Patents by Inventor Ralph Edwin Neufarth

Ralph Edwin Neufarth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10300647
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous molding system includes an arrangement of inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a controllable valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventors: Coy Del Ward, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gene Michael Altonen, Chow-chi Huang, Charles John Berg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10279525
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous co-injection molding system includes an arrangement of upper and lower inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventors: Coy Del Ward, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gene Michael Altonen, Chow-Chi Huang, Charles John Berg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10076861
    Abstract: A low constant pressure injection molding machine forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at low substantially constant pressures of 6,000 psi and less. As a result, the low constant pressure injection molding machine includes a mold formed of easily machineable material that is less costly and faster to manufacture than typical injection molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gary Francis Schiller
  • Publication number: 20180178425
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous co-injection molding system includes an arrangement of upper and lower inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Coy Del Ward, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gene Michael Altonen, Chow-Chi Huang, Charles John Berg, JR.
  • Patent number: 9937647
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous co-injection molding system includes an arrangement of upper and lower inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventors: Coy Del Ward, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gene Michael Altonen, Chow-chi Huang, Charles John Berg
  • Patent number: 9937646
    Abstract: A low constant pressure injection molding machine forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at low constant pressures of 6,000 psi and lower. As a result, the low constant pressure injection molding machine includes a mold formed of easily machineable material that is less costly and faster to manufacture than typical injection molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: IMFLUX, INC.
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Charles John Berg, Jr., Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gary Francis Schiller
  • Patent number: 9855694
    Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Chow-chi Huang, Michael Thomas Dodd, Matthew Lloyd Newman
  • Patent number: 9707709
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of injection molding at low, substantially constant melt pressures. Embodiments of the disclosed method now make possible a method of injection molding that is more energy—and cost—effective than conventional high-velocity injection molding processes. Embodiments of the disclosed method surprisingly allow for the filling of a mold cavity at low melt pressure without undesirable premature hardening of the thermoplastic material in the mold cavity and without the need for maintaining a constant temperature or heated mold cavity. Heretofore, it would not have been expected that a constant pressure method could be performed at low pressure without such premature hardening of the thermoplastic material when using an unheated mold cavity or cooled mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Charles John Berg, Jr., Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gary Francis Schiller, John Moncrief Layman, Rainer Scharrenberg
  • Patent number: 9701055
    Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding method and machine includes a first part including a first channel, and a second part including a second channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a molten plastic feed conduit when the first part is located adjacent to the second part. A joint is formed between the first part and the second part along the first channel and the second channel and the joint is one of a sintered joint, a welded joint, and a brazed joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Chow-chi Huang, Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Matthew Lloyd Newman, Michael Thomas Dodd, John Philip Beaumont
  • Publication number: 20170182689
    Abstract: A low constant pressure co-injection molding machine forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at low, substantially constant pressures. As a result, the low constant pressure injection molding machine includes a mold formed of easily machineable material that is less costly and faster to manufacture than typical injection molds. Co-injection of thin-walled parts having an L/T ratio >100, with embedded sustainable materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA), starch, post-consumer recyclables (PCR), and post-industrial recyclables (PIR) isolated from surfaces by barrier layers of leach-resistant material having a thickness less than 0.5 mm, is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Charles John Berg, JR., Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Emily Charlotte Boswell, John Moncrief Layman
  • Patent number: 9682505
    Abstract: An injection mold assembly for a high output consumer product injection molding machine, the injection mold assembly having a simplified cooling system that is an evaporative cooling system or a cooling system including a hazardous, dangerous, or expensive cooling fluid. The simplified cooling system has a cooling fluid channel that is confined to a mold support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC
    Inventors: Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Niall D Robinson, Rainer Scharrenberg, Robert Lawrence Prosise, Charles John Berg, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170157820
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous co-injection molding system includes an arrangement of upper and lower inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Coy Del WARD, Ralph Edwin NEUFARTH, Gene Michael ALTONEN, Chow-chi HUANG, Charles John BERG, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170157824
    Abstract: A carousel-like continuous molding system includes an arrangement of inclined feed channels. Each of the feed channels has a controllable valve therein positioned upstream of an inlet to an associated mold cavity. The valve is controllable so that adjustments may be made in real time to achieve or maintain delivery of molten polymeric material to the mold cavity at constant pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Coy Del WARD, Ralph Edwin NEUFARTH, Gene Michael ALTONEN, Chow-chi HUANG, Charles John BERG, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9604398
    Abstract: A low pressure injection mold includes a failsafe pressure mechanism that prevents the low pressure injection mold from being subjected to excessive injection pressures or excessive clamping tonnage that could damage the low pressure injection mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Vincent Sean Breidenbach, Dennis James Pratel, Walter Thomas Davis, III, Danny David Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 9510669
    Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Lloyd Newman, Li Wen, Andreas Birk, Andreas Bresselschmidt, Andrew Joseph Horton, Stephen Alan Houghton, Siegfried Kurt Hustedt, Scott Andrew Jackson, Jochen Erich Kawerau, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Ulrich Pfeifer, Bradley John Phillips, Hansjoerg Reick, Richard Darren Satterfield, Heidrun Annika Schmelcher, Franziska Schmid, Jens Uwe Stoerkel, Andrew M. Uhe, George Michael West, Tilmann Winkler, Christopher Thomas Ryan
  • Patent number: 9475211
    Abstract: An injection mold assembly for a high output consumer product injection molding machine, the injection mold assembly having a simplified cooling system. The simplified cooling system has a cooling complexity factor of less than three, preferably less than two, more preferably less than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, John Boyet Stevens, Robert Lawrence Prosise, James Edward Poland, John Moncrief Layman, Danny David Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 9346200
    Abstract: A first component which assembles onto an outlet opening of a container and provides a seal; the first component containing a snap component to engage to a second component to form a closure; a second component combined with first component forms a dispensing orifice wherein the dispensing orifice is positioned directly adjacent to the open portion of container outlet; a motion of second component pivots about an axis to open a dispensing orifice; wherein second component engages with first component when second component is moved relative to first component to enable operation of orifice; first component comprising one or more elements being in a specific juxtaposition enabling a small height and a low profile for one or more elements of first component; the element(s) being in the plane or below the plane of the outlet of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Widalys Luz Desoto-Burt, Todd Mitchell Day, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Richard Darren Satterfield, Chow-chi Huang, Miguel Alberto Herrera, Alfredo Pagan
  • Patent number: 9289933
    Abstract: A melt pressure regulating mechanism for an injection molding apparatus having a melt holder for pressurizing molten plastic prior to injection into a mold, the molten plastic having a melt pressure, and an injection element for advancing the molten plastic from the melt holder through a nozzle and into the mold, the melt pressure regulating mechanism comprising a pressure regulating device, comprising at least one of a fluid pressure regulating valve and a pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: iMFLUX Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Ralph Edwin Neufarth, Gary Francis Schiller, Charles John Berg, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160059455
    Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Gene Michael ALTONEN, Ralph Edwin NEUFARTH, Chow-chi HUANG, Michael Thomas DODD, Matthew Lloyd NEWMAN
  • Publication number: 20160031136
    Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding method and machine includes a first part including a first channel, and a second part including a second channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a molten plastic feed conduit when the first part is located adjacent to the second part. A joint is formed between the first part and the second part along the first channel and the second channel and the joint is one of a sintered joint, a welded joint, and a brazed joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Chow-chi HUANG, Gene Michael ALTONEN, Ralph Edwin NEUFARTH, Matthew Lloyd NEWMAN, Michael Thomas DODD, John Philip BEAUMONT