Patents Examined by Jeffery R. Thurlow
  • Patent number: 5552194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glass plate having a molding formed on a peripheral edge thereof. The present invention provides an extrusion die having first and second void spaces formed therein. The first void space is provided for supplying an adhesive to the peripheral edge, and the second void space is provided for supplying a molding material to the peripheral edge. The first and second void spaces are specifically arranged relative to each other. With this, while the glass plate is moved relative to the extrusion die, the molding is extruded on the peripheral edge simultaneously with the formation of the adhesive layer on the peripheral edge. Thus, the formations of the molding and the adhesive layer are conducted in one production process. With this, the production efficiency is much improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignees: Central Glass Company, Limited, Tokai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tosikazu Ito, Yutaka Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5552011
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a process of manufacturing polyproylene (PP) synthetic paper and the product thereof, and particularly to a process of manufacturing synthetic paper by means of 3-layer co-extrusion wherein PP resin composite and resin composite are respectively extruded as an extrudate co-flow by one primary extruder and two secondary extruders and by same one T-type die to be a paper sheet with a paper surface layer, an intermediate layer and a paper surface layer, and through cooling/shaping, biaxial orientation, corona discharge treatment and laminating/rolling to be a synthetic paper depending on the required thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Nanya Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Allen F. Lin
  • Patent number: 5552104
    Abstract: A normally solid, high molecular weight, gel-free, irradiated ethylene polymer is characterized by high melt strength due to strain hardening elongational viscosity, which is believed to be caused by free-end long chain branching of the molecular chains forming the polymer. The polymer is prepared by (1) irradiating a normally solid, high molecular weight ethylene polymer without strain hardening elongational viscosity while in the solid state in an environment in which the active oxygen concentration is less than 15% by volume, maintaining the irradiated material in this environment while in the solid state for a specific period of time, and then deactivating free radicals present in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Montell North America Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. DeNicola, Jr., John W. Mayfield, Thomas F. McLaughlin, James R. Beren
  • Patent number: 5552100
    Abstract: A method for preparing thin fluoropolymer (PTFE) films, said method generally having the steps of: a) providing an unsintered fluoropolymer film; b) pre-sintering expansion of the film; c) sintering the expanded film with dimensional restraint to prevent shrinkage; and d) post-sintering stretching of the film to a final thickness preferably less than 0.002 inches. The post-sintering stretching of the film in step d may be accomplished in a single step, or may include a series of post-sintering stretching steps. Steps b and c of the method may be carried out bypassing the calendared film through a machine direction orienter device and, thereafter, step d of the method may be accomplished by subsequently repassing the sintered film through the machine direction orienter device, one or more additional times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Shannon, Chris Kuo, Robert Peterson, Chris McCollam
  • Patent number: 5545369
    Abstract: An improved, endless mold tunnel, clamshell-type, thermoplastic tube molding apparatus and method using exteriorly disposed, compressive roller elements and a cooperating keyway/matching lug assembly for maintaining the alignment of the independent mold blocks and mold block half sections substantially orthogonal relative to opposed half sections and relative to the contiguous upstream and downstream mold blocks in said tunnel while allowing for the introduction of cooling fluid or vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Corma, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred A. A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 5540881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically blowing a bubble in the production of tubular biaxially stretch oriented thermoplastic flexible film by the "bubble" method comprising a high flow fluid conduit having a proximal end for introducing a high flow fluid, and a distal end substantially perpendicular to said proximal end, and having attached to said distal end a bullet mounted proximate to the distal end of the high fluid flow conduit through which the high flow fluid may pass into the tubular thermoplastic film; a cutting device located on said high flow fluid conduit and in line with the bullet, said high flow fluid conduit, bullet, and cutting device disposed downstream from a first and second pair of rolls defining the bubble; and an automatic bubble blowing control system means comprising means for controlling the flow of fluid into the interior of the tape, and means for controlling the speed of a driven set of squeeze rolls located downstream from the high flow fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: John L. Varadi
  • Patent number: 5540870
