Roll Mounted Within Cooperating Drum Patents (Class 425/365)
  • Publication number: 20150110930
    Abstract: To provide a food dough spreading method for gradually spreading food dough to make it thinner by supplying the food dough between a plurality of spreading rollers in a spreading unit in which the spreading rollers are arranged in a V-shape. By adjusting a distance between a pair of vibration applying members provided between the spreading rollers arranged in a V-shape, a width dimension of the food dough flowing out from the spreading unit (25) is adjusted, and the vibration applying members are reciprocatively vibrated in a longitudinal direction of the spreading rollers at a position where the width dimension is adjusted. The reciprocative vibration of the pair of vibration applying members is vibration in a direction of approaching and separating from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: RHEON AUTOMATIC MACHINERY CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Michio Morikawa, Koichi Hirabayashi, Susumu Kominato, Masashi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8974210
    Abstract: A pelletizing device comprising a rotary drivable at least partly cylindrical die, wherein the cylindrical part comprises a multitude of radial openings for making of pellets and at least one roller rotatable around a stationary shaft, for pressing of material to be pelletized through the radial openings in the die, wherein the roller is mounted to the corresponding stationary shaft by means of at least one roller bearing and wherein the pelletizing device comprises an oil circulation system for lubricating each of the roller bearings of each of the rollers with oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: CPM Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Viktor B. Udink, Maurice J. M. Bindels
  • Patent number: 8961166
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a light guide film may comprise a feed roller, a receiving roller, a separating device, a hot press printing device and a recombining device. Firstly, the separating device may separate a protective layer from a substrate layer of the light guide film. Secondly, a surface of the substrate layer to be manufactured may be impressed with light guide dots by the hot press printing device, and the recombining device recombine the peeled protective layer to the substrate layer. And lastly, the finished light guide film is recycled by the receiving roller. The apparatus may have advantages such as high output and low cost, and it may manufacture a large dimensioned product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: SVG Optronics Co., Ltd., Suzhou University
    Inventors: Zhihua Wu, Xiachong Zhou, Zongbao Fang, Su Shen, Guojun Wei, Donglin Pu, Linsen Chen
  • Publication number: 20150037469
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for producing a ready-to-eat biscuit comprising at least 29 wt % wholegrain cereal flour, 5 wt % to 22 wt % fat, and at most 30 wt % sugar relative to the total weight of the biscuit, wherein the slowly-digestible-starch-over-total-available-starch ratio of the biscuit is at least 31 wt %, the method comprising: mixing a cereal flour comprising the wholegrain cereal flour with fat and sugar and at most 8 wt % added water relative to the total weight of the dough, to form a dough; moulding the dough into the shape of a biscuit; baking the biscuit; wherein the cereal flour comprises refined cereal flour in an amount of at least 14.5 wt % of the dough and wherein the refined cereal flour has a water absorption under 55% as measured by Brabender® Farinograph® according to NF-ISO-5530-1 norm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: GENERALE BISCUIT
    Inventors: Juliette Folz, Aliette Verel, Sophie Vinoy
  • Publication number: 20140300027
    Abstract: Various methods (1000, 1100) can be employed to apply a braided product to an irregular core. Application can occur while preserving the integrity of the braided structure. A system (200) can be designed in turn to apply a braided product to an irregular core (212). The system can include a mandrel (206) that prevents distortion of the braid during application. System (200) can additionally include a pinch clamp (210) and cam track assembly (214) that are designed based at least in part on the irregular core (212). Further, a mandrel (100) can be designed to prevent distortion of braiding of a braided structure by maintaining constant length in all directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew A. Head, Steven Charles Stenard
  • Patent number: 8602766
    Abstract: Rotary forming devices and methods of using the rotary forming devices for producing products such as filled and unfilled “pillow” shaped products. In an embodiment, the invention provides a device comprising a housing comprising a die plate defining a plurality of outlets. The housing defines an inlet. A race plate is attached to the die plate. The race plate circumscribes the outlets of the die plate. A forming wheel is rotatably attached to the die plate. A motor assembly is attached to the forming wheel. The motor assembly is constructed and arranged to rotate the forming wheel in a hypocycloid motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Colin Muscroft
  • Patent number: 8535041
