Running Length Work Patents (Class 118/405)
  • Patent number: 6264746
    Abstract: A cross-head die which is comprised of a die body with a flow chamber, a plurality of die cavities, die elements within the die cavities, communication between the die cavities and the flow chamber, a means for individual flow adjustment to each die cavity, and a means for axial motion of the filamentary member(s) through the die elements. The single flow chamber communicates to a plurality of die cavities through individual radial flow ports. The flow chamber is open at one end and closed at the other except for a cleaning hole. Within each of the radial flow ports resides a device for adjusting flow restriction. Within each die cavity is a cylindrical die piston. A gap created between the die piston and the die cavity defines a path for resin flow. The resin flow path is tapered to a point at which the filamentary member exits from a smaller cylindrical bore through the center of the die piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hong Peng
  • Patent number: 6254921
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
  • Patent number: 6254680
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for coating a metal strip passed through a container which holds the melted coating material. A channel is connected to the container which encloses the material in the form of a strip beneath the melt bath level. Channel currents are induced in the coating material by means of inductors and cause an electromagnetic force in order to hold the coating material back. The channel is attached to the base of the container such that it is easily detachable and comprises a plurality of parts which can be separated in the strip running direction, are sealed with respect to one another and can individually be moved away from the strip, transversely with respect to the strip running direction, to replace the channel with the strip located in it, after releasing the separation connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Aribert Fligge, Klaus Frommann, Walter Ottersbach
  • Patent number: 6194022
    Abstract: A process for stabilizing strip in a plant for coating strip material, in which a metal strip is taken through a container holding molten coating material that has, below the melt surface, a through channel, in which induction currents are induced by an electromagnetic travelling field in the coating material and, in interaction with the electromagnetic travelling field, generate an electromagnetic force to retain the coating material. In the region of the through channel, a controllable magnetic field superimposed on the modulation of the electromagnetic travelling field is applied, whose field strength and/or frequency are adjustable as a function of sensor-detected position of the strip in the coating channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eckart Schunk
  • Patent number: 6189343
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a optical fiber which includes a furnace for softening an optical fiber blank; a tractor for drawing the optical fiber from the softened optical fiber blank; and a first applicator for applying a coating of a first coating material to the optical fiber, the first applicator having a rotatable die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fibre Ottiche Sud F.O.S. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cocchini, Antonio Schiaffo
  • Patent number: 6186769
    Abstract: Molding material consisting of resin coated reinforcing fibers in a molten mass of resin and fibers is prepared at a molding site for controlled supply to a molding machine. A conveying device, such as a pair of pinch rollers, serves to pull fibers from supply spools through guide orifices of a coating die having a chamber within which the fiber is coated with molten resin. Further impregnation of the fibers with resin takes place in the conveying device, which also develops pressure on its output side serving to push the mass of hot resin and fiber into a receiving device for movement to a molding machine. The receiving device may be the feed screw for an injection molding machine or simply a plate movable to and from a compression molding machine. The fibers may be cut into predetermined lengths by a cutting device positioned downstream of the aforesaid conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Woodshed Technologies
    Inventor: Ronald C. Hawley
  • Patent number: 6159292
    Abstract: A taper ruler coating nylon resin forming structure that includes mainly a forming structure body, a guide locator stem body, a positioning block, a forming die, and a stopper. The structure provides an improved forming structure for producing pre-printed tape ruler strips that are coated with a layer of nylon resin. The coating give the strips improved suppleness and increased wear resistance against frictional abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Cheng-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 6060126
    Abstract: A unidirectionally reinforced resin structure is manufactured by an apparatus which comprises a melt resin bath in which a melt resin is stored and into which a long fiber bundle passes, and a plurality of opening pins disposed in the melt resin bath. The long fiber bundle is impregnated with the melt resin and opened by the opening pins during the passing in the melt resin bath. The opening pins are arranged in a perpendicular direction with respect to the melt resin bath and the opening pins are composed of at least two groups in the perpendicular direction so as to open at least two long fiber bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Rikio Yonaiyama
  • Patent number: 6035925
    Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated perform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving perform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the perform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Joseph T. Blucher
