Patents Examined by James Sanders
  • Injection molding flow control apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9011736
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow to a mold cavity including a controller instructing a valve system to drive an actuator and a valve pin and including instructions that instruct the valve system to drive an actuator and a valve pin and including instructions that instruct the valve system to move from a start position to one or more intermediate drive rate positions and subsequently from the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to a high drive rate position on receipt by the controller of a signal from a position sensor that is indicative of the valve pin having reached a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Ribeiro de Oliveira Antunes, Christian Götz, Juergen Wilhelm Emich
  • Device for thermoforming a plastic film
    Patent number: 9004895
    Abstract: A thermoforming device heats a plastic film to a substantially uniform temperature, in order to impart a curved shape to said film. The device includes a chamber, the internal pressure of which is variable and which is closed by the film, a system for measuring a sag in the film arranged outside the chamber and opposite said film, and a system for heating the film. The heating system includes a hot air blowing unit which is suitable for producing a hot airflow flowing parallel to the film between two opposite edges of said film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventor: Eric Roussel
  • Injection molding flow control apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9005509
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, including a valve system in fluid communication with an actuator to drive the actuator at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, one or more intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in a gate closed position; a controller that instructs the valve system to move from the start position to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and to remain in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions for one or more corresponding predetermined amounts of time and further drives the valve system to move from the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on expiration of the one or more predetermined amounts of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Vito Galati, Sergio de Oliveira Antunes, J. Andres Lopez
  • Method of forming a frontal toothing on an inner ring of a wheel hub
    Patent number: 9005507
    Abstract: A method including the steps of forming an inner ring of a wheel hub, by joining a spindle and an insert ring fitted onto the spindle, on a side of a first end of the spindle; axially blocking the insert ring on the spindle by plastically deforming the first end of the spindle to form an upset collar therewith, which axially protrudes from the insert ring; and after forming the upset collar, frontally obtaining on the collar, on the side opposite to the insert ring a frontal toothing by means of a single creator tool provided, towards the collar, with a toothing which is complementary to that to be obtained, by impressing onto the collar, in sequence, one or more teeth of the complementary toothing, which have ridges with a rounded profile having a curvature radius (R) varying in the direction of an axis of symmetry (A1) of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Enrico Morello, Fulvio Nicastri
  • Audible zipper with laterally crushed elements and methods of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 8999219
    Abstract: Reclosable zippers for reclosable packages are disclosed. The zippers include male and female profiles. The female profiles are periodically inwardly and/or upwardly deformed in order to generate tactile and audible feedback when the zippers are opened or closed by the user. The deformation of the female profiles typically maintains the strength of the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Plourde, Maurice Finnegan, III, Victor Matias, Steven Ausnit
  • Apparatus for preparing pellets of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)
    Patent number: 8992198
    Abstract: An apparatus is described having an extrusion means for extruding a molten polymer strand; a pelletizer; and a trough disposed to convey a polymer strand from the extrusion means to the pelletizer; the trough has an interior bottom surface; a water dispensing means disposed to provide a layer of water on a first portion of the interior bottom surface that is proximate to the extrusion means; a mesh or perforated surface disposed in the trough downstream from the water dispensing means, disposed to permit the separation of water from a water-immersed strand incident upon it; and a second portion of the interior bottom surface downstream from that mesh or perforated surface, disposed to contain a layer of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dennis Gerard Madeleine, Michael Joseph Molitor, John Harvey Eng
  • Apparatus for cooling stator
    Patent number: 8992201
