Material Designed To Be Responsive To Temperature, Light, Moisture, Etc. Patents (Class 428/913)
  • Patent number: 7252869
    Abstract: A microstructured antireflective texture is disclosed comprised of an engineered array of protuberances arranged on a non-periodic lattice. The average distance between said protuberances is in the subwavelength regime of the waveband for which the antireflective effect is desired. The non-periodic arrangement of protuberances acts to suppress blue-green backscattered light that is commonly seen diffracting from antireflective textures that use strictly periodic lattice arrangements. Embodiments of the invention include the randomized square pattern, and the quasicrystal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Tanwin Chang
  • Patent number: 7244479
    Abstract: The inventions relates to a composition adapted for use as a sealing strip in the manufacture of insulating structures. The composition includes an adhesion promoter compound of at least two components, a polymeric base material(s), and a cross linking agent(s). The invention further relates to an insulating structure including first and second panes with the sealing strip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Seal-OPS, LLC
    Inventor: Melvin Auerbach
  • Patent number: 7244496
    Abstract: A tamper evident packaging material is described. The material is formed from a substrate having a weak skin layer and at least one additional layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the weak skin layer. An electron beam cured coating having a non-migratory slip agent is disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite the weak skin layer. The weak skin layer has a lower Z tear strength than the affinity that the pressure sensitive adhesive has for itself and for the weak skin layer, such that at least part of the weak skin layer separates from the at least one additional layer when the pressure sensitive adhesive is sealed against the weak skin layer of a second substrate and the two substrates are subsequently pulled apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott W. Huffer
  • Patent number: 7238424
    Abstract: The light transmitted and reflected by all-dielectric optically variable pigments varies according to viewing angle. The color travel of an all-dielectric optically variable pigment depends on amplitude changes and wavelength shifts in reflectance peaks of the pigment. The width and center wavelength of reflectance peaks can be controlled by selecting the ratio of thicknesses between high-index and low-index layers in a thin film stack. Reflectance peaks can regenerate or become suppressed and shift with tilt angle, thus providing a wide variety of color trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Raksha, Paul T. Kohlmann, Richard A. Bradley, Charles K. Carniglia, Alberto Argoitia, Roger W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7223515
    Abstract: Substrate films, thermal mass transfer donor elements, and methods of making and using the same are provided. In some embodiments, such substrate films and donor elements include at least two dyads, wherein each dyad includes an absorbing first layer and an essentially non-absorbing second layer. Also provided are methods of making a donor element that includes an essentially non-absorbing substrate, an absorbing first layer, and a non-absorbing second layer, wherein the composition of the essentially non-absorbing substrate is essentially the same as the composition of the essentially non-absorbing second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., Stephen A. Johnson, John P. Baetzold, Richard J. Thompson, Terence D. Neavin, Michael A. Haase, Sergey A. Lamansky
  • Patent number: 7208208
    Abstract: A floor mat includes a rectangular base section that has oppositely spaced edge portions and a planar top surface provided with surface indicia. The base section is formed from durable material to withstand inclement weather conditions. The floor mat further includes a plurality of thermochromic dyes for selectively displaying at least one footprint on the top surface such that the footprint automatically appears and disappears when a temperature of the top surface falls below and above a threshold temperature. A hand-operable actuator is included that has a cavity for holding a selected quantity of fluid therein. The actuator is slidably engageable with the top surface such that the top surface temperature can be regulated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Tim A. Lane, Jill Munro
  • Patent number: 7198836
    Abstract: An apertured vacuum formed film for use as a topsheet in an absorbent article has raised lands in a stroking direction to impart a silky tactile impression. The stroking direction lands are raised between 15 ? and 145 ? relative to the transverse lands. The stroking direction lands may also include a microtexture to enhance the silky tactile impression. Also, the apertures may form boat shape cells to enhance the silky tactile impression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7176151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminate comprising a first web of fibers and a first film that together form a first ply and a second web of fibers and a second film that together form a second ply, wherein an adhesive layer is disposed between the plies and serves as a grease barrier. A laminate according to the invention serves as a grease barrier without the need for fluorochemical treatment. The invention also relates to a method of making a laminate comprising forming a first ply and a second ply and applying an adhesive layer between the plies. The invention also relates to an article comprising a laminate and a charge of oil and popcorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Trochlil, John E. Katchko
  • Patent number: 7168365
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medium in sheet form that can be used for the sublimation transfer of an ink onto an imprintable medium; the medium in sheet form comprises at least one supporting layer, at least one adhesive coating and a plurality of granular or elongated elements designed to be applied to the adhesive coating; the method comprising the steps of preparing the granular or elongated elements so as to render them sensitive to the action of an electromagnetic field and applying the granular or elongated elements to the adhesive coating with the interposition of the electromagnetic field having lines of force f that are substantially perpendicular to the supporting layer, so as to arrange a monolayer of granular or elongated elements according to a predefined distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Paradigma S.R.L.
