Including Product Handling Means Patents (Class 425/377)
  • Publication number: 20110045115
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring objects includes a receiving arrangement, a transferring arrangement for transferring an object towards the receiving arrangement, the transferring arrangement having a recess for receiving the object, the recess being defined by a wall arrangement, and a driving arrangement arranged for moving at least part of the wall arrangement so as to change a passage section of the object through the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Zeno Zuffa, Giambattista Cavina, Fiorenzo Parrinello
  • Publication number: 20110027404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a plurality of bi-oriented, heat-shrinkable thermoplastic tubular films is disclosed. Thermoplastic resin is extruded through a plurality of annular dies to form a plurality of molten plastic tubes. The tubes are cooled and solidified and sent through a plurality of pinch rollers to stretch the tubes simultaneously in a machine and transverse direction, creating a plurality of tubular films. The films are cooled and heated, and then relaxed simultaneously in a machine and transverse direction. Winding rollers then wind up the finished tubular films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aamir W. Siddiqui, George O. Pehr, Myron D. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7874824
    Abstract: Problems with incipiently gelling alginate or low-methoxy pectate sols in a bath of an aqueous solution containing calcium ions are reduced by having in the bath a perforated support surface which can be oscillated. The surface is preferably oscillated horizontally and vertically and preferably these oscillations are synchronised. Transport means to remove the product from the bath can be provided at one end of the bath. It is advantageous to ensure that at the beginning of the vertical oscillation the horizontal oscillation is in the direction of such transport means. Portions of the sol can be formed by extrusion either below or above the surface of the bath. The process is particularly useful for sols which have a sugar content greater than 10%. The invention also provides equipment comprising such a perforated support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Reid Kelly, Bryan Edwin Barwick, Vijay Arjun Sawant
  • Patent number: 7874826
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded rail of ink. The extruded rail of ink is then roll formed to partially form a portion of a shape transverse to the extrusion direction as the rail of ink moves in the extrusion direction. A swaging process is then carried out to further form and divide the extruded rail of ink into ink sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Rodney Jones, Gustavo J. Yusem, Edward F. Burress, Dan Leo Massopust
  • Patent number: 7845923
    Abstract: A spinning, drawing and texturing machine for the production of curled threads includes a spinning unit and multiple machine modules associated with the spinning unit. Each of the machine modules has multiple processing assemblies for drawing and curling one of the threads, and a spooling unit for winding the thread. The machine modules positioned next to one another form a longitudinal side of the machine. The processing assemblies and the spooling unit are arranged among each other at one of the machine modules such that a narrow machine partition (T) in a range of <800 mm occurs on the longitudinal side of the machine. The spinning unit has one or more spinnerets and one spinning duct within the machine partition (T) per machine module. The spinnerets are held in rows parallel to the longitudinal side of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Lennemann, Matthias Schemken, Stefan Kalies
  • Patent number: 7833468
    Abstract: The improved method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of a tubular thermoplastic film as it leaves an annular extrusion die aims at a better control of this orientation. On its travel between the exit orifice (21) and the draw-down means, the at least partly molten film passes an annular frictional device (101), and the frictional force set-up hereby is variable in controlled manner. This device is cooled from its interior (105) in controlled manner by means of a fluid cooling medium. The friction may be controlled by airlubrication with air pressed through holes (123) in the frictional device or through microporous metal, (102) or alternatively by sucking the film against the frictional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ole-Bendt Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7832998
    Abstract: An extrusion apparatus is taught that employs a die adapter that is partially submerged in a heat transfer bath on a horizontal plane such that there is no air gap between the die extrusion aperture and the heat transfer bath. A porous dam is positioned between the die and the heat transfer bath. A heat insulating plate is positioned between the porous dam and the die to prevent the heat transfer medium from flowing onto the die. The heat insulating plate also prevents excessive cooling of the die tip thereby allowing the necessary precise thermal control over the extrudate skin formation to prevent melt fracture and form a low density extrudate with a smooth solid skin and inner foamed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Donald V. Beauregard, Nick R. Schott, Stephen A. Orroth, Dwayne R. Cote, Danielle L. Froio
  • Patent number: 7828538
    Abstract: A method of increasing the intrinsic viscosity of polyester by means of solid state polymerization, wherein a polyester plastics melt is granulated and after granulation is conveyed into a thermal treatment container (13) for thermal treatment therein, the granules being produced slightly below their melting temperature and being fed into the thermal treatment container (13) immediately after granulation so as to utilize the residual heat in the granules, as well as an arrangement for increasing the intrinsic viscosity of polyester by means of solid state polymerization with a granulating and a thermal treatment unit, with an unheated, thermally insulated container (13) or a container (13) having wall heating means (15) being provided as the thermal treatment unit, which is directly connected to the granulating unit via a conveying device (11, 36, 37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Markus Fellinger
  • Patent number: 7802977
