Density Or Compression Of Components Patents (Class 428/218)
  • Patent number: 6217976
    Abstract: The invention is an edge densified lumber product of improved strength and stiffness and the method of its manufacture. The method is based on the parallel lamination of multiple plies of wood veneer. Narrow longitudinal reinforcing strips are laid along each edge of the veneer assembly between at least some of the veneer plies. Additional spaced apart veneer strips, about twice the width of the edge strips, are laid up at preselected locations in the mid-portion of the veneer assembly. These strips in the mid-portion are preferably spaced so that the distance between their centerlines corresponds to standard lumber widths. Appropriate adhesives are used to bond the assembly. The assembly is pressed to a uniform thickness so that the areas along the narrow veneer strips are densified relative to the adjacent portions. Longitudinal saw cuts are then made along the centerlines of the interior veneer strips to separate the assembly into multiple units of lumber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Gerald N. Macpherson, Kendall H. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6214456
    Abstract: A unique headliner includes a pair of spaced polyester fiber mat layers. The polyester fiber layers are preferably felt layers which are needled and consist of a mixture of low and high melt polyester fiber pieces. The low melt fiber pieces are provided with an adhesive sheathing that melts at a low temperature to bond the fiber pieces together. The polyester layers are spaced on opposed side of a polyurethane foam central layer. The combined headliner construction has good strength and acoustic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart G. Boyd, Harold G. Wolf, Jr., Girma Gebreselassie
  • Patent number: 6214449
    Abstract: An ink jet recording paper having on at least one side of a base paper at least two ink-receiving layers which each comprise a pigment and a resin as main components; the topmost layer of said ink-receiving layers having a thickness of 5 &mgr;m to less than 25 &mgr;m and a density of 0.4 g/cm3 to 0.6 g/cm3 and the ink-receiving layer arranged underneath said topmost layer having a density higher than the density of the topmost layer by 0.05 g/cm3 to 0.5 g/cm3, thereby acquiring high suitability for full-color ink jet printer of photo type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiichi Otani, Atsushi Ono, Noboru Kondo
  • Patent number: 6213540
    Abstract: An energy absorbing article having a direction in which impact resistance is desired is formed of extruded thermoplastic foam exhibit anisotropic compressive strength. The extrusion direction of the thermoplastic foam is aligned substantially parallel with the direction in which impact resistance is desired to provide an energy absorbing article exhibiting a high ratio of compressive strength to weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Martin H. Tusim, Martin C. Cornell, Kyung W. Suh, Christopher P. Christenson, Chung P. Park
  • Patent number: 6212838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floor material and a flooring method which satisfy the various functions required of a floor while reducing the building costs and construction term. The floor material consists of a surface decorative member 2 formed from a material to have a high density and constituting a floor surface layer; an intermediate cork member 3 formed from a cork material to have a slightly lower density than the surface decorative member 2 and constituting a floor intermediate layer; and a substrate cork member 4 made from a carbonated cork material to have a slightly lower density than the intermediate cork member 3 and constituting a floor substrate layer. The substrate cork member 4 is bonded on a backing material 10 of a building, onto which the intermediate cork member 3 and the surface decorative member 2 are successively bonded so as to obtain a three-layered floor mainly consisting of a cork material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Edagumi
    Inventor: Noboru Eda
  • Patent number: 6207096
    Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle trim panel, such as a headliner, utilizes a zig zag path to deposit fibrous pieces onto a fibrous layer to form part of the trim panel. In one method, the fibrous pieces are laid down in a zig zag pattern that does not extend across the entire lateral width of the layer. In this way, the designer can easily achieve selected areas having a greater amount of fibrous pieces. This allows the designer to achieve selected high density or thicker portions in the layer without requiring the entire layer to have the same amount of fibrous pieces. This results in greater control over the design of the layer, and also reduces the amount of fiber which must be utilized to form the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Girma M. Gebreselassie
  • Patent number: 6200665
    Abstract: A tempered stepped glass sheet wherein the averaged value of surface compressive stresses in an intermediate region B is 100-500 kg/cm2 larger than the averaged value of surface compressive stresses in a central region C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Seto
  • Patent number: 6197709
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards a porous composite having an inlet face and an exit face and further comprises intermingled meltblown fibers and staple fibers which define a density gradient from coarse pores at the inlet face to fine pores at the exit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Ping-Yi Tsai, Charles B. Hassenboehler, Larry C. Wadsworth, Gretta Heismeyer
