Nonlinear (e.g., Crimped, Coiled, Etc.) Patents (Class 428/369)
  • Patent number: 6020417
    Abstract: An object is to provide sheet feed members for use e.g. in a copying machine which make it possible to reduce the size of the copier and increase its operating speed, while satisfying all the other requirements expected for sheet feed members of this type. The sheet feed members are formed from a fluorocarbon resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Umemoto, Naonari Tanigawa, Tomomi Nakamichi, Masaaki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6020074
    Abstract: Process for depositing at least one thread or tape (3a, . . . 3d), generally a metal thread or tape, in particular made of magnetic material having a high permeability for an antitheft protection system, on a thin sheet (2) especially a plastic, paper or aluminum sheet, this sheet (2) being able to be joined to another sheet (1) with the thread or tape (3a, . . . 3d) sandwiched between them, the sheet (2) thus furnished with the thread or tape being intended subsequently to be wound up into a reel. The thread or tape (3a. . . 3d) is placed on the sheet (2) along a line (S) which is sinuous with respect to the longitudinal direction (D) of the sheet, the parameters (p, a) of the sinuosity being chosen so that, in a reel formed with the sheet, in one and the same plane passing through the axis of the reel, the thread or tape sections lying in two adjacent turns in the reel and in one and the same plane passing through the axis of the reel are offset transversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Soplaril S.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore Scandagliato, Didier Seigneur
  • Patent number: 6020038
    Abstract: An adhesion layer disposed in a fuser member between an underlying base cushion layer and an outer release layer comprises the reaction product of vinyl- and hydride-containing polydimethylsiloxanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jiann H. Chen, Jerry A. Pickering, William J. Staudenmayer
  • Patent number: 6020037
    Abstract: An ornamental bunting is formed of a length of fabric folded to form a plurality of pleats. Each of the pleats has an aperture therethrough, and a ring-shaped member passes through all of the apertures to maintain an end of the length of fabric in a gathered condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Rafael Etzion
  • Patent number: 6020039
    Abstract: An improved strengthening or reinforcing member, and in particular an automotive vehicle door reinforcing beam, constructed from ultra high strength steel is disclosed. The door reinforcing beam has a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional geometry and optionally can include an additional reinforcement extending over a central portion of the beam. In an alternative embodiment, a rounded outboard flange portion can be substituted for a generally flat outboard flange portion. The door reinforcing beam exhibits a substantial improvement in load carrying capability for a given mass, as compared to door reinforcing beams having other cross-sectional geometries, such as hat-shaped cross-sectional geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Cline, Jack M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6017600
    Abstract: A lightweight, low permeability liner for graphite epoxy composite compressed gas storage vessels. The liner is composed of polymers that may or may not be coated with a thin layer of a low permeability material, such as silver, gold, or aluminum, deposited on a thin polymeric layer or substrate which is formed into a closed bladder using torispherical or near torispherical end caps, with or without bosses therein, about which a high strength to weight material, such as graphite epoxy composite shell, is formed to withstand the storage pressure forces. The polymeric substrate may be laminated on one or both sides with additional layers of polymeric film. The liner may be formed to a desired configuration using a dissolvable mandrel or by inflation techniques and the edges of the film seamed by heat sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Fred Mitlitsky, Blake Myers, Frank Magnotta
  • Patent number: 6017602
    Abstract: A device for use as a meter pit or a traffic barrel, having double-walled construction in which one wall is a substantially smooth inner wall and a second outer wall is a corrugated wall, wherein the corrugated wall may be a singular wall extending from one end of the inner wall to the other end of the inner wall or a plurality of exterior walls attached sequentially at various points to the inner wall, the exterior corrugated walls may be linked to one another by a series of smooth walls. The corrugated wall has small, individual corrugations with the individual corrugations including a pair of trough walls and a crest, the small size of the individual corrugations making the device light-weight and impact resistant. The drum device is extruded and contains a polyolefin mixture, which preferably contains recycled and virgin polyethylene materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Stephen W. Baker, Douglas A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6017835