    Abstract: An apparatus for melt spinning and winding up synthetic yarns comprising a spinning appliance, a treating appliance and a windup machine. The treating appliance comprises a runoff godet for guiding the yarns before entry and distribution of the yarns into a plurality of winding stations in the windup machine, the runoff godet being arranged above the windup machine and guiding the yarns in a parallel side by side arrangement on its circumference. The runoff godet is arranged transversely to a winding spindle and above the windup machine, the windup machine comprising a plurality of head yarn guides which are disposed upstream of the winding stations and are arranged in a vertically oriented runup plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Schröter, Helmut Weigend
  • Patent number: 7780430
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface. A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takeuchi, Shingo Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100113653
    Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose resin film includes: feeding molten resin into a die through piping, and casting it as a sheet onto a rotating cooling support. In the piping, leaf disc filters removing contaminants from the molten resin are circularly provided in a hollow shaft. A filtration device having a connection hole connects the leaf disc filters and the shaft inside. A static mixer has an element satisfying condition (A) in a lower step of the filtration device, decontaminated molten resin is rekneaded by the static mixer and fed into the die: (A) when viscosity of the molten resin is ?(Pa·s), a charging amount of the molten resin is V (kg/h), number of connection holes in the filtration device is m, and number of steps of the static element in the static mixer is n, ?×V<2n×m×V is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Ueda
  • Patent number: 7682142
    Abstract: A device for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads includes a spinning unit, a treatment unit and a winding unit. The spinning unit, the treatment unit and the winding unit are arranged in tiers one above the other and form a plurality of single-thread or multi-thread production positions along the longitudinal side of a machine. To permit a rapid, simple operation, in particular at the start of a process and during interruptions of the process, an operator walkway is located at a height between the treatment device and the winding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Lennemann, Werner Fruchting, Claus Matthies
  • Publication number: 20100034917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the extrusion of thermoplastic synthetic material featuring an extruder screw (2) which is mounted on a housing (1) including a plasticizing section (P) at the inlet side, a degassing section which is mounted upstream on a discharge section (A) and a conveying outlet (3) operating in the opposite direction which is located between the plasticizing section (P) and the degassing section (E). A flow channel (5) that contains a melt filter (4) is bridged over by at least one of the conveying outlets (3) in the opposite direction. To create favorable production conditions, the extruder screw (2) forms a similar conveying outlet (7) operating in the same direction between the conveying outlet (3) in the opposite direction and the downstream port (6) of the flow channel (5). The housing (1) has at least one degassing vent (8) at the transition area of the conveying outlet (3) operating in the opposite direction and the conveying outlet (7) operating in the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmuth Schulz
  • Patent number: 7628945
    Abstract: Extruding radiused plastic articles with an extruding machine terminating in die defining a path of travel between upstream and downstream ends. The die has an outlet opening extending longitudinally in the direction of the path of travel, the opening oriented so a polymeric material is extruded therefrom in a direction approximately perpendicular to the path of travel through the die. Oppositely rotating rollers of tapered diameters are disposed side by side to receive the extrudate therebetween, the rollers arranged so their longitudinal axes intersect and their smaller diameters are oriented towards the downstream end of the die. Extrudate passing through the opening is characterized by a higher flow rate proximate the upstream end thereof to thereby form a radiused extrusion. The rollers draw the extrudate from the die outlet opening without significantly altering the radiused shape of the fluid plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: Larry P. Collins
  • Patent number: 7621606
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for effecting the trans-differentiation of a somatic cell, i.e., the conversion of a somatic cell of one cell type into a somatic cell of a different cell type. The method is practiced by culturing a somatic cell in the presence of at least one agent selected from the group consisting of (a) cytoskeletal inhibitors and (b) inhibitors of acetylation, and (c) inhibitors of methylation, and also culturing the cell in the presence of agents or conditions that induce differentiation to a different cell type. The method is useful for producing histocompatible cells for cell therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Page, Tanja Dominko, Christopher Malcuit
  • Patent number: 7568899
    Abstract: An oscillating hauloff for blown film has a bearing structure positioned along the vertical process centerline. The bearing structure is separated into upper and lower sections to maintain a clear and open pathway for the web to pass across the process centerline. Passing the web across the process centerline allows the web to change directions before passing over a second turning bar, thus canceling any web wandering introduced by a first turning bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Addex, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Cree, Frank P. F. Luebke
  • Patent number: 7556487
    Abstract: A dual-filled gum piece is provided having a first cavity filled with a liquid filling and a second cavity filled with a powder filling. The gum pieces are produced by extruding a gum rope having two separate channels respectively filled with liquid and powder, sizing and shaping the gum rope, cooling the gum rope, cutting the rope into discrete gum pieces, and finally cooling the gum pieces. The gum pieces optionally can be coated with a hard coating. In other aspects for single- and dual-filled gums, a process for making the gum pieces employs a rope sizer that reduces the diameter of the gum rope and shapes it to have a non-round cross-section, and a multi-story cooling tunnel having individually motor-driven conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Intergum Gida Sinayi ve Ticaret A.S.
