With Coating Or Impregnation Patents (Class 428/361)
  • Patent number: 6472059
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic structure as well as a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material incorporating a continuous woven fiber and a discontinuous fiber pre-ceramic matrix for subsequent curing and component construction. The method includes preparation of a mixture of discontinuous fibers, fillers, and a pre-ceramic precursor resin where the precursor resin is present in a quantity sufficient to substantially saturate subsequently adjacent woven fiber lengths, and thereafter introducing the mixture to a situs between an upper length of woven fiber and a lower length of woven fiber in alignment with each other while effectuating linear movement of these woven fiber lengths and moving the lengths toward each other for compression and retention in a sandwich configuration to thereby fabricate a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material. The material is cut to size in accord with the configuration of a part to be manufactured, formed into a green-state structure, and cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Strasser, William James Marsh, Robert Alan Schwindler
  • Patent number: 6468656
    Abstract: Specified is an extrusion profile of a thermoplastic material for transport or drive belts. The extrusion profile is reinforced in that a content of approximately 0.5 to 40 percent by weight of glass fibers, aramide fibers, or carbon fibers are mixed with the plastic. The extrusion profile can be welded into infinite belts with or without plastic casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Beha GmbH Technische Neuentwicklungen
    Inventor: Bernhard Beha
  • Publication number: 20020146951
    Abstract: A staple fiber for an electret non-woven fabric, which is a polyolefin heat-bonding fiber having 0.05 to 1.0% by weight of an oil adhering thereto, characterized in that the amount of the adhering oil decreases to 0.001 to 0.2% by weight, and that the decrease ratio of the amount of the adhering oil can be at least 60%, under heat treatment for forming the polyolefin heat-bonding fiber into a non-woven fabric and/or under heat treatment of a non-woven fabric formed of the polyolefin heat-bonding fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: J.C. Tai, Yen Jung Hu, Yee-Chun Chen, Atsushi Kajita, Shigeki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20020136859
    Abstract: Antistatic yarns, fabrics and carpets incorporating such antistatic yarns, and fiber blends for making such antistatic yarns are disclosed wherein the antistatic yarns are formed such that at least about 35 percent by weight of the staple fibers present are conductive staple fibers, quasi-conductive staple fibers, or mixtures of conductive and quasi-conductive staple fibers. Conductive staple fibers may include metal staple fibers, metal-coated non-conductive polymer staple fibers, carbon-loaded polymer staple fibers, polymer staple fibers loaded with antimony-doped tin oxide, conductive polymer solution-coated non-conductive polymer staple fibers, inherently-conductive polymer staple fibers, and bicomponent staple fibers. Quasi-conductive staple fibers may include bicomponent quasi-conductive staple fibers. Continuous fibers and non-conductive staple fibers may also be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: SOLUTIA INC.
