Sheet Including Cover Or Casing Patents (Class 428/68)
  • Patent number: 6379771
    Abstract: The invention discloses a sheet-like structure material and its manufacturing method. The sheet-like structure material has the advantages that impact imposed on its edge ends can be adsorbed to protect its adherends, and that the labor required for installing it and edge ends treatment can be significantly saved. The structure material comprises an outer peripheral structure which has elasticity and is integrally formed at the outer periphery of a sheet-like composite body comprising two glass sheets and an intermediate resin layer disposed between the glass sheets. The outer peripheral structure is formed from a resinous material used for forming the intermediate resin layer, by allowing the material to ooze from between the glass sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan'ichi Sato, Masayuki Oishi
  • Patent number: 6379769
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature controlled radiation transmission material for plural component films, the material being present in one or more cores allsidedly surrounded by a transparent sheath layer. The plural component films are particularly useful for the reversibly temperature dependent control of the radiation transmission of buildings and of technical facilities, especially solar energy apparatus, in the apparel industry and/or for decorative purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Kleinke, Thomas Kessler, Ekkehard Jahns
  • Patent number: 6379792
    Abstract: A silicone adhesive sheet for bonding a semiconductor chip to a chip attachment component comprising a crosslinkable silicone composition containing a silatrane derivative, and a method for manufacturing a silicone adhesive sheet by subjecting a crosslinkable silicone composition containing a silatrane derivative to a crosslinking reaction between backing materials that do not stick to the crosslinked product of said composition, where at least one of the backing materials has a larger dielectric constant than that of the crosslinked product. The present silicone adhesive sheet allows a semiconductor chip and a chip attachment component to be bonded in a short time at a relatively low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Isshiki, Kimio Yamakawa, Yoshito Ushio, Ryoto Shima, Katsutoshi Mine
  • Patent number: 6361847
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to printing ink-decorated packaging laminate for aseptic packages of the type which is produced in that a web of paper which has an outer coating of plastic is, for the purpose of sterilization, led through a bath of hydrogen peroxide prior to the reforming of the web into aseptic packages. The packaging laminate has a décor of water-based printing ink which is applied in the desired pattern on the outside of the outer plastic coating. For the purpose of protecting the water-based printing ink décor against attack from hydrogen peroxide in connection with the sterilization process, the packaging laminate is provided with an outer layer of water-based polyethylene or water-based acid-modified polyethylene which, by means of so-called dispersion coating, is applied on the printing ink-decorated outer plastic coating after, or in connection with the application of said printing ink décor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Tommy Magnusson, Rolf Malmgren, Ib Leth, Mikael Berlin, Mats Bentmar
  • Patent number: 6361848
    Abstract: A switch having a molded article of which the entirety or a part is composed of an organic and inorganic complex composition is provided, wherein the base inside of the base of a box is composed of for example an organic and inorganic complex composition with the resin content at 15 to 70 wt % and the content of one or more inorganic compounds capable of dehydration at 150° C. or more at 80 to 30 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunichi Katsube, Tosikazu Uemoto, Kenichi Nishina, Kazunori Fukuya, Shinji Yamagata, Satoru Yamasaki, Mitsugu Takahashi, Kazuharu Kato, Takao Mitsuhashi, Hiroshi Adachi, Shoji Yamaguchi, Itsuo Nishiyama, Fumiaki Baba
  • Patent number: 6358593
    Abstract: A door lamination structure including a core member with first and second surfaces separated by an endless edge third surface. A groove extends around the endless third surface and forms a chamber in the core. First and second sheets of protective material are placed over the first and second surfaces respectfully. A fastener holds the first and second sheets to the chamber of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: American Building Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Bennett, Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 6358591