    Inventors: Nesim Acar, Albert Levi
  • Publication number: 20080292742
    Abstract: A method for transferring molten polymer through a chute having sharp internal corners, the chute bridging spaced apart processing units, wherein at least the internal corners of the chute are rounded and smoothed to at least a mirror shine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: James R. Ketchum
  • Patent number: 7445443
    Abstract: A turning bar draw-off device for a tubular film extrusion installation, with a plurality of turning bars which can be rotatingly driven around a common axis of rotation or in reverse by rotary drive mechanisms. For the rotating or reversing guidance of the turning bars around the axis of rotation, the ends of each turning bar are connected with guide carriages, which are guided on guide rails arranged in a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Helmut Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080262196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various embodiments of a system and method for separating polymer from a solvent. In one embodiment a system for separating polymer from a solvent comprises an extrusion apparatus includes a hollow member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a feed port between the first end portion and the second end portion. The extrusion apparatus includes a back flash vent port disposed upstream of the feed port and a forward flash vent port disposed downstream of the feed port. The extrusion apparatus further includes a vent insert located at the forward flash vent port, a screw disposed inside the hollow member, and an internal superheating section disposed between the feed port and the downstream vent opening of the hollow member such that the length of the internal superheating section is greater than about four times the diameter, 4D, of the hollow member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP BV
    Inventors: Mark Howard Giammattei, Bernabe Quevedo Sanchez, Narayan Ramesh, Norberto Silvi
  • Patent number: 7438546
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott L Adriaansen, Kim F Cobb-Cain, Kevin B Sterner
  • Publication number: 20080193583
    Abstract: The respective wall thicknesses of inner and outer layers in a multi-layer tube molded by an extrusion molding apparatus are made more accurate. The extrusion molding apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of extruders (6, 7) for thermally melting and extruding resins (3, 4) of different kinds, and a die (11) formed with an inner layer tube molding passage (9) for passing therethrough the resin (3) extruded from one extruder (6) of these extruders (6, 7) to enable the molding of an inner layer tube (2a), and an outer layer tube molding passage (10) for passing therethrough the resin (4) extruded from the other extruder (7) to enable the molding of an outer layer tube (2b) which is to be externally fitted integrally on the inner layer. tube (2a), the die (11) enabling the molding of a multi-layer tube (2) by these inner and outer layer tubes (2a, 2b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Kikusawa
  • Patent number: 7392634
    Abstract: A machine and method for printing and feeding a top web onto a bottom web in a form, fill and seal machine without stressing the bond formed between the two webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony J. Maye, Gregory P. Rochon
  • Patent number: 7377762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin-molded article with a spring structure, and to a method and apparatus for preparing a superficial layer of such a resin-molded article with a spring structure which has surfaces free from undulations, comprises fused filaments whose fusion is resistant to separation, maintains its cushioning activity and strength even after long use. A water flows from a cooling water outlet 53b into a space between a water-permeating sheet 55 and an inclined plate 51a. Some part of the flowing water C penetrates the water-permeating sheet 55 to appear on its top surface to form there an overlying current M on which receives lengthwise arranged peripheral continuous filaments, and agitates them to cause adjacent filaments to contact each other, to be entwined and gathered, thereby enabling the formation of a superficial layer of the three-dimensional structure 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Ein Co., Ltd. Technical Center
    Inventors: Sadao Nishibori, Iwao Kouno, Yuichiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080113059
    Abstract: The invention refers to a micro-extrusion line that comprises a single screw (2) micro-extruder (1), a die (7), a cooling bath (17) and a haul-off (19), which together enables the manufacture of extruded profiles from small amounts of raw material. The rotation of the micro-extruder screw, together with the high temperatures created by the heater bands, produces the conveying, melting, mixing and pumping of the material through the die. The extrudate is cooled down in a bath containing a cooling liquid and winded in a coil (19), which has a linear speed higher than that of the extrusion, thus enabling the control of the extrudate cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
    Inventors: José António Colaco Gomes Covas, Pedro Antonio Moreira Macovas Costa
  • Publication number: 20080099949
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface. A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takeuchi, Shingo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7347680