    Abstract: A cooling equipment to be used to cool a stator after molding includes first to third cooling stations, and a detecting station provided in front of the first cooling station. Each of the cooling stations includes a plurality of nozzles that spray dry mist to the stator, a plurality of fans that blow air to the stator, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the stator, and first to third control units. Furthermore, the detecting station includes a distance sensor that detects the size of the stator, and an integration control unit. The integration control unit identifies the type of the stator based on the detected size, and informs each control unit of the results. Each control unit controls the quantity of water to be supplied to each nozzle and the quantity of air to be blown by each fan based on the identified type and the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Saigo, Kenji Harada, Masaru Hirako, Hideaki Yasuda
  • Apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin pellets
    Patent number: 8985987
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin pellets of uniform shape. The apparatus includes a batch-type polymerization vessel whose inner pressure can be controlled; a pelletizer for cutting a strand-form thermoplastic resin discharged from the polymerization vessel, thereby forming pellets; a pipe for transferring the pellets to a storage container by pneumatic transportation or suction transportation; a pressure differential measuring unit for determining variation in a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the transfer pipe; and a pressure controlling unit for controlling the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel on the basis of the variation in the measured pressure difference; wherein the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel is controlled in relation to a pressure loss in the transfer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shinohara, Tomomichi Kanda, Hideyuki Kurose, Minoru Kikuchi
  • System and method for making golf balls
    Patent number: 8980156
    Abstract: A system and method for making golf balls is disclosed. The system may include laser cutting dimples into a golf ball cover layer. Laser cutting may also be used to add texture to the surface of a golf ball. Laser cutting dimples may provide flexibility in quickly creating different shapes, sizes, and patterns of dimples. Thus, during golf ball testing, a certain pattern of dimples may be made, tested, and then quickly adjusted. For example, the dimples may be adjusted by cutting away more cover material to make the dimples larger, deeper, and/or in a different shape. After further testing, the golf ball dimples may be adjusted again multiple times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Takahisa Ono
  • Method of manufacturing a track membrane
    Patent number: 8980148
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing track membranes by penetration of working substances into and through the membrane matrix of polymer material is disclosed. The matrix is placed into holder that is inserted into one end of a tubular shell, the other end of which contains a cartridge with an explosive material and a working substance in the form of a supersaturated solution of a water-soluble salt. When the explosive material is detonated, the particles of the water-soluble salt interact with the matrix in the form of a high-speed jet with the velocity of particles in the range of 3800 to 4200 m/sec. As a result of penetrating of the particles into and through the material of the matrix, a plurality of holes is formed in the matrix. The track membranes are produced by slicing the membrane matrix after removal of the residue of the particles by washing the pierced membrane with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Nanotech Industries, Inc., Polymate, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oleg Figovsky, Elena Gotlib, Dmitry Pashin, Alexander Leykin
  • Process for the preparation of superhydrophobic film
    Patent number: 8974714
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a superhydrophobic film comprising the steps of applying a hydrophobic polymer in the liquid phase on a surface so as to form a layer of hydrophobic polymer, applying on said layer of hydrophobic polymer a membrane having a porosity of between 105 and 6×108 pores/cm2 in which the pores have a diameter smaller than or equal to 3 ?m, subjecting said layer of hydrophobic polymer to a thermal treatment so as to form a superhydrophobic film, and removing said membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Universitá Degli Studi Di Genova
    Inventors: Alessandro Garibbo, Corrado Boragno, Francesco Gagliardi
  • Reconfigurable shape memory polymer tooling supports
    Patent number: 8974217
    Abstract: A method and support apparatus for providing structural support to a mold or mandrel, such as a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus configured for shaping a composite part. The support apparatus may comprise a rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP cells attached thereto and configured to inflate or deploy in a malleable state toward and against a surface of the SMP apparatus, mold, or mandrel. Then the SMP cells may be returned to a rigid state while still pressed against this surface, thereby providing structural support when composite material is applied to an opposite surface of the SMP apparatus, mold, or mandrel. After the composite material is cured into the finished composite part, the SMP cells may be deflated or otherwise collapse toward the structural member to provide enough clearance to be removed from the cured composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel James Everhart, Bryan Michael Pelley, David E Havens, Steven Fillmore Hanson, Jeffrey W. Priest, Carl Ray Fiegenbaum
