Patents Examined by Michael I. Poe
  • Method of manufacture of structural insulating building materials
    Patent number: 6730160
    Abstract: A fire retardant building material composed of a mixture of water and cellulose fibers, both of which can be comprised of readily available materials at the job site, such as the available water supply or natural water and scrap shredded paper, including newspaper or other discarded paper or cardboard materials. The water and cellulose fiber is mixed to form a slurry and calcium hydroxide, alumina, salt and ammonia are added. Pigments and aggregates may be added for appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Sergio Barbosa
  • Method for making a bulked web
    Patent number: 6726870
    Abstract: A method for making a bulky web. A web is fed in a first direction. The web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction to provide a bulky web. The bulky web is then stabilized to provide a stabilized bulked web, Optionally, the bulky web may be gathered after it has been subjected to incremental stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Herrin Benson, John Joseph Curro
  • Method for preparing a telescoping shrinkable hollow tube
    Patent number: 6716382
    Abstract: A method for preparing a hollow tube of shrinkable polymeric material by providing a hollow tube in an expanded state and partially contracting a portion of the length of the hollow tube. A first length in the expanded state is folded over a second length in the partially contracted state. A body such as a length of electrical cable is inserted into the hollow tube, and the first length is unfolded so that it no longer overlies the second length. The first length and the second length are contracted to the fully contracted state over the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Roy P. McMahon
  • Method of manufacturing a comb for winding coils of a disk wound transformer
    Patent number: 6709615
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an improved comb for a disk wound transformer. The method comprises the steps of providing a web of cellulose material; removing a portion of the cellulose material to create a plurality of longitudinal slits along the length of the web, wherein the longitudinal slits have a fixed length and width; and folding the web along a line proximate the midpoint of the length of each of the longitudinal slits such that the cellulose material adjacent the longitudinal slits defines a plurality of tooth members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Noah David Hay
  • Method for compression molding plastic closures
    Patent number: 6706231
    Abstract: Method for compression molding plastic closures having a peripheral skirt with an internal thread includes a first mold assembly having a male mold core and a second mold assembly having a female mold cavity. At least one of the first and second mold assemblies is moved relative to the other to bring the male mold core into the female mold cavity for compression molding a closure, and then is moved to open the cavity such that the closure is retained on the male mold core. The male mold core is rotated relative to the first mold assembly to unthread the core from within the closure, and thereby strip the closure from the core, without stretching the closure skirt over the core or wiping the internal thread over the external surface of the mold core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Keith W. Ingram
  • Method for shaping a rivet from a plastic material in the form of a pin
    Patent number: 6706235
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a pin shaped thermoplastic material is provided including a quartz tube, a heat radiator and a securing mechanism. The quartz tube has tube ends and is helix shaped. The heat radiator is arranged in the quartz tube and includes an electrical resistance wire connected to a power supply. The securing mechanism is a heat resistant element connected to the quartz tube that secures the part to be heated relative to the quartz tube along an axis of the quartz tube and heats the plastic part. The quartz tube and/or the part to be heated are moveable. An apparatus is also provided for heating a number of pin shaped plastic parts simultaneously. In addition, a method for heating one or more pin shaped plastic parts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Scherzer, Bernhard Weber
  • Method for making holes in ceramic green sheets
    Patent number: 6706236
    Abstract: To make holes in ceramic green sheets that are needed to create feedthroughs, it is proposed to make the holes by using a gas that is under a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure and that is expelled in a pulsed manner from a pressure vessel and thereby acts on a principal surface of a ceramic green sheet, at at least one location at which a hole is to be made, in such a way that material is shot out of the ceramic green sheet at that location. This eliminates the disadvantages associated with the use of punches to punch holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Zaremba, Walter Zein, Wolfgang Jacob, Ralf Schmid
  • Method for manufacturing cement fiber sheets
    Patent number: 6702966
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing cement fiber sheets by supplying slurry primarily including fibers and cement as main material components onto a permeable sheet, and suctioning and dewatering the slurry. The method includes a foreign matter removing operation for removing foreign matter in the slurry material before supplying it to the permeable sheet, a thickness control operation for bringing the slurry to a specified thickness after the foreign matter removing process, and a leveling operation for smoothing the slurry surface after the thickness control process. Thus, treatment for foreign matter contained in slurry as well as thickness control, is throughly carried out, so that the product surface quality is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiniti Suzuki, Yoshiharu Ookubo, Hirosi Watanabe, Yasusi Sakamoto, Katunori Akiyama, Yosuke Tanaka
  • Method of refurbishing thermoplastic drums
    Patent number: 6685857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or refurbishing thermoplastic drums, by which a damaged drum, or at least a damaged portion thereof, is heated until it reaches a softened state and is then drawn over a template, or mold, having the substantially the same shape and size of an undamaged drum. The drum is allowed to cool sufficiently to return to its hardened state, whereby it substantially assumes the shape of the template. The refurbished drum is then removed from the template and is essentially ready to be used again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Dowling & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil E. Dowling, Ray P. Richard, Samuel G. Dowling, Johnny M. Seago
  • Method of manufacturing fiber-reinforced structures incorporating recycled carpet fibers
    Patent number: 6682671
    Abstract: An initial process for preparing material to use in manufacturing fiber-reinforced structures. One embodiment envisions a method of manufacturing a cement board. The initial process includes providing an open mat of recycled carpet fibers in a container, placing a mortar mixture directly over the fiber mat, distributing the mortar through the fiber mat by moving a comb having bent tines through the mortar-fiber mixture, and vibrating the mortar-fiber mixture substantially simultaneously with the distribution of mortar through the fiber. Also provided is a method for making the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Grady A. Howell, Philip G. Malone, Joe Gain Tom, Charles Arthur Weiss, Jr.
