Molding Styropor Using Steam Probes-batch Patents (Class 264/DIG11)
  • Patent number: 5173307
    Abstract: This relates to a mold for rebonding polyurethane and like plastic foam to form selected shapes. A typical shape may be a back or a seat member for an article of furniture. The mold is improved in that the bottom mold member, which is particularly designed in accordance with the desired configuration of the shape, has been formed of epoxy which is readily moldable at a low cost. The mold is also improved by providing the base plate of the mold with a ramped floor which facilitates the drainage of condensate from a lower steam chamber. The configuration of the ramped floor allows for quick removal of the condensate and serves to reduce the volume in the steam chamber thereby minimizing pressure build-up in the steam chamber. This results in lower steam pressures being used during the curing process and for a shorter curing operation. The lower steam pressure also avoids leakage of steam and water from the epoxy mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Nestle
  • Patent number: 4961913
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high performance ceramics and methods for their production using supercritical temperatures and supercritical pressures. Furthermore, the present invention relates to high performance ceramics for use in the automobile industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4769346
    Abstract: A composite ceramic extrusion die consisting of a silicon carbide wisker-reinforced cordierite ceramic wherein the predominant matrix phase is cordierite or, preferably, barium-stuffed cordierite having a crystal compositon xBaO.4MgO.(4+x)Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.(10-2x)SiO.sub.2 wherein x ranges from zero up to about 0.5, such extrusion die exhibiting excellent durability under the conditions of non-ferrous metal alloy extrusion at temperatures of 700.degree.-900.degree. C., is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventors: Kishor P. Gadkaree, K. Pattabhirami Reddy
  • Patent number: 4693856
    Abstract: Expandible synthetic resinous particles are molded by injecting heated air generally centrally into the mold cavity by means of a probe, withdrawing the probe and heating the surface of the mold. Low densities and rapid cycle times are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Louis C. Rubens, Willard E. Alexander, Carl A. Raeck
  • Patent number: 4304810
    Abstract: Low density, lightweight foam articles may be provided with certain portions or regions thereof, that are reinforced, having higher density and strength, obtained by compression of the foam in these locations, during or after formation of the foam. Such locations may be made sufficiently strong and dense to allow the article to be attached in place by fastening means, imbedded therein. The increase in density can be as much as from 5 pcf to 10 pcf or higher, depending upon the particular application.Many foam materials, capable of being molded, extruded, or otherwise shaped to a predetermined configuration, may be made with this combination of high and low density, including foams of styrenic polymer or copolymer compositions, urethanes, vinyls, and even non-thermoplastic based materials, such as phenolic foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Arco Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Gates, Dennis J. Fuller, Thomas L. Wolford
  • Patent number: 4295810
    Abstract: A building block having at least one chamber therein which is filled with a foamed plastic material consisting of particles interconnected at their surfaces to form gas-permeable interstices. The block is formed by filling the chamber with a loose fill of the foamed plastic material and then fusing the particles to each other by blowing hot gas through an injection lance inserted in the fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Veit Dennert KG Baustoffbetriebe
    Inventors: Heinz Dennert, Hans V. Dennert
  • Patent number: 4275539
    Abstract: A building block including at least one internal cavity is insulated by molding an insulating layer from expandable thermoplastic polymer particles, such as beaded polystyrene, to one or more interior surfaces of the cavity. The molding operation is carried out by positioning a male plug member within the internal cavity of the building block with at least one peripheral surface of the plug member spaced from at least one interior surface of the cavity to provide a peripheral compartment into which the polymer particles are directed for molding the layer. Thereafter, steam, under pressure, is injected into the peripheral compartment to cause the particles to expand and fuse together into an efficient insulating layer that is expanded into close conformity with the interior surface(s) of the cavity. During the steam injecting operation a positive inwardly directed external force is applied to external surfaces of at least two opposed walls of the block to counteract internal forces generated by the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Inventor: Richard V. Abbott, III