    Abstract: A structural member of fiber reinforced composite material suitable for secondary processing and a method of processing is described. The structural member before secondary processing is typically a multi-ply tube, rod, or sheet formed with an outer sheath of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material having a melting temperature t.sub.m1 and an inner core material, also fiber reinforced thermoplastic, having a melting temperature, t.sub.m2 lower than t.sub.m1. The member, prior to secondary processing, is thermoplastic. In a secondary process the member is heated to a temperature between t.sub.m1 and t.sub.m2, but sufficient to render the outer sheath malleable. The member is deformed to a desired geometry, such as a helix, and cooled to a hardened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Composite Development Corporation
    Inventor: Peter A. Quigley
  • Patent number: 5538538
    Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of plastic parts which are used in an analytical measuring device and there come into contact with liquids, plastic base material is mixed with a suspension liquid and then extruded in the form desired. Before it is mixed with the plastic base material, aromatic and olefinic substances are removed from the suspension liquid by means of a chemical reaction, for instance, so that the final plastic products are free from such substances. In that way, it is avoided that, when using the plastic parts in an analytical measuring device, it may come to interferences of the detection by extraction of such substances into the flow of liquids and transportation into the detector. A vacuum degasser is a particularly advantageous field of application for the plastic parts manufactured in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Bernd Glatz, Manfred Berndt
  • Patent number: 5536464
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus and a novel method for manufacturing an endless rubber track for large vehicles such as tractors or earth-moving machines. A plurality of sprocket-engaging core bar inserts are disposed in the inner portion or inner diameter of the endless rubber track to engage the power drive mechanism of the vehicle. Rubber tread is disposed on the outer portion or external diameter of the rubber track. Although the rubber track is made in segments, it is completely vulcanized, and does not have discontinuous, unvulcanized regions between vulcanized segments. Rubber track is formed using at least two different mold assemblies. In the first mold assembly, the interior and exterior portions of the rubber track are molded onto a green belt to form a first segment, and a central portion of the segment is vulcanized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Tateo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5536462
    Abstract: A process for the extrusion of rigid PVC profile other than pipe is disclosed in a twin conical screw extruder, equipped with high shear screws. The process includes extruding a compound specially adapted for the process, the compound contains a polyvinyl chloride resin with an average particle size of from 130 to about 200 microns, a lubricant system containing no more than about 3.5 parts of one or more lubricants, an organo metal salt, from 0 to less than 0.75 parts of a polymeric processing aid, at least one filler/pigment, and a stabilizer for PVC. The process achieves extrudate surfaces characterized by a smooth, dull finish. The process advantageously operates at high extrusion output rates under the conditions specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: The Geon Company
    Inventor: Roman B. Hawrylko
  • Patent number: 5536459
    Abstract: An extrusion molded article is extrusion molded through an extrusion opening of a die. Then, in a vulcanizing bath, the cross-sectional configuration of the extrusion molded article is modified by utilizing shaping means during the process from the start of vulcanization of the extrusion molded article to a semi-vulcanization thereof, and subsequently, vulcanization of the extrusion molded article is completed. In this way, a long elastic member having required elasticity and having a cross-sectional configuration changed to a required one can be easily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 5536461
    Abstract: Tube multi-pack methods of manufacture are disclosed. The tube multi-packs that are produced by the method of the present invention are one-piece tube multi-pack including an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sinclair & Rush, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. King, Phillip M. Brewer, Bradley G. Stack
  • Patent number: 5534212
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for the manufacture of soap forms which includes the step of treating a soap feedstock by passage through a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder and apparatus for the manufacture of soap forms according to the process, said apparatus containing a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder, wherein the extruder includes two oppositely-threaded, closely intermeshing screws, the screws being non-matching and such that the ratio of the length to the diameter is greater than 1:1, mounted for rotation within a barrel having a first end and a second end, said screws having a minimal screw-to-screw and screw to barrel clearance such that as the feedstock passes along at least a part of the barrel from said first end and towards said second end it is divided into a plurality of discrete, substantially C-shaped segments bounded by the screw and barrel surfaces and conveyed in a path whereby the bulk of the feedstock move substantially parallel to the rotational a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco,Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyansundaram D. Chokappa, Vijay M. Naik
  • Patent number: 5534207