  • Patent number: 6194059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-ply fibrous base material comprising a primary layer having elastic and oil absorbent characteristics bonded to a secondary layer having high temperature resistance and high strength characteristics. The two-ply fibrous base material, when impregnated with a phenolic, modified phenolic silicone, modified silicone or silicone/phenolic resin blends, provides a friction material exhibiting good friction and wear characteristics and is especially useful in high energy end use applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Marc A. Yesnik
  • Patent number: 6187397
    Abstract: The film comprises a central layer, composed of a mixture of radical low density polyethylene and of conventional linear polyethylene, sandwiched between two outer layers comprising at least 50% by weight of conventional linear polyethylene, with a relative density of 0.918-0.930, which are devoid of metallocene linear polyethylene, each of the outer layers having a thickness representing 5 to 25% of the total thickness of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Societe de Conditionnement et Industrie Societe Anonyme Ceisa
    Inventor: Michel Grangette
  • Patent number: 6183823
    Abstract: A support device for a computer mouse (mouse pad) comprises, extending over the lower foil made of foam material, at least one thin, colored liquid layer which is enclosed between two foils welded together along the edge in a liquid-tight manner and is visible through the transparent foil or foils. The liquid occupies the available cavity only incompletely and it spreads out in puddle-like patterns to define void spaces which change continuously due to the actuation of the mouse, thereby providing the mouse pad with an optically interesting appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hirsch & Partner GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6177177
    Abstract: Particularly smudge-resistant ink jet images are produced with an ink jet recording material which comprises a support, at least one layer applied to the support and an agent which binds ink jet dyes in a spread- and smudge-resistant manner, wherein the agent exhibits a concentration gradient such that the further is the agent from the support, the lower is the concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Herrmann, Jörg Hagemann, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Helling, Klaus Henseler, J{umlaut over (u)}rgen Strobach, Beate Weber
  • Patent number: 6177179
    Abstract: With an integral, board-like component, in particular for use as a kitchen working surface, comprising a visible side and a rear side, wherein the visible side comprises a layer consisting of a polymer matrix filled with a first, inorganic filler, its specific density being greater than the specific density of the polymer matrix, it is suggested for the production of the boards in a simple manner and with a good planarity that the filler content of the first filler in the visible side layer be 50 to 90% by volume, that the rear side comprise a layer which is formed from a polymer matrix filled with a second inorganic filler, wherein the proportion of the polymer matrix in this layer in % by volume differs quantitatively by 20% at the most from the volume content of the polymer matrix in the visible side layer and wherein the specific density of the second filler is ≦0.6 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Schock & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Schock, Klaus Hock, Josef Geier, Rudolf Paternoster, Walter Birnbeck
  • Patent number: 6174594
    Abstract: Duplex layers of carbon fiber each comprising a lower portion of uni-directional filaments and an upper staple fiber portion are laid one on top of the other in an annular form. Needles are reciprocated through the layers to cause the staple fiber to be pushed downwardly to interconnect the layers. The base supporting the layers being assembled is gradually lowered until there comes a time when the bottom of the needle stroke no longer passes through all of the layers. At that time additional layers comprising staple fiber only are added and needled down into the stack to enrich the lower layers. After that enrichment the stack is then built up by adding further duplex layers. When all of the duplex layers have been added, further staple fibers may be added to the stop of the stack and needled in order to enrich the upper layers with interconnecting staple fibers, which upper layers would otherwise be deficient in interconnecting staple fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Aerospace Preforms Limited
    Inventors: Norman Smith, Peter Geoffrey Lawton
  • Patent number: 6168849
    Abstract: A multilayer material suitable for use as a cover or topsheet for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary pads, adult incontinence garments, training pants and the like having a top layer and a bottom, where the top layer forms a plurality of apertures and contacts the bottom layer in land areas disposed between the apertures. The bottom layer has a permeability substantially equivalent to, or higher than, the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Braverman, Michael Allen Daley, Arthur Edward Garavaglia, Rebecca Griffin, Tamara Lee Mace, David Wayne Primm, Eugenio Go Varona, Ali Yahiaoui
  • Patent number: 6165600
