Patents Examined by Jan H. Silbaugh
  • Multiple injection compression molding process
    Patent number: 6500376
    Abstract: A method of injection molding a layered plastic component includes providing a sealing structure around the periphery of a mold cavity formed between first and second mold halves to contain plastic material in the cavity during injection. The first and second mold halves are closed to a first gap therebetween. A first plastic material is injected into the cavity. The first and second mold halves are closed together to a full closure position to compress the first plastic material. The first and second mold halves are held together for a period of time sufficient to partially solidify the first plastic material. The first and second mold halves are opened to a second gap therebetween, and at least one stop member is moved into position between the first and second mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig William Pack, Ronald Dennis Polley
  • Positive control non-return valve for an injection molding machine
    Patent number: 6499987
    Abstract: An improved positive control non-return valve assembly which is mounted on the front end of a helical plasticating screw of an injection molding machine. The valve assembly comprises a thread retainer with means for attachment to the plasticating screw. The valve assembly also comprises a distribution chamber that has an annular shaped flow gap and a cylindrical passageway that leads to a plurality of discharge ports. The non-return valve assembly forms a seal, builds pressure, and displaces molten plastic fluid from the distribution chamber through a discharge chamber passageway, and into a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: MD Plastics Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael F. Durina, Robert E. Tompkins
  • Robotic systems for automated preform processing
    Patent number: 6497566
    Abstract: Systems for the manufacture of reinforcing preforms for structural composite products. The robotic application system allows use of a single robot in a multiple cell system, and provides offline programming of the robotic routine. The robot moves between the cells on a track system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Dahl, Norman Gerald Chavka, Carl Frederick Johnson
  • Mold apparatus
    Patent number: 6494704
    Abstract: Mold press apparatus for use in the manufacture of molded articles, particularly starch-bound containers and other articles. The mold press apparatus includes a planar array of female mold halves and a corresponding planar array of male mold halves. The planar array of mold halves remain substantially coplanar throughout the process of selectively mating and separating the male and female mold halves. When used to manufacture molded articles from aqueous starch-based compositions, the molds are equipped with venting means, such as vent holes and/or a vent gap, which allow for the escape of water vapor from the mold cavities defined by the mated male/female mold pairs. A suction removal system may be used to remove the molded articles from the mold press apparatus, typically from the female mold halves. The demolded articles are deposited on a conveyor system equipped with individual nests for each article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: E. Khashoggi Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Per Just Andersen, Amitabha Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Denise S. Miller, Simon K. Hodson
  • Apparatus for rotational mold with movable insert
    Patent number: 6494705
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotational molding provides a mold having first and second mold components defining therebetween a mold cavity. The first mold component includes a mold insert adapted to translate toward the second mold component. A spring-biased latch mechanism restrains the mold insert in the outward disposition, and a touch pad is struck to trigger the latch mechanism and urge the mold insert inwardly while the mold is rotating. With the mold insert latched in the outward disposition, the rotational mold charged with thermoplastic material rotated biaxially and heated. After heating, while the mold assembly continues to rotate, the touch pad is struck to release the latch and cause the mold insert to move inwardly. The mold insert includes structural features that are moved more proximate to opposed mold portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Stephen Feilinger
    Inventor: Craig Wallin
  • Resaturation of asphalt shingles
    Patent number: 6495074
    Abstract: A method of maintaining as well as restoring the condition of weathered asphalt shingles and strips which are applied to flat roofs, pitched roofs, or vertical walls. The process involves applying resaturant neat or as a water emulsion. Suitable resaturants include fatty acid methyl esters, petroleum distillates, and water emulsions thereof. The process restores the suppleness and softness of the weathered shingles or strip and adds about three years to the lifetime of the roof. The process may be repeated for additional lifetime extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Clipper Roof Coatings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Carr
  • Optical attenuator mold
    Patent number: 6494706
    Abstract: A mold includes a cavity and a core which define a space in which an optical attenuator and supporting portion are formed. The includes a core pin, movably located in the core element. The core pin has a proximal end defining a surface of the lens portion and a distal end remote from the molding space. A core pin motor is coupled to the core pin, through a number of intermediate elements, so that the core pin can be moved relative to the core element to adjust a thickness of the lens portion. The intermediate elements can include a ball screw, a ball screw end cap fixed to a core pin holder block, a ball screw nut fixed to an outer surface of the mold so that an outer end of the ball screw passes through the nut to a location outside the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: L. L. Culmat, LP