    Inventor: Tito Trevisan
  • Patent number: 7169615
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of authenticating that a test polymer is an authenticatable polymer, wherein the authenticatable polymer has an authentication signal and comprises a substrate polymer and an optically variable tag, the optically variable tag having a fluorescence emission whose wavelength and/or intensity change over time, the method comprising subjecting the test polymer to a stimulus sufficient to cause fluorescence of the optically variable tag, determining a test signal from the fluorescence of the test polymer, and authenticating that the test polymer is an authenticatable polymer if the test signal is the same as the authentication signal of the authenticatable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vandita Pai-Paranjape, Radislav Potyrailo, Philippe Schottland
  • Patent number: 7163749
    Abstract: A single hybrid organic-inorganic film. The film includes both an organic component, and an inorganic component. The organic component and inorganic component are well interspersed within the film. The film may be incorporated into a multilayer structure including a substrate. A method of forming a hybrid organic-inorganic film. The method includes generating a plasma stream with an expanding thermal plasma generator. The method also includes providing a first reactant and at least one second reactant into the plasma stream extending to a substrate, and forming the hybrid organic-inorganic film on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Iacovangelo, Thomas Miebach, Michael William Mercedes
  • Patent number: 7157134
    Abstract: The invention concerns a layered structure comprising at least two material layers. The layered structure is formed of a conductive polymer on a substrate material layer to allow a reaction in the conductive polymer material when the layered structure is exposed to the surrounding conditions. The invention also concerns a method for producing layered structure. In the method the conductive polymer material is applied on the substrate material by printing or spraying or stamping or casting or spin coating or by using photolithographic or laser ablation method or a combination of these. The invention further concerns a sensor comprising an electric device short circuited by the conductive polymer of the layered structure. In the sensor a change in the conductive polymer initiates a change in the function of the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Corporation
    Inventors: Tapio Makela, Salme Jussila, Mikko Pietila, Raimo Korhonen
  • Patent number: 7151217
    Abstract: An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device optimized to enhance desired characteristics such as external quantum efficiency is described. The photosensitive optoelectronic device has at least two transparent electrodes and one or more organic photoconductive layers disposed between the transparent electrodes. In other embodiments photosensitive optoelectronic devices with multilayer photoconductive structures and photosensitive optoelectronic devices with a reflective layer are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Vladimir Bulovic
  • Patent number: 7147911
    Abstract: The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as a foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabrics complete the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: SolidaWater Holdings
    Inventor: Baychar
  • Patent number: 7135424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated article having enhanced reversible thermal properties. The coated article comprises a substrate having a surface and a coating covering a portion of the surface and comprising a polymeric material and a temperature regulating material dispersed in the polymeric material. The coating is formed with a plurality of regions of discontinuity that are separated from one another and expose a remaining portion of the surface to provide improved flexibility, softness, air permeability, or water vapor transport properties. The coated article may be used in apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, building materials, appliances, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Outlast Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brice Worley, Mark Henry Hartmann, Alan John Lekan, Monte Christopher Magill, Michael Alan Henshaw, Robert John Pushaw
  • Patent number: 7132149
    Abstract: A data storage medium includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith M. Borst, Robert R. Gallucci, Charles D. Iacovangelo, Donald G. LeGrand
  • Patent number: 7128959
    Abstract: A reflective article useful, for example, in automotive headlights includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The article resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith M. Borst, Robert R. Gallucci, Charles D. Iacovangelo, Donald G. LeGrand
  • Patent number: 7125816
    Abstract: The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as a foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabrics complete the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Solid Water Holdings
    Inventor: Baychar
  • Patent number: 7122248
    Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Y-T. Tam, Alfred Siggel, Samir Z. Abdalla, Jiunn-Yow Chen, Thomas Potrawa, Huy X. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7122237