    Abstract: A method of forming a multilayer ceramic coating system on a substrate that requires thermal protection from a hostile thermal environment. The method generally entails forming at least one tape that contains ceramic particles dispersed in an organic constituent, such as a binder and/or plasticizer. If a single tape is used, the tape is formed of multiple layers of different compositions and applied as a unit to the substrate, thereby forming at least an innermost layer and an outermost layer on the substrate. If multiple tapes are used, a first tape is applied to the substrate to form the innermost layer, and a second tape is applied to form the outermost layer. The tape/tapes are then sintered to form innermost and outermost ceramic layers, respectively, on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ivkovich, Jr., Andrew J. Skoog, Jane A. Murphy, Thomas W. Rentz
  • Patent number: 6159613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber article having a surface construction designed for abrasion resistance wherein the surface comprises a series of rubber layers parallel to each other and in a density of from at least 200 layers per 25.4 millimeters as measured along the surface area of the article and in a direction perpendicular to each layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Patrick John Reilly, Ram Murthy Krishnan, George Samuel Fielding-Russell
  • 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: 6153294
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the formation of pressure resistant buoyancy structures with a given buoyancy efficiency at smaller sizes. The invention involves embedding into syntactic foam metallic spheres which preferably are substantially hollow and comprise high strength, high performance, light weight metal alloys which can be precision forged. The weight per unit space of the metallic spheres is less than that of the syntactic foam. As a result, the metallic spheres can decrease the size of the structure required to achieve a desired buoyancy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.
    Inventors: Edward Matthew Patton, Jerry Allen Henkener, Lawrence Jon Goland, Timothy Stewart Rennick
  • Patent number: 6139934
    Abstract: An injection molded bottle closure with a gradually varying cellular density distribution, whereby the cellular density distribution varies between a first cellular structure of a high density and a second cellular structure of a relatively lower density. The method of forming the injection molded bottle closure comprises forming a mold cavity be engaging a first mold section with a second mold section having a retractable portion, and injecting into the mold cavity an injection mixture which contains a blowing agent. A gradually varying density distribution is created according to a predetermined control function which depends on the mold cavity volume and the injection rate of the injection mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Siebolt Hettinga
  • Patent number: 6136420
    Abstract: A laminated polyester film is disclosed which contains not more than 0.05% by weight of a fluorescent agent. The film comprises a fine cell-containing polyester film that contains 55 to 95% by weight of polyester and 5 to 45% by weight of an immiscible thermoplastic resin, said fine cell-containing polyester film having a density of 0.40 to 1.30 g/cm.sup.3 and at lest one other polyester. The other polyester film is laminated as an outermost layer on at least one of the surfaces of the fine cell-containing polyester film. It has a density of not less than 0.40 g/cm.sup.3 and not less than 0.01% by weight of a fluorescent whitening agent. The concentration of the fluorescent whitening agent in the other polyester film is higher than that in the fine cell-containing polyester film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyster Film Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Hibiya, Takatoshi Miki
  • Patent number: 6136408
    Abstract: Oriented strand board is post-fabrication treated with a polymeric coating which includes isocyanate constituents to produce a construction material which is smooth, has high gloss, and which is resistant to water, vapor, and chemical penetration. The isocyanate constituents are most preferably MDI or PMDI, and may be present in a coating composition alone or in combination with other binder materials such as PEEG or other polyols. Prior to application of the coating composition, the surface of the oriented strand board is pretreated using heat and pressure to compress and densify wood at the surface, and to smooth out minor surface irregularities. The coating composition is then applied to the wood surface, and is cured to form a polymeric coating which bonds to the wood material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: J. M. Huber Corporation
    Inventors: Scott H. Radcliffe, Thomas L. Lee, Robert D. Palardy
  • Patent number: 6124025
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polypropylene-based foamed sheet whose expansion ratio is 4 or more times characterized by expansion ratio A of the part (skin layer) up to 20% in each of the seat thickness from both surface of said polypropylene-based foamed sheet and expansion ratio B of part other than said skin layer (core layer) satisfying the following formula (1) and the like1.3.ltoreq.B/A (1)The polypropylene-based foamed sheet of the present invention is excellent in the balance of a lightweight properties and rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takeo Kitayama, Kaori Tsubouchi, Shigeyoshi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6117573
