Reshaping Running Or Indefinite-length Work Patents (Class 264/280)
  • Patent number: 6558602
    Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strip for a hook-and-loop fastener has a flexible backing of thermoplastic resin and, integral with backing, an array of upstanding stems distributed across at least one face of the backing, each having a mushroom head. The stems have a molecular orientation as evidenced by a birefringence value of at least 0.001. The mushroom-type hook strip can be produced continuously by injecting resin into cavities of a cylindrical mold while evacuating and cooling the cavities so that the cooled resin becomes molecularly oriented, thus affording to the stems excellent stiffness, durability, and tensile and flexural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William L. Melbye, Susan K. Nestegard, Leigh E. Wood, Marvin D. Lindseth, Dale A. Bychinski
  • Patent number: 6558591
    Abstract: A microporous film of polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity above 5 dl/g is prepared from a homogeneous solution in an evaporable solvent. The film is cooled and evaporable solvent is evaporated at a temperature below the dissolution temperature. The film is stretched to produce the micorporous film and is passed through a calender. The microporous films with a porosity of up to about 70% by volume and a battery separator quality factor (F) of at least 2.5 are described. Battery separators formed from the microporous films are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbertus H. M. Calis
  • Publication number: 20030080468
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a process of making a corrugated net material including the following steps. First prepare a net material with an adequate length, and then heat and soften the net material by means of a heating element. March the soften net material through a gap formed by two press rollers which rotate in relative direction such that the softened net material is pressed by the two press rollers flatly. March the pressed flat net material continuously into a vessel such that the flat net material is cumulated in the vessel and squeezed by itself to form a plurality of non-directional bends. Lastly, release the squeezed net material from the vessel such that the corrugated net material is thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Che-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20030057585
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a spread fiber bundle using a fiber-spreading device composed of a group of rollers and a base body reciprocated to be repetitively brought into contact with and kept away from a running fiber bundle, and a method for producing a prepreg. Fiber bundle can be stably and efficiently spread even in the case where the fiber bundle to be spread are filaments having a high elastic modulus such as carbon filaments or where the carbon fiber bundle conveying speed is higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyotsugu Tanaka, Hiroshi Ohtani, Hidetaka Matsumae, Seiji Tsuji, Daisaku Akase
  • Patent number: 6531081
    Abstract: A slider device and methods of making. The slider device is for use with a resealable package having a zipper closure, and includes a top wall with first and second ends, a spreader depending from the top wall, a first sidewall with a first hook construction extending therefrom, and a second side wall with a second hook construction extending therefrom. An extended length of profiled material is extruded and can be converted to form individual slider devices. The spreader can be tapered, either in its width or the distance in which is depends from the top wall. These slider devices can be incorporated into resealable packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20030034589
    Abstract: A method for processing a film. The method impressing the whole surface or a selected surface of the film to form protuberant structures on the film by using a transfer and an impresser which has grain projections formed thereon, wherein the protuberant structures have a protuberant shape with an opening hole on the tip or without an opening hole on the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: David Lin, K. M. Chang, Chi-Ping Chang
  • Publication number: 20030034581
    Abstract: A method and equipment for making plastic floor tiles of different thickness includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of one color or different colors heated first and then moved to a first press roller unit of a compress extending machine to be compressed into a first half-finished product. Then this first half-finished product get through a second and a third press roller units to be respectively compressed into a second half-finished product and a third half-finished (or finished) product. Further, a heating device is provided respectively beside the second and the third press roller units for heating the half-finished products with balanced temperature. Thus, the half-finished product is properly fused to make finished plastic floor tiles with different thickness from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: DELIGHT PLASTIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuang Pao Lo
  • Publication number: 20030030181
    Abstract: A method of operating a twin wheel conform metal extrusion device or a cladding extrusion device for producing a composite of an extruded metal shell bonded to a metal foam core. A metal feedstock is extruded through an extrusion die defining a cavity housing a hollow extrusion mandrel to produce a metal shell. Liquid foam of a second metal is simultaneously delivered through the hollow mandrel bore such that the foam exiting the axial bore is metallurgically bonded to the metal extruded through the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Narsimhan Raghunathan, J. Daniel Bryant, Andrew J. Hinkle
  • Patent number: 6506477