    Inventors: Ricky W. Tumlin, J. Larry Underwood
  • Melt spinning line for producing multifilament yarns
    Patent number: 6494700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spinning line for producing a plurality of endless synthetic filament yarns. The spinning line comprises a spinning apparatus for melt spinning the yarns and a takeup apparatus for winding the yarns. Between the spinning apparatus and the takeup apparatus, a yarn collection device is arranged which cuts and removes the yarns by suction upon occurrence of a disturbance in the yarn path of at least one yarn. To this end, the yarn collection device comprises a movable yarn guide with a yarn guide groove in the yarn advance plane, a cutting device, and a suction device. The cutting device and suction device are arranged in the yarn advance plane on one side of the yarn web. The yarn guide is arranged on the opposite side of the yarn web and moved in direction of the cutting device for cutting the yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventor: Markus Stammen
  • Adjustable flow channel for an extruder head
    Patent number: 6491510
    Abstract: An extruder apparatus has an extruder flow channel 10 for an extruder head having a pair of flow passages 40, 50 and a flow dam 12 interposed between the flow passages and a flow splitter 14 that locally increases or locally decreases the flow area of the first flow passage 40 relative to the second flow passage 50. The preferred flow channel 10 adjusts the mass balance of the flows 6, 7 between passages 40, 50 automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Hao Anh Tieu, Carl Trevor Ross Pulford, Bruce Joseph Turner, Ernest Wilford Looman, Jr., George Samuel Fielding-Russell
  • Apparatus for meltblowing multi-component liquid filaments
    Patent number: 6491507
    Abstract: An apparatus for meltblowing multiple types of liquid materials into multi-component filaments. A pair of outer manifold elements sandwich an intermediate manifold element. Respective channels are formed between opposing sides of the outer manifold elements and the respective opposite sides of the intermediate manifold element. These recesses form channels which diverge or widen away from associated inlets at the top of the manifold assembly. A die tip is coupled to the manifold assembly at a lower side and communicates with the outlets of the channels. The die tip includes a combining member for producing a desired multi-component filament configuration and further includes air discharge passages for impinging the discharged multi-component filaments with pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Allen
  • Mold to form stent-less replacement heart valves from biological membranes
    Patent number: 6491511
    Abstract: A pair of templates form a mold for substantially flat biological membranes to shape the membrane into a configuration that, after trimming of excess tissue, is adapted for forming a replacement aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid or mitral heart valve. Each template has three members joined to another laterally, with each member configured to form, together with its mating member, the mold for one leaflet or cusp of the replacement heart valve. The negative template has concave surfaces for each member and the positive template has convex surfaces which mate with the concave surfaces of the first template. Each of the templates is made of thin, shell like material and has beveled edges. The biological membrane is placed between the mating convex and concave surfaces of the two templates assembled to one another to form the membrane into the configuration of the three leaflets of the replacement heart valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: The International Heart Institute of Montana Foundation
    Inventors: Carlos M. G. Duran, Joon Hock Yeo
  • Mold assembly for producing ophthalmic lens article
    Patent number: 6491281
    Abstract: A mold assembly for forming an ophthalmic lens article includes a first mold and a second mold. The first and second molds are assembled together to define a mold cavity therebetween having a profile corresponding to that of the ophthalmic lens article to be formed. The mold cavity is filled with a polymeric material which is polymerized to form the ophthalmic lens article. At least one of the first and second molds is a resin mold which is formed from a resin material, and a portion of at least a molding surface of the resin mold is directly irradiated with UV radiation so as to provide a UV-treated surface. The ophthalmic lens article formed in the mold cavity is held on the resin mold such that the ophthalmic lens article adheres to the UV-treated surface upon separating the first and second molds away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Gotou, Yasushi Matsuda
  • Internal core lifter and a mold incorporating the same
    Patent number: 6491513
    Abstract: In an internal core lifter for molding and ejecting plastic parts, a core blade having a first and second end section is provided. The first end section is configured to cooperate with a mold used to produce the plastic parts and includes undercut forming portions to produce undercuts in a finished plastic part. At least one mounting member is coupled to the second end portion of the core blade and extends outwardly therefrom. A bracket mountable to a mold ejector plate slidably and pivotally receives the mounting member, thereby coupling the core blade to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Omni Mold Systems
    Inventor: Douglas K. Schneider
  • Method of making monolithic terrazzo floors having seamlessly integrated inlays
    Patent number: 6491852