    Abstract: Compositions for producing irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers include a first glass composition and a second glass composition, the first and second glass compositions having nonidentical coefficients of thermal expansion, the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion being greater than about 2.0 ppm/.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell M. Potter
  • Patent number: 6013341
    Abstract: A load-bearing tubular structural shell for use particularly in aerospace applications includes a structural frame of lattice-like structure formed by intersecting helical, girth, and longitudinal stiffening ribs, ad an outer covering surrounding the structural frame. The ribs are formed by helical, girth, and longitudinal strips of unbidirectional fibers wrapped in intersecting and overlapping fashion to form a plurality of layers of the strips. The longitudinal and girth ribs intersect at nodes, and at least some of these nodes are attached to helical ribs so as to form closed structural triangular nodes. Two sides of each triangular node are formed by first faces of the longitudinal and girth ribs, and the opposite second faces of the longitudinal and girth ribs intersect at a corner that lies within the closed triangular node. The helical rib at the triangular node has one face that lies within the closed triangular node and an opposite face that forms a third side of the triangular node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignees: McDonnell Douglas Corporation, AO "Centr Perspektivnykh Razarabotok"
    Inventors: Eduard Borisovich Medvedev, Alexandr Ivanovich Davydov, Boris Gavrilovich Maiorov, Mikhail Sergeevich Artjukhov, Vladimir Ivanovich Smyslov
  • Patent number: 6013201
    Abstract: In a silicone rubber composition comprising an organopolysiloxane having at least two aliphatic unsaturated groups and a curing agent, thermal black and/or furnace black having a primary particle diameter of 50-500 nm and a DBP oil absorption of 20-50 cc/100 g is blended. There may be further blended an organopolysiloxane having an ionic group-bearing portion as an antistatic agent and/or a hydrocarbon insulating oil. The composition has a stable resistivity in the semiconductive region and thus is useful as semiconductive rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Shin-Estu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Hayashida, Tsutomu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6004671
    Abstract: A reinforcement for composite materials is disclosed, which comprises a number of filaments of inorganic long fiber and glass and/or glass ceramic present in the gaps among the filaments and having a wire or tape form. Also disclosed is a metallic or ceramic composite material composed of a plurality of the reinforcements and a metal or intermetallic compound or ceramic which is present in the gaps among the individual reinforcements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Research Institute of Advanced Material Gas-Generator, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takemi Yamamura, Mitsuhiko Sato, Makoto Tamura, Shinji Kajii, Yasuo Matsumori, Yoshikatu Harada
  • Patent number: 6004640
    Abstract: A novel method and a novel article are disclosed for cleaning a metal, glass, or plastic surface without scratching or scoring the surface. The novel method comprises wiping the surface with the novel article, which is made from an open cell, hydrophilic, static-dissipative, polyurethane foam, and which is laundered so that the article in deionized water releases fewer than 36.0.times.10.sup.6 per square meter of apparent surface area of the article for particles of a size greater than about 0.5 .mu.m and fewer than about 2.5 parts per million of chloride, fluoride, sodium, sulfate, sulfite, or silicon ions. The novel article may be a wiper, a sponge, a roller, a swab mounted on a handle, or a plug having a generally cylindrical shape when unstressed and having particular utility where the surface is the interior surface of a metal, glass, or plastic tube. The plug is propelled through the tube, as by means of compressed air. The novel method also may comprise washing the surface with deionized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Wilshire Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinand Frederick Pisacane, Alan R. Seacord
  • Patent number: 6001438
    Abstract: The present invention provides an acrylated polyolefin tubing (12) crosslinked by irradiation. The tubing (12) is electrically insulating and can be heat shrunk upon a substrate (14) for perfecting a fluid tight seal therewith. The tubing (12) remains adhesively sealed to the substrate (14) and maintains heat sealability after cyclic autoclave sterilization. Moreover, the subject tubing does not permanently discolor after cyclic gamma or electron beam sterilization. The tubing (12) is particularly useful as an outer sheath for electro-surgical instruments (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Insultab, Inc.
