Material Designed To Be Responsive To Temperature, Light, Moisture, Etc. Patents (Class 428/913)
  • Patent number: 6706358
    Abstract: A data storage disk may include depressions or raised features, which may be filled and/or polished with various materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Terry McDaniel, John H. Jerman, Karl A. Belser
  • Patent number: 6706355
    Abstract: There is provided an adhesive article including (a) a radiation curable adhesive layer comprising an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive and, optionally, an acrylated urethane polymer; and (b) a transparent carrier layer. The adhesive article may contain a radiation curable epoxy layer between the radiation curable adhesive layer and the transparent carrier layer. This adhesive article is particularly useful in preparing protective coatings on color filters for use in a liquid-crystal display panel structure. The radiation curable epoxy layer and radiation curable pressure sensitive adhesive are applied to the color filter and then exposed to UV radiation. The UV radiation exposure transforms the pressure sensitive adhesive from a removable adhesive to a permanent adhesive. The color filter with the UV cured adhesive layer is then baked to fully cure the adhesive layer and to transform the adhesive further into a near structural adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Holguin, Eng-Pi Chang
  • Patent number: 6706847
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described, based on a copolycarbonate which includes at least two structural units. Structure I is usually a conventional carbonate based on bisphenol A, while structure II is a bisphenol carbonate which includes branched or linear groups extending from a bridging carbon atom or carbon group which connects two aromatic rings. The compositions exhibit very good melt flow, along with enhanced shear-thinning behavior. These characteristics are important for optical disc applications. Thus, related articles are described, along with processes for preparing such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary Charles Davis, Rein Mollerus Faber, Jan-Pleun Lens, Kathryn Lynn Longley, Marc Brian Wisnudel
  • Patent number: 6706353
    Abstract: An image-forming substrate has a sheet of paper, and a layer of microcapsules coated over the paper sheet. The microcapsule layer contains at least one type of microcapsules filled with a liquid dye, and a shell wall of each of the microcapsules is composed of resin that exhibits a temperature/pressure characteristic such that, when each of the microcapsules is squashed under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, the liquid dye seeps from the squashed microcapsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6706354
    Abstract: There are provided a volume hologram laminate and a label for the preparation of a volume hologram laminate which, when kept in the pressed state, for example, during storage, is less likely to cause spotty hologram defects in the volume hologram layer. The volume hologram laminate comprises a substrate 2 and, stacked on the substrate 2 in the following order, a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 3, a volume hologram layer 5, a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, and a surface protective film 6, the volume hologram layer being such that a hologram has been recorded on a recording material comprising a matrix polymer and a photopolymerizable compound, the volume hologram layer having a glass transition point of 30 to 70° C. and a dynamic storage modulus of 5×105 Pa to 5×107 Pa as measured at a measuring frequency of 6.28 rad/sec and a temperature of 50° C., the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a dynamic storage modulus of not less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Otaki, Kenji Ueda
  • Patent number: 6703130
    Abstract: A substrate coated with a transparent conductive film is manufactured by: disposing a substrate 3 and a target 5 constituted of alloy of In and Sn in a film deposition chamber 1; leading an Ar gas ion beam into the film deposition chamber 1, to cause collision of the ion beam with the target 5, sputtering-emission of constitutive atoms of the target 5, and supply of the emitted atoms to the substrate 3; and leading oxide gas including oxygen radicals as a main element thereof from an ECR radical source 6 into the film deposition chamber 1, to deposit an ITO film 9 on the substrate 3. In this manufacturing method, a film is deposited on a film or substrate including an organic material without damaging the organic material. The deposited film has low resistivity, high transmission and preferable flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Ogura, Tatsuro Usuki
  • Patent number: 6698797
    Abstract: A pocket size booklet for keeping statical records of a particular person from birth and for keeping records of an adult person. Non-tearing waterproof pages made from a synthetic material are used, and the data is printed, or data is written, on the pages with an indelible ink. The pages include a water mark on each page. Pages may include medical history, physical conditions, surgeries, medications, and vaccination records of a person or child. Pages may be provide on which to place the footprints and fingerprints of a new born child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Medical Documents, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Lackey, James R. Jinright, Kenneth R. Burton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6699559
