Patents Assigned to Crane Plastics Company
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Patent number: 6524518Abstract: The present invention is a unique manufacturing process that includes extruding a product shape through extrusion equipment, then using a blow molding process, preferably in-line, on a portion of the extruded product shape to further shape the product. In one preferred embodiment the product shape is a post and the further shaping of the post results in a decorative end that previously had to be assembled to the post but now is able to be formed in the post as a one-piece product, instead of a two-piece construction.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventor: Paul R. Pelfrey
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Patent number: 6516577Abstract: An exterior covering for buildings and the like is described. The present invention relates to vinyl siding panels for building exteriors that are easy to install, and which prevent a collection of moisture along the building exterior.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventors: Paul R. Pelfrey, David J. Knecht
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Publication number: 20030025233Abstract: The present invention is a continuous in-line compounding and extrusion system that does not require pre-dried wood flour or pelletized feed stock of cellulosic/polymer composite materials in order to produce net shapes from cellulosic/polymer composite materials. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizes automated loss-in-weight feeders to dispense wood flour and all of the other cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a compounder. The compounder blends the cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a composite melt. The composite melt is continuously devolitalized as it travels through the compounder, a transition chute, and a finish extruder. The composite melt is then forced through a profile die which is fitted to the finish extruder in order to achieve a net shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventor: Arthur F. Korney
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Patent number: 6511757Abstract: A system of compression molding a synthetic wood formulation into a commercially useable synthetic wood component is described. Surprising results are achieved when the dry formulation is placed under heat and pressure. Many different components may be made using the present invention, such as by example, wood-like trim components for the housing construction industry.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey R. Brandt, Burch E. Zehner
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Patent number: 6498205Abstract: An extrudable wood composite which includes cellulosic material and a powdered thermoplastic material.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: Burch E. Zehner
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Publication number: 20020174663Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by directing a cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate (e.g., an interior surface that defines a hollow portion of an extrudate). Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A cooling fluid is diverted toward the surface of the extrudate so as to cool the material and assist in solidification. A baffle may serve to divert the cooling fluid in the desired direction. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. In addition, the more efficient cooling may be achieved with a lesser amount of the cooling fluid, and the velocity and temperature of the cooling fluid may be reduced. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventors: Herbert L. Hutchison, Jeffrey R. Brandt
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Publication number: 20020166327Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by releasing a cooling fluid in a hollow portion of the extrudate. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Jeffrey R. Brandt, Matthew F. Kollar, Herbert L. Hutchison
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Patent number: 6464913Abstract: The present invention is a continuous in-line compounding and extrusion system that does not require pre-dried wood flour or pelletized feed stock of cellulosic/polymer composite materials in order to produce net shapes from cellulosic/polymer composite materials. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes automated loss-in-weight feeders to dispense wood flour and all of the other cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a compounder. The compounder blends the cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a composite melt. The composite melt is continuously devolitalized as it travels through the compounder, a transition chute, and a finish extruder. The composite melt is then forced through a profile die which is fitted to the finish extruder in order to achieve a net shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: Arthur F. Korney, Jr.
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Patent number: 6453630Abstract: A deck plank cover made from a plastic material, such as a wood composite, wherein the deck plank cover is designed to be affixed to the top surface of a preexisting deck plank. The deck plank cover is useful for repairing or protecting mildly deteriorated or deteriorating wooden deck planks of typical wooden decks. The deck plank cover may be affixed directly to the top surface of the existing wooden deck planks, and serves to substantially protect the wooden deck planks from further exposure to the elements. The deck plank cover of the present invention may also be applied to non-deteriorated wooden deck planks to prevent the onset of deterioration and to alleviate the need for treatment of the subjacent wooden deck planks with chemical preservatives. The deck plank cover preferably simulates the look of real wood, and may be produced in various cross-sectional shapes and sizes and from a variety of plastic materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventors: Bryan Buhrts, Kevin Troy Burt
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Patent number: 6409952Abstract: The present invention is a system and process for drying and extruding a cellulosic compound. The compound materials are provided to a mixer in a desired ratio. The compound materials are then mixed together. Thereafter, the compound materials can be stored in a non-controlled environment until needed. When it is time to extrude the compound materials, the compound materials are transferred to a dryer at a location remote from the mixer. The dryer has a surface area enabling the compound materials to be sufficiently spread out for drying. The compound materials are substantially uniformly dried to a desired level in the dryer. The compound materials are then transferred to an extruder to be formed into a final net shape.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Wayne E. Hacker, Matthew F. Kollar, Robert W. Heigel
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Patent number: 6358585Abstract: A panel for use in siding is disclosed. The panel has a cement core in a shape defining the panel of the siding, and a plastic film layer attached to the cement core. The plastic film layer is either a polymer or a copolymer of vinyl chloride. The panel may also have an adhesive layer which adheres the plastic film layer to the cement core. The cement core may contain fiber reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: John C. Wolff
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Patent number: 6344504Abstract: An extruded wood simulative material is described which includes a high degree of cellulosic material content and begins with powdered thermoplastic material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Burch E. Zehner, Terry C. Laver
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Patent number: 6337138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Burch E. Zehner, Bryan K. Buhrts
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Patent number: 6248813Abstract: A cellulosic composite comprising: (a) at least one cellulosic material present in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the composite, (b) at least one polyvinyl chloride material present in an amount in the range of from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the composite, and (c) at least one polar thermosetting material present in an amount in the range of from about 0% to about 4% by weight of the composite is disclosed. An extruded article made form the cellulose composite and a method of making the cellulose composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: Burch E. Zehner
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Patent number: 6180257Abstract: A system of compression molding a synthetic wood formulation into a commercially useable synthetic wood component is described. Surprising results are achieved when the dry formulation is placed under heat and pressure. Many different components may be made using the present invention, such as by example, wood-like trim components for the housing construction industry.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1996Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Jeffrey R. Brandt, Burch E. Zehner
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Patent number: 6131355Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface downward from the top, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
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Patent number: 6117924Abstract: An extrusion process is described for the extrusion of a synthetic wood material. The process includes a significantly higher compression ratio through which the extruded product must pass. The higher compression ratio results in significantly improved product qualities.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1996Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: Jeffrey R. Brandt
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Patent number: 6103791Abstract: A cellulosic composite comprising: (a) at least one cellulosic material present in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the composite, (b) at least one polyvinyl chloride material present in an amount in the range of from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the composite, and (c) at least one polar thermosetting material present in an amount in the range of from about 0% to about 4% by weight of the composite is disclosed. An extruded article made form the cellulose composite and a method of making the cellulose composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventor: Burch E. Zehner
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Patent number: 6071455Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a thermoplastic panel or piece having a resilient injection molded portion. The panel or piece of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications such as to provide sealing ends on thermoplastic panels or to create resiliently closeable passages in thermoplastic panels through which wires and other objects may be passed while maintaining an even surface appearance of the baseboard panel. Other uses include attaching one or more thermoplastic pieces together.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Herbert Hutchison, Paul R. Pelfrey, Byron Rose
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Patent number: 6035588Abstract: A deck plank comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank includes a top surface, a first leg, and a second leg. The top surface has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first leg is attached to the first end portion, and the second leg is attached to the second end portion. The first leg extends downward from the top surface, and it has a tongue and an outer surface. The tongue has a first limb and a second limb which are joined together to define a recess. The outer surface defines a channel that extends along the tongue. The second leg also extends downward from the top surface, and it has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define a groove, and the tongue is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent, substantially similar deck plank.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited PartnershipInventors: Burch E. Zehner, A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart