Multicolored Surface Patents (Class 264/245)
  • Patent number: 5866054
    Abstract: A new and useful a plastic article, particularly plastic siding, with an accent color pattern incorporated therein, a specially formed accent color pellet which is useful in manufacturing such an article, and a process for producing the article using the pellets are provided. The process contemplates extruding a plastic product from a base material formed of powder-sized particles and specially formed accent color pellets. The accent color pellets are alloyed masses of resins and pigment which are larger than the powder particles of the base material, and have a higher vicat softening point temperature than the base material. The alloyed pellets are designed to melt controllably and to mix controllably with the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: M. A. HannaColor, a division of M. A. Hanna Company
    Inventors: John J. Dorchester, Bobby D. Smith, Ronald M. Harris
  • Patent number: 5863479
    Abstract: The front surface of a wooden overlay sheet having a wood material on the front surface is subjected to a color treatment with a colorant. A resin-based primer is then applied to the colored front surface and a transparent resin layer is then formed on the resin-based primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Ohsumi, Takeshi Matsumoto, Shinji Kato, Mitsuo Ishizuka, Shoichi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5855958
    Abstract: A method of making a cast concrete stepping stone whose exposed upper surface has the appearance of two or more grouted attractive natural stepping stones. A liquid release agent is applied to the mold which is then placed on a vibrator table and filled with wet concrete. The mold is vibrated for about 30 seconds and the surface of the concrete troweled smooth. Dry body color is sprinkled over the concrete surface and troweled to completely cover the concrete. A dry release agent containing powdered color having a darker shade than the body color is sprinkled over the dry body color covering the concrete. The desired pattern is then pressed into the surface of the concrete and after a six hour drying time, the cast stepping stone is removed from the mold. Excess body color and release agent are washed away and the washed surfaces totally dried. Finally a clear concrete sealer is applied to the exposed upper surface of the concrete stepping stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence Edward Nash
  • Patent number: 5843352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method for ornamental strips, wherein castings of dimensions smaller than or equal to the final product are pressed under heat and molded. An increased range of variations is achieved by fusing together the casting of the ornamental strip and plastic platelets of various forms, colors or material hardness, which are put on the castings. By flexibly adapting the production method to specific needs, production time and cost are saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsian Chi
  • Patent number: 5837175
    Abstract: A process for producing artificial marble by curing liquid resins in a molding cell, which comprises a step in which liquid resins each having different color are laminated by injection in the molding cell so that at least two layers are formed, then a comb-like tool is moved in the liquid resins laminated while the blades of the tool are in contact with the bottom of the molding cell to produce a striped pattern formed from at least the liquid resin of a layer which is adjacent a bottom layer and which flows to the bottom of the molding cell, and then the liquid resins are cured to produce artificial marble having a striped pattern
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Du Pont-MRC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Mukai, Masaaki Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 5833906
    Abstract: A method for molding a novelty candle having flat sides incorporating a plurality of defined shapes located at the outer surface of the flat sides of the candle and a method of making same are provided. The method has the steps of: forming a sheet of wax to a desired thickness; heating the sheet of wax to below the melting temperature of the wax; cutting a plurality of shapes from the heated sheet of wax; arranging the plurality of shapes in a mold having an interior defined by flat sidewalls flush against the flat sidewalls and filling the interior of the mold with wax. In another embodiment, a novelty candle having a tree-like wax ornamentation on the surface thereof and a method of making same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Michael R. Widmer
  • Patent number: 5833899
    Abstract: One or several molten materials are extruded at low pressure from one or several continuous plasticizers through central stationary nozzles via individually circumferential flow passages of common distribution spools directly into individual extendable transfer reservoirs. From there, the molten materials are transferred in a continuous cascading manner into secondary transfer reservoirs to be subsequently transferred and condensed within mold cavities into finished molded articles. The central stationary nozzles and stationary primary displacement plugs are grooved with lateral longitudinal melt-flow channels to allow the conveyance of molten materials across intersecting molten material passage ways during the extending movement of the manifold assembly. The molten materials are conveyed through secondary displacement plugs into secondary transfer reservoirs by external cylinders, retracting the manifold assembly on adjustable-length spacer rods in unison against the stationary primary displacement plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Ernst Dieter Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 5833907
    Abstract: A patterned shaped article is produced on a given surface by a method including the steps of disposing a partition body on the given surface, temporarily fixing a plurality of cut pattern pieces to the upper surface of the partition body or the upper surface of a mesh member disposed on the partition body so that the cut pattern pieces are disposed adjacent to each other to constitute a pattern to be formed, unfixing one of the cut pattern pieces from a portion of the upper surface to which a pattern-course material is to be supplied, supplying the pattern course material to the portion, repeating the unfixing and supplying steps until the partition body is filled with a prescribed amount of pattern-course materials, removing the partition body alone or together with the mesh member from the pattern-course materials, and allowing the pattern-course materials to set into the patterned shaped article on the given surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5820799
