Means Permitting Visual Inspection By Operator Patents (Class 425/173)
  • Publication number: 20030201578
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and a method for drilling holes in a work piece with a laser. A laser beam is received by the optical system and directed along an optical path. The system directs the laser beam through a moveable mask aperture creating a sub-beam, that is reduced in size by a lens system as it is imaged onto a work piece. Multiple features are formed in the work piece by moving the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Ming Li, Makoto Ishizuka, Xinbing Liu
  • Publication number: 20030155672
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method are provided in which the rate of material flow during an injection cycle is controlled. According to one preferred embodiment, an injection molding apparatus is provided that includes a manifold, at least one injection nozzle coupled to the manifold, an actuator, and a valve pin adapted to reciprocate through the manifold and the injection nozzle. The valve pin has a first end coupled to the actuator, a second end that closes the gate in a forward position, and a control surface intermediate said first and second ends for adjusting the rate of material flow during an injection cycle. Retracting the valve pin tends to decrease the rate of material flow during the injection cycle and displacing the valve pin toward the gate tends to increase the rate of material flow during the injection cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Synventive Molding Solutions
    Inventors: David Kazmer, Mark D. Moss, Mark Doyle, Huip van Geel
  • Publication number: 20030143300
    Abstract: A set of compaction rams and/or die-plates for a tabletting machine has all of the compaction rams and/or die-plates of the set furnished with a code containing at least the following information: (a) a label for the set of compaction rams and die-plates; (b) an individual label for each compaction ram and/or die-plate within the set; (c) data effective to critically dimension the compaction ram and/or die-plate which contains the code; and (d) data containing service life information for the compaction ram and/or die-plate which contains the code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Detlev Scholz, Jurgen Hinzpeter, Ulrich Zeuschner, Ingo Schmidt, Jan Naeve, Reno Schiebe, Michael Gruber
  • Publication number: 20030141614
    Abstract: For observing a flow of molten resin in an injection molding apparatus, a transparent cylinder, which is formed of transparent glass or transparent plastic material, is used in place of a mold of the apparatus. Because filling the transparent cylinder with the molten resin up to the cylinder's full capacity will burst the cylinder, the molten resin injection is terminated on the way when the injected molten resin has occupied a predetermined percentage, in a range of 50-90%, of the total volume of the cylinder, so that a burst of the cylinder can be avoided. The transparent cylinder provides for an increased resin-flow observation range because of its transparency, and can be less expensive because it is formed of inexpensive glass or plastic. As a consequence, there can be provided an efficient resin-flow observing experiment apparatus at lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6582215
    Abstract: An automatic slug feeding device for delivering slugs to a compression mold for molding golf ball cores is characterized by synchronized rotary transfer, slug conveyance, gripping mechanism transfer and a tray conveyor for transferring slugs from an extruder to a mold loading robotic arm, and subsequently to a mold press. The rotary transfer device receives slugs from the extruder and the slug conveyor linearly conveys individual slugs from the transfer device. The gripping mechanism simultaneously removes a plurality of slugs from the conveyor and deposits them in an array of receptacles in a molding trays which are shuttled to an unload position, where the mold loading robotic arm transfers slugs into a mold press. Storage of extruded slugs prior to compression molding is thus eliminated, cycle time is reduced, core quality is improved, and operator safety is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Cloutier
  • Publication number: 20030082255
    Abstract: A display apparatus of an injection molding apparatus has a plurality of display areas on a screen of a display unit so as to perform a profile display of a molding data profile on an individual area basis. A program memory stores a program for defining a plurality of independent display areas on a screen of a display part, a program for arbitrarily relating the molding data to each of the display areas, a program for setting a display start timing to display the molding data profile related to each of the display areas, and a program for displaying the molding data profile related to each of the display areas on an individual area basis. A display control part controls the display part to display the molding data profile independently in the plurality of display areas on an individual area basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Konishi, Susumu Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 6527534