    Abstract: An insulation blanket is disclosed that contains fire-blocking materials for preventing rapid penetration of fire into an aircraft fuselage in case of a fire outside the aircraft. The insulation blanket contains at least one layer of fiberglass or other thermal-acoustic insulation material without fire-blocking properties, and one or more layers of fire-blocking material. The fire blocking material is wider than the thermal-acoustic insulation so that it may be folded against and attached to adjacent structural frame members of the fuselage. In the alternative, a thermal-acoustic insulation material is used that has fire-blocking properties instead of the separate layers of fire-blocking and thermal-acoustic insulation materials. A method for installing insulation blankets according to the present invention is disclosed, whereby a fire-blocking insulation portion of the blanket is folded against and attached to frame members of the aircraft using attachment posts or spring clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Orcon Corporation
    Inventor: Sherman S. Smith
  • Patent number: 6355316
    Abstract: To improve a device for protecting electronic circuits from unauthorized access so that it can be produced inexpensively, can be handled and guarantees increased security, the invention proposes a device for protecting electronic circuits from unauthorized access with at least one hood-type cover element, which is arranged on a circuit plate covering it at least in some areas and has tracks that can be connected to a detection circuit to detect mechanical damage, wherein the cover element is made of a material that is very hard and at the same time very brittle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Miller, Ulrich Wortelkamp
  • Patent number: 6355328
    Abstract: A composite structure comprising a preformed flexible laminate in adhering contact with at least a first and second transparent or translucent panel members such as would be useful as an insulated glass unit. The flexible laminate contains an undulating spacer element either partially or totally embedded within a core material and has a polymeric coating on at least one surface thereof. The flexible laminate effectively seals the interior of the panel structure from air and/or moisture and maintains a desired distance between the panels. A multi-cavity extrusion die for forming the preformed flexible laminate has a core cavity for receiving the core material as well as the undulating continuous spacer element. Converging walls within the core cavity serve to embed at least one side of the spacer element in the core material and a land area forms a desired shape or configuration wherein the spacer element undulation is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: TruSeal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lynn Baratuci, Ronald Ellsworth Buchanan, Louis Anthony Ferri, Lanny Dean Ritz
  • Patent number: 6335074
    Abstract: A thermal insulation panel exhibits little or no warping due to temperature differences between different portions of the panel. The panel comprises insulation material and an envelope for encapsulating the insulation material. The envelope comprises a base member and a cover member. The cover member is supported by the base member in a floating and sealing engagement with the base member. The cover member can slide relative to the base member to compensate for differential thermal expansion effects on the respective base member and cover member. In an alternative embodiment the cover member is adapted to be exposed to a temperature significantly below the temperature to which the base member is exposed. The cover member is formed of a metal having a low coefficient of thermal expansion to compensate for differential thermal expansion effects in the respective base member and cover member. The cover member and the base member are joined to provide the envelope with a hermetic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Hall Gasteyer, III, Gary Dee Lang
  • Patent number: 6335073
    Abstract: In a thermal shield for components made of thermoplastics, for the automotive industry in particular, an aluminium layer 2 is connected with the component to be protected, which serves as a carrier 1 for the thermal shield H, by means of a thermoplastic coating 3 in the region of the heat source. It is recommended to dispose the thermal shield H not only in the immediate region of heat source 4, but also, on the component, in the area up to a lateral spacing B from the heat source that the aluminium layer 2 may dissipate heat outwardly, i.e. outwardly from the region of thermal shield 4 to a cooler region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Faist Automotive GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Gerhard Köck, Klaus Pfaffelhuber, Stefan Lahner
  • Patent number: 6329038
    Abstract: The insulating cover comprises a gas and water impermeable first foil (13) which defines a first circumferential outer rim, a gas and water impermeable second foil (26) substantially coextensive with said first foil (13) and defining a second circumferential outer rim. The first (13) and second foil (26) are joined together at the first and second outer circumferential rims of the first (13) and second outer circumferential rims of the first (13) and second foils (26), to define an enclosure between the first (13) and second (26) foils. A body of insulating material (24) is inserted in the enclosure. A plurality of supporting tubular elements (20) in co-planar relationship with said first (13) and second foil (26) provide a stiffness of the insulating cover (15) in axial direction of the plurality of supporting tubular elements (20) and flexibility of the insulating cover (15) in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Combi-Therm A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Christoffersen