    Inventors: W. Keith Fisher , John J. Elliot
  • Patent number: 6455154
    Abstract: A coating liquid for forming porous silica coating, comprising a product of reaction between a short fiber silica and a hydrolyzate of an alkoxysilane of the formula XnSi(OR)4-n or a halogenated silane of the formula XnSiX′4-n (in the formula, X represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a vinyl group; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a vinyl group; X′ represents a chlorine atom or a bromine atom; and n is an integer of 0 to 3). A coated substrate comprising a porous silica coating film formed from the above coating liquid for forming porous silica coating. A short fiber silica having an average diameter (D) of 10 to 30 nm, a length (L) of 30 to 100 nm and an aspect ratio (L/D) of 3 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Catallysts & Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nakashima, Kazuaki Inoue, Ryo Muraguchi, Michio Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20020119310
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. Strait, Homer G. Hill, Robert A. Schweizer, Stephen Seng, Leonard J. Adzima
  • Patent number: 6433093
    Abstract: A fluoropolymer article containing functionalized fluoropolymer is reinforced with fibrous liquid-crystal polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: DuPont-Mitsui Flourochemicals Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong C Lee, Shosaku Kondo, Hajime Sato
  • Patent number: 6428890
    Abstract: A polymer matrix composite is provided including graphitized vapor grown carbon fiber mats. A mat comprises semi-continuous vapor grown carbon fiber. The preferred method of producing the composite includes the steps of providing at least one mat of vapor grown carbon fiber and infiltrating liquidized polymeric material into the interstices of the mat by a hot press process. The resulting polymer matrix composite has a thermal conductivity between 400 W/m-K and 700 W/m-K, a density between 1.10-1.40/cc, and an insulating surface, and is useful as a component it electronic devices, aircraft, spacecraft, portable electronics, and other thermal management applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventor: Jyh-Ming Ting
  • Publication number: 20020086599
    Abstract: A method for enhancing insulation materials without increasing the weight, thickness or density of the materials is disclosed, which includes adding to the materials an amount, effective for the purpose, of a metal-coated staple fiber, filament fiber or fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: William Francis McNally, Joel M. Furey
  • Patent number: 6403217
    Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bobby Mal Phillips, Jackson Lee Nelson, Shriram Bagrodia
  • Publication number: 20020054985
    Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced, one or more coupling agents and one or more powders. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which has improved processability and notched izod without any loss in dispersability characteristics of the glass pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: DAVID G. MILLER, LEONARD J. ADZIMA, DAVID J. WAMER
  • Patent number: 6383584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an azlactone-derivatized polyamide shaped article made by reacting at least one polyamide with a solution comprising an aza-bicyclo compound and a vinylazlactone derivative of the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Merck Patent Geselleschaft mit beschrankter
    Inventors: Egbert Müller, Anja Seiler
  • Patent number: 6379793
    Abstract: A flame retardant mesh sheet and multifilament fiber which do not generate halogen gas at the time of combustion and a flameproof mesh sheet comprising the same. A flame retardant for the mesh sheet and multifilament fiber includes 1,5 to 15 wt% of red phosphorus and 10 to 70 parts by weight of an ammonium polyphosphate compound based on 100 parts by weight of the solid content of an aqueous solution of a polyolefin resin having a resin solid content of 20 to 45 wt%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kyowa Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saiji Nozaki, Kuniaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6365272
    Abstract: A two-part sizing system for making colorless, densified fiber pellets of a reinforcing fiber material. The densified product may be advantageously produced by first applying a precursor size composition to reinforcing fiber strands, chopping the reinforcing fiber strands into chopped strand segments, applying a binder size, and densifying the chopped strand segments to form densified fiber pellets. The binder size is formulated using a copolymer of maleic anhydride which generates a product free from discoloration. In the process of making the pellets, the sized chopped strands are densified by tumbling in a rotating chamber for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadia Masson, Jean-Marc Henrion, James Laurence Thomason, Leonard Joseph Adzima, Terry Linn Cheney, Willy Piret, Marc Cossement
  • Patent number: 6361860