    Abstract: A process for making a marble casting material using a solidified polymer blend having superior depth characteristics. The process involves the partial intermingling of two or more partially incompatible marble casting resins that are not intended to be normally used in combination. Due to the partial incompatibility, when the partially intermingled marble casting resins solidify, a marble effect is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen Barnett
  • Patent number: 5814254
    Abstract: This invention concerns an injection molding process for soles having a colored treading surface produced with expansible and cross-linking "EVA" compounds involving the use of colored inserts molded with the same molding material used for sole, but of a different color, fed into cups on the bottom of the mold impression and shut by caps also molded in the same material used to mold the soles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Finproject-S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Bisconti
  • Patent number: 5814260
    Abstract: A method of casting-masking-molding a thermoplastic resin product, includes the steps of placing a molding sheet 1 on an upper surface of a heated table plate 4, the molding sheet including a molding die 2, and a mask 3 including a plurality of mask constituting pieces 3a, 3b, 3c, ...
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Takeshi Arai
  • Patent number: 5795513
    Abstract: A novel process for creating aesthetically pleasing multicolor designs and patterns in cast materials, particularly cementitious materials, which may be used to imitate natural stone in appearance. The process includes the steps of preparing multiple colors of the casting material, geometrically loading these colors in a three dimensional array in a holding container according to formulas corresponding to particular patterns to be created, placing the geometrically loaded colors into a mold by means which include pouring, extruding and spraying, consolidating the mixtures in the mold and allowing them to set, and removing the cast structure from the mold followed by polishing and sealing if required. A removable matrix in the holding container provides the ability to reliably repeat patterns according to the loading formulas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Mark Austin
    Inventor: Mark Austin
  • Patent number: 5788906
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette and a method for manufacturing a magnetic tape cassette including a combination of upper and lower half cases each including a window part and a main body half, the main body half including a trapezoidal portion on a top side of the main body half extending along a length thereof and defining a portion of the cassette having an increased thickness. The cassette is produced in accordance with a process including the steps of providing a mold having a first injection space defining the main body half and a second injection space defining the window part, providing a first gate, communicating with the first injection space, in the metal mold at a position of the trapezoidal portion of the main body half, injecting a first resin into the first injection space through the first valve gate, providing a second valve gate, communicating with the second injection space, in the metal mold, and injecting a second resin into the second injection space through the second valve gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoo Morita
  • Patent number: 5788890
    Abstract: A process for making injection molded articles particularly ones having swirl patterns of polyamide in an ionomer (marble effect) employing a reciprocating screw injection molding machine is provided. The process involves making a nylon/colorant master batch and using a reciprocating screw injection machine to mold the nylon/colorant master batch and an ionomer under conditions that maintain the nylon/colorant master batch in a state wherein it will flow but will have a viscosity greater than the ionomer so that it will not disperse well in the ionomer at the temperature of injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Grey, Prosper Zufferey
  • Patent number: 5750239
    Abstract: A process of making replicas of old, time-worn majolica tiles which look and feel like the replicated works. The process includes the steps of: (a) photographing the original work; (b) printing the photograph to obtain a trial print; (c) comparing the original work with the trial print; (d) making chromatic corrections to the trial print to enhance the faithfulness of replication (d') optionally reprinting the corrected print to obtain a second final print; (3) adhesively applying the final print onto a suitable packed support; and (f) finishing the edges of the packed support with a dye composition distressing the surface of the final print, both for enhancing the faithfulness of replication of the original work in the copy thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventors: Luigi Fratello, Michele Calocero
  • Patent number: 5736084
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying particles and/or granules to form a layer of prescribed thickness onto a given surface includes endless pattern-forming device having a plurality of spaces, a device for supplying particles and/or granules into the spaces via a control member provided on the particle or granule-supplying device, a device for temporarily retaining the supplied particles and/or granules in the spaces, and a device for releasing the temporarily retained particles and/or granules onto the given surface. A patterned shaped article is produced by a method using the apparatus. The method includes supplying dry particles and/or granules for a pattern course into the spaces, temporarily retaining the supplied particles and/or granules in the spaces, releasing the temporarily retained particles and/or granules onto the given surface, and allowing the released particles and/or granules to set on the given surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5725823
    Abstract: A method of forming a shoe sole having a co-molded anti-skid insert is provided. Raw unvulcanized rubber sheet material for the insert, and raw unvulcanized rubber sheet material for the main portion of the sole are placed in a mold and heated to fuse them together, to vulcanize the rubber, and to produce an anti-skid pattern on the insert. The material of the insert is preferably substantially the same as that of the main portion of the sole, except for its color; however, it has the appearance and texture of a separate insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: AmAsia International Ltd.
    Inventors: Norman H. Finn, Chih-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 5721041
    Abstract: An art reproduction composite having a textured colored sheet having a thermoplastic layer and a color layer laminated to a substrate with an adhesive and optionally including a reinforcing layer. The invention also relates to a method of making art reproductions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Eugene Louis Baratto
  • Patent number: 5716566
    Abstract: A method for making a mottled and patterned pen barrel is disclosed, wherein a tube is preformed to have two ends and an intermediate portion, At least one mold cavity is provided in a mold for forming the pen barrel. A pair of positioning members are sleeved respectively around two ends of the tube, and the positioning members are positioned in the mold cavity so as to center the tube in the mold cavity and so as to create, in the mold cavity, a molding space surrounding an entire peripheral surface of the intermediate portion. A liquid coating composition is poured into the molding space to form a cover integral with the entire peripheral surface of the intermediate portion. Finally, the covered tube is removed from the mold cavity and the positioning members are removed from the covered tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Alvin Lee Jewelry, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeou-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 5695696
    Abstract: Floor mats and methods for producing such mats having wear resistant phosphorescent borders that emit light after removal of ambient light so that the mat edges are visible in the event of a power failure in the facility where the mat is used. The mat border may also contain a bright pigment in the border regions and a contrasting pigment in other regions to make the border visually distinctive under normal lighting conditions. The mats may be produced from solid or foamed polyvinyl chloride materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Connie Daniel Hensler, Gilbert Searle Nowell, James Richard May, Walter Ivkovich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5690872
    Abstract: A method for the casting of highly filled plastics containing polymethyl methacrylate, the method involving:preparing a filler suspension by combining from 30 to 80 wt %, based on the amount of filler suspension, of at least one particle-shaped, inorganic filler with a polymer precursor under high-speed stirring, wherein the polymer precursor is made from methyl methacrylate and a polymethyl methacrylate prepolymer, wherein the filler suspension further contains from 1 to 20 parts by weight, based on the amount of filler suspension, of a colored, filled, comminuted polymer material having a density precisely adapted to the density of the filler suspension and wherein the comminuted polymer material contains a polymer component which is highly crosslinked; andpolymerizing the filler suspension by contacting the filler suspension with at least one radical initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH Chemische Fabrik
    Inventors: Manfred Krieg, Guenther Ittmann
  • Patent number: 5676381
    Abstract: An apparatus including of a mold for slush molding articles of a least two colors; a tank; a separation wall disposed in the tank and dividing the tank into two spaces; a gasket mounted on a free edge of the separation wall which faces the mold, the gasket having a plurality of rigid inserts disposed therein in a predetermined distribution; and an actuator device which expands and retracts the rigid inserts thereby correspondingly expanding and retracting the gasket. A method for slush molding utilizes the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Industrie Ilpea S.P.A. - Malgesso
    Inventors: Giancarlo Buzzoni, Paolo Cittadini
  • Patent number: 5672303
    Abstract: For the extrusion of extruded profiles with a color pattern or their coating with such a color pattern, a plasticized material of at least two-colors is used, which is separated into at least two partial flows. These partial flows are combined before they exit the extruding head (1), whereby the partial flows are largely maintained. These partial flows can in turn be separated into further partial flows. The extruding head (1) is equipped with a distribution plate (4) in which distribution channels (8a, b) as well as a ring channel (11) are formed as grooves, with the ring channel connected to an the exit channel (38) through a ring slot (19, 20). The plasticized material entering through the ring slot (19, 20) into the exit channel (38) coats the pre-manufactured extruded profile (39) inserted through the guidance part (13) and the die arbor (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Bellaform Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Metzger, Hans Joachim Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: 5670228
    Abstract: A tile having a desired pattern is provided. The pattern goes through the tile in the thickness direction. For manufacturing such a tile, e.g. a partition plate 84 is disposed in a pressure forming die 91 so as to divide its inside space into an outer forming space 95 and an inner forming space 96. Light black granules and light red granules are filled respectively in the outer and inner forming spaces 95, 96. Then, the partition wall 84 is taken out from the die 91, and lining granules are filled over the colored granules. Thereafter, they are pressed into one body and burned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Mino Ganryo Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kakamu, Shinichi Kakamu, Shukichi Kakamu