  • Patent number: 6329028
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique design and technique of construction for an artificial tree. The tree is created from an engineered superstructure with a porous outer covering or skin. Artificial leaves are attached to the skin creating an artificial tree with no limbs or branches. An additional feature is a light source that can be incorporated inside the superstructure to illuminate the tree. The foliage is replaceable to allow for seasonal color changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Bobby J. Bucher
  • Patent number: 6326069
    Abstract: A sampler pouch having a lower barrier layer; an upper barrier layer peelably sealed to the lower barrier layer to form a cavity; and a fluidic sample material absorbed within an internal supportive structure within the cavity. The internal supportive structure is inert and substantially retains the sample material when subjected to compressive forces, thereby reducing internal pressure against the peel seal and allowing for the use of low strength peel seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Arcade, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Barnett, Steven Jeffrey Greenland
  • Publication number: 20010046579
    Abstract: An organic electro-luminescent display panel and a method of manufacturing same are provided which are capable of reliably holding a hygroscopic agent in its sealing cap in a uniform and thin state and of being easily manufactured and of being configured to be of a thin-profile type, without sacrificing light-emitting characteristics and display contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuko Ishii, Yoshikazu Sakaguchi, Mitsuma Ooishi, Joji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6322862
    Abstract: An object containing pressed flowers sealed therein which is composed of a base layer, an intermediate layer of molten resin in which is sealed a pressed flower, and a surface layer of transparent film, with these three layers integrally laminated on top of the other, characterized in that the intermediate layer is formed by pressing with heating under reduced pressure from a meltable porous plastic film such that the molten plastic adheres closely to the pressed flower to seal it and also fixes the pressed flower to both the base layer and the surface layer of transparent film. It retains the natural color of the pressed flower for a long period of time without deterioration by air and moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Doppel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 6316073
    Abstract: The present invention is a thin, soft resilient pad or gasket having a durometer rating of less than or equal to 30, scale shore A, releasably mountable to a rough (or at least non-smooth) or smooth surface by reason of its resiliency and inherent surface tackiness, and may be made of hydrated cross-linked silicone polymer, or of aromatic or aliphatic base urethane or polyurethane, advantageously with bound migrating plasticizers to reduce oily surface residue on the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony S. Hiscock, Harold F. Hiscock
  • Patent number: 6294240
    Abstract: A protective cover for a motor vehicle conventional floor mat comprising a removable fabric protectively enclosing the top side of the mat. An elastic strip integral with the inner rim of the cover removably engages the cover to the underside of the floor mat. The conventional floor mat has a mat irregular peripheral edge and the cover edge is custom fitted to the mat irregular peripheral edge. A cover shape-retaining element integral with the cover side edge keeps the conforming relationship of the cover side edge with the irregular peripheral edge of the floor mat. An elastic strip unitary with the cover inner rim allows the cover to be disengaged from the floor mat by stretching the elastic strip to a biased mode. The cover is preferably made of a polyester pile fabric that generally matches the fabric used in motor vehicles. A waterproof layer is preferably attached to the interior surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph J. Brunetto
  • Publication number: 20010023007
    Abstract: An absorbent mat assembly including a petroleum resistant mat having a bottom panel and a raised perimeter forming a recess. An absorbent pad is placed within the recess and a fluid permeable backflow prevention member and a fluid permeable mesh are placed over the absorbent pad and secured to the mat using a plurality of mesh connectors. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the absorbent pad includes a recyclable, washable and reusable material such as a polypropylene absorbent pad. The mat may be formed of a compound including recycled tires. The backflow prevention member and the mesh may be formed of a solvent or petroleum resistant material such as a high density polyethylene. The absorbent mat assembly may also include a connector strip for connecting two mats together along a marginal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Steven Leriget