    Abstract: Composites of high melting point thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide or polyimide and high modulus fibers such as carbon, graphite, or boron can be bonded to rubber using a primer such as a metal primer. The composite desirably has a modulus of elasticity of at least 750,000 psi and can be used as a belt in a no-flat tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Russell W. Koch
  • Publication number: 20020005263
    Abstract: A sized staple fiber product that disperses quickly, thoroughly and uniformly in water is particularly useful in the manufacture of gypsum board by the slurry process. An aqueous chemical size composiiton on the surface of the fibers contains a high level of surfactant and can contain a polymer film former and a biocide. Preferably, the fiber is chopped glass fiber. Novel sizing composition and methods of making and using the fiber are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Johns Manville International, Inc
    Inventor: Henry Dall Smith
  • Patent number: 6337138
    Abstract: The present invention is a cellulosic, inorganic-filled plastic composite. The composite includes about 30% to about 70% by weight of the composite of cellulosic material, about 1% to about 20% by weight of the composite of talc, and about 25% to about 40% by weight of the composite of polyethylene. An extruded article and a method of making the cellulosic, inorganic-filled plastic composite are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Burch E. Zehner, Bryan K. Buhrts
  • Patent number: 6335075
    Abstract: A carpet carrying a deodorant that is resistant to washing and wear and thus capable of maintaining its deodorizing function for a long time without impairing the drape and tint of the carpet. The carpet has a backing layer and a fiber layer formed on one side of the backing layer. A deodorant is carried partially on the backing layer and partially on the fiber layer with the weight ratio of the deodorant carried on the fiber layer to the deodorant carried on the backing being 50:50 to 5:95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Suminoe Textile Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaro Seto, Shuichi Gennaka
  • Patent number: 6329051
    Abstract: A blowable insulation material comprising batt shredded into blowable clusters. In preferred embodiments, the clusters comprise water repellant or lubricant finished fiber and/or dry fiber and/or binder fiber and may be mixed with opened fiber. A process to produce the blowable clusters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Zivile M. Groh, Victor P. Laskorski
  • Patent number: 6329052
    Abstract: A blowable insulation material includes batt shredded into blowable clusters. In the several embodiments, the clusters include water-repellant or lubricant-finished fiber and/or dry fiber and/or binder fiber, and may be a mixture of clusters and a natural material including down, silk, wool, cotton or any other natural material with insulating properties, or any combination thereof, and may also include synthetic open fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Zivile M Groh, Victor P. Laskorski
  • Publication number: 20010046600
    Abstract: A core crush resistant prepreg for use in making a fiber reinforced composite panel structure is provided. The prepreg comprises a woven fabric consisting essentially of carbon fiber tow strands impregnated with a hardenable polymeric resin composition. Typically the fabric has an areal weight of from about 180 to about 205 grams per square meter. The prepreg has an average fiber tow aspect ratio of less than about 15.4, a prepreg thickness of at least about 0.245 mm, and a prepreg openness of at least about 1.2 percent but less than about 6.0 percent. Preferably, the resin composition is predominantly viscous in nature and has a tan &dgr; value of between 0.9 and 2.0 at an elevated temperature between 70° C. and 140° C., and an average epoxy functionality of greater than 2.0. A method for evaluating core crush resistance properties of a prepreg is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: HEXCEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hao-Ming Hsiao, Shaw Ming Lee, Robert Albert Buyny, Cary Joseph Martin
  • Publication number: 20010033928
    Abstract: Disclosed is fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellets that satisfy the quality stability (homogeneous impregnation, deterioration prevention of reinforcing fiber) of the molding material and the strength performance of the molded product, using natural discontinuous fiber as the reinforcing fiber, and a manufacturing method of the pellets. A plurality of spun yarns with No. 5 to 80 counts are twisted 10 to 200 turns/m and pultruded when fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pellets containing natural fiber as the reinforcing fiber are manufactured by the impregnating pultrusion method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: K.K. Kobe Seiko Sho ( Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Ryosaku Kadowaki, Yasuo Hirano, Toshihiro Asai
  • Patent number: 6294253
    Abstract: A sized staple fiber product that disperses quickly, thoroughly and uniformly in water is particularly useful in the manufacture of gypsum board by the slurry process. An aqueous chemical size composiiton on the surface of the fibers contains a high level of surfactant and can contain a polymer film former and a biocide. Preferably, the fiber is chopped glass fiber. Novel sizing composition and methods of making and using the fiber are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Dall Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6291040