    Abstract: An inorganic particulate, having strong absorption in the thermal infrared region of the radiative spectrum and low absorption in the solar or visible portion of the radiative spectrum, is combined with a plastic resin, to create a composite material. This composite is used in whole or in part to manufacture a honeycomb transparent insulation material, or is applied as a coating to a honeycomb transparent insulation material. The resulting honeycomb transparent insulation can have similar visible or solar light transmittance, and will have improved thermal radiant suppression relative to an identical honeycomb made of plastic resin only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Glazings Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas I. Milburn
  • Patent number: 6696150
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive adhesive material having a substrate and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer which is provided on the substrate and which contains a thermoplastic resin and a solid plasticizer having a molecular weight of 250 to 550 and a melting point of 95 to 160° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ikeda, Tomoyuki Kugo
  • Patent number: 6696126
    Abstract: Many embodiments of the present invention are imbued with both sight-facilitative and touch-facilitative characteristics. The invention's unitary resinous matrix configuration encompasses, in the form of small discrete bodies, three genres (luminescent, reflective, retroreflective) of visually enhancing material along with tactilely enhancing material. The retroreflective and abrasive bodies partially project at a light-exposable surface of the resinous matrix material; the luminescent and reflective (diffuse and/or specular) bodies lie beneath the light-exposable surface. The luminescent, reflective and retroreflective bodies are complementarily and cumulatively effective; in particular, they versatilely afford increased visibility at practically all angular lines of sight as well as under practically all deficient illuminative conditions. The abrasive bodies afford vehicular skid prevention, surefootedness and the capability to manually and/or pedally “feel one's way” to safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eugene C. Fischer, Dale A. Sowell, John P. Wehrle, Albert G. Holder
  • Patent number: 6692030
    Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a substrate and a nano-pattern of nano-structures disposed on the substrate, wherein the nano-pattern is configured for forming a latent message (e.g., a warning or alert message) that appears on a copy of the document. The nano-pattern forms one of a foreground and a background of the latent message; and another pattern, e.g., a conventional pattern or another nano-pattern, forms the other of the foreground and background of the latent message. The nano-pattern and the other pattern are configured, such that the foreground and background exhibit substantially similar visual densities on an original of the document, and exhibit substantially different visual densities on the copied document. This can be accomplished by forming the nano-pattern with nano-structures (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Verify First Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George K. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6692820
    Abstract: Organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices (“OPODs”) which include an exciton blocking layer to enhance device efficiency. Single heterostructure, stacked and wave-guide type embodiments. Photodetector OPODs having multilayer structures and an exciton blocking layer. Guidelines for selection of exciton blocking layers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Vladimir Bulovic, Peter Peumans
  • Publication number: 20040028942
    Abstract: A donor element adapted for use in making an OLED device, includes a donor support substrate; a light-absorbing layer disposed over the substrate which, in response to light, produces heat; an emissive layer disposed over the light-absorbing layer; and a hole-transporting layer disposed over the emissive layer such that when the donor element is positioned in a transfer relationship with the OLED device and when light is absorbed by the light-absorbing layer, heat is produced that causes the vaporization transfer across a gap, of hole-transporting materials and emissive materials to the OLED device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Myron W. Culver, Lee W. Tutt, Mitchell S. Burberry, Ching W. Tang
  • Patent number: 6686017
    Abstract: An optical recording film includes a chemisorptive thin film with orienting properties fixed directly or through a primer layer to a substrate surface, and a coating formed on a surface of the chemisorptive thin film. The coating has an initial molecule orientation attained by aligning a group of polymerizable molecules in a predetermined direction on the surface of the chemisorptive thin film, and polymerizing the polymerizable molecules to one another. Regions with changed initial molecule orientation and regions with unchanged initial molecule orientation of the coating are formed when selectively irradiating the coating with light that changes the initial molecule orientation, thus making optical information recording possible. It is also possible to introduce photodegrading functional groups into the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazufumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6686002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition adapted for use as a sealing strip in the manufacture of insulating structures. The composition includes a polymeric base material, a cross linking agent, an adhesion promoter and less than 10% tackifier. The invention further relates to an insulating structure including first and second panes with the sealing strip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Seal-OPS, LLC