  • Patent number: 6030658
    Abstract: In a resin coating applicator, a holder 14 is fixed on a base 15 fitted to a drawing machine, and in the holder 14, hot water can be circulated from an inlet 18. The inner circumferential surface of the holder 14 is formed into a tapered shape so that the outer circumferential surface of a cup-like member 4 of a cartridge type coating sub-assembly 1 is fitted to the holder 14. The respective outer circumferential surfaces of a nipple 2 and a coating die 3 are cylindrical so as to be fitted to the inner circumferential surfaces of an inner cylindrical member 6, and they are positioned by a step portion. Further, they are pressed from the upper and lower sides by the bottom portion of the cup-like member 4 and a lid member 5. The lid member 5 is fastened to the cup-like member 4 integrally by a thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Tsuchiya, Kaoru Okuno, Hideo Miyaki, Kazumasa Oishi
  • Patent number: 6030664
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for high velocity dual coating optical fibers includes passing the fiber to be coated through an entrance die into a coating reservoir, to which liquid coating material is supplied under pressure. The diameter of the die passage and the pressure of the fluid is sufficient to prevent air from entering the reservoir. The coated fiber is passed through a centering and sizing die wherein the recirculation of excess coating material is controlled to produce centering forces on the fiber at the high fiber velocity, and wherein the initial coating is sized. The fiber is then passed through a second coating reservoir into an exit die which sizes the second coating. Upon leaving the exit die, the coatings are cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. DiMarcello, Arthur C. Hart, Richard G. Huff, Karen S. Kranz, Lisa M. Larsen-Moss
  • Patent number: 6010741
    Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for controlling the coating thickness of an optical fiber (2) passing sequentially, in that order, from a unit (1) for fabricating the fiber (2) through a cooling unit (3), a coating unit (4) and along a device (5) which determines the diameter of the fiber. The apparatus includes a control element (14) for controlling a control device (15, 16) as a function of the measured diameter in such a way that the thickness of the coating corresponds to a target value, wherein the control device (15, 16) is placed before the coating unit (4) when viewed in the transport direction of the fiber (2), and the control device (15,16) adjusts the temperature of the fiber (2). Also described is a method for controlling the coating thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jurgen Rosenkranz, Hans-Jurgen Lysson, Wilhelm Reiners, Franz-Peter Bartling
  • Patent number: 6007632
    Abstract: A system for infiltrating, with active materials, a porous substrate to form electrodes, typically used for batteries, is described that features a vacuum device having a dynamic distribution assembly which allows for continuous and controlled deposition of electrochemical active materials onto a substrate, as the substrate moves therethrough, while preventing the active materials from leaving the vacuum chamber before infiltrating the substrate. The vacuum device includes a vacuum chamber, in fluid communication with a supply of active materials, and a vacuum pump, disposed within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber includes an inlet and an outlet, positioned opposite to the inlet. The first and second opposed major surfaces and a plurality of voids extend therebetween. While disposed within the vacuum chamber, the vacuum pump creates a pressure differential between the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Vitrom Manufacturing Consultants
    Inventors: Antonio L. A. Reis, Rory A. J. Pynenburg, Zbigniew J. Witko, Marian A. Podstawny
  • Patent number: 5992501
    Abstract: An inversion casting vessel includes a melt-filled container with a hole in the floor through which a metal strip is drawn. As the strip is drawn through the container, crystallization of the melt on the metal strip occurs, thereby forming a metal strand. The hole in the floor is a slit shaped channel through which the strip is run in a low-contact manner. The container also includes a cooling device for cooling the melt in the area of the slit shaped channel. The cooling device maintains the temperature of the melt around the channel to create a two-phase field of the melt, one of the phases being crystal, making up 50%-90% of the two phase field. The metal strip first contacts the melt at the two-phase field of the melt as the strip is run through the melt container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tarek El Gammal, Peter Hamacher, Michael Vonderbank, Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Ingo Von Hagen
  • Patent number: 5976611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber coating method and an apparatus therefor which can form high quality coating layer on an optical fiber (12) by preventing non-concentricity of a coating resin (14) applied on the optical fiber (12) and admixing of bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Okuno, Akira Inoue, Kazumasa Oishi, Kohei Kobayashi, Ichiro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5976253
    Abstract: A device for applying a coating material to an optical fiber (1) has a coating nozzle (7) arranged in a nozzle holder (3) and a coating chamber (17) located before the coating nozzle (7) in the direction of travel of the optical fiber (1). Beyond that the device has at least one inlet channel (19) which is connected to the coating chamber (17), as well as a number of feed lines (23) for different coating materials. A connection can be established between one of the feed lines (23) and the at least one inlet channel (19), so that a change of coating material can be made in a simple manner, particularly a color change, without costly conversion and cleaning operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jurgen Rosenkranz, Wilhelm Reiners, Franz-Peter Bartling