  • Patent number: 6287664
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced composite structures and applications that exhibit inherent damping with little or no sacrifice in strength and that make use of wavy fiber patterns in the plane of the composite laminate. The invention includes the methods and apparatus for manufacturing the wavy composite material, and the use of the material in the construction of practical structures and devices. The fabrication of a wavy fiber pre-preg (fibers preimpregnated with epoxy resin as an example) can be accomplished with an automated control system that permits the creation of non-periodic or mixed wave forms. Combined with conventional laminate structures and/or materials, these wavy composite materials allow the design engineer to “tune” the dynamics (e.g. damping, stiffness) of a structural member. The use of wavy patterns in the laminate is not limited to the use of traditional epoxies but may also be used in conjunction with specialized matrix materials having inherent viscoelastic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: William F. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20010018108
    Abstract: A magnetic material-inverting display panel wherein a liquid dispersion, which has a yield value and contains a magnetic display material in fine particle form having magnetic poles of opposite signs tinged with different colors by placing an opaque thin metal layer on at least one surface and making the color of another surface different from that of the thin metal layer of one surface, a dispersion medium and a thickener as main components, is supported by a support. The total area of S-pole-surfaces or N-pole-surfaces of the magnetic display material in fine particle form being from 60 to 1500% of the display surface area of the display panel. The magnetic material-inverting display panel of this invention has whereby a good contrast and forms a display of a metallic tone or a pastel color tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA PILOT
    Inventors: Masami Tokunaga, Masahiko Ikeda, Takeo Yokoyama, Hideki Misawa
  • Patent number: 6279229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat shield and to a heat shield manufactured with this method. Heat shields of this type are particularly used in the field of the automobile industry. According to the method according to the invention, an insulating material, performed in a suitable contour and consisting of graphite, for example vermiculite, without binding agent, is inserted as an insulating plate (4) between two flat materials (2, 3), consisting of sheet metal, for example. The flat materials (2, 3) are then connected to one another at their edges in a positive or non-positive manner. The insulating material is here compressed, before or after being deposited on the flat material, to form a coherent insulating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Kai Lemke, Bernd Bretschneider, Giaimi Giacomo, Bruno Görlich, Dieter Grafl
  • Publication number: 20010014377
    Abstract: A label includes an inlay including a conductive material. A sheet is fixed over at least a portion of the inlay, and has a first surface and a second surface. A protective material is fixed to the first surface of the sheet, and an aperture extending through the protective material and sheet is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive material to define a protective cavity. A device is disposed in the protective cavity, and electrically connected to the conductive material, wherein the protective cavity surrounds the device. In another aspect of the present invention, the protective material is expandable from an unexpanded height to an expanded height, and the expanded height is at least 10% greater than the unexpanded height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Susan M. Babb, Evert M. Berndt, Timothy J. Pomroy
  • Publication number: 20010010853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transponder label having a protective coating and a protective coating for a transponder label. According to the present invention the protective coating comprises a flexible material that protects the transponder components against impact, tensile load and torsional stress. The flexible material preferably comprises a polyaddition product of two components, whereby the first component represents an organic molecule having at least two isocyanate groups, while the second component represents an organic molecule having at least two hydroxyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: smart-TEC GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Schragle
  • Publication number: 20010010852
    Abstract: An elongate, liquid absorbent pad for controlling liquids and/or collecting liquid spills and leaks. The pad includes: (1) an elongate, substantially coherent, liquid absorbent structure formed of a matrix of fibrous material having a substantially polygonal cross-section; (2) a flexible, liquid permeable cover enclosing the absorbent core, and; (3) at least one fastening means positioned on at least a portion of the liquid permeable cover. The fastening means may be a hook and loop fastening system, a magnetic fastening system, clips, snaps, fasteners, eyes, hooks, pins or the like. The fastening means may also be an adhesive layer or a combination of mechanical systems and adhesives. The fastening means is adapted to secure the absorbent pad or sock to a surface, to another absorbent pad, or to a device for wiping up liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: JAMES DENNIS COTTON, JAMES JAY TANNER, JEFFREY DEAN LINDSAY