    Inventor: Melvin Auerbach
  • Patent number: 6686048
    Abstract: A composite carbonaceous heat insulator which comprises a carbonaceous heat-insulating member having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm3, a carbonaceous protecting layer having a bulk density of 0.3 to 2.0 g/cm3 and comprising a carbon fiber structure and a thermally decomposed carbon penetrated into the structure, and a thermally decomposed carbon coating layer having a bulk density higher than that of the carbonaceous protecting layer, wherein the above carbonaceous protecting layer is jointed to at least a part of the carbonaceous heat-insulating member to form a jointed body, and the thermally decomposed carbon coating layer is formed at least on the face of carbonaceous heat-insulating member in the surface of the jointed body; and a method for manufacturing the insulator. The heat insulator is reduced with respect to the depletion, deterioration and pulverization during the use thereof, while maintaining excellent insulating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K. K.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Arimoto, Yukihiro Sibuya, Masanori Kobayashi, Shigeki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6682806
    Abstract: A film and a method of applying the film to a handrail of an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The film can be a single or double layered film. Printed matter, e.g. advertising, can be applied to or between the films. An apparatus and related method for applying the film are also included and rely on the motion of the handrail to unroll a supply of the film, with one or more rollers pressing the film onto the handrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventors: John McLeod, Ronald L. Bugg
  • Patent number: 6682792
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermoplastic elastomer films and bags made from thermoplastic elastomer films and also to methods for making thermoplastic elastomer films and bags. The thermoplastic elastomer films of the present invention are composed of thermoplastic elastomers and non-elastic polyesters. The bags of the present invention are fabricated using blended monolayer thermoplastic films that include a blend of thermoplastic elastomer and a non-elastic polyester, or co-extruded multi-layer films that include at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer and at least one layer of non-elastic polyester. The blended monolayer thermoplastic films of the present invention are useful in the food handling industry and particularly in the meat packaging industry and for use in cooking bag applications. The co-extruded films of the present invention are also useful in the food handling industry and particularly the meat packaging industry and for use in meat casing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: M & Q Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schmal, Ernest E. Bachert, John A. Menges, Robert R. Witt
  • Patent number: 6673419
    Abstract: A marking film exhibiting good ability for tracing curved surfaces when it is to be stuck to steeply curved three-dimensional portions without entrapping air bubbles at the film edges when an over-clear coating is applied thereon after it has been stuck. The marking film has a marking component to be transferred onto an article via an adhesive layer, wherein the total thickness of the marking film is in the A range of from about 50 &mgr;m to about 300 &mgr;m, and the modulus of elasticity thereof is in the range of from about 2 kgf/mm2 to about 25 kgf/mm2 as measured under a condition where the marking film is elongated at a tension speed of 300 mm/min. into an elongation percentage in the range of 0 to about 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Yutaka Mori
  • Patent number: 6673427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate, more particularly of glass and having multiple thin layers on which are successively deposited; i) a first dielectric material layer, ii) a first layer having infrared reflection properties, particularly based on metal, iii) a second dielectric material layer, iv) a second layer having infrared reflection properties, particularly based on metal, v) a third dielectric material year, characterized in that the thickness of the first layer having infrared reflection properties corresponding to about 50 to 80%, particularly 55 to 75% and preferably 60 to 70% of that of the second layer having infrared reflection properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Olivier Guiselin, Jean-Pierre Brochot, Pascal Petit
  • Patent number: 6670008
