko
  • Patent number: 5871847
    Abstract: An abrasion-proof and static-erasing coating is formed on the contact surface of a contact image sensor. The coating comprises a first film having a high hardness and a low conductivity, a second film formed on the first film and having a low hardness and a high conductivity, and a third film having a high hardness and a high resistivity providing an abrasion-proof insulating external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Itoh
  • Patent number: RE36898
    Abstract: A cover for a vehicle air bag comprises an external surface layer injection-molded from a thermoplastic material having a JIS-A hardness of 20 to 90 and a core layer injection-molded from a thermoplastic material having a bending elastic modulus (JIS K 7203) of not less than about 1000 kg/cm.sup.2 and a hardness greater than that of the surface layer. The core has weakened zones along which the cover breaks when the air bag is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Sawada, Yuichi Nanbu, Mitsuo Yoshiyasu