  • Patent number: 6265044
    Abstract: A vacuum covering method for covering a profiled surface of a base member with a sheet by effecting bonding between the sheet and the base member under vacuum, wherein the base member has a multiplicity of spaced vacuum grooves extending across the profiled surface. When air is evacuated from the vacuum grooves, the sheet is drawn by vacuum or suction down onto the profiled surface. The base member is injection-molded of synthetic resin and undergoes thermal shrinkage when it becomes cool after molding. With the vacuum grooves provided in the profiled surface, thermal shrinkage is distributed uniformly over the entire area of the profiled surface and does not generate shrink mark which may form a depression on a front surface of the sheet bonded to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamio Furuya, Kenichi Chujo, Junichi Saita, Akihiro Kameshima
  • Patent number: 6254998
    Abstract: A method for making foam structures suitable for use as mechanical energy absorbers, structural members, filters, catalyst carriers or the like. A composite rod comprising an outer shell and an inner core is formed of respective mixtures of powders. The mixture for the outer shell comprises a sinterable powdered structural material such as ceramics, metals, intermetallics, and a powdered binder such as paraffin, wax or polymer. The inner core comprises a powdered channel-forming filler material such as melamine or polymers, or soluble inorganic compounds or a metal that can differentially be removed from the structural material of the shell. The composite rod may be formed by extrusion. The composite rod is sectioned into a plurality of composite rod segments of predetermined length and a plurality of these segments is assembled in randomly oriented relationship to one another. The assemblage of rod segments is then consolidated, and the binder and filler are then removed, as by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation
    Inventor: Lev J. Tuchinsky
  • Patent number: 6254945
    Abstract: A cushioning product including a pillow-like portion made from multiple plies of a sheet-like stock material. The cushioning product is characterized by the pillow-like portion including an inner stuffing and a shell which surrounds the inner stuffing. The multiple plies of the sheet-like stock material include at least one ply shaped to form the shell of the pillow-like portion and remaining plies crumpled to form the inner stuffing. The inner stuffing is formed only from the remaining plies of the sheet-like stock material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: James A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6242114
    Abstract: An optical fluorescent composite which controls fluorescence intensity comprises a solid layer containing fluorescent material (such as a phosphor) formed on an optically transparent base or substrate and optically coupled to a spectrally selective filter, also formed on the base or substrate, that modifies the intensity of either or both the excitation or emission spectra of the phosphor. Devices constructed in this manner serve as stable references for fluorescent measurements. Sets of such device is made with filters having different transmittance amplitudes, can characterize fluorescent measurement response over several orders of magnitude. In one of numerous alternative structure, the fluorescent layer can be formed on one substrate, the filter formed on a second substrate and the two substrates joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory
    Inventors: Nancy L. S. Yamasaki, Glenn K. Yamamoto, Lindsey Brown, Michael W. Shinkle, Blain J. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 6238766
    Abstract: A tough, high-strength geomembrane made from a custom blend of polyethylene copolymers, for protecting waterproofing courses from impact and pressure damage of debris resting against the waterproof course. A slip sheet configuration reduces surfaces stress due to earth movement and subsurface cracking thereby maintaining the protective course intact without any effect on the waterproofing layers. The geomembrane is available as lightweight rolls which can be easily be handled by one man. The film is installed horizontally in continuous sheets with few adhesive joints. Installation begins by applying a thick brush coat of the selected waterproofing membrane material (usually a rubber coat but may be any waterpoofing material). The film is unrolled along the wall, held up into position and secured using plastic self-sealing plugs and/or plastic termination bars. Concrete nails are used to attach the self-sealing plugs or termination bar to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Socopac, Co.