    Abstract: A tamper-evident label that includes a substrate. On the substrate is deposited more than one adhesive. Each adhesive is sensitive to a different condition. The adhesives are deposited throughout the substrate in user-definable patterns. A release layer is placed on the adhesives for ease of transport and application, but is removed prior to affixation of the tamper-evident label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Amanda G. Ognissanti, Charles F. Pribyl
  • Patent number: 6663965
    Abstract: The invention concerns thermo-reversible materials. A material according to the invention comprises a support having grafted thereon a layer of a thermo-reversible polymer that can change from a hydrophilic state to a hydrophobic state depending on the temperature. This material can be used for the decontamination of aqueous effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Olivier J. Poncelet
  • Patent number: 6660358
    Abstract: A blow-molded, luminescent, polyethylene food or beverage container or bottle which glows-in-the dark due to the presence of zinc sulfide luminescent pigment in the polyethylene resin at a level of from about 0.075 to about 1.2 percent by weight. The blow-molded, luminescent, polyethylene beverage container or bottle is designed to contain an acidic beverage. Even after prolonged storage in the container or bottle, the acidic beverage contains less than 0.25 ppm of zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Thomas K. Preston, Marshall M. Rankowitz
  • Patent number: 6660363
    Abstract: The self-cleaning surfaces of objects have an artificial surface structure of elevations and depressions wherein the distances between said elevations are in the range of from 5 to 200 &mgr;m, and the heights of said elevations are in the range of from 5 to 100 &mgr;m, and at least said elevations consist of hydrophobic polymers or permanently hydrophobized materials, and said elevations cannot be detached by water or by water containing detergents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Wilhelm Barthlott
  • Publication number: 20030224205
    Abstract: Light emitting polymers can include a plurality of arylene monomeric units and a plurality of soft segment units independently selected from soft segment end caps; soft segment side chains coupled to a portion, but not all, of the arylene monomeric units; internal soft segment monomeric units; and combinations thereof. These light emitting polymers can be used in forming electroluminescent devices or other articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yingbo Li, John P. Baetzold, Terence D. Spawn, Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen, John S. Staral
  • Publication number: 20030224155
    Abstract: A textile with dynamic, visual displays and a method for manufacturing such a textile are described. The textile is manufactured by weaving, embroidering, or otherwise integrating a series of conductive, resistive, and non-conductive fibers into the textile and printing a thermoresponsive colorant on or near the resistive fiber. The pattern and physical configuration of the materials composing the textile determine the visual properties of the textile. Electrical power is supplied to the resistive fiber(s) to change the visual properties of the textile. As the resistive fiber warms, the thermoresponsive colorant is warmed beyond a thermal threshold necessary to effect a color change in the thermoresponsive colorant, thereby creating an electronically controllable, visually dynamic textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: International Fashion Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Orth, Joanna M. Berzowska
  • Patent number: 6656566
    Abstract: Sheeting material is disclosed that contains a retroreflective layer and a layer of luminescent material on the bottom or lower surface of the retroreflective layer. The sheeting material can be formed into signage or decorative articles that are highly visible under a variety of lighting conditions. A portion of the retroreflective layer is visible through the luminescent layer or through one or more openings in the luminescent layer which are in the form of slits, perforations, alphanumeric or other patterns. The luminescent layer can be imaged using analog or digital printing processes. The sheeting material can be made from materials that are suitable for back-lit illumination. Adhesives or other conventional attachment means can be employed to anchor the signs in interior or exterior environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: C. Richard Kuykendall, David J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20030220041
    Abstract: A protective cover system (100) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover (101, 200, 600) for defining a microenvironment and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment. In one embodiment, cover 200 comprises an outer liquid-impermeable layer (204), an inner liquid-permeable layer (202), and a superabsorbent layer (206) located between the outer and inner layers. In another embodiment, cover 600 includes a water-vapor-permeable layer (602) and a porous support layer (606) for supporting the water-vapor-permeable layer. In both of these embodiments, one or more corrosion inhibitors may be incorporated into the cover in one or more of the corresponding above-mentioned layers or in a layer separate from these layers, or may be provided in a separate container that fluidly communicates the corrosion inhibitor(s) to the microenvironment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Creare, Inc.