  • Patent number: 5965210
    Abstract: A hot dip coating apparatus and method, enables stable and continuous production of a coated steel strip having a high degree of uniformity of the coating quality over the breadth of the steel strip and clean coated surfaces free of deposition of dross. The hot dip coating apparatus has a bottom slit through which a steel strip to be coated is introduced and pulled upward through the coating tank, and an electromagnetic sealing device which applies a magnetic field to the molten metal in the coating tank so as to hold the molten metal inside the tank. The coating tank is provided at its top with an overflow dam for allowing the molten metal to overflow out of the coating tank. The apparatus also has a molten metal supply system which produces a circulating flow of the molten metal through the coating tank. The molten metal supply system has molten metal buffers which communicate with a molten metal supply passage and from which the molten metal is discharged towards the steel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: Kawasaki Steel Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Tada, Chiaki Kato, Toshitane Matsukawa, Kazumasa Mihara, Kenichi Unoki
  • Patent number: 5964945
    Abstract: A novel die holder member for use in co-extrusion cross-head die apparatus for applying two coating materials in inner and outer layers to an electrical wire, or the like. A body member has a through, axial bore in which a tip and die members, with respective tip and die holders, are positioned. A pair of radial bores, with which sources of two flowable coating materials communicate, extend from the exterior of the body member to the axial bore. The first coating material flows forwardly of the apparatus through a first flow passage, the second coating material flows rearwardly through a second flow passage, and the two materials flow forwardly, in superposed relation, through a third flow passage from a confluence of the first and second passages to an orifice in the die member where they are deposited in uniform, inner and outer layers, on the wire. The die holder member of the invention has frustoconical external and internal surfaces with a first, annular groove extending to and 360.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: James A. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5954879
    Abstract: An application device having a trough tapering downward in a wedge shape, through which a web is guided vertically from top to bottom, and which is sealed at the lower end by means of a horizontal hose. The hose abuts against the web from one side, while the web slips along on the opposite side at the lower end of the side surface of the trough. The side surface is formed on a counter-bearer, which is concave at its lower side, so that a deflection roller arranged beneath it can be set as high as possible, and the free web section from the hose gap to the contact point on the deflection roller is as short as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Kusters Zittauer Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Lison, Peter Pfeiffer, Steffen Greif
  • Patent number: 5951764
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating a continuous fiber which comprises: (a) a coating composition container having an orifice in the bottom portion thereof, coating composition inlet means in the lower portion thereof and fluid inlet means in the upper portion thereof; (b) a furnace positioned above the coating container in axial alignment with the orifice in the coating composition container; (c) means for transporting a continuous fiber tow to be coated through the orifice, through the coating composition in the coating composition container, and through the furnace, including a source of continuous tow, a lower alignment and tensioning means, an upper alignment and tensioning means, and takeup means; (d) a catch vessel positioned below the lower alignment and tensioning means for collecting excess coating composition; and (e) means for removing coating composition from the catch vessel and passing the same to a surge vessel having an outlet in the lower portion thereof in fluid communication with the coating composit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Randall S. Hay, Dennis Petry
  • Patent number: 5951762
    Abstract: An apparatus for housing a plurality of applicators in a hygienic cavity and dispensing said plurality of applicators from said cavity. The apparatus includes a container for holding said plurality of applicators, a support structure for the plurality of applicators, a reservoir in fluid communication with the hygienic cavity, said reservoir being situated to facilitate wetting said plurality of applicators with said fluid during said dispensing; an aperture generally adjacent to said reservoir; said plurality of applicators traversing said aperture during said dispensing; and a dispenser structure actuable by a user from outside said container to engage at least one applicator of said plurality of applicators for causing advancement of said at least one applicator through said aperture to effect said dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Gary A. Shangold, Joel Lippman