    Inventors: Peter J. Massett, Paul J. Blasdel
  • Patent number: 6224706
    Abstract: Structurally strong articles are formed from inherently weak materials, such as expanded polystyrene, coated with one or more layers of a thermoplastic sheet material, such as amorphous polyethylene terephthalate. The inherently weak interior members are either fluid permeable or perforated. These members are sandwiched or encapsulated by heat deformable outer layers. The articles are made by applying a fluid pressure between the stack of interior members and the thermoplastic sheet, with the thermoplastic sheet heated to conform to the interior members. The fluid pressure is maintained until the thermoplastic sheet is cooled so that tension extending in all directions is produced in the sheet. The resulting articles are useful as building elements, signs, motor vehicle panels, pallets, surf boards, and sail boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Armacel Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Frank Anthony Matich
  • Patent number: 6217972
    Abstract: A flexible sheet used in manufacture of microelectronic components is held on a frame formed from a rigid material so that the frame maintains the sheet under tension during processing and thereby stabilizes the dimensions of the sheet. The frame may be formed from a rigid, light-transmissive material such as a glass, and the bond between the frame and sheet may be made or released by light transmitted through the frame. Preferred features of the framed sheet minimize entrapment of processing liquids such as etch solutions, thereby minimizing carryover of processing solutions between steps. The frame may have contact openings which permit engagement of a metallic layer on the sheet by an electrode carrying electroplating or etching current without disturbing the main portion of the sheet where features are to be formed or treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Masud Beroz, Thomas H. DiStefano, Matthew T. Hendrickson, David Light, John W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6217995
    Abstract: The essence of the present invention lies in an optical sheet made of transparent resin having a visible light transmittance of not less than 80%, a glass transition temperature of not lower than 150° C. and a thickness of from 0.2 to 1.5 mm, which exhibits a birefringence index of not higher than 15 nm, a surface roughness Ra of not more than 0.1 &mgr;m and an impact strength of not less than 600 gf·cm as calculated in terms of dropping ball breakdown energy determined by Du Pont process impact resistance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Keishin Handa
  • Patent number: 6210815
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic thin film EL device which has: a transparent insulative substrate and a sealing cap which are bonded together by an ultraviolet-activated adhesive; wherein the ultraviolet-activated adhesive is composed of a combination of adhesives with different hardening conditions to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuma Ooishi
  • Patent number: 6191057
    Abstract: An insulation product includes an elongated batt of fibrous insulation material, and a facing adhered to a major surface of the batt, wherein the facing is a coextruded polymer film of barrier and bonding layers, with the bonding layer having a softening point lower than the softening point of the barrier layer, with the bonding layer being one or more materials of the group consisting of ethylene N-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylate and ethylene ethyl acrylate, and wherein the facing has been heated to a temperature above the softening point of the bonding layer, but below the softening point of the barrier layer, whereby the facing is adhered to the batt by the attachment of the bonding layer to the fibers in the batt due to the softening of the bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bharat D. Patel, Weigang Qi, Dallas L. Dudgeon, Matthew C. Brokaw, Larry J. Grant, Russell M. Potter
  • Patent number: 6187404
    Abstract: Holding device, comprising a one-part hook body and a one-part baseplate, the baseplate for the bond with an adhesive strip which releases on pulling being designed such that a grip tab of the adhesive strip protrudes beyond the baseplate, the hook body being designed such that it covers over the baseplate and also the grip tab protruding beyond the latter, characterized in that a) on the baseplate there are integrally formed at least four extensions, which b) respectively lie opposite one another in pairs and which c) protrude laterally beyond the baseplate, and in that in the hook body there are formed guides in which the extensions of the baseplate are guided such that a) the hook body is released by a movement parallel to the baseplate from the basic position, in which the hook body is anchored on the baseplate and thereby covers over the baseplate and the grip tab of the adhesive strip, and during this release lifts itself off the underlying surface, at least on one side, so that b) access to the g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventor: Jörn Schumann