    Inventors: Nabil A. Elkouh, Jeffrey J. Breedlove, Bruce R. Pilvelait
  • Patent number: 6647688
    Abstract: A thermoset fluorescent pigmentary vinyl is provided which is vinyl siding and trim components having luminescent characteristics. A thermoset fluorescent pigment which is charged by sunlight during the daytime hours and emits light during the nighttime hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Brenda S. Gaitan, Kevin L. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20030207638
    Abstract: Electroprocessed polymers are used to form specifically-shaped shoes, clothing or other related garments. A mandrel having a preselected shape is used as the target in the electroprocessing step. The resulting product has a polymer matrix of exactly the shape of the mandrel. In practice, a person's foot or other body part is used to create the predetermined shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Gary L. Bowlin, David G. Simpson, Gary Wnek
  • Publication number: 20030203181
    Abstract: A thermal interface material for conducting thermal energy between a first surface and a second surface is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal interface material includes a non-metallic support layer and a phase change material coated on the support layer. At a transition temperature of the phase change material, the phase change material is caused to flow into gaps present between the support layer and the first and second surfaces. In addition, phase change compound (PCC) materials may be formulated to solid phase transition over a desired temperature range, such that in a the solid phase transition mode, a structured cell/laminate may be employed as a thermal energy storage unit which can provide thermal load-damping capabilities due to its latent heat effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Ellsworth, Mark A. Marnell, Egidio Marotta, Steven J. Mazzuca, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6638635
    Abstract: An IC-mounted card substrate comprising a first sheet member having at least a first support, a second sheet member having at least a second support and an electronic part fixing layer having therein an IC-module and provided between the first sheet member and the second sheet member, wherein the second sheet member has a cushion layer comprising an actinic ray-cured resin on the second support, and a displacement value of needle penetration of the cushion layer obtained by a thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA) apparatus is not more than 30% at temperature of 100° C. and not less than 30% at a temperature of 150° C. based on the thickness of the cushion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Hattori, Nobuyuki Ishii, Shigehiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6638606
    Abstract: A hardcoat for a plastic substrate film is provided which has good suitability for printing and satisfactory hardness, can prevent influence of the deformation of a plastic substrate film from extending to the hardcoat, and is resistant to cracking and peeling. The hardcoat is produced from a coating component containing one or more organic components having a polymerizable functional group and an inorganic filler, at least one of the organic components being free from a hydrogen bond-forming group. In the hard coat, the content of the inorganic filler in the surface of the hardcoat is higher than that in the interior of the hardcoat. The hardcoat can be applied to antireflection films and hologram labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yoshihara, Yurie Ota, Nobuko Takahashi, Noboru Kunimine, Satoshi Shioda, Mikiko Hojo
  • Publication number: 20030198799
    Abstract: A microporous film of polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity above 5 dl/g is prepared from a homogeneous solution in an evaporable solvent. The film is cooled and evaporable solvent is evaporated at a temperature below the dissolution temperature. The film is stretched to produce the micorporous film and is passed through a calender. The microporous films with a porosity of up to about 70% by volume and a battery separator quality factor (F) of at least 2.5 are described. Battery separators formed from the microporous films are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Gijsbertus H.M. Calis
  • Patent number: 6632515
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-sensitive stencil sheet providing excellent printing images by preventing deterioration of susceptibility to perforation by a thermal head even when the sheet is wound up into a roll or is stacked with another sheet for a long period of time, and comprising a thermoplastic resin film of constant smoothness laminated onto a porous support, the surface of the porous support having a PPS surface smoothness of 1.2 &mgr;m or less, at the side opposite to that facing the thermoplastic resin film, as measured while a separate film having a PPS surface smoothness of 0.0 &mgr;m and a thickness of 0.1-10 &mgr;m is pressed against the surface of the porous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6632543