    Abstract: A disturbance estimating observer is provided, which estimates a load applied to a servomotor for driving an ejector axis. When an ejector operates, the disturbance load torque estimated by the observer is sampled for each specific period (0 to j), and the data DA (0, 0) to DA (i, j) of (i+1) ejector processes are stored in a table TA in the form of cyclic storage. From this table TA, average values DB (0) to DB (j) of estimated disturbance load torques are determined in turn and they are stored in a table TB. From these average values, upper limit values DC (0) to DC (j) and lower limit values DD (0) to DD (j) of a permissible range are stored in tables TC, TD. When the determined estimated disturbance load torque has exceeded the permissible range, an abnormal load signal is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguchi, Tatsuhiro Uchiyama, Minoru Kobayashi, Masayuki Ueno
  • Publication number: 20020180080
    Abstract: There is provided a molding machine controlling unit and method capable or preventing the operation of a molding machine from suddenly stopping due to the temperature of an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Masamitsu Suzuki, Yutaka Yamaguchi, Motoyuki Miyauchi, Makoto Nishizawa, Akira Kanda
  • Patent number: 6409495
    Abstract: A mold protection device for an injection molding machine capable of automatically setting a reference value for detecting an abnormal load exerted on a mold in a mold closing process. A load exerted on a servomotor for driving a mold clamping mechanism is estimated by a disturbance estimating observer provided in a control system of the servomotor. The estimated disturbance torque is sampled at every predetermined period in a mold protection region and cyclically stored in a table TA as data DA (0, 0) to (i, j) in mold closing processes of the number (i+1). A predetermined amount is added to an average value of data DA (0, n) to (i, n) to define an upper limit DC(n) for the disturbance torque and stored in the table TC. If the estimated disturbance torque at each sampling period exceeds the upper limit DC(n) of in the mold protection region in a present mold closing process, an alarm is issued to indicate abnormal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguchi, Tatsuhiro Uchiyama, Masayuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 6402497
    Abstract: The mold clamping device with improved transmission mechanism includes: a middle platen 2 fixedly supported by a support base 1 and carrying the lower metallic mold 6; and front tie-bars 3a extending slidably therethrough. A movable platen 4 carrying the upper metallic mold 7 is secured to the top ends of the front tie-bars 3a. The horizontal connecting bar members 5a and 5b connect the bottom ends of the front and the rear tie-bars 3a and 3b. The middle platen 2 and the horizontal connecting bar members 5a and 5b are operatively coupled by means of the pantograph mechanism consisting of flat bar-shaped links 15a and 15b, whose front and rear joints are pinned to annular links 16a and 16bengaging with a left-and-right-handed ball thread member 17 driven by a driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Toshinobu Banjyo, Masataka Takehara, Shinichi Hasegawa, Haruo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6386503
    Abstract: A mold for embedding casts in an embedding compound for producing molds for dental workpieces, such as crowns and bridges, which has a mold cavity which can be filled with the embedding compound, which holds at least one cast and which is closed by a cylindrical peripheral wall and by a bottom part. The peripheral wall is formed by a blank of a transparent or translucent flat elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Dental Forschung Schleicher GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schleicher
  • Patent number: 6354560
    Abstract: A marking device is provided that can confirm a mark imprinted on a molded piece from outside a molding tool and can inscribe a plurality of marks with a sole marker. The marking device consists of a reference sleeve, a top imprint portion, a sleeve, a top imprint portion, and a pin. The reference sleeve is fixedly assembled and has the top reference imprint surface confronting a molding area, a reference imprint mark being formed on the stamp surface. The top imprint portion is rotatably journaled within the reference sleeve and has the top display imprint surface being flush with the top reference imprint surface, on which data imprint marks to be pointed by a reference imprint mark are formed. The sleeve has a base end actuator, on which data display are indicated, formed at a protrusion protruded from a molding area outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawasaki, Hiroaki Maru, Nobuo Akiba
  • Patent number: 6156359
    Abstract: A microwaveable confection mold for use in a conventional microwave oven. The mold permits solid confection capable of melting when exposed to microwave energy to be introduced into the mold. The mold comprises a clear microwave transparent plastic material to facilitate observation of the confection melting process with subsequent settling in the mold sections. A pigment in the mold changes the colour to indicate to the user when the liquified confection has hardened and the mold cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: All 4 Fun Consumers Products Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Segal
  • Patent number: 6071440
    Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Wallace Anthony Martin, Craig William Walker, Michael Francis Widman
  • Patent number: 5995009
