Patents Assigned to Polymer Engineering Inc.
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Publication number: 20100256445Abstract: A working channel for an endoscope or similar device having concentric porous and nonporous polymer tubes that are adhered or bonded together. A support wire may be wrapped around a nonporous inner tube and provides increased flexibility and resistance to compression and kinking. A porous outer tube fits over the support wire and inner tube and bonds to the inner tube, encapsulating the support wire. The outer tube may have a smooth or corrugated exterior, depending on the intended use of the working channel. Methods for manufacturing the working channel are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL POLYMER ENGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Craig Fitzpatrick
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Patent number: 6716020Abstract: A machine and method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. In the machine, these clamping members include aligned first and second sections of a mandrel. These first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. At the end of this relative rotation, the mandrel sections engage one another. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed. Rotation continues while the tube is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: International Polymer Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Thomas E. Hargreaves
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Patent number: 6537476Abstract: A method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. The first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed; the tube is cooled and released from the machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: International Polymer Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Thomas E. Hargreaves
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Patent number: 5480447Abstract: A joint implant is presented having an elongated cylindrical member with an annular spacer which accommodates the diameter of the cylindrical member by fitting loosely over the cylindrical member. The ends of the elongated cylindrical member are designed for insertion into the intramedullary canals of adjacent bones while the annular spacer is designed to cushion the joint and maintain proper spacing between the bones.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: International Polymer Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Jeffry B. Skiba
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Patent number: 4542271Abstract: A microwave browning ware (10) comprises a body (11) formed of a member transparent to microwave energy having a base (16) and a sidewall (18), the sidewall carrying an inwardly directed shelf (22); a metallic pan (12) having an upper cooking surface (39) and a lower surface (42) and having an edge (23) adapted to be supported by the shelf and maintain a clearance (28) from the sidewall. A heating matrix (13) absorbent to microwave energy is cured to the lower surface of the metallic pan, a binder material (14) is located between the edge of the pan and the shelf capable of withstanding the heat from the metallic pan without melting or degrading, resulting from the absorption of microwave energy by the heating matrix and, a cavity (36) is formed between the metallic pan and the base which houses the heating matrix therein. A method for the manufacture of such browning ware is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1985Date of Patent: September 17, 1985Assignees: Rubbermaid Incorporated, Polymer Engineering Inc.Inventors: David R. Tanonis, Alexander L. Darbut