    Abstract: A fabric for use as a base fabric in an air bag comprises a fibrous substrate having adhered to it a covering layer made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin and of 10 &mgr;m or less in average thickness. The adhesion between the fibrous substrate and covering layer is effected by causing the thermoplastic synthetic resin material of the covering layer to fill interstices between the fibers of the fibrous substrate. This may be achieved by applying to the fibrous substrate a solution or dispersion of the thermoplastic synthetic resin. An air bag may be constructed entirely from the fabric such that when it comprises sheet material additional to the base fabric, these may also be provided by the same fabric as that used for the base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Moriwaki, Tomomichi Fujiyama, Susumu Kano
  • Publication number: 20010014393
    Abstract: A cleaning cloth is described made of a microfilament nonwoven weighing from 30 g/m2 to 500 g/m2, the nonwoven being made from melt-spun, stretched continuous multicomponent filaments having a titer of 1.5 to 5 dtex, which are immediately laid down to form a nonwoven, and the continuous multicomponent filaments, optionally after pre-bonding, being split at least to 80% to form continuous micro-filaments having a titer of 0.05 to 1.0 dtex and bonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Groten, Jochen Wirsching, Frank Rudolph, Joerg Dunkel
  • Patent number: 6242096
    Abstract: The invention relates to varnished metal wires with one or more electrically insulating varnish coatings, at least one of the electrically insulating varnish coatings representing an organically modified silicic acid (hetero) polycondensate, which has been obtained by partial or total hydrolytic condensation of one or more hydrolytically condensable compounds of silicon and if necessary other elements from the group B, A1, P, Sn, Pb, the transition metals, the lanthanides and actinides, and/or from precondensates derived from the abovenamed compounds, if necessary in the presence of a catalyst and/or of a solvent by the action of water and moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaftzur Forderung der Angewandten Forsch{overscore (u)}ng E.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Wolter, Werner Storch, Karl Deichmann
  • Patent number: 6210792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and wood fiber composite that can be used in the form of a linear extrudate or thermoplastic pellet to manufacture structural members. The polymer, the fiber or both can be modified to increase compatibility. The wood fiber composite structural members can be manufactured in an extrusion process or an injection molding process. The linear extrudate or pellet can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape, or can be a regular geometric. The pellet can have a cross-section shape having a volume of at least about 12 mm3. Preferably the pellet is a right cylindrical pellet having a minimum radius of about 1.5 mm and a minimum length of 1 mm weighing at least 14 mg. The invention also relates to an environmentally sensitive recycle of waste streams. The polymer and wood fiber composite contains an intentional recycle of a waste stream comprising polymer flakes or particles or wood fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Kasyap V. Seethamraju, Neil J. Beaverson, Kurt E. Heikkila, Michael J. Deaner
  • Patent number: 6197421
    Abstract: A short carbon fiber bundling mass is disclosed, which can provide a high-modulus fiber-reinforced resin composition and comprises short carbon fibers bundled by using a sizing agent and heated to a maximum temperature ranging from 1,600° C. to 3,300° C. in an inert gas atmosphere so as to be graphitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Yamamoto, Akihiko Yoshiya, Tadahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6194068
    Abstract: A wire for a wire saw apparatus for slicing a material includes an element wire, a binder coated on an outside circumferential surface of the element wire, and abrasive grains dispersed in the binder. The element wire is a high tensile strength metal wire, the binder is a material such as an organic or inorganic material other than a metal, and the abrasive grains are held on a surface of the element wire by the binder. The element wire is also made by either a natural quartz glass or a high purity synthesis quartz glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Seishiro Ohashi, Shinichi Okada, Kenji Asano, Kazunori Suzuki, Masahiro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6194065
    Abstract: An agglomerate and a process for its manufacture by providing a dry particulated fibrous organic material, mixing it with a powdered mineral to obtain a first mixture, adding a binding agent to the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, agglomerating the second mixture in an agglomeration dish and drying the agglomerate to a desired dried state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Green Top Wood Recycling Ltd.