  • Patent number: 5667737
    Abstract: A sport shoe or boot comprises an integral outer shoe including a plurality of shaped portions of at least two different synthetic resin materials, adjacent portions of different synthetic resin materials being interconnected in overlapping transition areas shaped to fit each other. The outer shoe is manufactured by injecting the different synthetic resin materials in plasticized condition and at staggered intervals into a mold cavity at pre-selected portions thereof, permitting the injected synthetic resin materials to harden in the mold cavity to form the integral outer shoe, and removing the outer shoe from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Koflach Sport Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Wittmann
  • Patent number: 5648030
    Abstract: A method for achieving high definition graphics in the surface of a body molded from plastic powders. The method is specifically described for use in achieving high definition graphics in the surfaces of kayaks formed by rotational molding using plastic powders, with the kayak mold being heated to above the transition temperature of the plastic powders. The high definition graphics are achieved by preplacing a stencil containing cut-outs for the desired design against the surface of the kayak body mold. The openings of the stencil are filled with a plastic powder corresponding to the color(s) of the design. After removal of the stencil, an overlayer of plastic powder corresponding to the main kayak hull is applied. Local heating is achieved to form a skin on the combination of these pre-placed powders. Subsequent heating of the entire mold in a heated oven, with appropriate rotation of the mold, distributes the bulk powder for the hull, melts the powders, and forms the entire hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Dagger, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Pemberton, Brent E. Howard
  • Patent number: 5643517
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integral multilayer foam board with concave/convex surface and multiple colors. The method includes steps of placing a multilayer foam body having multiple colors into a heating means to be heated and softened at a temperature within 130.degree. C. to 170.degree. C., placing the multilayer foam body onto a mold and pressed thereinto to be molded with multiple convex portions defined by concave frame lines, partially planing the convex portion of the foam body, and placing the planed foam body into the heating means to be re-heated at a temperature within 100.degree. C. to 140.degree. C., making the convex portions form concave portions and the frame lines become convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: How Goung Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Jern Wu
  • Patent number: 5637236
    Abstract: A method for producing a wall, roadway, sidewalk or floor of cementitious material having the appearance of natural stone and mortar including a base with an outer surface with a plurality of irregular shaped protrusions disposed in a random pattern to simulate natural stones and a plurality of simulated grout lines formed therebetween, the method including the steps of preparing a cementitious material, pouring the cementitious material into a form, vibrating the cementitious material, allowing the cementitious material to cure forming the base with the outer surface, releasing the base with the plurality of irregular shaped protrusions disposed in the random pattern to simulate natural stones and the plurality of simulated grout lines formed therebetween from the form, coloring the outer surface and accenting the plurality of simulated grout lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Michael Lowe
  • Patent number: 5628944
    Abstract: Provided is a method of making a multi-property polyurethane part by RIM having a surface layer and an interior layer. The surface layer and the interior layer have different properties. The pressure in the cavity of the mold is reduced and a surface forming RIM polyurethane material is injected into the evacuated cavity, whereby the surface layer of the molded part is formed by RIM. An interior forming RIM polyurethane material is injected into the evacuated cavity, whereby the interior of the molded part is also formed by RIM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohisa Nagasaka, Masayuki Goto, Shogo Sugiyama, Yukio Kawakita, Masanao Ishikake
  • Patent number: 5628950
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making multilayer plastic articles. Initially, two or more streams of diverse thermoplastic materials are provided. Layers are formed from these streams and are arranged in a layered first composite stream. The first composite stream may be directly formed into a desired configuration by a molding process or may be manipulated to form a second composite stream having an increased number of layers before being formed into the desired configuration. The resulting articles are comprised of a number of discrete and substantially continuous layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Schrenk, Ranganath K. Shastri, Herbert C. Roehrs, Ralph E. Ayres, Mark A. Barger, Jeffrey N. Bremmer
  • Patent number: 5627706