    Abstract: A warning apparatus for an injection molding machine includes a detection device for detecting an operation performed by an operator of the injection molding machine; a warning section for warning the operator in response to a detection signal from the detection device; and a cancellation section for canceling the warning when the operator correctly operates the injection molding machine. When there is a possibility that an operator incorrectly operates the injection molding machine, a warning is generated by the warning section. Therefore, the operator is prevented from incorrectly operating the injection molding machine. Thus, breakage of the mold unit is avoided. Further, since the cancellation section is provided, the operator does not have to perform any operation for canceling the warning, so that work efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yonezawa, Yukkiang Lau
  • Patent number: 5772319
    Abstract: A material loader includes a material hopper, an air filter, a hopper support and a control box. The filter is positioned on top of the hopper, and the hopper is positioned on top of the hopper support. The entire unit is mounted directly over the throat of a plastic injection molding machine and feeds a mixture of virgin and regrind plastic into the machine. The control box, mounted on the side of the plastic injection molding machine, contains timers and other electronic equipment which run the unit to control amount, ratio and timing of conveyance of feed material to the hopper, and ultimately to the press. Two inlet tubes feed plastic into the hopper, one feeding virgin plastic and the other feeding regrind plastic. The control box contains load timers, which may be adjusted manually to control the exact amount of each type of plastic which is fed into the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Paul A. Pemberton, Darren E. Tipton
  • Patent number: 5770123
    Abstract: An energy beam is irradiated to a workpiece through a beam transmission hole defined in a mask. At that time, a relative position between an energy beam source and the mask or the mask and the workpiece is changed, so that machining depth of the workpiece is varied depending on machining portions of the workpiece, which correspond to amounts of irradiation of the energy beam. With this method, a machined product having locally different depths very easily can be made and further the product can be machined to desired depths with high accuracy by a single machining operation in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Yotaro Hatamura
    Inventors: Masahiro Hatakeyama, Katsunori Ichiki, Tadasuke Kobata, Masayuki Nakao, Yotaro Hatamura
  • Patent number: 5701814
    Abstract: A hydraulic press assembly and method of making the same in which a substantial portion of the housing encompassing the press is formed of a unibody construction from structural tubing to provide a durable lightweight hydraulic press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Herpst
    Inventors: Robert Herpst, Ruben A. Diaz
  • Patent number: 5688537
    Abstract: An injection-molding assembly has a fixed mold plate carrying a centering ring, a fixed mold half carrying a centering ring snugly interfitted with the fixed-plate centering ring, a movable mold plate carrying a centering ring, and a movable mold half carrying a centering ring snugly interfitted with the movable-plate centering ring. One of the rings is formed of an outer ring part having a substantially circular outer periphery and a substantially circular inner periphery and of an inner ring part having a substantially circular outer periphery and a Substantially circular inner periphery. The outer periphery of one of the ring parts has a center of curvature offset radially from a center of curvature of the respective inner periphery. The annular parts can be angularly displaced and can be clamped relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei AG
    Inventors: Peter Brams, Peter Lichtinger
  • Patent number: 5670181
    Abstract: A method of slip casting for the manufacture of ceramic items, wherein the wall thicknesses are accurately determined by providing confined slip pool samples which visibly solidify on an external portion of the plaster of paris mold being used. The solidification of the sample is indicative of the moist wall thickness of the object being molded, when the mold is decanted at that instant of still liquid slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Christine P. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5629033
    Abstract: A machine for pressing earth into blocks has a rectangular breech and a press foot vertically reciprocally drivable in the breech. A bucking block is horizontally reciprocally drivable into and out of registration with an open upper end of the breech. Portions of the upper surface of the bucking block are tapered upwardly from front to rear and a horizontal bucking bar extends across the breech and bears downwardly against the tapered upper portions of the bucking block when the bucking block is in registration with the breech. The bucking bar can be supported at selectively variable levels above the breech and assures a firm positioning of the block against the force of the earth being compacted by the press foot. A rod extending vertically from and movable with the press foot cooperates with a sight line device fixed to the machine to facilitate visual determination of the elevation of the press foot within the breech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: David Lienau
  • 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: 5591462