  • Method for forming lightweight concrete block
    Patent number: 6676862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming individual building units is provided, generally includes providing a plurality of molds, each capable of simultaneously forming a plurality of building units. Batches of cementitious slurry are individually mixed in order to control the density of each building unit formed. The ingredients are individually measured and combined into the mixing device. The cementitious slurry is then conveyed or transported and poured into one of the molds. The method provides the ability to control the amount of cementitious slurry in each batch in order to control to the extent possible the quantity of cementitious slurry poured into each mold and the ability to precisely control the dimensions of each building unit produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Jensen
  • Method of preparing smooth, watertight concrete surfaces on concrete pools
    Patent number: 6669876
    Abstract: A method of preparing a smooth watertight concrete in-ground pool surface that eliminates the use of a plaster outer surface layer that includes allowing the concrete pool body to cure for at least thirty days at which time a grinder is used to grind the surface to a smoothness and depth that is watertight and that exposes aggregates within the pool surface resulting in an aesthetically desirable permanently finished pool surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce Torrance
  • Method of manufacturing a reinforced oblong concrete driving pile for longitudinal load-bearing purposes
    Patent number: 6652791
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reinforced oblong concrete product for longitudinal load-bearing purposes, in particular a driving pile. According to the present invention reinforcing fibers are used to prevent break-up of the concrete due to radial forces which occur during driving, and the concrete composition is provided with said reinforcing fibers before the concrete composition is applied to the reinforcing wire. This method reduces the amount of heavy labour and cost. The invention also relates to a driving pile comprising reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Cornelis Peters
  • Process for stamping detergent bars
    Patent number: 6652792
    Abstract: In a device for handling plastic material, such as a stamping device for stamping detergent bars, an elastomeric layer is provided on the handling surface which has good adhesion to the handling surface and good release from the plastic material. The elastomeric layer comprises at least two elastomeric coatings of different properties and/or compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Klein, Mario Peter Neuhof, Hans-Juergen Solert
  • Method for forming a reflective concrete block
    Patent number: 6616874
    Abstract: A method forms a concrete block, particularly but not exclusively a composite block with a reflective fascia portion. The block is formed by a dry-cast technique, in which mixture for forming the block has a water/cement ratio less than or equal to 0.35, in combination with application of a compaction force so that the resultant block complies with compressive strength requirements set out in BS 6717: part 1: 1993.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Lazar
  • Processes for producing monolithic architectural cementitious structures having decorative aggregate-containing cementitious surfaces
    Patent number: 6610224
    Abstract: A decorative aggregate-containing cementitious slurry having decorative aggregate and cementitious matrix composition forms a monolithic structure when effectively applied to a freshly poured cementitious base and simultaneously cured therewith. The slurry and the base are cured for a time sufficient for producing the monolithic structure with a decorative aggregate-containing cementitious surface. The slurry produces a decorative aggregate-containing cementitious layer having a cured thickness effective for permanently securing the decorative aggregate therein with a portion of the decorative aggregate exposed. Various decorative surfaces are produced without requiring expensive hand broadcasting of the decorative aggregate, and without expensive surface grinding. Dry components of the slurry are decorative aggregate and decorative cementitious matrix blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Sullivan Concrete Textures
    Inventor: Francis W. Sullivan
  • Method of forming a cementitious panel
    Patent number: 6572811
    Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly forming a cementitious panel. A cementitious mixture is introduced into a mold configured to provide the desired surface appearance and profile of the cementitious panel. The cementitious mixture is then subject to an accelerated curing process by applying microwave energy to the cementitious mixture for a predetermined time period. After a relatively short resting or cooling period, the resulting cementitious panel is ready to be removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Custom Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Heirich
  • Device and method for forming vegetable fiber material
    Patent number: 6568932
    Abstract: A device and method for forming tableware from biodegradable vegetable fibers includes a device for punching a sheet of vegetable fibers into a preset shape and forming final products from the vegetable fibers. The device and method include a humidifier for humidifying the vegetable fibers, a bender for bend-drawing the vegetable fiber into an intermediate article, a warm-air dryer for keeping and drying the intermediate article, a cool-air dryer for further drying and cooling the intermediate article into a finished article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignees: Open Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiichi Murai
  • Process for making closed-end ceramic tubes
    Patent number: 6558597
    Abstract: A process for forming an end cap in an extruded ceramic tube. An end cap forming cavity of an end cap forming die is positioned so that, when the body of the end cap forming die is situated against an extrusion die, ceramic material is able to be forced into the end cap forming cavity, through a passageway communicating between the end cap forming cavity and a backfill reservoir, and into the backfill reservoir. A plunger projects into the backfill reservoir to force the ceramic material from the backfill reservoir back through the passageway and into the end cap forming cavity to compact the ceramic material so that the ceramic material within the end cap will be provided with a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joey Michael Corpus
  • Extrusion coating process for catalytic monoliths
    Patent number: 6551535
    Abstract: A high throughput, automated process for coating ceramic monoliths used as catalytic converters that overcomes problems with coating monoliths individually in a mold. The monoliths are provided with end caps to cover the open functional ends, then loaded serially into an inlet channel leading to an extrusion chamber. As each monolith is pushed into the channel, one monolith enters the extrusion chamber, and the monolith just coated in the extrusion chamber is made to exit onto a finished part conveyor. Thereafter, the end caps are removed and cleaned for reuse on new monoliths yet to be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: ACS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Karel Sander