    Inventor: Asher Golan
  • Patent number: 6165572
    Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Kahlbaugh, Denis J. Dudrey
  • Patent number: 6156086
    Abstract: There is provided a vacuum cleaner filer bag including at least two sidewalls which sidewalls are joined by seams. At least one first sidewall comprises a film laminate of a heat sealable film layer and a film support layer. At least one second sidewall comprises a filter laminate comprising at least a synthetic fiber filter layer and synthetic fiber support layer where the at least one first sidewall is joined to adjacent sidewalls by thermal seams. The filter layer is preferably a high efficiency microfiber filter media which provides HEPA level performance for the vacuum cleaner bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Zhiqun Zhang
  • Patent number: 6139929
    Abstract: There is disclosed a composite sock which consists of an inner stretchable fabric envelope, a bag-like barrier component which is liquid water impermeable, and water vapour permeable, and a second or outer stretchable fabric envelope. The inner envelope is attached to the barrier component, the barrier component is attached to the outer envelope, the arrangement being such as to allow circumferential stretching of the composite sock. The inner stretchable fabric envelope or the outer stretchable fabric envelope or both is a circular knitted sock. The composite sock has elastic properties such that it can be stretched at least in the X direction to at least 50% extension, and such that when a sample taken from the leg of the composite sock just above the ankle, the sample being 5 cm by 10 cm with the 10 cm dimension aligned in the X direction is extended on a tensometer at 100 mm per minute to 15 cms length (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Porvair PLC
    Inventors: Karen C. Hayton, Ian Stirling
  • Patent number: 6140414
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel curable silicone-based aqueous emulsion composition suitable as a surface-coating composition for an air bag base cloth and capable of exhibiting excellent adhesion to the substrate cloth and imparting the surface-coated cloth with excellent flexibility and flame retardancy. The aqueous silicone emulsion composition is a uniform blend which comprises:(A) 100 parts by weight of an aqueous base emulsion of an organopolysiloxane consisting of(A1) from 10 to 70% by weight of an organopolysiloxane having at least two hydroxyl groups bonded to the silicon atoms in a molecule, in which from 0.01 to 10% by moles of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups are alkenyl groups,(A2) from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Ohsawa, Yoshinobu Takahashi, Satoshi Kuwata
  • Patent number: 6132867
    Abstract: A gel profile article comprising a multi-filament yarn carrier carrying an elongate body of gel which encloses more than 50%, preferably more than 75%, more preferably substantially all, of the perimeter of the carrier as viewed in transverse cross-section, wherein the carrier is at least partly composed of synthetic polymeric material, preferably polyester filaments (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate) or spun yarns of a co-mingled blend of polyacrylonitrile staple fibres and polyamide staple fibres ("baby wool"), the proportion of polyamide preferably being at least 30%, more preferably 40-60%, by weight of the said spun yarn(s). The gel is preferably melt-coated, especially pressure-extruded, around the carrier at a gel temperature less than the softening temperature of at least a component of the carrier, and the selected class of carrier materials enhances the processability, cohesion, and appearance of the resulting profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Philip James Hammond, Michael John Percy, David Bluck
  • Patent number: 6129962
    Abstract: An axially extending tubular composite member having a plurality of plies and extending along a longitudinal axis has at least three plies with selectively structured fiber components in each ply. Typically an inner ply has at least one biaxial fiber component, an intermediate ply has at least an axial fiber component that typically is combined with two further fibers to form a triaxial fiber component. Another ply typically has a woven fiber component. A further ply having a biaxial component either replaces the ply of woven fiber or is disposed beneath it over the intermediate ply. A surface veil having fiber and an excess of resin material typically covers at least the innermost or outermost surface of the composite member. An internal web member can be provided, and typically also employs fibers and the matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Exel Oyj
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet
  • Patent number: 6121168