  • Patent number: 5948473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a resin-impregnated structure reinforced by continuous fibers in which a practically endless continuous fiber bundle is dipped in a bath of molten resin and simultaneously passes through a space between a pair of opening pins. The opening pins can be positioned on sides of the bundle so that the continuous fibers are sandwiched by the pins without coming in contact with them. By doing so, the fibers of the bundle can be opened and can be impregnated with the resin. In addition, the foregoing continuous fiber-reinforced resin structure may be cut into pieces having a desired length to provide columnar products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Rikio Yonaiyama, Yasuhiro Sakai, Masanori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5928712
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a waveguide conductor ribbon by passing several light waveguides through a through-opening so that as the waveguides are passed through the opening, they are coated by a liquid coating material, which creates a drag force current for moving the waveguides through the opening. The diameter of the light waveguides and/or the position of the light waveguides inside the ribbon conductor is determined and the width of the through-opening of the coating apparatus is modified on the basis of the measured diameter value and/or on the basis of the size of any gap between the fibers to optimize the amount of drag current forces being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Unterberger, Karl Eidling, Gerd Kohler
  • Patent number: 5928424
    Abstract: The device for impregnating a web laterally guided in the width direction with a treatment liquid comprises a tank for the treatment liquid through which the web is taken on an impregnation section and a pair of squeeze rollers arranged above the tank between which the web can be taken from below immediately after leaving the tank. The tank takes the form of an upright flat channel, the flat sides of which are tightly opposed, through which the web can be taken upwards, which can be kept full up to an optional level and the lower end of which is limited by a resilient sealing arrangement bearing on the web from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Eduard Kusters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Krebs, Johannes Nolden
  • Patent number: 5922126
    Abstract: The disclosed semiconductor liquid phase epitaxial growth method and apparatus and the wafer holder used therefor can improve the deposition of polycrystal, the non-uniformity of film thickness, the thermal deterioration of the substrate, etc. The wafer holder comprises a holder body (11) formed with at least one wafer accommodating space in which at least two semiconductor wafers (15) can be held in such a way that reverse surfaces of the two wafers are brought into contact with two opposing inner side walls of the wafer holder and right surfaces of the two wafers are opposed to each other with a predetermined space between the two; and a holder cover (12) for covering an open surface of the holder body (11). Further, the holder body (11) is formed with an inlet port (16) for injecting a source into the wafer accommodating space and an outlet port (13) for exhausting the source from the wafer accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Furukawa, Masami Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 5897683
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding molten metal in a container having an opening at the bottom thereof comprising an electromagnet for generating a horizontal magnetic field in a lower part of the molten metal in the container and a conductive block for guiding part of eddy currents induced in the molten metal by the generation of the horizontal magnetic field, to flow outside the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Unoki, Ritsuo Hashimoto, Noriyuki Kawata, Yasuo Hukada, Chiaki Kato, Toshitane Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 5897708
    Abstract: This invention, an apparatus for forming a two-sided fiberglass tape measure with two differently colored nylon resin coatings is characterized in that both sides of a glass fiber tape measure are coated simultaneously on both sides in a single forming step with differently colored resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Cheng-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 5881441
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for making semi-finished products in the form of ti metal bars having a width-gauge ratio of over 60 and a maximum sheet metal gauge tolerance of 2%. A metal profile is fed continuously and upwardly through a pool of melt material having the same composition as the metal profile so as to form a coated metal profile. The metal profile is fed at a rate which would result in a coated metal profile having a thickness of at least three times that of the uncoated metal profile. The coated metal profile is subjected to a smoothing pass between a pair of smoothing rolls when the mean temperature in the crystallized layer of the coated metal profile meets a given condition. The smoothing rolls are adjustably disposed inside a housing at a distance of 0.5 to 5 m from the melt pool surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz P. Pleschiutschnigg, Lothar Parschat, Dieter Stalleicken, Tarek El Gammal, Michael Vonderbank, Peter Lorenz Hamacher, Ingo von Hagen, Ulrich Menne, Uwe Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5873941
    Abstract: A core tube for mounting in the axial bore of the body of cross-head die apparatus through which a filamentary member is drawn as a layer of flowable coating material is applied thereto. The coating material is injected through a radial bore having an axis intersecting an annular groove extending 360 degrees around the core tube. The annular groove communicates with a flow passage leading to the die orifice both through an annular space surrounding the forward end of the groove and through three axial grooves, two of which are of the same size and the other larger. The larger groove is positioned 180 degrees from the axis of the radial bore in the die body and 100 degrees from each of the small grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: James A. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5858096