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant member includes a substrate made of a ceramic material and having a diameter of at least 200 mm, and a film of chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide having a thickness of not less than 0.5 mm and covering at least such a portion of the surface of the substrate that is to contact a corrosive material. A process is disclosed for producing such a corrosion-resistant member, which process includes thermally treating the film at a temperature higher, by not less than 50.degree. C. centigrade, than a film-forming temperature at which the film of silicon carbide is formed, after the formation of the silicon carbide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Nishioka, Keiichiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6108825
    Abstract: A protective material and a method for the protection of the human head or body from soft tissue damage caused by an impacting object comprises at least two layers of viscoelastic polymeric material to be interposed between head or body and impactor, including at least one first layer of material substantially matched in acoustic impedance to the impacting object and at least one second layer of material selected to produce a large mismatch in acoustic impedance between the first layer and the human head or body. A particular aspect applies the invention to head protection, especially in boxing and like sports, in the form of boxing head guards and boxing gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Sandra J. Bell, David J. Townend
  • Patent number: 6103343
    Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle trim panel, such as a headliner, utilizes a zig zag path to deposit fibrous pieces onto a fibrous layer to form part of the trim panel. In one method, the fibrous pieces are laid down in a zig zag pattern that does not extend across the entire lateral width of the layer. In this way, the designer can easily achieve selected areas having a greater amount of fibrous pieces. This allows the designer to achieve selected high density or thicker portions in the layer without requiring the entire layer to have the same amount of fibrous pieces. This results in greater control over the design of the layer, and also reduces the amount of fiber which must be utilized to form the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Girma M. Gebreselassie
  • Patent number: 6099955
    Abstract: A urethane foam for shoe soles prepared by reacting a compound having at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and a molecular weight of 400 to 10000 with a polyisocyanate in the presence of a foam stabilizer, water and a catalyst, characterized in that the ratio r.sub.1 /r.sub.2 of a mean skill cell diameter r.sub.1 to a mean core cell diameter r.sub.2 is 0.02 to 0.80, wherein the mean skin cell diameter r.sub.1 is defined as the mean diameter of the cells which form the skin portion of a urethane foam extending from the surface to a depth of 5% of the foam thickness and the mean core cell diameter r.sub.2 is defined as the mean diameter of the cells which form the core portion of a urethane foam extending from a depth of 40% to a depth of 60% of the foam thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Sakai, Shoichiro Harada, Kazunari Takemura, Akito Itoi, Makoto Okubo
  • Patent number: 6096410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester film for decorative plate or decorative sheet, which comprises a base polyester film and a coating layer formed on at least one surface of said base polyester film, wherein said polyester film for decorative plate or decorative sheet has an optical density of 0.1 to 5.0, a b value of not less than -0.5 and longitudinal and transverse heat shrinkage percentages of not less than -10.0% and not more than +10.0% after said polyester film for decorative plate or decorative sheet is heat-treated at 180.degree. C. for 5 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film Corporation
    Inventors: Nariaki Okajima, Takatoshi Miki, Kenji Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 6079525
    Abstract: A brake unit includes a brake disk made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic C/SiC composite and a brake lining tribologically interacting with this brake disk. The brake lining comprises the same material as the brake disk, in which case, at least in the area of the brake lining close to the surface, the hardness is lower than that of the brake disk. The brake unit exhibits a high stability to temperature while the wear is low and the service life is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Gerd Dietrich, Gerhard Gross, Tilmann Haug, Kolja Rebstock
  • Patent number: 6077597
    Abstract: An interactive thermal insulating system of the present invention includes at least three layers. The first layer is a high density layer comprising a substrate is coated with a polymer binder in which a plurality of microspheres containing a phase change material are dispersed. The second layer is a low density fibrous mesh in which individual fibers contain a plurality of microspheres containing a phase change material dispersed therein. A third layer is a flexible substrate. The fibrous mesh is sandwiched between the coated layer and the third layer. The layers are bonded together by stitching at regular intervals, lamination, or other methods of connection. Most preferably, the phase change materials contained in the microspheres include paraffinic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Outlast Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara Pause