    Abstract: A lay-flat device of a blown film extrusion installation includes brush rollers in the upper half entirely or partly. The brush rollers include bristles which are directed obliquely outwards and which, on contact with an extruded film tube, exert a slight spreading force on the film, by which folding is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kiefel Extrusion GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Hessenbruch
  • Patent number: 7293974
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a puff extrudate utilizing a blade that passes through the extrudate while the extrudate is in a viscous melt stage. The present invention utilizes a tube to facilitate production of a curly puff extrudate. A gap is provided in between the tube and the extruder die to allow a blade to access the extrudate as it exits an orifice in the die. The blade accesses the extrudate at the viscous melt stage, before the extrudate has cooled and hardened. The blade nicks the extrudate, as opposed to completely cutting it, which allows the extrudate to remain connected throughout processing such as curling in the containment tube. The gap also allows steam to be vented form the extrudate as it exits the orifice in the die. The nicked extrudate separates when fried or baked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugenio Bortone, Daniel Eugene Orr, Devang Jitendra Sutaria
  • Patent number: 7267539
    Abstract: A new system for making agglomerates of chopped glass fiber strand segments is disclosed and claimed. The agglomerates, made by feeding wet chopped fiber strand segments into a wave chamber having a vibrating curved surface that produces a wave-like flow pattern in the segments and agglomerates, have a substantially higher bulk density and greatly improved flow characteristics than conventional chopped strand reinforcements. The wet agglomerates are usually dried in any conventional dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Richard J. Kindle, John A. Cooper
  • Patent number: 7267141
    Abstract: Novel thermoplastic pipes which can withstand extremely high internally generated and/or applied pressures for utilization within, primarily, high pressure underground liquid and gas transport systems are provided. Such pipes are improvements over standard metal (i.e., steel, lead, and the like) pipes due to construction costs, shipping costs, implementation costs (particularly underground), modulus strength allowances to compensate for underground movements (i.e., earthquakes and tremors), non-rusting characteristics, and ease in manufacture. Such pipes are preferably reinforced with specific fabric articles which permit a lower thickness of plastic to be utilized than is generally required to withstand high pressure situations. A one-step, potentially on-site production method, is also contemplated within this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Willy De Meyer, Michael W. Gilpatrick
  • Patent number: 7241123
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing and winding synthetic multifilament yarns, which has a spin unit 1 for melt spinning the yarns, at least one treatment unit 7 for treating the yarns, and a takeup unit 16 with a plurality of winding positions for winding the yarns. The winding positions 17.1-17.3 are distributed along a horizontal axis of the takeup unit 16, with a driven guide roll 12 and a yarn guide 15.1-15.3 for each winding position being arranged upstream thereof for advancing the yarn. To prevent different yarn deflections despite a different spacing between yarns while treating and while winding the yarns, the invention provides for orienting the guide roll 12 with its roll axis in the vertical direction to guide the yarns, and for arranging it laterally adjacent the yarn guides 15.1-15.3 such that the yarns can be advanced substantially in parallel relationship between the guide roll 12 and the yarn guides 15.1-15.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Kirchhoff, Bernd Aretz
  • Patent number: 7217117
    Abstract: The invention relates to arrangements comprising combinations of: a mincer providing a stream of minced meat (V); conveying means with an endless band (T) for transporting the stream (V), exiting from said mincer; and, arranged along said conveyor means (T): means for cutting the stream (V) into portions (P) and means for lateral shaping (/), acting simultaneously on both sides of the stream (V) to shape the contour of the portions (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nijal S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Le Paih
  • Patent number: 7201571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extrusion, in particular for the production of bent extruded products, in which the extruded product (8) is formed in a die mounted before a support yoke (2) of an extrusion machine and then bent or curved by means of the effects of an external force, whereby at least one bending radius is formed, within the support yoke, on the extruded product (8) which enters the support yoke (2) with a straight extrusion direction (4). An extrusion unit further comprises a support yoke (2) formed with a lateral yoke opening (3), running transverse to the straight extrusion direction (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Graefe, Uwe Muschalik
  • Patent number: 7172403
    Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: National Gypsum Properties, LLC
    Inventor: W. Roy Burke
  • Patent number: 7140865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a corrugation-free polystyrene foam with 100% carbon dioxide as the blowing agent by extruding the extrudate through an annular die opening so that it contacts a choke ring inner surface. A foam made with the apparatus according to the invention will have no visible corrugations and an average cell size of less than 0.35 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Myer, Blaine M. Kelley
  • Patent number: 7052266