    Abstract: Camera based inspection equipment is used in conjunction with a multiple-station forming device such as a blow molder for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PEN bottle manufacturing. The inspection system relies on handling devices that present successive bottles for imaging, and due to their operation with the forming device it is possible to correlate inspection data with individual forming elements and/or transfer elements. A seal surface inspection module, a base/neck fold inspection module and a finish gauge inspection module are integrated into the route of preforms and containers through the container manufacturing equipment such that the inspection system is directed to view the passing bottles as they are carried on the transfer devices needed to load and unload the molder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Pressco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald T. Darling, Trent G. Francis, Brad L. Williams, Harold L. Dewar, David B. Delater, Daniel B. Gold, Jerry Pentel, Paul L. Wright, Peter J. Sands, Phillip Cochran
  • Patent number: 5556590
    Abstract: A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminas, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Hull
  • Patent number: 5511962
    Abstract: An extrusion die includes a die body defining a manifold therein terminating at an outlet and first and second relatively moveable plugs disposed in the manifold each having a plug edge where the plug edges together define a profile. The first and second plugs are moveable to first and second plug positions, respectively, in the manifold and indicators are disposed outside of the die body for indicating the first and second plug positions and the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Extrusion Dies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry G. Lippert
  • Patent number: 5460505
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus which enables easier monitoring of the nozzle touch condition from the outside of a clamping unit (70). A stationary platen (10) of the clamping unit (70) is furnished with monitoring holes (16a, 16b). The monitoring holes (16a, 16b) extend from at least either of the front and rear sides of the clamping unit (70) toward a locating hole (12) into which a sprue bush (51) of dies is located. The monitoring holes (16a, 16b) may be interlocked with shutters (22a, 22b) which are opened or closed in response to open or close motion of the purge shield (20). Furthermore, it is possible to provide windows (34a, 34b) in a purge shield (30) so as to allow an operator to look into the monitoring holes (16a, 16b) therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Fanuc Limited
    Inventors: Susumu Ito, Koichi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5453000
    Abstract: A toy apparatus and method for making vacuum formed articles wherein a thin sheet of plastic is secured on a mold in a first position the mold is moved to a second position adjacent a heater for heating and softening the plastic sheet and a vacuum is applied to the mold and heated sheet either while it is in the second position or after it is moved back to its original first position. The apparatus includes a transparent safety cover and a shuttle lever which in combination reduce the possibility of a child operator of this toy from burning his or her fingers. The safety cover, if open, bars movement of the mold to the heater and bars entry of fingers toward the heater, and if closed, bars touching the mold, plastic sheet or heater. Following closure of the safety cover a first lever may be moved to drive the mold to the heater and a second lever may be moved to actuate the vacuum pump. The safety cover cannot be re-opened until the shuttle lever is returned to its start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Toymax Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Lebensfeld
  • Patent number: 5444795
    Abstract: The surface roughness of an extruded polymeric material is determined by forming a digital image of the extruded surface of the polymeric material and then determining the fractal dimension of any surface distortions of the extruded surface from the digital image. The fractal dimension is a measure of surface roughness and is dimensionless. A value of one indicates a smooth surface, while higher values indicated degrees of roughness. This information may be used to adjust molding conditions to avoid the formation of surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Costas Tzoganakis
  • Patent number: 5417900
    Abstract: A curing press for tires or other curable articles, has a fluid inlet line for supplying curing fluid into an inflatable elastomeric bladder mounted within the press cavity for curing a green tire or article in the cavity. The spent curing fluid is removed from the bladder after a curing operation by a pump through an exhaust line. A venturi ejector in the exhaust line causes a vacuum to be created within the bladder as the fluid is being removed during an unload cycle. A vacuum sensor is connected to the exhaust line and if a predetermined vacuum strength is not reached within a predetermined time, which indicates that leak exists, appropriate control circuitry is actuated to prevent loading of the next green tire or article into the press. The invention also incorporates the method for detecting a leak by measuring the strength of the vacuum created upon removal of the spent curing fluid after each curing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney A. Martin, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5290166