    Abstract: A method for forming an article from recyclable plastic materials includes progressively heating thermoplastic solid particles simultaneously with mixing, melting and conveying the particles, prior to delivery of molten material to an extruder. The process is particularly suitable for the continuous extrusion of elongated members having a plurality of internal wall surfaces defining elongated cavities within the member. The apparatus embodying the present invention includes a heated mixer-conveyor that simultaneously heats, melts, mixes and conveys thermoplastic material from an inlet port at which the material is received in solid particulate form, to a discharge port at which the material is in a substantially liquid state. A die particularly adapted for the continuous extrusion of an elongated member having internal walls shaped by surfaces within the die cavity is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Natural Resource Recovery, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas N. Burrus
  • Patent number: 5531952
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a tubular plastic product, for example film, has a die body with inner and outer die members defining between them an annular space, and a first inlet for feeding a first stream of resin into the annular space. The inner and outer die members define an annular chamber communicating between the first inlet and the annular space. The resin stream from the first resin inlet divides into two substreams which flow in the annular chamber in opposite directions about the longitudinal axis of the annular space and then join. A second inlet downstream of the first inlet feeds a second stream of resin into the annular space and over the weld line of the annular resin stream. The annular resin stream is expressed through an annular orifice to form the tubular film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 5531947
    Abstract: In the course of the process of manufacturing pencils the polymer binding material is at first melted in a lead extruder (19) in order to manufacture the lead. To the melted polymer material is then added via a loading extruder (2) a mixture of additives in powder form such as colors, gliding and adhesive substances. After intensive mixing of the components in the lead extruder (1) a lead profile (13) is extruded which is cooled in a first cooling range (3) to the point where, upon entering the coating nozzle (6), it is not fully plastic anymore but also not completely cold. Through the coating extruder (4) and (5) the appropriate materials are introduced for the formation of the pencil coating. In the course of the subsequent second cooling range (8) the pencil profile is cooled down completely and after passing the withdrawal station (11) it is cut in a sawing station (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Bellaform Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Metzger, Hans Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: 5529733
    Abstract: A method for making tubular members, each of which is coated with a decorative layer that has a randomly distributed chip pattern, includes the steps of: (A) preparing tube products, each of which having two ends and an intermediate portion between the two ends; (B) preparing a mold having a plurality of mold cavities; (C) sleeving detachably a pair of positioning members around the two ends of each of the tube products for enclosing and centering the two ends, and placing each of the tube products and the positioning members associated therewith in a respective one of the mold cavities; (D) forming a covering around the intermediate portion of each of the tube products by filling each of the mold cavities with a coating composition containing chips; (E) removing each of the covered tube products and the positioning members associated therewith from the mold, and detaching the positioning members from each of the covered tube products; and (F) machining and polishing the covered tube products, and cutting off
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Alvin Lee Jewelry, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeou-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 5529730
    Abstract: A plastic web is formed by introducing flowable plastic material to an upper inlet side of a nip formed by a pair of rolls to form a bead of the material at the inlet side, while removing the web from a lower outlet side of the nip. The birefringence of the web is measured at points across the web width, and the rate of plastic introduced to the nip inlet side is regulated in accordance with the measured birefringence to form a substantially uniform bead height along the nip inlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Heinz Gross
  • Patent number: 5527499
    Abstract: An extrusion apparatus and method for producing a composite profile strip characterized by an extrusion head having plural flow channels extending to an extrusion die and at least two extruders for feeding respective components at respective different pressures into the flow channels for passage to the extrusion die. The extrusion die has a common die outlet from which the components are discharged to form the composite profile strip, and respective flow restriction devices are disposed in the flow channels between the extruders and the extrusion die. The flow restriction devices are operative to decrease the difference in pressure between the components before being brought together at the extrusion the extrusion die and further to dampen the effect changes in extruder speed has on the profile of the composite profile strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Miley
  • Patent number: 5525281
    Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing biodegradable films from plant-based raw materials in the form of carbohydrates which method is continuous and carried out in one step. In the process the plant-based raw materials are modified and plastified and the films are prepared without interruption and in one step. The advantages of the invention reside in reduced shear stress of the starch molecules and thus in the improved properties of the films as well as in the cost-efficient, time-, energy- and space-saving manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jurgen Lorcks, Winfried Pommeranz, Joachim Heuer, Kurt Klenke, Harald Schmidt