  • Patent number: 6177173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vibration damped laminate articles having improved force (torque and/or pressure and/or stress) retention and decreased or eliminated spring back. An area defining a through hole and/or the periphery of the article is welded. Methods of making the articles and fastening assemblies including the articles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: A. Dwayne Nelson
  • Patent number: 6153311
    Abstract: A soft sculpted article includes a first substantially flat surface and a soft sculpted face affixed to the first substantially flat surface. The face includes at least a muzzle portion extending outwardly of the first substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradley W. Springer, Ruth M. Donikowski, Anne L. Thurlow
  • Patent number: 6146732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of a semirigid material which softens when heated. The thermal packs also comprise a plurality of individual heat cells, which typically comprise an exothermic composition, spaced apart and fixed throughout the unified structure. The material of the continuous layer or layers provide sufficient rigidity to maintain structural support of the heat cells, to prevent unacceptable stretching of structures of the continuous layer or layers during processing or use of the thermal packs, and to deter easy access to heat cell contents, while also providing good overall drape characteristics when heated. The thermal packs, when incorporated into body wraps, pads, and the like, provide efficient and effective heat coverage by having excellent conformity with various body forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Leane Kristine Davis, Ronald Dean Cramer, William Robert Ouellette, Dawn Michele Kimble
  • Patent number: 6139935
    Abstract: An oxygen-absorbing label consisting of a base sheet, adhesive on the base sheet for securing the base sheet to an internal surface of a container, an oxygen-absorbing composition on the base sheet, and a cover sheet secured to the base sheet to confine the oxygen-absorbing composition therebetween, the cover sheet being fabricated of material which will permit oxygen to pass therethrough but will not stain due to the oxidation of the oxygen-absorbing composition or due to contact with materials in the container. A plurality of the foregoing labels are mounted on a web to be used with conventional labeling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Cullen, Ronald C. Idol, Thomas H. Powers
  • Patent number: 6139944
    Abstract: An electronic device 1 includes an electronic element 3 having an outer sheath 5 covering at least substantially the entire outer surface of the electronic element. The outer sheath 5 has three layers: a first thermoplastic layer 5a formed on at least substantially the entire outer surface of the electronic element; a thermoplastic resin layer 5a formed on at least substantially the entire outer surface of the first thermosetting layer 5a, and a second thermoplastic resin layer 5b formed on at least substantially the entire outer surface of the thermoplastic layer. The outer sheath is formed by placing an uncured thermosetting resin on the outer surface of the electronic element to form the first thermosetting resin layer placing an uncured thermosetting resin on the outer surface of the first thermosetting resin layer to form the thermoplastic layer and placing an uncured thermosetting resin layer on the thermoplastic layer to form the second thermosetting resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Moriyasu, Toshiya Oshima, Kunisaburo Tomono
  • Patent number: 6136427
    Abstract: A glass panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a glass panel and a membrane mounted to one side of the glass panel. The glass panel assembly also includes an adhesive disposed between the membrane and the glass panel, whereby the membrane is ruptured to allow the adhesive to secure the glass panel directly to vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Premakaran T. Boaz
  • Patent number: 6132836
    Abstract: A door has an outer skin and an inner skin with a frame along the edges of the outer skin and inner skin to hold the door skins apart to form a hollow space therebetween. A rigid space core filler or spacer is used in the hollow portion to provide structural support between the pair of outer skins. The spacer has a first and second elongated members each oriented perpendicular to the outer skins and a plurality of rigid cross-spacers coupled to an extending between the first elongated member and the second elongated member. The rigid space cores are formed by gluing strips of flexible material between layers of rigid materials so that the rigid materials are held together and separated the length of the flexible material to form a first assembly. The first assembly formed is cut across the layers of material and through the rigid layers. An adhesive is applied to the top edges of this assembly and is placed between a pair of rigid layers to form a second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Edward G. Quinif