    Abstract: A method of making terrazzo floors with design inlays. The method utilizes pre-molded inserts as inlays in the finished floor, and generally includes four steps. First, inserts are pre-molded, which has design elements in terms of their color, nature of inclusions (chips, glass fragments, etc. and their colors), shape and/or a pattern of grooves in their upper surfaces. Second, the pre-molded inserts are placed on and affixed to the sub-flooring in a predetermined arrangement. Third, epoxy flooring mixture is poured to a height that fills the grooves in the inserts' upper surfaces and preferably cover the inserts. Fourth, the floor, after cured and hardened, is ground and polished to expose the upper surfaces of the inserts, which now become seamlessly integrated inlays within the overall finished floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Durite Concepts Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Sedaka
  • Thermoplastic resin injection molding machine with the injecting unit including a rotary pump and torque limiter
    Patent number: 6488490
    Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a plasticating unit for plasticating a thermoplastic resin, and an injecting unit connected to the plasticating unit through a connecting passage to inject the plasticated resin into a mold. The injecting unit A includes a rotary pump having a suction port connected to the plasticating unit through the connecting passage and a discharge port connected to the mold. The plasticated resin is intermittently injected into the cavity of the mold through the injection port by means of the rotary pump. In the connecting passage, an accumulator is provided which reserves the resin plasticated in the plasticating unit in an amount equal to or more than the shot capacity, and feeds the resin to the rotary pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihito Seta, Takeshi Takeda
  • Windshield and glass repair device
    Patent number: 6485281
    Abstract: The invention relates to repair devices for repairing impact resistant glass such as windshields and vertical glass. The repair device can be used to repair many types of damage to glass including cracks, bulls-eye breaks, star breaks, and angle wing breaks. For repairing breaks, the repair device removes air from the break before the resin is applied to the air-evacuated break. For repairing cracks, the repair device pushes resin into the crack while the device is slid along the crack. The repair device has a piston assembly including a piston, a piston casing, and a piston casing receiver; a mounting bracket; and a suction unit, including a manual vacuum pump. A resin is loaded into the piston assembly and delivered to the break or crack by hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, and/or vacuum mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J. Curl
  • Device for the extrusion of plastic profiles
    Patent number: 6485282
    Abstract: A device for the extrusion of plastic profiles with an extruder for the melting and delivery of a plastic material and with an extrusion die for defining the profile geometry, wherein a profile slot corresponding to the profile to be extruded and being defined by an outer periphery and by at least one arbor is provided in the extrusion die. The profile tuning is made easier by having a means for operational change of the profile slot's thickness provided in at least one predetermined area between the arbor and the outer periphery as well as a means for cooling selected areas of the extruded profile provided at the exit of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Technoplast Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Wegmaier, Frank Dorninger, Walter Gugenberger
  • Exchangeable corrugator
    Patent number: 6485286
    Abstract: The invention provides a molding apparatus and particularly a corrugator for manufacturing pipes, particularly corrugated pipes, having at least two series of circulation mold jaw parts, which form a molding channel in a predetermined area, and wherein the series are guided in respective circulation guides. The invention further provides that at least one exchangeable mold jaw parts or mold blocks is provided with another pipe molding wherein at least one exchange member is provided along at least one of the circulation guides of at least one of the mold jaw part series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Frankische Rohrwerke Gebr Kirchner GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Hoffmann, Rainer Weppert
  • Removal apparatus for molded product and method for removing molded products
    Patent number: 6485285
    Abstract: A removal apparatus is provided which includes a travelling frame, first and second carriages provided on the travelling frame, first and second cross frames provided on the first and second carriages, first and second cross carriages provided on the first and second cross frames, first and second vertical units provided on the first and second cross carriages, and first and second chucking units secured to the first and second vertical units. In addition, a control unit is provided for synchronously controlling the movement of the first and second carriages, the first and second cross carriages, and the first and second vertical units so as to enable the first and second chucking units to be moved in three dimensions for removal of a molded product from a molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Star Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yousuke Shiotani
  • Gas assisted flow tube and filling device
    Patent number: 6485284
    Abstract: A gas-assisted flow and filling device for transporting particulate material and filling die cavities includes a source of low-pressure gas for delivering gas to a chamber that is separated from a fluidizing chamber by a porous distributor plate which permits the gas to flow through the particulate material and out a vent screen so that the particulate material is permitted to flow out of the fluidizing chamber essentially free of gas and wherein the pressure of the gas delivered to the fluidizing chamber is sufficient to provide a gas bearing to said particulate material adjacent the distributor plate, but not high enough to cause turbulence in said fluidizing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matsys
    Inventors: Roderick Rowland, Tony F. Zahrah, Rajkumar Raman, Phillip A. Parrish