    Abstract: Techniques, methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed that are useful for creating addressable three-dimensional elements formed on a flexible substrate using continuous roll-to-roll fabrication methods. An array of conductive elements can be formed on a first flexible substrate layer, over which is disposed a second polymer layer containing a three-dimensional micro-scale relief pattern. The second layer can be formed in registration with the underlying electrode pattern. The lowest areas of the micropattern can be etched away, in order to expose the underlying electrode elements. The 3D micropattern can include a volumetric structure capable of being filled with various materials, where the contents of the 3D structure may be further processed by chemical, electrochemical, or physical treatment. The 3D structure may consist of elements in the general form of microvessels disposed in a periodic or non-periodic array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Microcontinuum, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Dennis Slafer
  • Patent number: 8512614
    Abstract: A molding system including a component formed in a generally closed loop shape and having a plurality of radially extending teeth. The component includes a plurality of discrete segments coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Randall R. Diefenderfer, Randy C. Foster, Enayat O. Karimian
  • Patent number: 8465687
    Abstract: Devices and methods for making hollow concrete elements are disclosed. A device includes a drum mold having a tubular mold wall. The mold wall has a first and a second end flange each with an inner periphery smaller than the inner periphery of the mold wall at each respective end. The device further includes a compaction roller positionable inside the mold wall. The compaction roller has a profile that defines the interior shape of the concrete element. The compaction roller is supported by a hydraulically height adjustable supporting mechanism that is operable to independently adjust the distance of each end of the compaction roller with respect to the inner periphery of the mold wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Peter Häger
  • Patent number: 8371836
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meat mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mold cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mold cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mold a molded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the molded three-dimensional product from the mold cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the molded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stork Titan B.V.
    Inventors: Hendricus Franciscus Jacobus Maria van der Eerden, Barend Jacobus Emmanuel Beijaard, Cornelis Laurentius Bernardus Verhoeven, Dirk Meskendahl
  • Publication number: 20120318443
    Abstract: A production device of a rubber band body includes: an extruder; and a pair of rollers for rolling a rubber member from the extruder between rolling areas of rollers to form a rubber band body, wherein a rolling area of at least one of the pair of rollers is configured by a circumferential groove formed in the outer periphery surface of the roller and extending over the entire periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Iyanagi, Masaoki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8231377
    Abstract: The invention provides a roll assembly including a pair of cylindrical rolls that are positioned in an opposing cooperating relation for receiving a sheet material therebetween. A plurality of projections on at least one of the rolls extending radially outward from a surface thereof and a plurality of corresponding recesses is provided on the other roll. The projections and corresponding recesses are positioned and arranged on the rolls for contacting and engaging a sheet passing between the pair of rolls. The projections each include an outermost surface portion that is positioned for contacting a discrete portion of the sheet and for entering a corresponding recess on the opposite roll. When rolls rotate about their axes, the projections engage the discrete portion of the sheet material which results in the discrete portion entering the recesses with the projections so as to stretch the sheet in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fiberweb Corovin GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Wittner, Jean-Claude Abed
  • Patent number: 8211341
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to synthetic organic fiber pellets, methods for making such pellets, and methods of using such pellets for making fiber reinforced polypropylene composite resins. The synthetic organic fiber pellets include at least 80 wt % of a synthetic organic fiber chosen from polyalkylene terephthalates, polyalkylene naphthalates, polyamides, polyolefins, polyacrylonitrile, and combinations thereof, and from 2 to 20 wt % of one or more waxes. The synthetic organic fiber pellets are produced using a pelleting press process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Arnold Lustiger
  • Patent number: 7976303
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meat mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mold cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mold cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mold a molded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the molded three-dimensional product from the mold cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the molded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stork Titan B.V.