    Abstract: A honeycomb filter includes a honeycomb-shaped filter base having a plurality of through holes and a sealing member fixed on end surfaces of the filter base in which the through holes are open. The through holes of the filter base are clogged with the sealing member in a checker flag form on each end surface so as to clog the through holes differently from the through holes sealed on the opposite end surface. The sealing member is a sheet-shaped fired body with a thickness of 3 mm or less, and a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion at temperatures of 40 to 800° C. between said sealing member and said filter base is 0.5×10?6/° C. or less. This honeycomb filter has high filtration efficiency, and very high thermal shock resistance and has high bonding strength between the sealing member and the filter base and a low pressure loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hamanaka, Yasushi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7115321
    Abstract: An absorbent binder coating including monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units, polyacrylate ester units that include an alkoxysilane functionality, and polyolefin glycol units and/or polyolefin oxide units, can be applied to various substrates. For example, the coating can be self-applied to an article of clothing or to a person's skin to provide absorbency. Alternatively, the coating can provide moisture absorbency, as well as adhesive properties, when incorporated into various articles including medical devices, wound dressings, laminates, absorbent garments, packaging materials, and horticultural products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Allen Soerens, Julie Anne Draves, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Jason Matthew Laumer, Shannon Kathleen Melius, Debra Jean McDowall, Rob D. Everett, Henry L. Griesbach, III, Brenda Marie Nelson
  • Patent number: 7112362
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, thin bodies of plastic, such as sheets or strands, with substantially different thermal coefficients of expansion are laminated together to make plastic bodies which move in response to heat. The movable plastic bodies can be secured to a suitable base to make a variety of devices for amusement, temperature monitoring and display. Applications for amusement include a thermally blooming flower, a solar activated butterfly, and curling hair for a doll. Applications for temperature monitoring include safety lids for drinking cups, sunlight blockers and ventilators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Greg E. Blonder
  • Patent number: 7112359
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a multilayer optical articles. A method comprises forming a first multilayer article with a first substrate and a second substrate with a first adherent disposed between the first and second substrate. A first surface of a third substrate is then grasped with a first holder and a second adherent is then disposed on one or more surfaces selected from a second surface of the third substrate and a surface of the first multilayer article while the multilayer article is grasped by a second holder. The second adherent is then at least partially cured while the first and second holders maintain their grasp and while the inner surfaces of the first and second holders are in the selected angular relationship to form a second multilayer article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: InPhase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Dhar, Mark David Michaels
  • Patent number: 7108906
    Abstract: An insulating label stock or sleeve formed from such label stock includes a thermal insulating layer, which may a fiberfill batt. The batt is laminated to at least one layer of heat shrinkable material, such as a film. The insulated packaging material may be coated with a coating material to enhance printing capabilities. The insulating label stock or sleeve is installed around a container, and after being activated by heating, conforms to the contours of the container. The insulating label stock retains its hot and cold insulative properties after being heat-shrunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Benim, Susan G. Chamberlin, Jeffrey A. Chambers, Steven R. Cosentino, Peter R. Hunderup, Ross A. Lee, Susan D. Procaccini
  • Patent number: 7094364
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for authenticating that a test polymer is an authenticatable polymer is disclosed wherein the authenticatable polymer comprises a substrate polymer and a thermochromic compound, the thermochromic compound having a first signal at a first temperature and at an authenticating wavelength, and a second signal at an authenticating temperature and the authenticating wavelength, the first and second signals being different, and the authenticating temperature being greater than the first temperature, the method comprising subjecting the test polymer to a stimulus sufficient to raise a portion of the test polymer to the authenticating temperature to create a heated portion, determining a test signal of the heated portion of the test polymer at the authenticating wavelength, and authenticating that the test polymer is an authenticatable polymer if the test signal is the same as an authenticating signal of the authenticatable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Potyrailo, Philippe Schottland
  • Patent number: 7087669