    Inventor: Clement U. Bourgault
  • Patent number: 6001440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-conductive polyimide film comprising a heat-conductive powder dispersed therein with a concentration gradient. The film can be produced, for example, by centrifugal casting. The film can be used as an excellent component or member in those fields in which heat conductivity is required in addition to mechanical characteristics, heat resistance and chemical resistance. For example, it is used as a thermal fixation member in a laser printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Gunze Limited
    Inventors: Tsuneo Miyamoto, Takashi Kuraoka, Junya Kanetake, Naoki Nishiura, Nobuaki Kobayashi, Tetsuo Sadamitsu
  • Patent number: 5997967
    Abstract: A side entry heat recoverable article (2) pre-formed to enable a wire bundle (4) to be easily positioned and maintained within the article prior to recovery of the article. The wire bundle snaps into an enlarged section (6) between tab portions (10, 12). An adhesive (24) is disposed on the interior surface of the article for securing the tab portions together and for sealing the wire bundle. Upon recovery of the article, the wire bundle is thereby sealed within the heat recoverable article. A heat recoverable tube (2'), including adhesive, undergoes a post processing step to form the slit sleeve (2) that can be easily handled and installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Mark Hawkings
  • Patent number: 5998033
    Abstract: A fuser member having improved toner offset release and wear characteristics. The outermost layer comprises a fluoroelastomer with thermally conductive metal oxide fillers and a silane coupling agent that is interactive with the fluoroelastomer and with a release agent which may, optionally, be used on the surface of the fluoroelastomer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Biao Tan, Jiann H. Chen, Tonya D. Binga, Douglas B. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 5998014
    Abstract: Thermally and mechanically formable polymer film, characterised by a transparent antistatic coating of a mixture of 3,4-polyethylene dioxythiophene with a thermally or mechanically formable binder, its production and its use for packaging electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harry Muller, Dirk Schultze, Friedrich Jonas, Klaus Lerch, Hans Weber
  • Patent number: 5993366
    Abstract: A low hardness conductive roll, wherein an innermost layer is formed on the peripheral surface of a shaft body, an intermediate layer is formed on the peripheral surface thereof, and further an outermost layer is formed on the peripheral surface thereof, and wherein the outermost layer is formed of a resin composition comprising the following Component (A) so that good toner electrification property and toner releasability are achieved: ##STR1## wherein Y denotes a linear structural portion derived from an acrylic monomer, Z denotes a structural portion derived from an acrylic monomer and also has a structural portion derived from siloxane, and k and n denote positive numbers of 1 to 3,000, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kaji, Kenichi Ohkuwa, Hitoshi Yoshikawa, Shoji Arimura
  • Patent number: 5989710
    Abstract: A molding material for thermoplastic composites is provided. The molding material is prepared from a commingled yarn containing continuous thermoplastic fibers and continuous reinforcing fibers, in a form of threads, textile fabrics, knitted fabrics, or multiaxial laminated fabrics, wherein the fiber commingling parameter of said continuous reinforcing fibers in said commingled yarn is 20% or more, and wherein the orientation index after heat treatment of said continuous thermoplastic fibers is 0.3 or more, and/or the thermal shrinkage ratio of said continuous thermoplastic fibers is 15% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuki Matsuo, Toshiaki Hokudoh, Kuniharu Mori, Yoshinobu Takahashi, Takeru Toida, Hiroshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 5985394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing; a high water-containing elastomer medical catheter and a urinary catheter prepared by the process. The process comprises a) heating a mixture consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, water, sulfoxide and linear alkane, in a sealed vessel with agitating; b) pouring the resulting homogeneous fluid into a mould; c) solidifying the fluid by cooling; d) releasing the solidified fluid from the mould; and e) heat-treating the resulting medical catheter and washing with a polar organic solvent. The medical catheter and the urinary catheter of the present invention have excellent lubricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: China Rehabilitation Research Center
    Inventors: Lijiang Mao, Yuanjie Hu, Dongxu Piao
  • Patent number: 5986000
    Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a unique polymeric compound that provides a soft, flexible product. There is also provided a unique polymeric tampon applicator that is soft and flexible. When used as a tampon applicator barrel, the barrel is more comfortable and has improved ease of insertion. The polymeric compound primarily comprises a thermoplastic resin and a block copolymer that exhibit unique load, energy and modulus of elasticity properties. The polymeric compound should also include a plasticizer and a compatibilizer/flow modifier, and may include a slip/mold release agent, an antioxidant, and even a pigment. There is also provided a method for making the polymeric compound that will be formed into a product, such as an applicator or applicator barrel in which all of the above ingredients, except for the thermoplastic resin, are combined and formed into soft pellets. The soft resin pellets are then dry blended with pellets of the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Paul D. Zwick
  • Patent number: 5985449
    Abstract: A crimped thermoplastic fiber for use in reinforcing concrete has a length in the range of 1/4 inch to 4 inches; an outer diameter in the range of 4 mils to 30 mils; a crimp frequency of 10-30 crimps per inch and an amplitude in the range of 1/2 mil-10 mils. The invention also includes a cylindrical bundle of the aforementioned fibers retained within an outer paper wrapper that dissolves and/or disintegrates within a concrete mixer in which the wrapped bundles are dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Specialty Filaments
    Inventor: Robert R. Dill
  • Patent number: 5985421
    Abstract: Multilayer film material (22) for manufacturing a pipe-shaped body (21) of tube (17). The film material (22) contains at least one barrier layer (10). The film material (22) is of thickness (d) extending form the outside (14) of the pipe-shaped body (21) to the inside of the same. At least one barrier layer (10) is arranged within a distance (a) of the inside (15) of the pipe-shaped body (21). The distance (a) represents 5 to 40% of the total thickness (d) representing 100 percent. The film material used on a tube exhibits therefore a barrier layer which lies close to the inside of the tube and hence also close to the contents of the tube. Volatile constituents of the tube contents beings able to penetrate essentially only to the barrier layer and are not able to become concentrated in the other, thick layers of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 5981006
    Abstract: A coupled spin-draw process for making a fully-oriented nylon yarn including extruding molten nylon polymer with a selected RV through a spinneret and cooling to produce a yarn. The yarn is withdrawn from the quench zone with a feed roll rotating at a speed of at least 4500 mpm. The process further includes cold drawing followed by relaxing the yarn using a steam intermingling jet and then winding up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Walter John Jaegge, Francis Joseph Malone, Jr., Frank Hudson Overton, Roger Allen Ross, Ronald Edward Steele
  • Patent number: 5981630
    Abstract: Fiber additives for addition to proportioned concrete comprise a plurality of thermoplastic fibers having a profile geometry defined by the equation, ##EQU1## wherein the amplitude a.sub.0 falls within a range of from about 0.1 d.sub.f to 2.0 d.sub.f and the period .lambda. falls within a range of from about 2 d.sub.f to 15 d.sub.f for fibers having a diameter d.sub.f of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm; the peak pull-out stress .sigma..sub.peak and the specific pull-out energy absorbed to a maximal displacement of 7.5 mm .psi..sub.peak, both increase linearly with a deformity factor defined by the equation, ##EQU2## where .alpha.=0.8 and .beta.=-1, such that the peak pull-out stress is defined by the equation, ##EQU3## and the specific pull-out energy is defined by the equation, ##EQU4## the fiber additives having an optimimum deformity,D.sub.optimum .apprxeq.(0.5 to 1)D.sub.critical,D.sub.critical being that deformity where the ultimate tensile strength of the fiber equals k.sub.1 D.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Synthetic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nemkumar Banthia, Richard E. Hingson, Ashish Dubey
  • Patent number: 5976650
    Abstract: A method of securing an intraluminal vascular graft within a living body, the intraluminal vascular graft being in the form of a tube of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film wherein the porous polytetrafluoroethylene film has a microstructure containing a multiplicity of fibrils oriented substantially parallel to each other. The tube has a wall thickness of less than about 0.25 mm and is made from at least one first layer and at least one second layer of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, wherein the fibrils of the first and second layers are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Preferably the fibrils of the at least one first layer are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the fibrils of the at least one second layer of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film are oriented substantially circumferential to the tube. The first and second layers may be inner and outer layers respectively, or alternatively their relationship may be reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey V. Campbell, James D. Lewis, David J. Myers
  • Patent number: 5976647