    Inventors: Hendricus Franciscus Jacobus Maria van der Eerden, Barend Jacobus Emmanuel Beijaard, Cornelis Laurentius Bernardus Verhoeven, Dirk Meskendahl
  • Patent number: 7964243
    Abstract: The present disclosure features processes and equipment for forming a variety of textured materials, including both release webs, and finished products such as flooring materials, wall coverings, textured laminates and the like. The processes described herein allow curing radiation to be passed through a texturing medium, rather than through the substrate to which the curable material is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: S.D. Warren Company
    Inventors: Gary P. Blenkhorn, Dieter Doehring
  • Publication number: 20110115115
    Abstract: A stiffener has an elongate web element and an elongate foot element connected by a curved elbow that has a radius greater over a first portion than over a second portion of the stiffener. The stiffener is formed by feeding an elongate member through a roll forming die having first and second rollers, the first roller having a shaped section arranged to be located within a correspondingly shaped recess in the second roller, the first and second rollers defining a gap there between corresponding to the desired shape to be imparted on the elongate member, the desired shape including a curved elbow between a web and a foot portion, wherein the shapes of the recess and the shaped section vary such that the radius of curvature of the gap between the rollers corresponding to the curved elbow varies between a minimum and a maximum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Darren John Winter
  • Patent number: 7938640
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller nanoimprint apparatus capable of preventing a workpiece film with nanostructures having been transferred from the mold roller from being uneven in thickness and allowing easy replacement of the mold roller. The present invention is a roller nanoimprint apparatus including a mold roller and continuously transferring nanosized protrusions to a surface of a workpiece film by rotating the mold roller, wherein the mold roller is a cylindrical body, having an outer circumference surface with nanosized recesses formed thereon, the roller nanoimprint apparatus further includes a fluid container having an elastic film inflatable by injecting fluid into the container, the fluid container being arranged in a region defined by an inner circumference surface of the mold roller, the mold roller is mounted or demounted when the elastic film is shrunken, and the mold roller is supported from the inside when the elastic film is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Yamada, Akiyoshi Fujii, Hidekazu Hayashi, Tokio Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20100310702
    Abstract: A roll press for the compression or compacting of granular products. Two detachable rolls separated by a roll gap are driven in opposite directions and mounted on shafts to rotate in a machine frame. The shafts of the mobile rolls are received in bearing housings arranged in a mobile manner in the machine frame. Two respective bearing housings of different rolls, arranged on one side of the rolls, are interconnected by at least one pressure cylinder having at least two working chambers. A method for centering mobile rolls in such a roll press. The at least two working chambers have a force effect acting in opposite directions, and are interconnected in such a way that a pressure medium can circulate between the chambers. In this way, the hydraulic system is positioned in a fixed manner on the machine frame, the rolls nonetheless being mounted in the machine frame in a floating manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: KHD HUMBOLDT WEDAG GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Splinter
  • Publication number: 20100258978
    Abstract: A roller nanoimprint apparatus is disclosed which is capable of preventing a workpiece film with nanostructures having been transferred from the mold roller from being uneven in thickness and allowing easy replacement of the mold roller. At least one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a roller nanoimprint apparatus including a mold roller and continuously transferring nanosized protrusions to a surface of a workpiece film by rotating the mold roller, wherein the mold roller is a cylindrical body having an outer circumference surface with nanosized recesses formed thereon, the roller nanoimprint apparatus further includes a fluid container having an elastic film inflatable by injecting fluid into the container, the fluid container being arranged in a region defined by an inner circumference surface of the mold roller, the mold roller is mounted or demounted when the elastic film is shrunken, and the mold roller is supported from the inside when the elastic film is inflated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuaki Yamada, Akiyoshi Fujii, Hidekazu Hayashi, Tokio Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7658602
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for the continuous production of center-filled confectionery products. The apparatus may include an extruder for forming a continuous extrudate having a plurality of center-filled confectionery ropes. The apparatus may also include a forming device for forming individual confectionery pieces, and sealed center-filled confectionery pieces in particular. The forming device provides improved coordination and control of extrudate formation and extrudate feed into the forming device. The apparatus and method of the present disclosure increases product output and reduces the amount of unacceptable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventor: Joan Fabre Fornaguera