    Abstract: A tape cassette includes a pair of cassette halves and a pair of hubs enclosed between the cassette halves, and about which a recording medium, or tape can be wound. Each cassette half includes a first molded body and a second molded body overlying it. The first molded body has a first principal surface and a first upstanding wall which is perpendicular to the principal surface and forms an integral part thereof and a part of a peripheral surface of the half. The second molded body has a second principal surface which is generally rectangular and overlies the first principal surface, and a second upstanding wall connected to the first upstanding wall to form the peripheral surface of the half therewith, forming an integral part of the second principal surface and surrounding it. The first and second upstanding walls are connected by a junction having a thickness increasing gradually across the thickness of the half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ko Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5624510
    Abstract: A patterned shaped article is produced by a method which includes the steps of supplying a first material onto a given surface until the first material forms a layer of predetermined thickness, removing part of the layer to form at least one concave portion in the layer, filling the at least one concave portion with at least one kind of second material different in color and quality from the first material, and causing the first and second materials to set into an integral mass. When the first material is dry, the second material may be either dry or wet. When the first material is wet, the second material is dry and the moisture of the first wet material is absorbed before the step of removing part of the layer of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5622664
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped circle includes the steps of forming a course of dry particles on a base surface; using an air flow controller having either a suction port or a blow port or both a suction port and a blow port to cause an air flow to form a cavity in the dry particle course by removing a part of the particles thereof under the control of at least one parameter among air pressure, air flow rate, air flow speed, air flow direction, air flow pulsation, air flow intermittence, suction port size, blow port size, suction port position and blow port position; charging the cavity with a different type of dry particles; and allowing the particles to set into an integral mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5611882
    Abstract: A cellulose mixture including a protein based adhesive binder and colorant. The mixture can be compression molded or extruded and upon curing in the presence of microwave or radio frequency energy or in thermally controlled appliance, produces board or shape formed stock. The produced stock exhibits colorations and a grain pattern comparable to natural stone. Unlike stone, the material exhibits a light weight, low density, structural rigidity and ready machinability. A preferred method includes admixing separate, colorized batches of feedstock, each feedstock includes shredded waste newsprint, soybean flour, water and a colorant; reducing the moisture content of each feedstock or a proportioned admixture of several feedstocks, such as by air drying or compressing or performing the admixture in the presence of heat; compacting the admixture to final shape; and curing the shaped material. Final forming and finishing apparatus complete the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Phenix Biocomposites, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Riebel, Donald E. Anderson, Carl Gruber, Paul Torgusen, Robert DeGezelle, Molly DeGezelle
  • Patent number: 5603878
    Abstract: A decorative sheet for construction is disclosed. The decorative sheet for construction comprises a thermoplastic polyester resin foam forming a surface layer, a large number of inorganic aggregates scattered over the surface of the foam in the presence of an adhesive, said inorganic aggregates forming a decorative face layer by the medium of the adhesive, and a backing layer formed on the decorative face layer. The decorative sheet of the present invention enablesits decorative face layer with a backing layer to be reliably and readily transferred to the surface of concrete construction or products, and yet which enables a foam layer as a protective layer for the decorative face layer with a backing layer to be readily removed after application. A decorative concrete product for construction using the same, and processes forpreparing them are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignees: Sekisui Kaseihin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Preston Kabushiki Kaisha, Eslen Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chitoshi Jinno, Hiroyuki Toyohara, Hikaru Mimura, Takashi Murohashi
  • Patent number: 5601766
    Abstract: A sun visor has a generally board shaped body of dark colored polypropylene particle foam with a depression in a main surface thereof. A shaped light colored body is inserted into the depression and is pressed against the bottom of the depression through simultaneous application of heat and pressure, for compacting and reshaping the shaped body to form a reflector. A mirror assembly is disposed over the reflector, and an illuminating device may be disposed there. Fastening pins and openings on the reflector in the mirror assembly and the illuminating device hold them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Gebr. Happich GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Viertel, Patrick Welter
  • Patent number: 5595698