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Erin H. Weder, R. E. Jack Dunn, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5974589
    Abstract: A method of making a latex article, by contacting a latex article with water, an aqueous emulsion comprising a high-density, substantially linear hydrocarbon polymer, and an acid-activated oxidizing agent or initiator, mixing in an acid to the reaction mixture to activate the oxidizing agent or initiator, then, after a first selected period of time sufficient to adhere the polymer to the surface of the article, mixing a stopping agent into the activated reaction mixture to substantially reduce or halt the oxidization and, after a second selected period of time sufficient to reduce substantially or halt oxidization, neutralizing the article with a neutralization mixture comprising water and a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LRC Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Pugh, Russell D. Culp
  • Patent number: 5972450
    Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement comprises a metal tube. An inner layer of a first polymeric material is bonded to the tube to provide corrosion protection. The first polymeric material has a high crystallinity, a dampening factor of less than 0.05, and a flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa. An outer layer of a second polymeric material is extruded around the inner layer to absorb impact energies and to eliminate mechanical vibrations and acoustic noises. The second polymeric material has a dampening factor of at least 0.05 and a flexural modulus of less than 50 MPa. The second polymeric material is a multi-phase polymer having at least one polymer component with a glass-transition temperature below room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Bundy Corporation
    Inventors: Henry S. Hsich, Dennis C. Soles
  • Patent number: 5972444
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved shrink film having balanced properties. In particular, this invention relates to a biaxially oriented polyolefin shrink film made from a particular polymer mixture which includes a first ethylene polymer component having a single differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) melting peak or a single Analytical Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (ATREF) peak and a second ethylene polymer component having one or more DSC melting peaks, wherein the density differential between the two component polymers about 0 to about 0.03 g/cc. Improved properties include increased shrink responses, wide orientation windows, higher modulus and high softening temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rajen M. Patel, Jacquelyn A. deGroot
  • Patent number: 5968623
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a cylindrically shaped article, wherein a thermoplastic layer is formed on the surface of the cylindrically shaped article precisely and at low cost. To achieve this, the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrically shaped article supported on a columnar member is coated with particles of a thermoplastic resin, a tubular molding member is fitted on the cylindrically shaped article coated with a film of the particles of thermoplastic resin, and at least the columnar member is then heated to calcine the thermoplastic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Takeuchi, Shoichi Shimura, Hideyuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 5968619
    Abstract: Improved flexible film and tubing for medical products manufactured from a PVC compound, comprising an amount of ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) PVC resin having an inherent viscosity ranging from about 1.25 to about 2.00, most preferably about 1.71, and about 43 to about 57 percent by weight of a medically acceptable plasticizer, most preferably about 53 percent, such as tri (2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventors: Raleigh A. Carmen, Ronald H. Bauman
  • Patent number: 5968622
    Abstract: Cylindrical tubular substrates for an electrophotographic conductor can be made with different lengths from an injection-molded plastic cylindrical mother tube. The length of the mother tube is sufficient for the greatest desired length. The mother tube has a slanting inner surface which facilitates removal of the tube from the molding die, and non-slanting inner end surfaces which can be stepped. The desired length is obtained by cutting the mother tube across one of the steps. The resulting non-slanting inner end surface of the substrate provides a spigot joint for tightly receiving a flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Kawata, Kiyoshi Nikima
  • Patent number: 5968645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material based on inorganic fibres at least a proportion of which are multicomponent fibres and the cohesion and/or the geometry of which is (are) ensured, at least partially, by a sizing.It also relates to the use of this material for thermal and/or acoustic insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Isover Saint-Gobain
    Inventors: Gian Paolo Caccini, Guy Berthier, Jean-Luc Bernard
  • Patent number: 5968638