    Abstract: The invention relates to an application unit for the direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty medium (12) onto a moving material web, in particular consisting of paper or board, comprising a dosing gap formed as a free jet nozzle, the dosing gap being formed between a leading lip (4) and a trailing lip (8), and at least one feed channel (14) leading to the dosing gap. The application unit is characterized in that the dosing gap is subdivided in a comb-like manner and has a plurality of defined through-gaps (32) for the liquid or pasty medium (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Manfred Ueberschar, Benjamin Mendez, Michael Trefz, Ingo Gottwald, Martin F. Kustermann
  • Patent number: 5855238
    Abstract: A mother strip with a metallically pure surface is passed through a melt bath of a metal and whereby the coating is smoothed by rolling immediately after leaving the melt bath. The mother strip, having been preheated, to a temperature clearly above ambient temperature, especially above 200.degree. C., is introduced into the metal bath. The preheating is carried out by indirect heat exchange with the melt bath in an oxygen-free environment. The melt freshly supplied to the melt bath has an increased temperature in accordance with the heat lost due to preheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Ingo Von Hagen
  • Patent number: 5849083
    Abstract: A cross-head die for applying one or more layers of coating materials to a single, longitudinally fed, filamentary member, or to a plurality of such members in spaced, side-by-side relation. Tip and die members of relatively flat, wafer-like configuration are placed in a cylindrical cavity of the body member of the apparatus with central openings in each of the tip and die members coaxially arranged and a protrusion surrounding the opening in the tip extending into the opening in the die. Flowable coating material is injected through a radial opening in the body member and flows in both directions about an annular passageway formed by cooperatively arranged grooves in the peripheries of the tip and die members. The coating material flows from the annular passageway to the die aperture through opposing, spaced, angularly arranged surfaces on the tip and die members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Camden Extrusion Tool & Design
    Inventor: James A. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5843231
    Abstract: A bubble stripping and coating apparatus for stripping entrained gas from the surface of a fiber, then coating the fiber with a coating material having a bubble stripping and coater body and a die assembly. The bubble stripping and coater body has a bubble stripping gas entrance for providing a bubble stripping argon gas to a bubble stripping gas chamber for stripping entrained gas from the fiber and having a die assembly bore. The die assembly is arranged in the die assembly bore, and has a guide die having a lower guide die opening with a diameter of less than 0.016 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Telecommunications Cable
    Inventors: Robert A. Spencer, David C. Lam, Duane A. Felton
  • Patent number: 5830282
    Abstract: Continuous removal of particulate surface contaminants, for example, from flat-rolled steel work product, is achieved free of unscheduled interruption by continuing control of surface cleaning liquid characteristics which enables continuing recycling. A major portion of the cleaning liquid of a large capacity tank is continuously circulated between surface treatment of the work product and a continuous in-line type cyclone filtering apparatus, with continuous return of filtrate to surface cleansing. A minor portion (about ten percent) of the cleaning liquid capacity is used to concentrate contaminants by continuously purging the filtering apparatus. Concentrated contaminants are directed to a non-magnetic tank structure with sources of magnetic flux mounted along its external surface such that penetrating magnetic flux acts internally to separate and retain contaminants. Decontaminated liquid is returned for continuing surface cleansing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Olashuk
  • Patent number: 5824157
    Abstract: The invention involves a fluid treatment device to solution or melt impregnate a resin or polymer or any combination thereof into a reinforcement which can be utilized to fabricate composite materials for laminates, circuit boards, structural/aerospace materials, automotive components, etc. The invention offers significant advantages and benefits over existing methods and equipment and allows the impregnation process to be performed at lower cost and higher efficiency with increased environmental safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth F. Foster, Jeffrey C. Hedrick, Robert M. Japp, Konstantinos Papathomas, Stephen L. Tisdale, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 5797982
    Abstract: A packing material having a resilient core and a uniform non-seamed exterior surface comprising a plurality of discrete compressible particles attached to the flexible core and to each other, the particles being compressed after attachment. The method comprises surrounding the flexible elongate core with a plurality of powder-like particles which together feed through a plurality of aligned pairs of feed groove rollers. The core, with the attached particles, wraps under tension around an arcuate sector of a cylinder or wheel passing between a pair of spaced-apart walls. A roller pushes against the core to compress the powder particles together and to bias the length of packing material into a spiral coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Acadia Elastomers Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Suggs, Reid M. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5795392