    Abstract: Absorbents comprising an water-absorbable resin and water-insoluble nonporous spherical monoparticles having an average diameter of 1 to 50 nm; a process for producing these absorbent by mixing the spherical monoparticles, which have been solubilized in water, with dry powdery particles of the water-absorbable resin; absorbable constructs composed of the above absorbent with a matrix wherein the amount of the absorbent ranges from 30 to 95% by weight based on the absorbable construct; and absorbable articles provided with the absorbable construct, a liquid-permeable sheet and an air-permeable back sheet. These absorbents, absorbable constructs and absorbable articles are excellent in the diffusion/absorption speed and absorption amount of a liquid within the resin even in case of absorbing a liquid containing water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble matters such as menstrual blood or feces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ota, Yoshiyuki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7074288
    Abstract: A shrink wrap material for protecting articles includes at least one non-woven fabric and a woven scrim defining apertures. A sufficient portion of the fibers from the non-woven fabric being forced into the apertures of the scrim such that the scrim reinforces and supports the non-woven fabric, thus increasing their strength. A shrinkable, stretchable film is intermittently bonded to at least one non-woven fabric. The material is used by placing the material around the article to be protected and then shrinking the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Transhield Technologies, AS
    Inventor: Gregory L. Todt
  • Patent number: 7074477
    Abstract: A transfer label comprises a support layer (1), further an overprint layer (5) detachably affixed by adhesive to the support layer (1) and affixable to an object, and a protective film (3) mounted between the support layer (1) and the overprint layer (5) and detachable from the support layer (1). The protective film is substantially non-plasticizing and directly adheres to the support layer (1) but is detachable from the label substantially independently of label temperature and is a thoroughly polymerized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Zweckform Etikettiertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Ast
  • Patent number: 7070854
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Frederick J. Lang, Kelly D. Branham, Erin McBride
  • Patent number: 7071255
    Abstract: A method of forming a refractive index pattern or an optical material stable regardless of use conditions, which provides a sufficiently large change in refractive index by a simple method. The refractive index pattern or optical material is formed by exposing a refractive index changing composition which comprises (A) a decomposable compound, (B) a non-decomposable compound containing inorganic oxide particles and (C) a radiation sensitive decomposer to radiation and then treating it with (D) a stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Nishimura, Nobuo Bessho, Atsushi Kumano, Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7067198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a three-dimensional structure having a fine three-dimensional shape and a smooth surface is disclosed in which the three-dimensional structure is usable for an optical device. The process method comprises the steps of depositing a thin layer for absorption of laser light on a flat substrate; depositing a transparent layer on the thin layer for absorption of laser light; and irradiating a process laser light, passing through the transparent layer; in which pulse injection energy of the process laser light is set to be the same as or smaller than the maximum pulse injection energy capable of exposing a surface of the thin layer in front in the incident direction of the process laser light, and to be set the same as or greater than the minimum pulse injection energy capable of removing the transparent layer in rear in the incident direction of the process laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., RIKEN
    Inventors: Yasufumi Yamada, Katsumi Midorikawa, Hiroshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7067190
    Abstract: A capsule containing a rotatable element and a dielectric liquid including a lubricant dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: San-Ming Yang, Ahmed Alzamly, Naveen Chopra, Peter M. Kazmaier, Man-Chung Tam, Thomas Enright
  • Patent number: 7063924
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image device comprising a base material having a pattern of diffuse and specular metallic reflectivity and overlaying said pattern an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Cheryl J. Kaminsky, Robert P. Bourdelais
  • Patent number: 7053140
    Abstract: Thermoplastic resin compositions are described in which amine salts of anthraquinone dyes and monoazo complex dyes are added. These compositions show superior performance in laser welding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignees: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Orient Chemical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Reiko Koshida, Yoshiteru Hatase, Ryuichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7052755
    Abstract: A bonding agent having an adhesive and a curing agent is formed on a bonding surface of a dial member. A transfer sheet is attached to a convex side of the dial members, and a release sheet is attached to its bonding agent side to form a dial label. When this dial label is attached to a dial base, the release sheet is peeled off and the dial label is attached to the dial base. The transfer sheet is peeled off together with the excess of the bonding agent, and then the bonding agent is cured by a curing agent. Since the bonding agent in the peripheral portions of the dial members is cured while bonding force is maintained, there is no adherence of fine particles of foreign matter, and a satisfactory appearance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Co.