    Abstract: Data defining an outline shape of a section, color-region image data and adhesion-region image data are generated, color toners are transferred onto a color region and an adhesion region on a sheet in accordance with the respective image data, the sheet is aligned on processed sheets and laminated thereon. Next, a laminated body of the sheets is bonded by heating and pressurizing, and the laminated and bonded sheets are cut along the sectional outline shape. Further, sectional shape data of a solid model are generated and a transparent toner is transferred as an adhesive onto the adhesion region of the sheet. Then, after aligning and laminating the sheet on the processed sheets, the transparent toner is melted to bond the sheets. Color toners are transferred onto the color region of the sheet and the sheet is cut along the outline shape. Furthermore, the color region is defined on a transparent sheet in accordance with the sectional shape of the solid model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Ueda, Naoki Kubo, Akiyoshi Kamisaki, Fumiya Yagi
  • Publication number: 20020164457
    Abstract: A process for embossing a flexible graphite sheet, and the flexible graphite article produced thereby is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jeremy Klug
  • Patent number: 6475420
    Abstract: An impact resistant provided PMMA moulding material according to DE 195 44 563 is process into a surface-hardened film which is highly glossy, essentially free of gel bodies and can be processed in the “in-mould-film-decoration” method. The melted mass is generated by means of an extruder and fed to the inventive glazing rolls via a flexible lip nozzle, saild rolls being configured in order to generate an especially high locking pressure in the roll slit. The smoothing rolls are cambered. The films are used for decorating surfaces of high-value thermoplastic moulded parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Numrich, Klaus Hofmann, Peter Kaube, Horst Schmidt, Heinz Vetter
  • Patent number: 6468461
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for producing long plastic sheets by pressing molten plastic materials between the forming roller and the forming drum unit, the forming drum unit including a thin cylindrical sleeve supported from inside by a drum support unit and pressed against the outer surface of the forming roller to deform elastically in a curve along the outer surface of the forming roller as it rotates, thus maintaining a relatively long contact length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Chiba Machine Industry Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sumiyoshi, Keiichi Ueba
  • Patent number: 6468454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping the surface of extruded profiles made of thermoplastic materials with a device which is profiled to the shaping surface such that it is complimentary to the demanded shaping dimensions and presses into the continuous profile. The invention provides a method and device with whose simple, economic and high uniformity permit a material-saving production of profiles while completely adhering to the required stability at the same time. To this end, the shaping device presses the desired shaping dimensions into the continuous profile such that the wall strength of the surrounding edges of the impressions is reduced and work-hardened. The profiles are cooled and shaped into a dimensionally stable state in such a way that the height of the impressions at least correspond to the halved wall strengths of the continuous profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Rehau & AG & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Westphal, Michael Schöbel, Thomas Heinl, Hartmut Schinzel, Klaus Dittmann
  • Publication number: 20020131926
    Abstract: Processes and systems are provided to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing materials useful in producing components of fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Klug
  • Publication number: 20020117779
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing camber from zipper with profiles having interlocking elements and or webs. The zipper is stretched longitudinally in a manner so that the interlocking elements stretch relative to each other. To this end, the zipper is fed to an idler wheel that may be spring loaded. From a set of first drive wheels and fed from the idler wheel by a set of second drive wheels. The second drive wheels are driven faster than the first drive wheels to effect the stretching. Alternately only the second set of drive wheels are driven and the stretch is provided by the spring loaded idler wheel or the zipper is driven around a static curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 6409496
    Abstract: A thermoformer, which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package uses a precut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut areas are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs, a forming station adapted to form each of the webs, and a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other, by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Emerging Technologies Trust
    Inventor: W. Charles Jones
  • Publication number: 20020074684
    Abstract: A method of compressively modifying, such as by calendering, an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The dried tissue sheet, initially supported by the throughdrying fabric, is removed from the throughdrying fabric and compressively modified. Thereafter, the compressively modified sheet is recombined with a papermaking fabric and carried to a reel section while supported by the fabric. The sheet is always, or substantially always, supported by a fabric or a roll surface to minimize opportunities for sheet breaks or otherwise adversely affecting sheet properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: James Leo Baggot, Tony Deadman, Ronald Frederick Gropp, Frank Stephen Hada, Robert James Seymour
  • Patent number: 6395211
    Abstract: A calender for treatment of a web of a nonwoven textile V made of thermoplastic fibers. The calendar includes a heated embossing roller made of steel and a counter-roller that runs at the same circumference velocity. The local plastification in the nonwoven textile V that is produced at the locations of the raised embossing areas results in a board-like feel of the nonwoven textile V. To reduce this hardness, the web of the nonwoven textile V is broken, after having cooled at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eduard Kusters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Dettmer, Achim Wandke, Vladimir Tocaj