    Abstract: An apparatus for making strips of fiber-containing rubber is disclosed, wherein the short fibers in each of the strips are oriented in the widthwise direction of the strip. The apparatus comprises: a screw section for pushing out a fluid mixture of unvulcanized rubber and short fibers as fiber-containing rubber; an orienting section comprising a radially extending path provided with an inlet in the center thereof and a looped nozzle on the periphery thereof so that the fiber-containing rubber is expanded circumferentially while flowing radially from the center towards the periphery; and a dividing section comprising a plurality of cutters arranged around the looped nozzle so that the fiber-containing rubber extruded from the looped nozzle is circumferentially divide into a plurality of strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Ohki
  • Patent number: 7018191
    Abstract: An extrusion control system that controls the cross section and viscosity during extrusion of even hard to control plastics like polyurethane. Cross section, A, is determined by measuring volumetric rate of deliver of melt through a gear pump V/t and the speed of the extrudate at a puller N/t. The cross-section area, A=(V/t)/(N/t), is controlled by controlling the puller speed. Pressure drop across the die, P, and the volume of melt delivered by the gear pump are measured and a term indicative of the viscosity of the melt is determined based on Vs=(KP)/V, Vs being the viscosity and K being a constant dependent on the size and shape of the die orifice. Viscosity variations are compensated by varying heat applied to the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Harrel Incorporated
    Inventor: Holton E. Harris
  • Patent number: 7008203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for granulating thermoplastic materials issuing from orifices, said orifices being provided in a substantially circular arrangement in an orifice plate and being swept by blades rotating about a blade carrier shaft, said blades being held by a blade carrier in an oblique position with respect to the radial direction, the blade carrier shaft extending through the centre of the circular arrangement and a cooling medium being supplied to the orifice plate and to the blades for cooling the granulated plastic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhardt-Karsten Muerb
  • Patent number: 6991445
    Abstract: A production line for the manufacture of strips of vinyl siding comprises an extruder extruding a strip of hot plastic material, such as vinyl. Next, an embosser supplies a decorative pattern to the heated strip. A cooling apparatus receives the heated strip and immerses the strip in a water bath to lower the temperature to a selected temperature range. The material, now reduced in temperature, is then passed to a former having dies creating joining runs in the cooled, embossed siding strip. Finally the strip runs through a final cooling tank which chills the strip to harden the joining runs created by the former. The cooling apparatus consists of a water bath tank with entry and exit guides for the strip, which are mounted above the level of the water in the water bath tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: K-Ter Imagineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Szabo, Garfield Stovin, Stevan Miner
  • Patent number: 6990791
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming soft capsules and provides novel processing flexibility. The apparatus comprises a three-way valve injector wedge. This injector wedge allows for set-up of the encapsulation machine with a placebo fill and quick change over to active fill. This conserves use of the active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Tanner, Robert P. Waranis
  • Patent number: 6969484
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of an electret processed product, comprising the steps of allowing a section nozzle (22) to come into contact with a nonconductive fiber sheet (S) so as to cross in the lateral direction of the sheet while running the sheet, allowing the surface of the sheet on the opposite side of the contact portion to come into contact with or to immerse into a water surface, sucking water from the suction nozzle (22) so that the water can be passed through the sheet in the thickness direction of the sheet to penetrate the water into the nonconductive fiber sheet (S), and drying the nonconductive fiber sheet (S), whereby a high quality and high performance electret processed product can be manufactured at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Horiguchi, Masaaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6935855
    Abstract: The inventions relates to an extrusion apparatus suited for water-containing products which heat-expand by internal boiling of water by pressure relief after passing through extrusion nozzles. The apparatus comprises a) an extruder, which at the outlet end thereof comprises a nozzle plate, b) a pressure-controlling chamber for controlling the pressure on the outlet side of the nozzle plate, said pressure-controlling chamber possibly containing a cutting-off unit, and c) a sluice unit downstream of the pressure controlling chamber. The apparatus furthermore comprises that the pressure-controlling chamber and sluice unit being releasably interconnected and at least the sluice unit being mounted movably in and out of the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Sprout-Matador A/S
    Inventor: Anders Flarup-Knudsen
  • Patent number: 6908292