    Abstract: The device includes a left arm (11) and a right arm (10) hingably connected about a protractor scale (12). A left clamp and a right clamp (13 and 13') are slidably attached to the arms such that the spacing between the clamps is adjustable. Locking knobs (24A, 24B, 24A', and 24B') hold the clamps at the desired locations. Left and right socket formers (29 and 29') are slidably attached to the left and right clamps, respectively. Left and right levers (34 and 34') are used to extend the socket formers into a heated pipe (37) placed between the clamps to form integral pipe connecting sockets in the ends of the pipe. (A flexible mandrel is placed inside the pipe to prevent it from collapsing). Bending the arms to a desired angle on the protractor will bend the pipe to the same angle. Locking knob (18) holds the arms in place while the pipe cools. After the pipe is cooled and hardened, the levers are used to retract the socket formers from the pipe to release the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Galen K. Heatherly
  • Patent number: 5275545
    Abstract: A vacuum cast molding apparatus includes a plurality of vacuum chambers which can be brought into communication with each other, a plurality of depressurizing devices to evacuate each of the vacuum chambers respectively, a plurality of mixing and injecting devices installed in each of the vacuum chambers, to mix, agitate and inject molding materials into dies installed in each of the vacuum chambers, and separators installed removably between the vacuum chambers for partitioning each of the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers can be used independently when the separators are installed to partition them from each other. The vacuum chambers can also be used as one large vacuum chamber when the separators are removed bringing the chambers into communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha San-Al
    Inventors: Yu Ohyanagi, Michifumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5114637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for moulding a fluid settable material. The apparatus includes male and female mould halves defining between them a mould cavity having an inlet thereto for the introduction of a fluid settable material; between the male and female mould halves of the cavity a seal can be interposed to seal the mould cavity from the atmosphere. At least one vacuum outlet from a mould half leads via an isolation valve to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Short Brothers PLC
    Inventors: David R. Williams, Trevor P. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5092754
    Abstract: A device for vulcanizing or cross-linking a cord particularly a cable provided with a plastic covering, the device comprising an elongated pipe housing at the upper end of the housing, the cord being inserted and the upper area thereof being defined as a heating area and the lower area thereof as a cooling area wherien at least the heating area is provided with an inlet and an outlet for a protective gas, and an inspection window fitting positioned laterally at the pipe housing adjacent to the upper end for inspecting or measuring, respectively, the diameter of the cord by means of a suitable optical-electrical measuring device through an inspection window, wherein a separate heating device is associated with the upper area of the heating area of the pipe housing associated with the inspection window fitting, the heating device heating the atmosphere in the upper area permanently to a temperature higher than in the remaining areas of the heating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Sikora Industrieelectronik GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Sikora
  • Patent number: 5083910
    Abstract: A custom-fitted insole assembly for use in a shoe directly under a wearer's foot includes a heel-cupping and arch-supporting base component custom contoured to fit the heel and arch of the wearer's foot, a heel stabilizing component attached to an underside heel region of the base component, and a shock absorbing top sheet component sized to underlie the bottom of the wearer's foot and at its rear half to overlie and conform to the contour of the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventors: Danny P. Abshire, Jennifer M. Abshire
  • Patent number: 4959186
    Abstract: In the case of the extruder, the thread of the screw, or that of the screws, is partly left-handed and partly right-handed, so that one part of the material to be processed is conveyed in direction A, while the other part is conveyed in the opposite direction B. The process is a degasifying-extrusion-process and the extruder is a degasifying extruder. The apparatus includes a reverse-degasifying assembly (7,22) at the end (8,19) of the screw (1,16), or screws (1,16), if the material to be processed is carried away from this end, and/or a reverse-degasifying assembly (41,52) at the location between the threaded sections of the screw (1,16) or screws (1,16), so that the material to be processed is carried away in opposite directions B and A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Rhodia AG
    Inventors: Rudiger Dollhopf, Bernd Nandzik
  • Patent number: 4834637
    Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing ink jet glass tubes includes a vertical mandrel which receives the tubes one at a time from a feeder and rotates them relative to a pair of gas nozzles for their heating. The tube is heated in an axially limited intermediary zone so as to form an hour-glass shaped profile.The profile of the tube is scanned by a television camera which generates two signals indicative of the internal diameter. These are compared electronically with a stored indication of the desired diameter and the two nozzles are rotated into an inactive position when this diameter is reached. The tube is cut along a plane so as to make the profile of the nozzle coincident with a reference profile by a device including an optical device connected to a cutting wheel to permit comparison of the hour-glass profile of the element with the reference profile. The severed end of the tube is then lapped and covered with a non-wettable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Conta, Remo Rocchi, Alessandro Scardovi
  • Patent number: 4810429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of optical transmission elements comprising a bundle of at least one light waveguide lead having a coating of filling material and receiving an outer envelope, characterized by the method, including applying a first coating of filling material to the bundle, stripping a portion of the material from the coated bundle, applying a second coating and then, subsequently applying the envelope. By stripping a portion of the first coating of filling compound or material, air or gas bubbles in the filling compound will be stripped from the coated bundle and reduce the chance of damage to the light waveguide leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ernst Mayr
  • Patent number: 4721448
    Abstract: A moisture control system is provided for a pelletizing process wherein the moisture content of the pellets leaving the pelletizing process is constantly monitored and differences between the measured moisture content of the pellets and a set point indicating the desired moisture content of the pellets are used to regulate variable process controls in the pelletizing process so that the pellets leaving the pelletizing process will have the proper moisture content. Also, a system for protecting a viewing window of an instrument from contaminants is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Irish, Marlin B. Hull
  • Patent number: 4704237
    Abstract: An improved vacuum forming process for forming a deep drawn plastic article with a flange in an area of high forming stresses wherein a mold mounted on a base forms the shape of the article. A sheet of hot plastic material is placed over the mold and a vacuum is drawn to form the plastic sheet into the shape of the mold to form the article. The improvement is forming a character in the mold portion that forms the flange in the area of the high forming stress, said character having dimensions such that properly heated plastic sheet material will be imprinted with a predetermined clarity during the molding operation. A heated sheet of plastic material is placed over the mold and a vacuum is drawn to draw the plastic material around the mold including the mold portion that forms the flange in an area of high forming stresses. The plastic material is then solidified and removed from the mold. The flange is visually inspected to determine if the imprinted character has the predetermined clarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benson T. Taylor, Jr., Robert L. Werkmeister
  • Patent number: 4685876
    Abstract: The mold clamping force exerted in a toggle plastic injection molding machine is measured by determining the amount the tie rods stretch. A link is clamped on a lower tie rod near the backing platen and supports a contact that is adjustable in the direction of tie rod stretch. The contact in turn engages a probe portion of a sensor that is secured to the machine base. The contact, hence the sensor probe, move the amount that the tie rod stretches at the point of clamping. The motion is directly proportional to clamping force which latter can then be adjusted by operating the adjusting nut drive motor a suitable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony A. Loscei
  • Patent number: 4657720
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for quickly and exactly locating a desired structure in a specimen or the like located on a plate or slide, and then preparing an accurate, embedded specimen block for later use, and particularly for preparing thin sections, e.g., 0.1 microns or less, on a microtome machine, for microscopic examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Tohru Inouye
  • Patent number: 4655700
    Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating porous samples for materials evaluation with an inert material which fills the pores of the samples. A plurality of samples are placed in mold cups on a rotatable table within a vacuum chamber, and a supply of impregnant or encapsulant material such as an epoxy resin is provided in a container mounted on a tiltable platform located above the rotatable table. A plurality of samples are thus mounted in respective molding cups spaced in a circle on the rotatable table, a supply of encapsulant material is provided in a cup placed in a cup holder on the tiltable platform, a vacuum is created within the chamber, and the table is intermittently rotated to position each molding cup with its sample in line with the tilt axis of the tiltable platform to permit tilting of the encapsulant cup to pour a supply of resin into the molding cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Buehler Ltd.