    Inventors: Shigemi Sasaki, Yoshimitsu Misawa
  • Patent number: 7049251
    Abstract: This invention provides facing materials for cementitious boards such as those including Portland cement or gypsum cores. The preferred facing material includes, in a first embodiment, a facing layer having an areal weight of about 300 grams/M2, and an air permeability rating of no greater than about 300 CFM/ft2 (FG 436-910 test method). The facing layer reduces the penetration of a slurry of cementitious material during the manufacture of a cementitious board, while permitting the water vapor from the slurry to pass therethrough. The facing materials of this invention can be designed to substantially eliminate the fouling of rolls used in continuous processing of such boards without the use, or with greatly reduced use, of costly viscosity control agents in the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics Canada Ltd
    Inventor: John Frederick Porter
  • Patent number: 7041392
    Abstract: A photochromic film includes a laminated film including a composite oxide film composed of at least two elements, one of the two elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, and Sn, and the other of the two elements selected from the group consisting of Mg and Al, respectively, and a transparent conductive film, wherein the light transmission property is changed by UV irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akira Nakazawa, Tsutae Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7041372
    Abstract: A structure arrangement and method for the protection of a host system against an impacting ballistic element and for providing ease of mobility. The structure arrangement includes a composite. The composite includes a matrix and a multiplicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The single-walled carbon nanotubes are arranged with respect to the matrix so as to define an array for engagement with an impacting ballistic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rhoads, Frederick J. Herman, John O. Yanaros, Jr., David S. Henn
  • Patent number: 7037590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water vapor-permeable coating composite containing one or more flexible substrates, which are coated on one or both sides with one or more identical or different coating compositions, provided that at least one coating composition contains, as binder, a silica sol-modified aqueous polymer dispersion prepared from unsaturated monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Rische, Tillmann Hassel, Jürgen Meixner, Detlef-Ingo Schütze
  • Patent number: 7029738
    Abstract: A card label having a system for discouraging its non-authorized removal and reuse, which initiate an incontrollable combustion process that completely damage the card label and its information and included circuitry when it is attempted to remove the card label from a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignees: Dinformatica del Noroeste S.A. de C.V., Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados S.C.
    Inventors: Alfredo Aguilar Elguezabal, Luis de la Torre Sáenz, Alejandro López Ortiz, Manuel Román Aguirre, Oscar Ayala Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 7026041
    Abstract: Organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices (“OPODs”) are disclosed which include an exciton blocking layer to enhance device efficiency. Single heterostructure, stacked and wave-guide type embodiments are disclosed. Photodetector OPODs having multilayer structures and an exciton blocking layer are also disclosed. Guidelines for selection of exciton blocking layers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Vladimir Bulovic, Peter Peumans
  • Patent number: 7026046
    Abstract: An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Unaxis Balzers Ltd.