  • Method of making an earplug
    Patent number: 8968613
    Abstract: A method of making personal protective equipment, such as a push-in earplug, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of covering a substrate with an outer layer that includes an unactivated foaming agent, positioning at least a portion of the outer layer in a mold, and activating the foaming agent such that a portion of the outer layer expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Jeffrey L. Hamer, Alan R. Seville, Kenneth F. Teeters
  • Die piece for extrusion molded noodles
    Patent number: 8956141
    Abstract: A die piece for extrusion molded noodles is a die piece in which a contact angle of a water droplet on a die piece surface is 61 to 73 degrees and a water absorption of the die piece is 0.01 to 0.15% by weight after the die piece is immersed in water for 24 hours. The use of the die piece for extrusion molded noodles makes it possible to produce pasta, spaghetti, or any other extrusion molded noodles with no increase or decrease in its surface roughness (degree of surface roughness) over time and also makes it possible to stably produce, over a prolonged period of time, extrusion molded noodles having proper surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nisshin Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Satou, Masahiro Higuchi
  • Wafer-level underfill and over-molding
    Patent number: 8951037
    Abstract: A mold includes a top portion, and an edge ring having a ring-shape. The edge ring is underlying and connected to edges of the top portion. The edge ring includes air vents. The edge ring further encircles the inner space under the top portion of the mold. A plurality of injection ports is connected to the inner space of the mold. The plurality of injection ports is substantially aligned to a straight line crossing a center of the top portion of the mold. The plurality of injection ports has different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bor-Ping Jang, Yeong-Jyh Lin, Chien Ling Hwang, Chung-Shi Liu
  • Apparatus and method for manufacturing multiplex interlayer for safety glass
    Patent number: 8945446
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a multilayered interlayer for safety glass that allows for reliable and easy formation of inserted layers having a larger coloring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentarou Ogino, Takeshi Yoshida, Hiroaki Inui
  • Plastic object for use in personal hygiene
    Patent number: 8940211
    Abstract: A unitary two component article for personal hygiene, such as a toothbrush, wherein the same is formed by injection molding of two differing plastic materials. The plastics do not adhesively or chemically bond to each other. The two differing plastic parts of the toothbrush are mechanically connected, such as by interfitting portions of the two plastic components or by shrinking one plastic component about the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Huber, Peter Waldispuhl
  • Method of manufacturing reinforcing cloth of a seat pad and apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 8926309
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing cloth of a seat pad which includes: a mold for fixing a sheet and having an outer shape substantially identical to a shape of the reinforcing cloth and provided with a plurality of air holes interconnecting an internal space with an outer surface; a closed space between the mold and a cover member formed by covering the sheet fixed on the mold with the cover member; a heating unit for heating the sheet; and an exhausting unit for exhausting air from the closed space is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mold Technical Office Co. Ltd., Nitto Boseki Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Shimada, Koji Wakamatsu, Toshio Iwasawa, Shunpei Ishida, Minoru Nakano
  • Method and apparatus for manufacturing silicon seed rods
    Patent number: 8911659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing high-purity long silicon seed rods with controlled resistivity for Siemens and similar processes with using a film of silicon dioxide, wherein a film of silicon dioxide is formed on the seed rod in the course of a reaction between a silicon melt and oxygen. The rod is formed with a quartz die and cooled by direct immersion into a cooling fluid, such as de-ionized water and/or by cooling fluid vapor in the gas cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Vitaliy A. Vaisberg
  • Apparatus and mold assembly for molding and demolding cementitious products and methods therefor
    Patent number: 8911224
    Abstract: An assembly for molding and demolding hardened cementitious products comprises a flexible mold and a demolding apparatus. The flexible mold has a top side with separate openings for receiving cementitious material therein for hardening thereof, an opposite closed rear side and a perimeter. The apparatus for demolding the hardened cementitious products from the flexible mold comprises a conveyor, a holding member, a clamp, and a movable member. The conveyor conveys the flexible mold. The clamp grips a portion of the perimeter. The holding member engages the mold. The movable member moves the clamp and the clamped portion of the mold about the holding member thereby disengaging the flexible mold from the cementitious material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Horacio Correia