    Abstract: Multiple sheets spiral bound together as a unit by a continuous filament. The sheets have a plurality of closely spaced perforations aligned along an edge thereof. The filament is an elongated rod-like member having an outer surface and a centrally-located longitudinal axis. The filament is flexible and is disposed in spiral configuration through the perforations. The filament additionally comprises an inner surface defined by an internal elongate passage extending therethrough. The internal opening facilitates crimping of the inventive filament after it has been spiraled into a plurality of closely spaced perforations aligned along an edge of a stack of sheets. The internal opening in the filament also provides improved control over the outer dimension of the filament during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Specialty Filaments, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brown, Tom R. Huskey, David J. Prawdzik
  • Patent number: 5962094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure giving a tight mechanical seal and preferably made from metal or plastic, with an insert on its inner side as a sealing element for containers, in particular for bottles and glassware, where the insert is composed of at least one polyolefin which can be prepared using catalysts selected from the class consisting of the metallocenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Doris Osterkamp, Peter Nussen
  • Patent number: 5962096
    Abstract: A flexible plastic tube and a method of forming a flexible plastic tube includes injection molding a finish having an opening, extruding a tube integrally with the finish by relevant movement of the finish with respect to an extruder, moving the finish axially away from the extruder while continuing continuously extruding the tube, closing a blow mold about the extruded tube, blowing the tube into an integral container body having a closed bottom, opening the molds to provide an integral flexible tube with a finish thereon. Thereafter the method includes decorating the body with indicia, cutting the closed end of the tube leaving an open-ended tube of the end opposite the finish, and applying a closure to the finish. Subsequently, the tube is filled through the open end and the open end is closed. The decorating includes rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube while engaging the finish and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5962091
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Erin H. Weder, R. E. Jack Dunn, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5958535
    Abstract: The invention makes it possible for a traditional decorative element for expensive embroidered luxury materials namely fine bugle beads, i.e. very small tubes of glass or glass-like other materials, which are conventionally either sewn on directly using complicated hand work or in the form of pre-formed fine bugle beads strung on a thread which is stitched in time-consuming manner, for example using single-head Lorraine sewing machines, to the supporting material, to be manufactured with virtually the same quality but in a simple manner without involving manual work. For this method use is made of a narrow film formed from a multiple layer laminate of different synthetic or natural materials in such a way that during a subsequent treatment, e.g. a heat treatment, the material starts to curve in a pre-determined direction bends up and finally curls and assumes the shape of a bugle bead. The narrow film is applied to the substrate by conventional sequin embroidery techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bomei AG
    Inventor: Norbert Desmet
  • Patent number: 5958532
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Krause, Kenneth J. Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 5955165
    Abstract: Containers or other apparatus for viscous materials which allow for enhanced drainage or evacuation of the viscous material with a reduction in the amount of residual material that will remain in the container after evacuation. Compositions for making such containers include hydrophobic or poorly hydrophilic polymers and a polar additive. In the method of making such containers, the composition is made moldable and formed into the shape of the container and then cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pauline C. Zamora, Robert J. Kissner
  • Patent number: 5955193
    Abstract: Apparel having thermal insulation containing a corrugated nonwoven web and a means for retaining the shape of a corrugated web. The shape-retaining means is not coextensive with the corrugated nonwoven web and is secured to the valleys of the corrugations. The corrugated nonwoven web has a solidity of 0.1 or less and contains microfiber and crimped staple fibers that have a percent crimp of at least 15 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David L. Braun, James E. Steffen, Raju Venkatapathy
  • Patent number: 5952064