  • Publication number: 20020054472
    Abstract: A process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, which comprises extruding a mixture comprising a carbonaceous material, a polytetrafluoroethylene and a processing aid by paste extrusion, and rolling the obtained extruded product by rolling rolls to form it into a sheet shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Takamichi Ishikawa, Satoru Kuroki, Manabu Suhara
  • Patent number: 6383427
    Abstract: A process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, which comprises extruding a mixture comprising a carbonaceous material, a polytetrafluoroethylene and a processing aid by paste extrusion, and rolling the obtained extruded product by rolling rolls to form it into a sheet shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Ishikawa, Satoru Kuroki, Manabu Suhara
  • Patent number: 6352604
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making smart cards by rolling. A first synthetic sheet (1) is first smoothed by hot pressing against a first smoothing plate (4). Likewise a second synthetic sheet (2) is smoothed against a second smoothing plate (5). Without being unstuck from their smoothing plates, these two sheets are rolled with other layers (3, 6, 7), said synthetic sheets (1, 2) serving as external layers. One of the smoothing plates may comprise a three-dimensional pattern to be relief printed on the synthetic sheet. The rolling is carried out by cold pressing the different layers (1, 6, 3, 7, 2) which the laminated card comprises between the two smoothing plates (4, 5). After being rolled, different cards with adapted dimensions can be cut out from the laminated sheets. The invention is advantageous in that the same plates (4, 5) are used for the hot pressing and the cold rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20020022101
    Abstract: A method for producing a tube section from thermoplastic material, in which a tube section is extruded by means of an extruder which is provided with an extruder die having an inner core, which inner core defines an axial hollow space in the tube section, the tube section coming out of the extruder die downstream of the extruder die being internally cooled by means of an internal cooling member and externally cooled by means of an external cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Arjan Dirk van Lenthe, Jan Hendrik Prenger, Jan Visscher
  • Patent number: 6332996
    Abstract: The general application of the invention is a finishing process for an air-laid nonwoven web composed of short cellulosic fibers, bound by a thermoplastic binder and having a less than perfect homogeneous fiber distribution. In the invention, the process includes deforming under hot stress the web between an undeforming hard engraved cylinder and a slave cylinder having a hardness between about 60 and 90 degrees shore hardness D. The slave cylinder is resilient and deformable at the pressure applied to it by the engraved cylinder. In particular, the invention applies to the manufacture of webs and of disposable, decorative napkins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Bernard Louis Dit Picard, Henri Lesage, Jean-Louis Neveu
  • Patent number: 6331265
    Abstract: Provided is a method for the production of a reinforced polymer, which method comprises: (a) introducing carbon nanotubes into a polymer to provide a mixture of the polymer and the nanotubes; (b) stretching the mixture at or above the melting temperature (Tm) of the polymer to orient the carbon nanotubes; and (c) stretching the mixture in the solid state to further orient the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Atofina Research
    Inventors: Marc Dupire, Jacques Michel
  • Patent number: 6331205
    Abstract: The invention concerns aqueous viscous compositions, whether clear or not, for making soft or hard capsules, and method for making films for such capsules (gelled capsules). Said compositions are in particular characterised in that they contain a single gelling agent consisting of a carrageenan, preferably an Iota carrageenan, whereof the concentration in the medium is higher than 5% of the medium which can be aqueous and oily. The invention also concerns a method for making films for such capsules which consists in dehydrating said films by oven drying or lyophilisation. The invention is applicable in pharmaceutics, cosmetics and dietetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventors: Laurence Paris, Fabrice Viaud
  • Publication number: 20010048175
    Abstract: Pultruded composites of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin are shaped in-line during the pultrusion process to provide a variety of non-linear or variable cross-section articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher M. Edwards, Edward L. D'Hooghe
  • Patent number: 6325960
    Abstract: Calender for a fibrous material web and method of operating a calender for a fibrous material web. The calender includes a first roll stack and a second roll stack each arranged in a common plane on a stanchion, each roll stack having a top deflection adjustment roll having a sleeve, a bottom deflection adjustment roll having a sleeve, and three intermediate rolls disposed between the top deflection adjustment roll and the bottom deflection adjustment roll, the uppermost the intermediate roll being fixedly mounted to the stanchion. The calender further has a deflection adjustment device having a sleeve lift supporting each sleeve, at least one deflection adjustment device facing the first roll stack in a first operative position and facing the second roll stack in a second operative position. A nonrotatable bracket supporting each deflection adjustment device and fixedly mounted to the stanchion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Kayser, Joachim Hinz, Mathias Helmus, Gerhard Stock
  • Publication number: 20010042936
    Abstract: A process for producing solid creatine-containing dosage forms, wherein
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Knut Kessel, Gunter Scherr, Thomas Bogenstatter, Gunther Berndl, Jorg Breitenbach
  • Publication number: 20010019757
    Abstract: An apparatus for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they Are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Wendler,