    Abstract: A wet paper friction material, mainly used for a slip lock-up of an automatic transmission, obtained by impregnating a paper material with a thermosetting resin, thermosetting, and molding under pressure, to attain compatibility between a good frictional characteristic and good fatigue strength under compression, wherein the paper material, in addition to a cellulose pulp and a filler, contains 30 to 80 wt % of aramid pulp with its drainability being adjusted to 250 to 440 ml in a total amount of pulp, and further contains, as a friction modifier, diatomaceous earth cylindrically formed so as to be net-like in the cylinder part and having its mean length 4 to 6 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignees: Dynax Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maki Irifune, Tetsuya Ishitani, Takao Shibuya, Makoto Maeda, Nobutaka Chiba, Yasuhiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 6120864
    Abstract: A transfer roll cover has an inner surface made of conductive and elastic material to fit snugly around and make conductive contact with a transfer roll, and an outer surface made of looped yarns which are attached to the inner surface and have outer looped ends which make light rolling contact with a sheet transported over the transfer roll. The looped yarns are a composite of a cleaning yarn for cleaning particulate contaminants and an antistatic yarn for removing static charges from the transported sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the transfer roll cover has an inner surface made of nylon knitted yarn as a base yarn that holds the cover together and a LYCRA.TM. inlayed yarn which has an elasticity that allows the cover to stretch over and fit snugly onto the transfer roll. As an alternative, a heat-shrinkable polyvinyl acetate (PVA) yarn may be used as the elastic material. The preferred outer surface includes rayon knitted yarn with looped outer ends as the cleaning yarn, and BEKINTEX.TM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Chiricosta, Thomas W. Harris, Stephen P. Major, Jeremy M. Oakhill, Douglas J. Pate, Artis Clifford Bufford
  • Patent number: 6120894
    Abstract: A short carbon fiber bundling mass is disclosed, which can provide a high-modulus fiber-reinforced resin composition and comprises short carbon fibers bundled by using a sizing agent and heated to a maximum temperature ranging from 1,600.degree. C. to 3,300.degree. C. in an inert gas atmosphere so as to be graphitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Yamamoto, Akihiko Yoshiya, Tadahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6103325
    Abstract: A liquid impervious seam is formed in laminate sheet comprising polyurethane and polyester laminates, the seam being formed with ultrasonic energy and being capable of withstanding repeated sterilizations by autoclaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Angelica Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Zins, David C. Holland
  • Patent number: 6099789
    Abstract: A molded article includes a hollow molded body formed of a base material and a heat insulating sheet member laminated to an outer surface of the hollow molded body. The base material is a blended material which contains about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of a thermoplastic resin and about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of an inorganic material, and has a flexural rigidity of at least about 1,350 MPa at 23.degree. C. and a flexural rigidity of at least about 550 MPa at 60.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kyoraku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiko Sumi
  • Patent number: 6099925
    Abstract: A duct comprising a sealed inner tube (1) and a reinforcement (2) made of at least one strip wound in a spiral around a central axis (11) of the inner tube. The strip (10) is flat and includes at least one layer of longitudinal filamentary rovings (6) and means for assembling said filamentary rovings comprising a loosely woven weft yarn (7) and a bonding material (8) provided at least at the interface between said filamentary rovings and said weft yarn. The assembly means hold the longitudinal rovings together along the full length thereof and impart a compactness of at least 39% to said strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventors: Joel Le Nouveau, Anh Tuan Do
  • Patent number: 6086969
    Abstract: A cylindrical rotating body (1) of low inertia is provided including a cylindrical body (1) having a large length/diameter ratio. The cylindrical body (1) is of thin wall thickness and is sealed at the opposite ends by sealing means (3, 8). The hollow interior (9) of the cylindrical body (1) is loaded with a pressurized medium (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris, Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: James Michael Argiros
  • Patent number: 6086968
    Abstract: This invention discloses woven materials in which the constructed woven materials have a myriad of desired two- and three-dimensional shapes. The invention specifically discloses woven materials that are constructed by continuously varying the density and/or direction of the warp and/or weft fibers or yarns, as well as their angle of contact, at will during the mechanical weaving process. These two- and three-dimensional woven materials can also be used as reinforcers of variously shaped flexible or rigid composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Zvi Horovitz