  • Patent number: 6074678
    Abstract: A plastic sheet for packaging meat products such as bacon that consists essentially of a laminate of first and second sheet substrates. The first substrate is a coextruded polystyrene substrate that consists of a non-foam layer and a foam layer that is thinner than the non-foam layer. The second substrate is a coextruded polystyrene substrate that consists of a non-foam layer and a foam layer that is thicker than the non-foam layer. The first and second substrates are secured to each other with the foam layers facing each other. The first substrate provides toughness and a smooth surface for printing information to be visible within the meat product package, and the second substrate provides stiffness at light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Labels Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice W. Blackwelder, Louis M. DiBello
  • Patent number: 6066388
    Abstract: A nonwoven (1) comprising two outer fiber layers (3, 4) and at least one inner fiber layer (2) having a different composition from that of the outer layers (3, 4). The nonwoven (1) comprises structural fibers (7, 8) and binding fibers (5, 6), said binding fibers (5, 6) at least partially consisting of a polymer with a lower melting point than the structural fibers (7, 8). Said nonwoven (1) is densified by needling on both sides to a given depth while leaving an undensified central region. A method for producing the nonwoven is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Jozef Van Kerrebrouck
  • Patent number: 6066382
    Abstract: A treated fabric for use in fabricating expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like, particularly honeycomb panels. The treated fabric is a textile material having at least one portion thereof treated with a fabric treatment composition and at least one portion thereof left untreated. A method of making a treated fabric, treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like made from the treated fabric, and methods of making treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Swiszcz, Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 6063461
    Abstract: A multi-density batt having a plurality of overlaid thermoplastic fiber web layers. Each of the web layers comprise a homogeneous blend of matrix fibers and binder fibers. The binder fibers have a relatively low predetermined melting temperature and the matrix fibers have a relatively high predetermined melting temperature. The binder fibers and matrix fibers are heat-fused together. The batt has a width defining a cross direction and a length defining a machine direction. At least one integrally-formed, relatively thick, high density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction of the batt. At least one integrally-formed relatively thin, low density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction. The batt can be used to form a cushion, such as a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cumulus Fibres, Inc.
    Inventors: William Clark Hoyle, Jerry Lee Nealy
  • Patent number: 6054197
    Abstract: Compressive and tensile structural elements are disclosed having an enclosure with walls surrounding a cavity. A non-compressible material is disposed in the cavity. The walls are shaped such that a force tending to compress or elongate the element by a first deflection causes an amplified second deflection of the walls into the non-compressible material. The second deflection exerts a compressive force against the non-compressible material, resulting in a resistance to the first deflection and the force tending to compress or elongate the structural element. The walls of the elements are configured for optimum rigidity and/or optimum damping. Structural beams and motion impartation devices utilizing the structural elements to provide lightweight rigidity and/or damping are also disclosed. Another aspect of the present invention are methods of fabricating the structural beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: State University of New York at Albany
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6054005
    Abstract: Polymer structures having a laminated surface and enhanced physical properties that can be used for packaging, athletic gear (e.g., padding, water sport equipment), gaskets, and protective garments are described. The structures include a core of a relatively high density material and one or more layers laminated to the surfaces of the core material of relatively low density polymer foam. The structures can be stiff or flexible. The foam layers improve the softness of the surfaces of the core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sentinel Products Corp.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hurley, Matthew L. Kozma, John D. Bambara, Scott C. Smith, Richard Bambara
  • Patent number: 6045899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: USF Filtration & Separations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: I-Fan Wang, Richard A. Morris, Robert F. Zepf
  • Patent number: 6045882