  • Publication number: 20010019756
    Abstract: An apparatus for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Wendler
  • Patent number: 6261487
    Abstract: In order to control and optimize, without stopping production, bowing in the outer wall of a calender roll in which bowing is produced by the action of pressure on an incompressible liquid enclosed in the roll, the invention proposes that, based on error signals generated from continuous thickness measurements and from at least one other quality characteristic, the temperature of the liquid is controlled and the nip modified to correct for deviations from the correct thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Brunckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Bongaerts, Dietmar Jenke
  • Patent number: 6248276
    Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Luis Parellada, Juan Sánchez
  • Patent number: 6245273
    Abstract: A method for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers using an apparatus, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Wendler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6224811
    Abstract: The disclosure disclosed a fabric made of cellulose acetate and/or cellulose triacetate, and optionally fibers of other selected substances, which are calendered at selected temperatures and pressures after having been water-wetted to a selected water content in order to bond the fibers of cellulose acetate and/or triacetate to one another and/or to fibers of the other selected substances. The selected calendering temperatures are from about 130° C. to about 210° C., preferably from about 160° C. to about 190° C.; the selected pressures are from about 500 to about 5000 psi, preferably from about 500 to about 2500 psi and most preferably from about 1000 to about 2500 psi; and selected water content is from about 20% to about 600% of fabric dry weight. The physical properties of the calendered fabric, for example the stiffness or hand resulting from different degrees of bonding can be changed by altering one or more of there parameters, either separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Powers, Harold W. Davis, James Robert Walden
  • Publication number: 20010000365
    Abstract: A hook fastener member having rows of molded hook-shaped fastener elements that lie in planes aligned with the rows, with generally planar plate portions at the outermost ends of at least some of the fastener elements, the plate portions lying generally parallel to the base of the fastener member. The plate portions can enhance engagement of the hook fastener members with mating loop fastener members, particularly with low loft non-woven loop fastener members. A method of making fastener members is provided. Molten resin is extruded and applied to a molding roller, creating preforms. The outermost portions of at least some of the preforms are flattened, thereby forming generally plate shaped portions. Disposable absorbent garments advantageously incorporate the hook fastener members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Applicant: Velcro Industries B.V. Netherlands corporation
    Inventors: George A. Provost, Mark J. Condon, A. Todd Leak, Apiromraj S. Roslansky, Paul J. Serbiak
  • Patent number: 6214274
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for compacting a web (12) which contains a superabsorbent material (32) can include a plasticizing of the superabsorbent material contained in the web (12), and a compressing of the web (12) at a relatively low pressure. The selected, low pressure can be arranged to substantially avoid an excessive fracturing of the superabsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon Kathleen Melius, David Arthur Fell, William Grover Reeves, Donald Joseph Sanders, Heath David Van Wychen, Michael Barth Venturino, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet
  • Patent number: 6203600
    Abstract: A precipitator having a through-flowing passage for the air to be purified. The precipitator is intended to be included in an air purification device, especially for purifying air from electrically charged particles. The precipitator is electrically connected to a high voltage source and has at least two electrode elements or groups of such elements arranged at different potential relative to each other. The electrode elements being designed as band-like strips that are arranged to circle at least once, and preferably several times, around an imaginary axis at a gap distance (d), seen in radial direction relative to the imaginary axis, from adjacent electrode elements. The extension of the electrode elements in the air flow direction is essentially less than their circled length around the imaginary axis. The edge section of the electrode elements, preferably at one side only of the body of the precipitator, are fixed relative to each other by the aid of fixing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eurus Airtech AB
    Inventor: Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 6190479
    Abstract: A cured tread making apparatus and method including a tread extruder from which a hot rubber compound continuously exits, a continuous rotational curing device comprising a heated rotatable drum and a cooperating moving tension belt adapted to provide continuous curing pressure against the rotating drum, and cast segments, incorporating a particular tread design, attached to the exterior circumferential surface area of the heated drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: David Bruce DuMars, Anita DuMars
  • Patent number: 6187832
    Abstract: Process for preparing a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and two different polyols under foam forming conditions so as to prepare a rigid foam, by crushing the rigid foam so obtained and by subjecting the flexible foam so obtained to a heat treatment. Flexible foams are obtained which do not show a major glass transition temperature between −100° C. and +25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Jan Willem Leenslag
  • Patent number: 6159412