    Abstract: A core tube or tip holder for positioning in the axial bore of the body of cross-head die apparatus through which a wire, or the like, is drawn as a layer of flowable coating material is applied thereto. The coating material is injected through a radial bore in the body which communicates with the axial bore at a position aligned with a first annular groove in the external surface of the core tube. The first annular groove extends between opposite ends partially around the core tube. A second annular groove extends fully around the core tube. The second annular groove is positioned between the first groove and the front end of the core tube. The first and second annular grooves communicate with one another via a pair of axial grooves extending between the second annular groove and the opposite ends of the first groove. The first annular groove and axial grooves are bounded on all sides by external surface portions which lie in a uniformly tapering, conical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: James A. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5776258
    Abstract: In-line flat-rolled steel cleansing and finishing methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable flat-rolled steel, as supplied with surface areas contaminated with iron fines and other debris from gauge reduction operations, to be continuously processed in-line, free of interruptions for cleansing purposes. Continuous-strip methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable in-line continuous-strip cleansing in a manner which decreases iron fines carried by strip surfaces to a desired level while providing for continuous uniform cleansing. Carry-over of iron fines from the cleansing operations so decreases such that iron content of a coating means is decreased resulting in improved corrosion-protection coating. Diminishing iron content in a hot-dip galvanizing bath increases efficiency of aluminum additions and diminishes iron-aluminum dross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Olashuk, Lester R. Shields
  • Patent number: 5776251
    Abstract: In a duplex type coating apparatus, a left-right pair of dies and are disposed on opposite sides of a carrying path of a web, the dies and are each made up of an upper member and a lower member, a tip part of the lower member projects further toward the carrying path than a tip part of the upper member, and coating liquid discharge passages are inclined in the direction of the carrying path of the web. As a result, because the same amount of coating liquid is discharged from each of the dies and coated onto each side of the web, it is possible to carry out coating at the same coating thickness and in the same position on both sides of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hirano Tecseed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Irie, Takao Ishida, Akiyoshi Hashimoto, Yasutomi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5772765
    Abstract: The flat workpieces (W) are conveyed in the vertical position on a horizontal transport path through at least one processing cell (BZ) that contains a processing bath, vertical slots (S) for the passage of the workpieces (W) being provided in the end walls of the processing cell (BZ). Bars or rods which are arranged in pairs in the processing bath, such that they are loose in the vertical direction, are assigned in pairs to the slots (S) as seals (D) and are pressed by the liquid pressure against one another or against the workpiece (W) respectively passing through, and against the assigned end wall of the processing cell (BZ). Seals (D) having a circuilar cylindrical cross section rotate while the workpieces (W) are passing through. The seals (D) are preferably arranged in end chambers (SK) which are fitted at the ends to the processing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Hosten
  • Patent number: 5763003
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a ribbon of optical fibers with a resin. The resin is polymerizable under the effect of UV radiation and forms a protective covering surrounding and holding the fibers. The method includes a pre-polymerization step during which the coated fibers advance through a UV irradiating chamber having a pre-polymerization ultraviolet radiation power of less than one fourth of the total power required to polymerize the resin, which is just sufficient to initiation polymerization. This step is followed by a polymerization finishing step during which the pre-polymerized ribbon is subjected to UV radiation of higher power than the radiation produced during the pre-polymerization step, which completes the polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Bonicel, David Keller, Christopher Mc Nutt
  • Patent number: 5755935
    Abstract: A processing system to produce printed circuits or other finished materials on a continous strip of substrate comprising a processing cabinet having an entry opening and an exit opening formed on opposite ends thereof, a supply station and a take-up station disposed adjacent the entry opening and the exit opening respectively, a transport mechanism to transport the continuous strip of substrate from the supply station through the entry opening, the processing cabinet and the exit opening to the take-up station and a system control to selectively control the tension and speed of the continuous strip of substrate traveling from the supply station to the take-up station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventors: Dale Jackson, Rick Hoving, Vladimir Velitschkouski, Renn Grear, Dan Kostecke
  • Patent number: 5744194
    Abstract: A process for coating at least one optical waveguide with a filling compound has at least two successive filling stages separated by a wiping device of reduced cross section. In the region of the wiping device, a proportion of the filling compound which is thus wiped off is led past the wiping device by a bypass and is fed once more to coat the optical waveguide in the second filling stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Muller, Frank Renner, Wilfried Reissenweber, Reiner Schneider