    Abstract: In the production of a spunbond web by aerodynamically stretching thermoplastic filaments from a spinneret, the stretching nozzle is formed by two nozzle-forming units each of which has a temperature control device, especially a heater, to minimize deformation at the stretching nozzle defining wall. The result is a reduction in the tolerance of the basis weight of the spunbond web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans Georg Geus, Hans Jürgen Hofemeister, Falk Rösner, Detlef Frey, Karsten Sievers, Udo Schomer
  • Patent number: 6890166
    Abstract: A spinning-drawing-texturing machine for producing crimped threads is described, comprising a spinning device, a drawing device, a texturing device, and a take-up device. A plurality of threads spun by the spinning device is assigned to the drawing device, the texturing device, and the take-up device. According to the present invention, the drawing device and the texturing device are arranged in a processing module and the take-up device in a winding module underneath the spinning device. The processing module and the winding module are erected side by side and form one long side of the machine. This ensures a configuration divided by functional groups, which facilitates operation and increases operational reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Neumag GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 6887410
    Abstract: A parallel spinning process, in particular for filaments, e.g. for textile or industrial applications, made from polymers such as, for example, PET or PA, in each case having a thread interlacing device between two godets for each individual thread, the godets being moved in relation to one another during the piercing or feeding operation in such a way that each individual thread is automatically threaded into its interlacing device associated therewith, and the angle of wrap in the operating mode is at least from 85° to at most 200°, preferably from 175° to 185°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Kress, Thomas Gries
  • Patent number: 6884053
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multifilament yarn from a thermoplastic polymer includes a yarn guiding element being movable in a vertical direction. A drive serves to change the vertical position of the yarn guiding element with respect to a point of consolidation of the filaments. At least one sensor senses the yarn tension of the filaments. A control unit serves to control the drive in response to the sensed yarn tension to change the vertical position of the yarn guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Georg Sahm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nicholas Day
  • Patent number: 6884060
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming soft capsules and provides novel processing flexibility. The apparatus includes extrusion dies as an alternative to spreader boxes and the use of melt-on-demand technology to enhance the long term stability of the film-forming materials. Preferred embodiments provide a positive displacement pump to transport the molten film-forming material from the melt-on-demand device to the extrusion device and preferably a reservoir means disposed between said extrusion device and said means to melt said film-forming material. The encapsulation apparatus may also include a valved injection wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Tanner, Steve Burnett, David Walker, Peter Beke, Norman Stroud, Mani Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 6881049
    Abstract: An improved process for producing polybutadiene golf ball cores is disclosed. The golf ball cores are from polybutadiene rubber compositions having a high Mooney viscosity and/or a high molecular weight and a low dispersity is disclosed. The apparatus includes an internal mixer that compounds a batch of golf ball core stock. A sheeter forms sheets of golf ball core stock and has a sheeter inlet proximate the mixer outlet and a sheeter outlet. A preform shaper forms golf ball core preforms from the sheets of golf ball core stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: R. Dennis Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 6875002
    Abstract: An external stabilizer or guide cage for plastic film extrusion has an upper frame comprised of a ring and structure for rotatably supporting the ring. A lower frame is suspended from the ring of the upper frame, and is positioned such that the lower frame surrounds the extruded tube. The lower frame can employ one or several banks of guide arms that keep the tube aligned axially as the tube is drawn upwards. The arms on the lower frame define an iris aperture, or a stack of iris apertures. The arms include channels for coolant flow. Heat transfers from the film to the guide arm. The upper frame includes a drive for rotating the ring and the lower frame of the guide cage over a predetermined arc, e.g., 60 degrees, to compensate for gauge variations in the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pearl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Prudhomme
  • Patent number: 6872339
    Abstract: A device and a method for the melt spinning and depositing of a plurality of tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) utilizes several spinning devices (1.1, 1.2, . . . , 1.n) by means of which one of the tows 5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n is produced from a filament bundle (4.1, 4.2, . . . , 4.n). Each spinning device (1.1, 2.2, . . . , 1.n) is associated with a respective drawing-off device and a respective can depositing device (3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.n) so that each of the tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) can be deposited individually in a respective can (19.1, 19.2, . . . , 19.n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Neumag GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Schemken, Henning Rave, Horst Kropat