    Abstract: A method for making thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer films with improved transverse direction properties comprises two preferably embossed rollers which oscillate oppositely with respect to each along their respective rotational axes. Film made by passing a liquid crystalline polymer between such rolls has improved transverse direction properties. Such films are useful in multilayer containers and for circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Dupont Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Eldon Lawrence Fletcher, Anthony Joseph Cesaroni
  • Patent number: 6129538
    Abstract: The present invention is a thermoformer which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package. In one embodiment, the thermoformer comprises a pre-cut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut area are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a forming station adapted to form each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: W. Charles Jones
  • Patent number: 6060007
    Abstract: A dyed braided suture is formed by dry blending a colorant and a thermoplastic resin; extruding the blend by melt spinning to form filaments; drawing the filaments, braiding the drawn filaments and converting the braided filaments to a suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Tyco Group S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hutton, Barry L. Dumican
  • Patent number: 6054091
    Abstract: A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Philip Miller, William L. Melbye
  • Patent number: 6047751
    Abstract: A device for increasing the hardness and intensity of wood which comprises chuck means for holding the wood in a fixed position for processing, a compression-shaped forming die for compressing the wood being processed, an ultrasonic wave-generating device operatively connected with the compression-shaped forming die for applying sound waves to the wood, a forming mold positioned downstream of said compression-shaped forming die for receiving wood therefrom, said forming mold further compressing said wood to remove a portion of the water contained therein, and means for advancing the chuck means containing the wood being processed through the compression-shaped forming die, the ultrasonic wave-generating device and the forming mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Sun-Tae An
  • Patent number: 6041701
    Abstract: The general application of the invention is a finishing process for an air-laid nonwoven web composed of short cellulosic fibers, bound by a thermoplastic binder and having a less than perfect homogeneous fiber distribution. In the invention, the process includes deforming under hot stress the web between an undeforming hard engraved cylinder and a slave cylinder having a hardness between about 60 and 90 degrees shore hardness D. The slave cylinder is resilient and deformable at the pressure applied to it by the engraved cylinder. In particular, the invention applies to the manufacture of webs and of disposable, decorative napkins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James France
    Inventors: Bernard Louis Dit Picard, Henri Lesage, Jean-Louis Neveu
  • Patent number: 6042761
    Abstract: When producing plastic cards, a plurality of layers is laminated under application of heat and pressure resulting in unpredictable shrinking. In order to compensate shrinking, the laminated web is elongated to adapt to its nominal alignment size. Elongation is produced by material displacement along grid bars separating to-be-fabricated cards later punched off the web leaving a waste grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Melzer Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Melzer, Roland Melzer
  • Patent number: 6039911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping a headed stem fasteners. The precursor web having a backing with a rear surface, a front surface, and a multiplicity of polymeric stems projecting distally from the front surface of the backing is fed into a variable nip between a heated member opposite a support surface. The support surface has a shape generally conforming to the contour of the heated member. The variable nip compressively engages the polymeric stems between the heated member and the support surface so that distal ends of the polymeric stems are deformed. The heated member can be a heated roll or a heated belt. The support surface may be a curved capping shoe or a belt shaped to create a particular nip profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip Miller, Thomas R. LaLiberte
  • Patent number: 6036909
    Abstract: Cellulosic webs can be embossed using an extended nip structure with embossing means in a controlled nip dwell zone. Single and multiply wipes and towels produced by plying together two or more such webs can be embossed. Webs having common caliper and basis weight can be processed using the extended nip structure with an appropriate embossing means. The tendency of the embossed relief to relax and disappear after processing can be substantially alleviated by controlling dwell time to ensure reliable embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Baum
  • Patent number: 6036903
    Abstract: An annular friction liner, especially for use in a friction device of a motor vehicle, is made by a method in which a straight strip of friction material, having a width substantially equal to the required final width of the liner, is deformed into a continuous ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: David Kierbel, Loic Adamczak, Cecile Rommeru, Claude Legrand
  • Patent number: 6027680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the in-line pre-impregnation of glass or synthetic fibers with a non-aqueous chemical treatment. The apparatus includes a first applicator for applying a curable, non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and a second applicator for applying a curing agent for the chemical treatment agent. The fibers are passed over the first and second applicators which are arranged either in parallel or in series, and are then joined by a gathering device to initiate curing of the chemical treatment agent on the fibers. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray gun in which a mixture of the non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and curing agent are sprayed onto an applicator roll in contact with the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Woodside, Margaret Woodside, David Shipp, Frank J. Macdonald