    Inventor: Wase U. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 4597727
    Abstract: A kit for the in-place repairing of windshields and the method for using such kit, wherein a repair material injected into the windshield break area by a syringe and needle is forced into the windshield break through a repair assembly secured and sealed to the windshield by first applying stepped increments of measured vacuum levels and visually monitoring the windshield break area, and second applying positive pressure to the windshield break. An ultraviolet light source completes the repair by expediting hardening of the repair material within the windshield break to prevent refraction of light at the windshield break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: A.G.S., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Birkhauser, III
  • Patent number: 4549864
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for stacking layers of composite material on moulding equipment comprises a transfer band on which each of two opposed working sections has a surface suction device to hold on it a layer that has been placed in a precise position in register with an outline, projected onto the transfer band by means of neon tubes and a frosted glass plate in a first working station. The band transfers the layer to a second working station where the layer is isolated in a sealed enclosure by means of an inflatable joint carried by a frame facing a peripheral ridge surrounding the moulding equipment. Reduced pressure is produced in the enclosure via a reduced pressure outlet causing the transfer band to be displaced towards the moulding equipment and draping the layer over the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Andre P. Larribe
  • Patent number: 4529370
    Abstract: The pelletizer comprises a chamber having a first side and a second side coupled to an extruder. A shaft extends through the first side into the chamber, a rotatable cutter assembly is mounted to the end of the shaft in the chamber and a die assembly is mounted at the second side of the chamber and has a die face facing into the chamber. The cutter assembly is positioned for rotation adjacent the die face. A prime mover is coupled to the shaft for rotating the cutter assembly. Plastic material is extruded through holes in the die assembly into the chamber as the cutter assembly is rotated to cut plastic streams coming out of the die assembly into pellets. A position control assembly automatically controls the position of the cutter assembly adjacent the die face. The cutter assembly has a plurality of cutting blades mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Thomas R. Vigil
    Inventors: George Holmes, Frank Keyser
  • Patent number: 4487730
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for stacking layers of composite material on moulding equipment comprises a transfer band on which each of two opposed working sections has a surface suction device to hold on it a layer that has been placed in a precise position in register with an outline, projected onto the transfer band by means of neon tubes and a frosted glass plate in a first working station. The band transfers the layer to a second working station where the layer is isolated in a sealed enclosure by means of an inflatable joint carried by a frame facing a peripheral ridge surrounding the moulding equipment. Reduced pressure is produced in the enclosure via a reduced pressure outlet causing the transfer band to be displaced towards the moulding equipment and draping the layer over the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Andr/e/ P. Larribe
  • Patent number: 4421467
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing fault conditions in an automatic or semiautomatic machines, such as injection molding machines. The diagnostic system comprises a display panel having a plurality of lights or other visual indicators grouped in sets for the respective subsequences of the machine cycle, and if no fault conditions occur and the machine cycles properly, the sets of lights will be energized in succession so that the operator is continuously apprised of the condition of the machine. If a fault condition should occur, one or more of the lights in the set corresponding to the subsequence that the machine is presently implementing will not be energized, and the pattern of energized lights in that set is coded to the particular fault condition that has occurred. By correlating the code with a fault code listing, the operator can quickly identify the location and nature of the malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: HPM Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis W. Richmond
  • Patent number: 4299548
    Abstract: A toy casting machine including a base which has mounted thereon a crucible into which plastic materials may be placed for melting. The crucible is rotatably mounted to a sidewall and may be duped by an actuating mechanism which also moves a predesigned mold into position below the crucible. The crucible and machinery are entirely covered by transparent material to allow viewing the operation and to protect a child operating the machine. An isolating loading apparatus is provided to allow the machine to be loaded with raw material and molds without endangering the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Saffer, Hubert A. Rich, David N. Carman, Ferenc Fekete
  • Patent number: 4272049
    Abstract: A mould to be used for making specimen blocks for embedding specimens to be sectioned by a microtome, or ultramicrotome, is made from a soft heat resistant plastic to provide a number of cavities having the desired shape for the blocks to be moulded, the walls of the lowermost portions of the cavities being thin enough to be deformable by upward pressure on the exterior of the mould to remove the finished blocks with their embedded specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: LKB-Produkter AB
    Inventor: Erik L. Kindel
  • Patent number: 4253813
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a method and means for applying a flowable coating material, such as relining, to a tubular stack; e.g. chimney, flue or the like, by means of a distributor moved upwardly into the stack while supplying coating material to an upper surface of the distributor which is configured to cause the material to flow outwardly to the wall to adhere thereto. The apparatus includes selectively added extensions for moving the distributor incrementally through the length of stacks of considerable height, preferably by means of power-operated means; e.g., a fluid-pressure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventor: Eugene C. Farrell, Jr.