  • Patent number: 7585169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an adhesive closure element made of a thermoplastic synthetic material, by means of an extruder, which is produced without the need for screens, using a tempered forming cylinder (3) coated in rubber and a pressure cylinder in the form of a tempered pressure and smoothing cylinder. According to the invention, the synthetic material of a strip of film (2) is compressed by a wide split nozzle (1) of the extruder into pin holes (4) embodied as pocket holes in a rubber layer (7) which is arranged on the tempered forming cylinder (3), said layer of rubber (7) and the pin holes being provided with a teflon covering. The pin strip (5) is guided by means of a tempered withdrawal cylinder (10) between a gap with a gap with a pression cylinder (9) heated to a temperature greater than 230° C. and covered with PTFE at a low speed of between approximately 1 m/min. and 20 m/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Aplix Microsystems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Jahn, Guntmar Seifert
  • Publication number: 20090014906
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a bellows type hose and a fabricating method thereof, which can improve a bellows type hose for use in a vacuum cleaner or the like in quality. The apparatus includes a power generating unit, an outer mold having at least one folds-forming gear disposed to rotate while revolving around a hollow-cylindrical basic material conveyed from an injection molding unit and thus to form folds on the hollow-cylindrical basic material, the at least one folds-forming gear having a waved folds-forming part formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a power transmitting unit to transmit a power of the power generating unit to the at least one folds-forming gear of the outer mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Nam-Yeon Hwang, Jea-Sun You
  • Publication number: 20080116610
    Abstract: The device for satinizing and embossing metallized or surface-treated packaging foils comprises three embossing rolls, all three embossing rolls cooperating with one another and the packaging foil being capable of being passed under pressure between the first and the second and between the first and the third embossing rolls in order to produce a satin-finish and a pattern. The first, driven embossing roll has a tooth array composed of individual teeth that are arranged in a homogenous grid, and the other two embossing rolls each have a surface structure that differs from that of the first embossing roll. At least one of the additional embossing rolls has structural elements that are arranged individually or in groups but not in the same grid as on the first roll, the structural element being composed of individual teeth and being arranged circularly on the embossing roll. Such an arrangement provides an effective breaking of the paper substrate of the foil and thus a surface having improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Boegli
  • Patent number: 7314365
    Abstract: A surface treating apparatus includes: a sheet which includes; a base, and a thermoplastic resin layer disposed on the base; a contact member configured to convey the sheet while carrying out a surface treatment of the sheet; a surface property forming unit configured to form a certain surface property on a surface of the contact member by using a surface property forming material; and a sheet heating unit configured to heat the sheet contacting the contact member, to thereby transfer the surface property of the contact member to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20070243278
    Abstract: A logo embossing assembly for sheet products comprising at least one supporting frame for at least one embossing roller and at least one presser roller, which are arranged so as to have parallel axes substantially in mutual contact along respective generatrices and between which at least one continuous ribbon from which the sheet products are obtained can pass, the embossing roller and the presser roller being provided with respective motion transmission elements which are associated with a power-assisted rotary actuation, that is functionally controlled by at least one programmable control and processing unit adapted to perform the angular phase adjustments of the embossing roller with respect to fixed references of the continuous ribbon, so as to provide figures in relief on the products in predefined regions in relation to specific production requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Stefano Anelli, Simone Chelossi
  • Patent number: 7144241
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hennessey, David Strand, Barry Clark, Paul Gasiorowski
  • Patent number: 7112054
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for consolidation joining a thermoplastic preform to form a duct. The apparatus includes first and second longitudinally extending support structures. The first support structure at least partially defines a cavity for supporting the preform in a desired configuration of the duct. The second support structure extends in the cavity such that the preform can be supported between the first and second support structures. The second support structures can include an elastomeric device that is configured to adjust radially and urge the interface of the preform against the first support structure. A heater is configured to heat an interface of the preform to above a glass transition temperature. The resulting duct is has a longitudinal consolidation joint and defines a passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