    Inventors: Johannes Edlinger, Claus Heine-Kempkens, Othmar Züger
  • Patent number: 7021846
    Abstract: A method of printing an image on a composite medium is described. A composite medium comprises a thermally sensitive image receiving layer and a protective layer. The image receiving layer is activated through the protective layer whereby to generate an image in the image receiving layer which is protected by the already present protective layer. A tape and cassette comprising the composite medium are also described, as it is a printing device for use with the composite medium, and a method of producing a printed label from the composite medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Esselte
    Inventors: Michel Woodman, Clive Lawrence Ayling, Robert Charles Lewis Day
  • Patent number: 7014895
    Abstract: An ultraviolet post cure heat transfer label for application to an item includes a carrier web, a release coat applied to the carrier web and a composition including a cationic ultraviolet curable ink applied to the release coat. The ink has a solvent in a concentration of at a least about 20 percent by weight of the ink. The ink is dried in a non-UV process to form a storable film on the carrier web. The composition is transferred to the item and the ink is cured, by application of ultraviolet energy, following transfer to the item. A method for making the label and a method for marking an item are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Grotefend, Paul Giusto, Michael B. Colella
  • Patent number: 7008890
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vapor barrier for use in the thermal insulation of buildings which can be used, in particular, for thermal insulation procedures in new buildings or in the renovation of old buildings. The vapor barrier in accordance with the invention is thereby capable of achieving water vapor exchange under different ambient conditions. This is achieved by using a material which has a water vapor diffusion resistance which is dependent on the ambient humidity and which also has adequate tensile strength and tear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Hartwig Kunzel, Theo Grosskinsky
  • Patent number: 7008690
    Abstract: An optical item comprising an organic or mineral glass substrate (1) and a transparent polymeric material layer (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one intermediate layer (2) in direct contact with one main side of the substrate and the polymeric material layer, the intermediate layer(s) being made of particles of at least one colloidal mineral oxide and optionally of a binder, such (an) intermediate layer(s) having an initial porosity, and the initial porosity of the intermediate layer(s) being filled either by material from the polymeric material layer or by the substrate material if the latter is made in an organic glass and, optionally partly by the binder when present, so that the intermediate layer(s), after initial porosity filling, each represent a quarter waveplate with a wavelength in the range from 400 to 700 nm, preferably from 450 to 650 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Pierre Caron, Jean-Paul Cano, Annette Cretier
  • Patent number: 7003920
    Abstract: A transparent glazing unit having at least one viewing area, combined with an antifrosting adsorbent layer deposited on at least one surface of the said area, and its use in a door of a refrigerated enclosure and more particularly a glazed door, the glazed area of which essentially consists of a vacuum glazing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Rino Messere, Anne-Sophie Hebert, Jean-Michel Florentin
  • Patent number: 6995209
    Abstract: A thermally reversible water in oil in water (W/O/W) emulsion including a thermally reversible viscosifying polymer in the continuous aqueous phase of the emulsion. The thermally reversible viscosifying polymer of the W/O/W emulsion includes a block copolymer having at least a first polyoxyalkylene block having a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region effective to form micelles in solution in response to a change in temperature, and at least a second block comprising a poly(vinylcarboxylic acid).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Madash LLC
    Inventors: Laetitia Olivieri, Eyal S. Ron
  • Patent number: RE38979
    Abstract: An optical information recording medium is here disclosed which comprises a transparent substrate, a recording layer comprising an organic dyestuff on which information can be written by a laser beam, a reflective layer and a protective layer formed in this order on the substrate, the aforesaid optical information recording medium being characterized by containing a pit-edge control agent for the formation of recording pits, particularly a dyestuff thermal decomposition accelerator in the recording layer. By the addition of the pit-edge control agent, deviation properties and jitter properties can be remarkably improved, whereby a CD-R medium having a low error rate and good recording properties can be provided. In consequence, stable compatibility with a commercial CD player can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Koike, Hideki Umehara, Yuji Inatomi, Takeshi Tsuda, Sumio Hirose
  • Patent number: RE39555
    Abstract: An impressed emblem is disclosed which includes a cover sheet which is used together with heat and pressure to impress a desired pattern on an emblem. The emblem can also be impressed with a pattern and simultaneously heat-sealed onto a desired substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Stahls' Inc.
    Inventor: Brett A. Stahl