    Abstract: A method of making the tile dispenses wet concrete having two different colors into a partitioned pug box for disposition onto opposite sides of a pallet, so that, the two different colors reside on opposite sides of the pallet in side-by-side relation. The wet concrete is metered and compressed by a roller and shaped by a slipper to provide the concrete tile with a desired cross-sectional shape, following which the concrete is then chopped by a knife assembly to form the individual tiles with desired edge configurations. The concrete is cured and then removed from the pallets to form the completed tiles. The method may be incorporated into a continuous process in which a succession of the pallets are passed by a conveyor beneath a making head assembly containing the partitioned pug box and the roller and slipper and then beneath a knife assembly to form a succession of the concrete tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Monier Roof Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Nicholas, Scott W. Fechner
  • Patent number: 5576031
    Abstract: A molding apparatus for patterned shaped articles includes a form constituted of at least one partition member defining the boundary of the pattern to be produced, a peripheral frame surrounding the partition member at a prescribed spacing therefrom and a cover for closing the upper ends of the partition member and the peripheral frame; at least one feed port for supplying particles into a pattern space enclosed by the partition member: at least one suction port for sucking particles out of the pattern space; at least one feed port for supplying particles into a pattern space between the partition member and the peripheral frame; at least one suction port for sucking particle out of the pattern space; a charging mechanism for supplying particles to at least one of the pattern spaces by compressed air, and a suction mechanism for sucking particles from the pattern spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5567362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat molding produced by the injection molding technique, in particular an identity card, chip card or the like, characterized in that it has different volume areas containing different plastic components and formed and disposed so as to be distinguishable from one another visually and/or by measuring technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: GAO Gesellschaft fur Automation und Organisation mbH
    Inventor: Herbert Gr un
  • Patent number: 5554237
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) product having a label that includes information pertaining to the type of material of the product for recycling purposes. The label is covered on its back surface side with a transparent surface mat. The product is formed by coating a surface of a mold with a gel coating to become an outer surface through a mold release agent, laying a glass mat of unsaturated polyester resin-impregnated reinforced fiber on the gel coating, further laying a glass mat of the same material and applying pressure of a roller or a brush on the gel coating, laying a label with printed material for indicating the material at an arbitrary position on one of the glass mats, laying, for example, a transparent surface mat of unsaturated polyester resin-impregnated glass fiber by pressure of a presser such as a roller or a brush or the like on the label, and consolidating each of the components to form the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniyuki Harada, Kazutaka Sawada, Yoshiteru Hosoya, Tetsuo Shibusawa
  • Patent number: 5536458
    Abstract: It is object of the present invention to provide a method by which a variable property component, such as two-color parts, having the interior covered with a thin film of the surface area is molded from polyurethanes by RIM, eliminating the need for separately applying a mold release agent or colorants to the cavity surface. Greater latitude in design due to varying physical characteristics is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Kawakita, Shogo Sugiyama, Naohisa Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 5529733
    Abstract: A method for making tubular members, each of which is coated with a decorative layer that has a randomly distributed chip pattern, includes the steps of: (A) preparing tube products, each of which having two ends and an intermediate portion between the two ends; (B) preparing a mold having a plurality of mold cavities; (C) sleeving detachably a pair of positioning members around the two ends of each of the tube products for enclosing and centering the two ends, and placing each of the tube products and the positioning members associated therewith in a respective one of the mold cavities; (D) forming a covering around the intermediate portion of each of the tube products by filling each of the mold cavities with a coating composition containing chips; (E) removing each of the covered tube products and the positioning members associated therewith from the mold, and detaching the positioning members from each of the covered tube products; and (F) machining and polishing the covered tube products, and cutting off
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Alvin Lee Jewelry, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeou-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 5520298
    Abstract: A method of decorating concrete including the steps of mixing water, aggregate and cement to provide mortar, pouring the mortar into a form and allowing it to cure and harden into a concrete block having an exterior surface, and applying sulfate to a selected portion of the block to color the surface of the block to a predetermined depth while the mortar is being cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Walter Opanasenko