  • Patent number: 7112055
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating and setting elements of a stent. The apparatus is a mandrel having a central core cylinder with an outer surface including a plurality of raised forms and gaps in-between the raised forms. The mandrel also includes a first and second outer cylinder, each having a curved radial end with a cut-out design similar to the shape of the plurality of raised forms. Once a stent is placed on the central core cylinder, the first and second outer cylinders are positioned on the central core cylinder such that the curved radial ends of the first and second outer cylinders align with the plurality of raised forms, shaping the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Anukhin, Masoud Molaei, David T. Pollock
  • Patent number: 7052267
    Abstract: An extrusion device (1) for manufacturing a product based on a rubber mix, which comprises a rotary roller (5), an inlet orifice (15) for the rubber mix and a vault (6) partially circumferentially covering the external surface (51) of the roller (5), the rubber mix being driven from the inlet orifice (15) into the air gap situated between the vault (6) and the roller (5) towards an extrusion orifice (21) defining the profile of the product. The extrusion orifice is delimited by a wall (20) which cooperates with the external surface (51) of the roller (5), and the vault (6) carries on its internal surface oriented towards the roller projecting threads in order to delimit with the surface (51) of the roller a chamber for plasticization of the mix, at least two of the threads extending substantially axially of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Lamoine, Gérard Crosnier, Serge Nicolas
  • Patent number: 6955533
    Abstract: An apparatus for extending food dough is provided that is compact and has a relatively long conveying path for food dough that extends the food dough. Also, the apparatus can be easily cleaned and maintained. It includes a lower frame (3) having a food-conveying member to convey food dough in one direction, an upper frame (5) located above the lower frame, and a cluster of a plurality of extending rollers that are located within the upper frame. To extend the food dough the extending rollers are arranged to be endless and rotatable. The upper frame (5) can be moved up and down in relation to the lower frame (3) so that the cluster of the plurality of the extending rollers can be completely separated from the food-conveying member. Thus, the food-conveying member can be easily cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Morikawa
  • Patent number: 6838098
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. Guide pin members are positioned between rider members on the plunger members. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism can be selective heated and cooled, or not cooled at all. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Publication number: 20040065978
    Abstract: A sheet extrusion apparatus for producing an extruded sheet with varying thickness including one or more sheet rollers and a strip material affixed to one or more of the rollers. The strip material rotates coextensively with the cylinder it is attached to, such that it engages the plastic passing between the rollers and forms a notch in the plastic sheet at that location. In a preferred embodiment, the strip material is a length of conventional tape, such as Teflon tape, that is capable of adhering to both the cylinder and itself, having sufficient durability to last a required amount of cycles. The present invention is easily retrofitted to an existing sheet extrusion apparatus, as the tape can simply be taken off of a shelf and added to the rollers. The present invention is preferably installed after an analysis to determine which sections of the plastic sheet may structurally withstand a reduced thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: James Richard Fitzell
  • Patent number: 6709258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a substantially cylindrical tool from a substantially planar substrate, wherein the tooling has at least one patterned surface. The resulting tooling includes a patterned surface with a sufficiently strong weld that is capable of producing an article having a pattern surface that has a relatively narrow and preferably cosmetically pleasing seam line. Such articles include retroreflective sheeting, structured abrasive articles, adhesive articles suitable for use in personal care products, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Verlyn H. Paulson, Gary J. Geissler, Gerald M. Benson, Chester A. Bacon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040009255
    Abstract: An extrusion device (1) for manufacturing a product based on a rubber mix, which comprises a rotary roller (5), an inlet orifice (15) for the rubber mix and a vault (6) partially circumferentially covering the external surface (51) of the roller (5), the rubber mix being driven from the inlet orifice (15) into the air gap situated between the vault (6) and the roller (5) towards an extrusion orifice (21) defining the profile of the product. The extrusion orifice is delimited by a wall (20) which cooperates with the external surface (51) of the roller (5), and the vault (6) carries on its internal surface oriented towards the roller projecting threads in order to delimit with the surface (51) of the roller a chamber for plasticization of the mix, at least two of the threads extending substantially axially of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Philippe Lamoine, Gerard Crosnier, Serge Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20030098521