    Abstract: A tubular film for encasing food. The tubular film comprises a material which has been regenerated from a viscose solution. The tubular material is longitudinally stretched by from +8 to +40 percent and transversely stretched by from -20 to +40 percent while wet and the stretch is maintained during drying, said transverse stretch and longitudinal stretch being sufficient to obtain a surface area increase of at least 10 percent from the point of regeneration. In general, the tubular material has a wall thickness of from about 60 to about 90 percent of the same tubular material except without the combined stretch. The invention also includes the method for making the tubular material by stretching the regenerated tubular material while wet and maintaining the stretch during drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark van der Bleek, David Pohl
  • Patent number: 5948489
    Abstract: A tubular catheter body comprising a catheter consisting essentially of plastic material and having a tubular, flexible, and compliant marker band affixed to and surrounding the external surface of the catheter body. The compliant marker band comprises a heat shrinkable plastic material having tungsten particles which are no greater than 2 microns in size such that the marker band is radiopaque throughout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 5948343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow shaped molding process which comprises injecting a molten resin into a main cavity which has an injection port provided with a floating core at its one end and a sub-cavity at the other end through an openable communication port, injecting a compressed fluid from the injection port, moving the floating core toward the communication port, and discharging the resin into the sub-cavity through the communication port, wherein the resin positioned at the center is discharged into the sub-cavity by the moved floating core, and the floating core is moved into the sub-cavity through the communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: RP Topla Limited
    Inventors: Katagiri Hiroki, Watanabe Mituo, Oziro Minoru, Akutu Hidetoshi, Ono Masaki, Iida Isao
  • Patent number: 5945183
    Abstract: A sleeve label having an open top and bottom for sleeving a product such as a bottle, jug, or drum. The sleeve label comprises a plastic film printed on one surface with a solvent base ink. The printed surface is coated with a UV curable coating, covering the printed side including the solvent base ink. Upon curing with UV energy, the coating protects the ink from smearing in contact with solvents. The coating also protects the ink from mechanical damage such as scratching or abrasion. The UV curable coating may be applied to the film with a flexographic print station, or other roll or blade coaters. The coating may be of the free radical acrylate or cationic epoxy types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: David E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5945472
    Abstract: A highly filled surface covering, preferably a floor covering and more preferably a floor tile, includes a resin layer which has about 80% to about 95% by weight of filler and a chlorine-free binder. The binder includes a mixture of a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene and a substantially linear ethylene/octene copolymer. The ratio of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene and ethylene/octene copolymer is from about 1:5 to about 1:15 by weight. The preferred formulation for the binder includes a solid tackifier selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon resin having an ester moiety and hydrogenated aromatic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Chau H. Duong, Harry D. Ward, Lowell E. West
  • Patent number: 5939211
    Abstract: A blank for preparing artificial tooth parts, such as inlays, overlays or partial and complete crowns and bridges comprises a body of laminate material. The body has at least one layer of high abrasive resistance, at least one layer of high breaking strength, and at least one layer of lower hardness and breaking strength. For forming the tooth part, material is removed from the blank in such a way that the layer having high fracture strength forms a reinforcing structure. In a single working step, a tooth part of high strength can be machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignees: Jeanette Mormann, Marco Brandestini
    Inventor: Jeanette Mormann
  • Patent number: 5939159
    Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous resin dispersion that comprises 1) an acrylic resin (A), 2) an aromatic epoxy resin (B), and 3) a bisphenol F product (C) that are dispersed in an aqueous medium at a pH of from about 4 to 11. The invention also provides an aqueous base-coat agent, coated substrates and coating methods that comprises the aqueous resin dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Shiono, Masami Yamada, Sanji Harada, Masahiro Ihara, Takeshi Tuyama, Tetsuhisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: RE36340
    Abstract: A centrifugally cast plastic pipe comprised of a polymer derived from monomers polymerized in bulk is provided. A pressurized cylindrical mold provides smooth inner and outer surfaces. Pipes with a wall thickness of from 1/8 inch to 3 inches and an outer diameter of 1 inch to 12 feet are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Charles S. Woodson, Michael J. Darnall, Norman A. Deumite