  • Patent number: 5500274
    Abstract: Composite coatings are provided having a variable thickness and a gradient coloration in the cross-web direction using a premetered extrusion coating process wherein a pigmented coating composition and a non-pigmented coating composition are simultaneously extruded onto a carrier film. The composite coatings are useful in preparing laminated structures such as automobile windshields with a colored gradient band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Debra C. Francis, Siva V. Vallabhaneni, Bert C. Wong
  • Patent number: 5500173
    Abstract: A method and non-fiber-forming, molded article-forming structure for making a non-fiber, multicomponent molded article containing a plurality of components in a predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration, wherein the method involves feeding the plurality of respectively dissimilar fluid components, mutually separated, into the molded article-forming structure, which contains a plate flow distributor and a non-fiber-forming shaping section; wherein the flow distributor is made up of at least one distribution plate which is preferably thin and has micromachined on at least one facial surface thereof multiple distribution flow paths having a flow pattern effective to distribute and combine the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration; directing the mutually separated components through the multiple distribution flow paths to distribute and arrange the components to form a fluid structure containing the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-lamina
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5472655
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding casing halves of a magnetic tape cassette in which one or more-windows in the casing half are firmly retained by remaining portions thereof regardless of the solubility of the two plastic materials employed or other molding conditions. The window is formed with a projecting edge portion which extends well into the plastic of the remaining portions of the casing half. In one embodiment, the window is molded first and then the remaining portions are molded around the edge portions of the window. In another embodiment, the other portions are molded first using slidable cores to define the window portions, and then the windows are molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoo Morita
  • Patent number: 5468434
    Abstract: A method of making a cushioned seat component which includes the following steps. First, providing a cover having an exterior surface which is to present the major exterior appearance of the seat component and which includes a panel portion to be cushioned, the panel portion of the cover being perforate between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof. Second, mounting the cover on a vacuum mold so that the exterior surface of the panel portion is facing a mold surface of the vacuum mold having a shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion. Third, mounting an imperforate film over the interior surface of the panel portion while the cover is mounted on the vacuum mold. Fourth, applying a vacuum to the vacuum mold so as to draw the exterior surface of the panel portion into conformity with the mold surface of the vacuum mold with the film preventing passage of air through the cover from the interior surface thereof to the exterior surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Fred D. Powell, Raymond J. Phelan, James McCormack, Peter Budansew, Larry Demoe, Alex Poschun
  • Patent number: 5445772
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped article includes the steps of disposing at a prescribed position within a main form for molding the shaped article a projection-bristling form having a support member and a plurality of projections standing upright from the support member, charging a prescribed amount of dry pattern-course material for forming the pattern course of the shaped article into spaces defined by a prescribed number of projections of the bristling form, charging a base-course material for forming the base course of the shaped article into the main form including the remaining space of the bristling form not filled with the pattern-course material, removing the bristling form, causing the charged pattern-course material and base-course material to set into a shaped article, removing the shaped article from the main form and, optionally, sintering the shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5427372
    Abstract: A play ball having visually distinctive colored patches distributed over its exterior. Portions of the ball exterior may be uncovered with patches, and have a color distinct from the color of patches. Regions of different tactile patterns are impressed on the ball with, and these regions may match all or parts of differently colored patches. A method of making a game ball with patches on its exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Kransco
    Inventors: Donald Ratner, Paul Feinsinger
  • Patent number: RE35108
    Abstract: A spin pack for spinning multiple components includes a distribution device which distributes mutually separated molten polymer streams to a spinneret so that each mutually separated molten polymer stream is accessible at each active spinneret backhole. Intermediate the spinneret and the distribution device, a selection assembly selects which, if any, mutually separated molten polymer stream flows into which backhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Gerry A. Hagen, Dominick A. Burlone, Phillip E. Wilson