Patents Examined by Mary Lynn Fertig
  • Patent number: 4748796
    Abstract: An open-topped casting mold and a mating cover are electrostatically coated with a powder screen and casting material is poured into the mold without disturbing the powder by holding the powder in position with static electricity. The casting material is permitted to harden and a screen of powdery or fatty material placed on the upper surface of the hardened material and protective film applied over the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Raffinerie Meridionale de Ceresines - Belix
    Inventor: Gerard H. Viel
  • Patent number: 4736527
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the heat treatment of a powdery material wherein a flow-circling chamber circles round a powdery material-dispersing airflow and subsequently blows the airflow from a circling flow-blowing nozzle round in the proximity of the inside wall of the flow-circling chamber forming a hollow cone flow. A heated airflow conducting means concurrently applies a heated airflow to the periphery of the hollow cone flow and the material-dispersing airflow is conducted into a heat-treatment chamber wherein the heated airflow is conducted in the same direction as the circling direction of the hollow cone flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tutomu Iwamoto, Kazuhiro Kubouchi
  • Patent number: 4737478
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of small spheroidal solid agglomerates. More particularly, the process produces strong solid spheroidal agglomerates containing alumina or a mixture of alumina and at least one other inorganic material, which process comprises:(a) mixing at high speed a portion of alumina or a mixture of alumina and at least one other inorganic material in the form of hydrophilic micron-sized particles in a water-immiscible liquid thereby forming a dispersion;(b) gradually adding to the dispersion an aqueous acidic phase while continuing the high-speed mixing until substantially spherical micro-agglomerates form within the water-immiscible liquid;(c) subjecting the micro-agglomerates to agitation in a vessel having a hydrophobic inner surface at a speed low enough to achieve substantially uniformly sized spheroidal agglomerates;(d) drying the agglomerates to produce hardened spheroidal uniformly sized agglomerates; and(e) optionally further separating the agglomerates by size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Andrew Rainis
  • Patent number: 4735760
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine which injects molten metal into a metal mold cavity by an injection step and a succeeding pressure holding step, the injection step is controlled by the steps of filling the molten resin into the metal mold cavity at a high speed during the filling step; switching the injection operation from the filling step to the pressure holding step; concurrently operating braking means for applying a braking force to the plunger of the injection molding machine for stopping the plunger; and locking the braking means for continuously applying a constant force to the plunger until a gate seal of the metal mold cavity is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 4734097
    Abstract: Provided is a medical material comprising a molded hydrogel obtained by pouring an aqueous solution containing not less than 6 wt. % of a polyvinyl alcohol which has a degree of hydrolysis not less than 97 mole % and average polymerization degree not less than 1,100, into a desired shape of a vessel or mold, freeze-molding the aqueous solution at a temperature lower than -5.degree. C., then partially dehydrating the resulting molded product without thawing it up to a percentage dehydration not less 5 wt. %, and if required, immersing the partially dehydrated, molded product in water to attain a water content thereof in the range of 45 to 95 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuzo Tanabe, Masao Nambu
  • Patent number: 4734227
    Abstract: Solid films are deposited, or fine powders formed, by dissolving a solid material into a supercritical fluid solution at an elevated pressure and then rapidly expanding the solution through a heated nozzle having a short orifice into a region of relatively low pressure. This produces a molecular spray which is directed against a substrate to deposit a solid thin film thereon, or discharged into a collection chamber to collect a fine powder. In another embodiment, the temperature of the solution and nozzle is elevated above the melting point of the solute, which is preferably a polymer, and the solution is maintained at a pressure such that, during expansion, the solute precipitates out of solution within the nozzle in a liquid state. Alternatively, a secondary solvent mutually soluble with the solute and primary solvent and having a higher critical temperature than that of primary solvent is used in a low concentration (<20%) to maintain the solute in a transient liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Richard D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4707459