  • Patent number: 6132835
    Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Jason L. Edgar, Andrew J. Callinan, Dean A. Ersfeld, Worku A. Mindaye, Andrew J. Mahler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6120871
    Abstract: A loading dock bumper comprising:(a) a first rigid part for fastening to said dock(b) a second rigid part engaged with said first rigid part by at least one connecting device, said second rigid part being moveable with respect to said first rigid part between a first and a second position, and said first and said second rigid parts when engaged defining a substantially enclosed hollow therebetween; and(c) a compressible resilient material dispersed between said first and second rigid parts within the hollow therebetween,wherein said second part is moveable with respect to the first part between the first position wherein the resilient material is not compressed and the second position wherein said resilient material is compressed, wherein any load applied to said bumper moves the second part towards the second position and compresses the resilient material to provide dampening of the load applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Frommelt Industries of Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph De Biase
  • Patent number: 6117520
    Abstract: A honeycomb block comprises three sections of honeycomb elements characterized in that the cell size of each honeycomb element section decreases from a large size in one section to a smaller size in the neighboring sections and an even smaller size in the third section. The honeycomb block may be fabricated from strips of cardboard which are glued together to form the honeycomb cell structure. The honeycomb block may be used as an impact force absorbing element in a door of a vehicle where the cell size in each honeycomb element section decreases from a large size in one section to a smaller size in the neighboring section and the smallest sized cells is facing inward with respect to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Henk Wielinga, Piet Klomp
  • Patent number: 6114002
    Abstract: Hygienic mat which can be used standing steadily on it to wipe the feet after a shower or a bath and which at the same time can be folded, as well as being light and portable. Its characteristic is to comprise a first and a second pad (2a, 2b) hinged on adjacent borders (3) in a folding relationship between an open flat position and a closed book-like position. Each pad (2a, 2b) preferably engages with a flat stiff support (4a, 4b) in a recesses (5a, 5b) defined by a boundary rim (6) raised from a stiff bottom (4). Preferably, the pads (2a, 2b) have a permeable spongy towel-like absorbing cloth (9) attached to a resilient base sheet (10) and are hinged by means of either a a flexible strip (7) or a plurality of joints (8). Gripping means (13) fixed to the boundary of said pads or supports are advantageously provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: Roberto Risaliti, Patrizio Innocenti
    Inventor: Burgassi Rinaldo
  • Patent number: 6110559
    Abstract: New plastic articles are disclosed and claimed having flame retardant properties which contain a core of a plastic polymeric material (thermoplastic, thermoset, rigid foam or semi-flexible foam polymeric material) which is coated with a protective, flame retardant layer comprising a mixture of a thermoplastic polymeric material and a flame retardant, char-forming, intumescent system. The new articles are suitable for the manufacture of e.g. rods, beams, pipes, hoses, non-tubular profiles and panels which are useful in various industries such as the building, automotive and mining industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Solutia Inc.
    Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois De Keyser
  • Patent number: 6099931
    Abstract: In order to provide an insulation system for internal thermal insulation of a pressure chamber which can be subjected to pressure by a gas flow, the system being constructed for arrangement at an inner surface of an outer jacket of the pressure chamber and comprising at least one layer of insulating material, whereby good thermal insulation can be obtained with little maintenance work, it is proposed that the insulation system should comprise means for equalizing pressure between the insulating material and an internal chamber, which means are arranged over a large area relative to a surface of a layer of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Heller, Reiner Buck
  • Patent number: 6080462
    Abstract: A process for making fire-resistant gel pads comprising: (a) providing a fire-resistant liquid polyol ester; (b) providing a gellant; (c) mixing components (a) and (b) to form a fire-resistant gel; (d) providing a flexible, elastic casing; and (e) encasing the fire-resistant gel in the flexible, elastic casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald Gordan