    Abstract: A multilayer, biaxially stretched, flexible, hermoplastic film having at least three (preferably five) layers (a), (b), and (c) with layer (b) disposed between layers (a) and (c), layers (a) and (c) each being a blend of at least 45% of a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 .alpha.-olefin, having a density of 0.900 g/cm.sup.3 to <0.915 g/cm.sup.3, and a melting point between 85.degree. C. and 125 .degree. C. with at least 5% of a high density polyethylene, and layer (b) being at least 45% of a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 .alpha.-olefin, having a density of 0.900 g/cm.sup.3 to <0.915 g/cm.sup.3, and a melting point of 85.degree. C.-125.degree. C., the film being 50.8 micrometers(.mu.) or less in thickness, and having a shrinkage value of at least 60% in at least one direction at 127.degree. C., and a process for making the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Lawrence Sandford
  • Patent number: 6037052
    Abstract: A magnetic thin film includes a ferrite-containing underlayer and a ferrite-containing top layer. The composition of the underlayer differs from that of the top layer. During ex-situ annealing of the thin film structure, the underlayer inhibits diffusion of substrate atoms into the top layer. The composition of the underlayer relative to the top layer suppresses grain nucleation within the underlayer relative to the top layer at high temperatures and inhibits the nucleation of grains within the underlayer having undesirable composition, crystal structure, and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Yingjian Chen, Mark H. Kryder
  • Patent number: 6027776
    Abstract: A multilayer film generally includes:a) an interior layer of homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density ranging from about 0.89 to about 0.92 grams per cubic centimeter;b) a first exterior layer of a material selected from the group consisting of homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene, a blend of homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene and elastomer, high density polyethylene, and copolyester; andc) a second exterior layer of a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide, copolyamide, polyester, copolyester, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene/ethylene copolymer, and polycarbonate, wherein a first adhesive layer is present between the interior layer and the first exterior layer and wherein a second adhesive layer is present between the interior layer and the second exterior layer. Such multilayer film is advantageously used to produce flexible pouches for the packaging and administration of medical solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6027809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing material made of expanded graphite and to a method of producing it. In the sealing material made of expanded graphite of the present invention, a surface layer portion of an expanded graphite base material in which expanded graphite particles are pressurized is subjected to a blast process or the like, whereby the weight of the expanded graphite base material is reduced by a range of 0.5 to 3%, so that the diffraction peak of an X-ray diffraction of the exposed surface layer portion of the expanded graphite base material is in a range of 26.52.degree. to 26.48.degree.. In such a sealing material made of expanded graphite, the elongation rate and the tensile strength are improved, and also flexibility is remarkably improved. As a result, the product application range is extended and product productivity are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Ueda, Daisaburo Horii, Katsunori Sugita
  • Patent number: 6022610
    Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising freestanding osmotic absorbent sites disposed on or within a capillary substrate. The sites extend outwardly normal to the plane of the absorbent structure or fill apertures within the plane of the absorbent structure. Upon imbibing liquids, the sites of osmotic absorbent can expand without constraint from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dean Van Phan, Paul Arlen Forshey
  • Patent number: 6013358
    Abstract: A transient voltage protection device is described wherein a gap between a ground conductor and another conductor is formed using a diamond dicing saw. Substrate material selection includes specific ceramic materials having a density of less than 3.8 gm/cm.sup.3 designed to optimize performance and manufacturability. An overlay layer can be provided to minimize burring of the conductors during formation of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joan L. Winnett, Stephen J. Whitney, Edward G. Glass, Vernon Spaunhorst, Farid Ghaderi
  • Patent number: 6010772
    Abstract: Stretchable multilayer films in which at least one layer (A) thereof comprises a copolymer (I) of ethylene with one or more .alpha.-olefins CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR, having a density of between 0.88 and 0.945 g/cm.sup.3, a melt index of from 0.1 to 10 g/10' and containing up to 20 mol % of .alpha.-olefin CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR (LLDPE), and at least one layer (B) comprises a heterophasic polyolefin composition having:(a) 20-100 parts by weight of a fraction which is insoluble in xylene at room temperature, comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or another .alpha.-olefin CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR.sup.I, this fraction containing more than 85% by weight of units derived from propylene; and (b) 30-80 parts by weight of a fraction which is soluble in xylene at room temperature, comprising an amorphous copolymer of ethylene with propylene and/or another .alpha.-olefin CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Montell Technology Company bv
    Inventors: Gianni Perdomi, Claudio Cometto, Emanuele Burgin
  • Patent number: 6010767