    Abstract: An amine compound having a m-terphenyl group exhibits excellent heat resistance when the compound is used as a material constituting an organic electroluminescence device (an organic EL device). An organic EL device using the amine compound exhibits excellent luminance of emitted light and a long life. An organic EL device which contains the amine compound and an aromatic compound having a specific styryl group is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisayuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6627286
    Abstract: Proposed are stamping foils and processes for the production thereof, which make it possible to form on a carrier film patches which are completely separate from each other and which can be transferred on to a substrate using the procedure which is usual when dealing with stamping foils, wherein the transfer operation can be effected in such a way that no flakes which interfere with subsequent overprinting are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Leonhard Kurz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Norbert Lutz
  • Patent number: 6627307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material, in particular for reflectors, having a metallic support (1) in strip form, an intermediate layer and having a multilayer optical system (3) which is applied to the intermediate layer (2). A non-metallic protective layer (4), which consists of a low-absorption material and has a thickness (D4) of from 5 to 20 nm, preferably from 5 to 10 nm, is applied to the multilayer optical system (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignees: ALANOD Aluminium-Veredlung GmbH & Co., Alusuisse Singen GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Reichert, Klaus Ganz
  • Patent number: 6623042
    Abstract: So that a visually identifiable optical element, in particular a security element for value-bearing documents, for example banknotes, credit cards, passes or cheque documents, or other articles to be safeguarded, comprising a carrier with a diffusely reflecting visible surface and a metallization which is applied in a region-wise manner to the visible surface of the carrier and which has a surface that appears metallically shiny at a glancing angle is improved in such a way that an article provided with the element is even more effectively protected from forgery than is possible with known optical elements, it is proposed that the optical element is so designed that the visible surface of the carrier has two carrier regions with different levels of and in particular diffuse reflectivity for light, wherein a respective sub-region or a plurality of sub-regions of each of the two carrier regions is or are metallized, and that the reflectivity of the metallization in viewing directions outside a glancing angle ra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: Leonhard Kurz, GmbH & Co., Deutsche Bundesbank
    Inventors: Herrmann Jürgen, Reinhart Werner, Stange Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030175473
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical table pad of simple design that insulates a patient from a surgical table to help maintain temperature and prevent rapid loss of body heat that may cause complications for the patient. The surgical table pad includes a drainage channel to allow body fluids resulting from the surgery to flow into the drainage channel. The surgical table pad includes a series of air passages in communication with each other and with a vent opening to exhaust air within the surgical table pad to ensure more body contact between the patient and the foam pads. The surgical table pad further includes handle-receiving openings along opposed sides so that, when handles are inserted into the openings, the patient can simply be lifted from the operating table while remaining on the surgical table pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy Gillum, Kenneth Deese, Charles Dieter
  • Patent number: 6613412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hot peel carrier for decorative graphics and lettering applied to a substrate wherein the carrier has a film having opposite surfaces and an adhesive having a peel strength which decreases with increasing temperature, the adhesive being on a surface of the plastic film. The invention also provides a laminate for use in applying graphics to a substrate which incorporates the carrier, methods of using and methods of using the carrier and laminate disclosed herein. The various embodiments disclosed herein incorporating the aforementioned hot peel carrier have significant advantages stemming from the fact that immediate after a graphic is heat applied to a substrate, the adhesive of the carrier has substantially no adhesion to either the substrate or to the heated adhered graphic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Stahl's Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Dressler