  • Patent number: 6086998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-inflammable fiber product that can be used as flame-resistant material or insulating material or both. The invention seeks to provide a material made of used cellulose or cellulose-containing refuse, which had not been sensibly used hitherto. The new fiber product consists of 30 to 97 wt. % cellulose-containing fiber or a cellulose-containing fiber mixture; 0.01 to 1 wt. % nonionic surface active agent; 1 to 5 wt. % aluminum oxide finely distributed on and in the fibers, and 0 to 68 wt. % filling material, as well as optionally one or more additional biocides. Said product can be processed in bulk or as pressed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Protekum Umweltinstitut GmbH Oranienburg
    Inventors: Marc Wihsmann, Lothar Ebner
  • Patent number: 6074701
    Abstract: Vehicle air bags are constructed of fabric produced according to improved methodology. The fabric, which may be coated or uncoated, is woven on a rapier loom machine without size. Since size is not used, the invention provides several methods to reduce chafing of the unprotected yarn during the weaving process. For example, the yarn is preferably of a type having a relatively large number of evenly-spaced nodes of entanglement. The warp ends are preferably beamed at a ratio of no greater than two ends per dent of the beaming comb. At least six (6) weaving harnesses are preferably used on the loom as the fabric is being produced. Because size is eliminated, the fabric does not have to be scoured prior to use. As a result, the air permeability of the fabric remains naturally low and fabric stiffness is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Alonzo W. Beasley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6074660
    Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymers containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The polyoxaesters copolymer of the present invention is formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a third repeating unit of the formula:[--O--R.sub.12 --].sub.U, XVIand optionally a fourth repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Rao S. Bezwada
  • Patent number: 6071603
    Abstract: A glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic comprises a ceramic matrix having open voids, inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix in a regular or irregular orientation, and a glass matrix filling up the open voids in the ceramic matrix. The glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic is manufactured by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of forming a fiber-reinforced ceramic comprising the ceramic matrix having open voids, and inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix, impregnating the fiber-reinforced ceramic with a glass precursor solution containing a glass precursor to stop up the open voids of the ceramic matrix with the glass precursor solution, and subjecting the fiber-reinforced ceramic impregnated with the solution to a heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kaushiki Kaisha, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Sakai, Jun Gotoh, Keiichi Tsugeki, Masaki Shibuya, Yasuhiro Shioji
  • Patent number: 6063461
    Abstract: A multi-density batt having a plurality of overlaid thermoplastic fiber web layers. Each of the web layers comprise a homogeneous blend of matrix fibers and binder fibers. The binder fibers have a relatively low predetermined melting temperature and the matrix fibers have a relatively high predetermined melting temperature. The binder fibers and matrix fibers are heat-fused together. The batt has a width defining a cross direction and a length defining a machine direction. At least one integrally-formed, relatively thick, high density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction of the batt. At least one integrally-formed relatively thin, low density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction. The batt can be used to form a cushion, such as a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cumulus Fibres, Inc.
    Inventors: William Clark Hoyle, Jerry Lee Nealy
  • Patent number: 6060163
    Abstract: Fibers, continuous or discontinuous, and bars having optimized geometries for use in the reinforcement of cement, ceramic and polymeric based matrices are claimed. The geometries are designed to increase the ratio of surface area available for bond between the fiber and the matrix to the cross-sectional area of fiber. In the case of a continuous reinforcement comprised of a single fiber or a bar made out of a bundle of fibers, such as is the case in reinforced and prestressed concrete, increasing the surface area available for bond leads to a decrease in crack width, development length, and transfer length. The fibers or bars are also configured to be amenable for twisting or to have spiral like deformations along their longitudinal axis to further develop the mechanical component of bond between the fibers and the matrix. Additional methods of mechanical bond enhancement, such as crimping and/or addition of anchorages, such as hooked ends, paddles, buttons, etc. . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Antoine E. Naaman