    Abstract: An ink-oozing plate for a stamp includes a stamp ink-impregnated part, which is comprised of an elastic resin-made stamp material having stamp ink-impregnable open cells. The ink-oozing plate also includes a printing face having a stamp ink-oozing part formed on the surface of the stamp material and a stamp ink-non-oozing part. The stamp ink-non-oozing part has a heat transfer substance-transferred part which is transferred by heat generation and a stamp material-molten part. The stamp material is molten by the heat generation of the heat transfer substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Ando
  • Patent number: 6001439
    Abstract: The invention provides a stretch blow molded container formed from a thermoplastic resin material which comprises polyglycolic acid having(a) a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## (b) a melt viscosity, .eta.* [as measured at a temperature of (the melting point, Tm of the polymer+20.degree. C.) and a shear rate of 100/sec] of 500-100,000 Pa.multidot.s;(c) a melting point, Tm of at least 180.degree. C.;(d) a melt enthalpy, .DELTA.Hm of at least 20 J/g; and(e) a density of at least 1.50 g/cm.sup.3 as measured in an unoriented, crystallized form,wherein the stretch blow molded container has tensile strength (in a circumferential direction) of at least 100 MPa and a carbon dioxide permeability (as measured at a temperature of 23.degree. C. and 80% relative humidity; in terms of the thickness of 50 .mu.m) of 300 cc/m.sup.2 .multidot.day.multidot.atm or smaller at the body sidewall thereof, and a production process thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yukichika Kawakami, Nobuo Sato, Mitsuru Hoshino, Toshitaka Kouyama, Zenya Shiiki
  • Patent number: 6001452
    Abstract: The invention comprises engineered structural wood products particularly useful in critical applications such as joists, headers, and beams where longer lengths, greater widths, and higher and predictable stress ratings may be required. The invention is also directed to a method for making the wood products. Most logs by nature are radially anisotropic, having wood of higher density and stiffness in their outer portion adjacent the bark than is found in the inner portion. The logs are machined to segregate the denser, stiffer outer wood. A first generally rectangular component is formed from the less dense inner wood. Second generally rectangular components are formed from the stiffer outer wood. Second components are adhesively bonded to at least one edge of the first component, more usually to opposite edges. The stiffer wood is thus specifically placed where it will contribute most effectively to the properties of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Kendall H. Bassett, Alkivadis G. Dimakis, Earl D. Hasenwinkle, John W. Kerns, John S. Selby, Richard E. Wagner, Ronald C. Wilderman
  • Patent number: 5993932
    Abstract: A foam material element for sound-damping cavities, particularly for light metal extruded profiles used in rail car construction. The foam material element has a foam material sandwich with at least two layers, namely a resilient layer and at least one heavy layer disposed on the resilient layer. The resilient layer is formed of soft foam polyurethane and the heavy layer is formed of a flocculated foam polyurethane compound. Prior to being inserted in a cavity to be sound-proofed, the foam material element is compressed and weld-sealed in an air-tight film. The element is inserted through an opening of the cavity in its compressed condition. After insertion and placement of the foam material element, the film is opened and, as a result of its exposure to air, the foam material element expands to such a degree that at least one heavy layer, biassed by the resilient layer, comes into contact with the walls substantially over a broad surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Metzeler Schaum GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Friedl, Ulrich Heitmann, Andreas Harms
  • Patent number: 5985423
    Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a thin film by a vacuum deposition method, and a magnetic recording medium produced thereby are disclosed. A thin film of high quality is mass-produced while introducing reaction gas to a thin film forming section from a nozzle consisting of minute tubes, so that the flow of evaporated atoms is not disturbed by the reaction gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Honda, Yoshiharu Maezawa, Masaru Odagiri, Sadayuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 5976697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an article of a high-density carbon. To produce an un-fired compact, binderless, self-sintering, fine-grained carbon powder, particularly carbon mesophases, with a powder density of more than 1 g/cm.sup.3, particularly more than 1.4 m/cm.sup.3, and an average grain size of between 5 and 20 .mu.m, is precompacted at a low pressure and is pressed in a mold to at a pressure of between 50 and 150 MPa, particularly at approximately 100 MPa. After pressing, the contact pressure is slowly lowered. Then, the un-fired compact is carbonized in a temperature gradient of maximally 20 K/min. The temperature is held constant at a holding temperature of between 500 and 700.degree. C. for a defined holding time and is subsequently raised to a maximal temperature of between 800 and 1,200.degree. C., particularly approximately 1,000.degree. C. Finally, the carbonized compact is graphitized at an end temperature of between 2,500-3,000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Brehler, Jens Schmidt, Michael Scheydecker