  • Patent number: 5736001
    Abstract: A combination drywall joint compound hopper and drywall tape dispenser is disclosed having an open topped basin affixed atop said a flat stabilized base. The basin is for storing drywall joint compound, and a tape holder is mounted adjacent to and aligned with the basin. A first pinch roller extending laterally across the top of the basin, and a second pinch roller extends laterally across and within the basin aligned in a parallel manner with said first pinch roller across and near the open top of the basin such as to form a separation gap between the outermost edges of the pinch rollers of approximately 1/8 inch, for allowing for passage of a section of drywall tape between said two pinch rollers while as the same time acting as a scraper to govern the amount of joint compound which adheres to the surface of the drywall tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 5736199
    Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated preform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving preform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the preform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Joseph T. Blucher
  • Patent number: 5733607
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating and curing fiberglass sleeving with an ultraviolet light curable acrylic includes the steps of singeing the fiberglass sleeve at a singeing station and thereafter, cooling the sleeve. The fiberglass sleeve is then coated with an ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin. Thereafter, the coated fiberglass sleeve is cured by passing it through a curing station wherein the sleeve is subjected to ultraviolet light radiation about its entire circumference. The process is speed adjustable and further, the intensity of the light emitted from the ultraviolet light source may be varied so that the system is tuned to cure fiberglass sleeves of any diameter up to approximately 1.00 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventors: Rufus M. Mangum, Elliott S. Faircloth, Tony Maurice Moore
  • Patent number: 5718765
    Abstract: This continuous galvanizing method and apparatus passes a linear element to be galvanized, e.g., wire, rod, or tube, through a surrounding, relatively short length of conduit which is attached as a cross-tee to the end of a delivery pipe rising from a centrifugal pump submerged in a vat of molten zinc, and continuously flooded with liquid zinc to coat the linear element. The zinc flowing from the open ends of the conduit, and falling as excess from the element being coated, drops back into the vat for recirculation. The vat is covered to provide a substantially closed operating space above the pool of molten zinc to enable the coating to take place in an inert atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventors: Carl H. Unger, Kalyan K. Maitra
  • Patent number: 5709910
    Abstract: A system for applying textile treatment compositions to textile materials. A conduit member is provided which includes a passageway having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion with a constricted (narrowed) region. The passageway may include at least one baffle having an opening therethrough. A yarn strand is then moved through the passageway. A textile treatment composition (a sizing agent or dye) dissolved in a carrier medium (a supercritical fluid or liquified gas) is thereafter introduced into the constricted region, preferably at an acute angle relative to the passageway. The carrier medium expands inside the passageway which causes delivery of the treatment composition to the yarn. The treated yarn then passes through the baffle (if used) which facilitates drying of the yarn. During this process, a carrier gas can be introduced into the passageway to ensure the production of a smooth, dry product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Argyle, William Alan Propp
  • Patent number: 5707449
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating a cylinder with a solution. The apparatus has a coater which includes a body having a circular hole through which the cylinder passes. A coating surface is provided on a wall of the circular hole so as to surround an outer surface of the cylinder as the cylinder passes through the circular hole. A solution chamber is provided in the body for storing the solution, and a slit is provided in the body for distributing the solution from the solution chamber to the coating surface. A feeding port is provided on a periphery of the body, and a feeding conduit is provided in the body for connecting the feeding port and the solution chamber so that the solution is fed from the feeding port to the solution chamber. The solution chamber has a height H2 of 5 mm to 50 mm, the slit has a slit gap distance HI, and a ratio H2/H1 is 10 to 1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ohira, Junji Ujihara, Eiichi Kijima, Masao Asano, Nobuaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5695559
    Abstract: An abrasive flap brush including a central core, a layer of adhesive disposed on the peripheral surface of the core by a coater, and a plurality of abrasive flaps adhered to the core by the adhesive. The adhesive is uniformly distributed around the core by providing either the core or the adhesive coater with spacing projections that maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the coater and the core when the adhesive is applied. A coater including the spacing projections is also disclosed, as is a method for making an abrasive flap brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeanne M. Carr, Jeffrey R. Clampitt, Dean R. Zimmerman