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming sheets, comprising a pair of drums moving a belt to define a path for curing the sheets. Uncured material preferably polychloroprene, is put on the belt and squeezed between the drum and a roller to adjust the thickness of the layer. The drums rotate at a rate to permit the material to cure between the first and the second drum. Ovens cure the polychloroprene, which is removed at the second drum. The sheet has a thickness of from at least 0.004 inches to more than 0.25 inches. A plurality of sources supply material of at least two colors to form a sheet having stripes. Preferred sheets have an elongation to break of about 150% to about 1500%, a tensile strength of about 5 Mpa to about 50 Mpa and a modulus at 300% elongation of about 1 Mpa to about 10 Mpa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Donovan, Patrick J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6472001
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism are selective heated and cooled. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 6454555
    Abstract: An annular friction liner, especially for use in a friction device of a motor vehicle, is made by an apparatus including a pair of adjacent conical rolls, a helical guide and a device for trimming a length of the continuous ring whereby 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: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: David Kierbel, Loïc Adamczak, Cécile Rommeru, Claude Legrand
  • Patent number: 6368539
    Abstract: A method of utilizing a single engraved embossing roll to emboss different expanses of material with different patterns. The single engraved embossing roll has at least two projections projecting therefrom. A first of the projections projects to a greater height from the roll than a second of the projections. In another aspect, the invention encompasses an apparatus for embossing different expanses of material with different patterns. The apparatus includes an engraved surface having at least two projections projecting therefrom. A first of the projections projects to a greater height than a second of the projections. The apparatus also includes a backing surface configured to receive the projections of the engraved surface. The backing surface and engraved surface are together configured to receive an expanse of material between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Potlatch Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Greenfield, Carl Ingalls
  • Patent number: 6364649
    Abstract: A roll forming apparatus for rolling selected materials around a cylindrical core. The apparatus comprises a core support, a roll support device, and a material supply device. The core support is used to support the cylindrical core. The core support has an associated core rotation device for rotating the core about a core rotation axis at a controllable rotation rate. The roll support device supports a plurality of forming rolls positioned to surround the core about the core rotation axis. The roll support device has a roll control mechanism operable to both radially position the plurality of forming rolls relative to the core rotation axis and to constrain the plurality of forming rolls to be equally spaced from the core rotation axis in order to provide integrated adjustment of the plurality of forming rolls to control a radial dimension of a substantially symmetrical forming space defined by the plurality of forming rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fibrex Insulations, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey H. Moore
  • Patent number: 6264872
    Abstract: Embossed textured films are made by feeding a thin thermoplastic polymer barrier film through the nip of a bonding roll assembly having a patterned roll and an anvil roll rotating at different circumferential speeds which differ by 5% to 200%. The bond pattern is imparted to the film as well as additional texture due to the differential speeds of the rollers thereby creating an embossed, textured barrier film having improved hand and a hydrohead in excess of about 30 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bruce Majors, Billy Ray Jones
  • Patent number: 6221299
    Abstract: The present invention provides a profiling process which allows for the material sheet to be profiled so that the surface is minimally affected and only slight plastic deformation of the material occurs, and yet uniform three-dimensional structuring takes place. Additionally, the present invention allows for an improved inherent stability in the plane of the profiled material sheet to be achieved while only minimally affecting the cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Frank Mirtsch, Olaf Büttner, Frank Matschiner
  • Patent number: 6217811
    Abstract: According to the invention thin sheets of foil are stiffened in a particular way by means of vault-structuring. The vault-structuring occurs either by self-organizing or following a self-organized design with a spade-shaped or drop-shaped pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dr. Mirtsch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Mirtsch, Olaf Büttner, Jochen Ellert