  • Patent number: 6613404
    Abstract: Inner (32) and outer (34) juxtaposed glazed panes are separated from each other by an interlayer containing a gas, and the gap between the panes is closed by a seal (48) near the perimeter of the panes. A thermally conductive, hermetically sealed receptacle (36) is positioned between the panes. The receptacle contains a phase change material (38) that reversibly absorbs, stores, and releases heat in response to temperature changes at least at one of the glazed panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Terry S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6613403
    Abstract: Printing inks and printing systems which contain near infrared fluorescent compounds and U.V. absorbing pigments provide print media with coatings, sense marks and data images containing NIRF compounds and U.V absorbing pigments with improved light stability. These printing inks and printing systems can be modified for use in a wide variety of printing methods. The print media obtained contains detectable NIRF compounds after the equivalent of 6 months exposure to indoor U.V. light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Yaoping Tan, Maurice W. Lewis, David M. Dashiell
  • Patent number: 6602607
    Abstract: A titanium dioxide photocatalyst carrier is prepared by coating a surface of a substrate with a titanium dioxide precursor solution prepared from a hydrolyzable titanium compound and an aromatic compound solvent, and then heat-treating the coated substrate thereby preparing a carrier coated with a thin layer of titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Japan Carlit Co., Ltd., Shin Nikkei Company, Ltd., Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Seiichi Rengakuji, Yosuke Hara, Akihiro Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 6602590
    Abstract: The invention relates to high gas barrier packaging films exhibiting good shrinkage and containing an antifog composition for modified atmosphere packaging of foods and the like. The films are useful for producing modified atmosphere packages that preserve and enhance the shelf life of food and non-food oxygen sensitive items. The films exhibit excellent shrinkage, permanent antifog, easy processing and low cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Ting, Earl L. Hatley, Jeffrey D. Moulton
  • Patent number: 6602594
    Abstract: An irreversible heat-sensitive composition comprises a mixture of a granular or powdery heat-fusible substance having a melting point corresponding to a temperature to be recorded and a granular or powdery dyestuff diffusible into the fused heat-fusible substance through dispersion or dissolution. A heat-sensitive ink comprises the irreversible heat-sensitive composition and an ink vehicle capable of diffusing the fused heat-fusible substance therein. A heat-sensitive ink according to another embodiment comprises microcapsules, which encapsulate the irreversible heat-sensitive composition. A heat-sensitive indicator comprises a substrate provided thereon with a printed heat-sensitive ink, the heat-sensitive ink being one of these heat-sensitive inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Nichiyu Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachie Miyata, Hiromichi Mizusawa, Daisuke Harumoto
  • Patent number: 6599074
    Abstract: An encoded binder strip having an adhesive matrix and an encoded pattern formed on a surface of the matrix to identify the type of binder strip. The encoded pattern includes relatively high reflectivity regions and relatively low reflectivity regions. Preferably, the encoded pattern is read as the binder strip is fed into a binding machine, with the encoded pattern controlling operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Parker
  • Patent number: 6599612
    Abstract: A process of forming a soft and resilient web (10) exhibiting a substantially continuous pattern of debossments or apertures is disclosed. The process comprises locally heating process to melt predetermined points of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Brian Francis Gray
  • Patent number: 6599848
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin M. Chen, Kelly D. Branham, Eric D. Johnson, Frederick J. Lang, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Tong Sun, Dave A. Soerens, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun, David M. Jackson, Kenneth Y. Wang, Pavneet S. Mumick
  • Patent number: 6596358
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a thermally sensitive recording type adhesive label possessing a thermally sensitive recording layer on a substrate, and an adhesive layer and a release paper on the reverse side of the substrate, wherein said substrate is a neutral paper containing a wet strength reinforcing agent and further containing 5-20 wt. % of a filler to the total weight of pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd
    Inventors: Tastuhiko Sakamoto, Yoshihide Kimura, Naomi Sumikawa, Hidenori Ogawa