  • Patent number: 6203307
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 6103172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microporous and ultrafine polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes of high permeability, excellent mechanical strength, and good chemical inertness, and to methods for their preparation. According to the method of the present invention, a porous PTFE substrate having a first pore rating is compressed to provide a porous membrane having a second pore rating, wherein the second pore rating is smaller than the first pore rating. The PTFE substrate can be contacted with one or more fibrous sheets during the compression step, which is preferably performed by passing the substrate, and fibrous sheets, if appropriate, between two calender rolls. The resulting porous PTFE membrane then can optionally be stretched and/or sintered, and preferably has a water permeability of at least about 0.5 l/hr/m.sup.2 /kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: David Newman, Franco Morizio, Stanley Kidd
  • 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: 5849340
    Abstract: A device for the manufacture of extruded bodies from a plastic material or a damp pulp, comprising, arranged at an outlet end of a container for the material or the pulp, an output device (18) with a number of output wings (19) driven by a rotatably driven shaft and at an axial distance from the output device a rotatably driven extrusion device (20) with a number of extrusion wings, of which the outer ends during rotation of the extrusion device sweep closely around the inside of a surrounding cylindrical and perforated wall in order to press out to the space surrounding the wall the fed-out material through perforations in the wall. A stationary guide rail arrangement (16) is provided between the output device (18) and the extrusion device (20) and the output device and extrusion device are driven in the same direction of rotation. The output wings (19) have inclined surfaces (30) which, seen in the direction of rotation, form an acute angle (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hermex AB
    Inventors: Leif Hermansson, Nemo Ivarson
  • Patent number: 5792485
    Abstract: A pelleting press for pressing from a powdery, granular and/or pasty material compacted rod-shaped pieces of said material, comprising a die (1) with one or more rotatable rolls (6) co-operating therewith each having an axis (5) supported in such a manner that it is situated in a plane through the axis (3) of the die (1) and a gap (9) is defined between the die (1) and the or each roll (6), further comprising means for supplying the material to be pressed towards the or each gap (9), and driving means for moving the die (1) and the or each roll (6) in respect of the material supplied to the or each gap (9), all this in such a manner that the supplied material when moving in the gap between the die and a roll is compacted and is pressed through the apertures (2), the support of the die and/or the or each roll being so that the gap height is adjustable, the driving means being adapted for driving the die as well as the or each roll, and the velocity of at least the die or the each roll being independently varia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventors: Theodorus H. Korse, Hendrik Beumer
  • Patent number: 5770235
    Abstract: A hollow drum is rotatable about a horizontal axis and includes openings around its circumference for discharging drops of a free-flowing substance onto a cooling belt in the manufacture of pastilles. A stationary body disposed inside the drum is spaced from the interior surface of a front side of the drum to form therewith a sickle-shaped gap leading to the drop-forming zone. A channeling member rests against an external surface of the front side of the drum to form therewith an upwardly open channel. The supply passage which delivers the freely flowable substance to the drum can be defined by the channel, whereby the substance would be fed into the upwardly open end thereof and would flow into the gap through the drum openings. Alternatively, the supply passage could be defined by a space within the stationary body which communicates with the gap at a location disposed above the drop-forming zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Warnfried Baumann, Reinhard Froeschke
  • Patent number: 5768987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drum press comprising a device for clearing the inner surface of the drum or the outer surface of the roll. The drum is usable for instance for squeezing moist bark so as to make it suitable as a fuel. The drum press has a removing device placed at a distance from the drum or roll surface for removing material. The removing device is placed at a distance from the surface and on the surface there is provided a clearing device attached thereto. The present invention markedly reduces wear on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Finbark Oy
    Inventor: Timo Tapio Saalasti
  • Patent number: 5542838
    Abstract: A quick die change capability is provided to a pellet mill by means of a fixture spider which can be attached to the pelleting die and to the rollers for a unitized roller/die cartridge. By employment of quick acting captive die clamps, as well as push-pull jacks, assembly and dismantling of the die/roller cartridge in the mill is simplified. Three axis adjustability of the fixture spider enhances ease of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Wilhelm, Verne A. Hubalek, S. Andrew Smith, Robert Immergluck