    Abstract: A method of producing spheroids comprising a coherent mixture of carbon and silicon carbide powders for subsequent siliconizing and if desired grinding to improve their sphericity, involves the steps of preparing a slip consisting essentially of a suspension of silicon carbide and carbon powders in a liquid, and introducing drops of the slip into a medium in which the drops form individual solid casts. The said liquid may be water to which a dispersant (which may be a deflocculent) has been added. Sodium alginate may advantageously be added to the slip. The said medium may be an aqueous solution of an electrolyte such as a calcium salt. An organic liquid phase, immiscible with the electrolyte, may be provided on the surface thereof. Examples of organic liquid are petroleum ether, kerosene, and cyclohexanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Peter Kennedy, John O. Ware
  • Patent number: 4702870
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing three-dimensional structural members having one flat side from wood fibers utilizing flow deposition of the fibers onto a support. The support includes resilient deformable mold inserts. The mold inserts are formed of silicone rubber and may be blocks of the material, or may be a membrane which can be inflated to form the mold inserts. Pressing is done with a force normal to the support, and the mold inserts create response forces at varying directions to thus shape and hold the three-dimensional finished part. Heat drying also may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Vance C. Setterholm, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4701289
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparati for the rapid solidification of molten materials into finely divided particulate form. Molten material is atomized by a centrifugal atomizer which includes a rotating member with vanes which accelerate and atomize the molten material. The mist of atomized molten material thus produced is introduced into a mist of atomized liquid coolant or a mist of finely divided volatile solid coolant or a mixture thereof. The heat of solidification of the mist of molten material is rapidly transferred to the mist of coolant whereby the molten material solidifies into fine particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Donald T. Liles, John L. Speier
  • Patent number: 4701294
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for forming a fibrous web. In accordance with the invention, a distributor housing delimits a fiberizing zone, and a delivery mechanism supplies a fiberizable material into the fiberizing zone. A moveable striking mechanism located in the fiberizing zone contacts the fiberizable material to initially separate the material into individual fibers. A discharging mechanism exits the fibers from the fiberizing zone into a web forming zone and toward a foraminous web forming layer. A gas delivering mechanism forces a stream of gas into the fiberizing zone to entrain the fibers therein and to eject a moving stream of the gas and fibers through the discharging mechanism into the web forming zone. The gas-fiber stream moves at a velocity sufficient to draw an induced supplementary gas flow past the discharging mechanism and toward the foraminous forming layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, Jark C. Lau, James L. Post
  • Patent number: 4680158
    Abstract: A circular pelletizing machine for compressing of powder or grain materials, comprises a rotatable matrix disc with a plurality of circumferentially distributed matrices, upper and lower punches located above and below the matrix disc respectively, at least two pre-pressing elements movable relative to one another and acting upon the upper and lower stamps so as to pre-press pellets of a material, at least two main pressing elements movable relative to one another and acting upon the upper and lower stamps so as to finally press the pellets of the material, an adjusting motor arranged to adjust a distance between the main pressing elements relative to one another, computer device arranged to control the adjusting motor, and device for measuring a pressing force of the pre-pressing elements and supplying data of the measurement to the computer device so that the computer device controls the adjusting motor and therefore the distance between the main pressing elements in dependence upon the measured pressing fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Wilhelm Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Hinzpeter, Ingo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4675144
    Abstract: A scarfing method and apparatus are disclosed for making a longitudinally and transversely contoured batt on a moving fibrous web. The apparatus comprises a scarfing roll disposed on one side of a foraminous belt and a contouring roll, having a nonuniform surface, disposed on the opposite side of the belt. As the contouring roll is rotated, it raises the belt and the fibrous web towards the scarfing roll, according to the shape of the nonuniform surface. Hence, a contour is provided in the direction of movement of the web. The transverse contour can be provided by the shape of the scarfing roll itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Philip G. Hammond
  • Patent number: 4675138
    Abstract: A platen assembly is provided having a working surface which can be mechanically converted between planar and corrugated configurations. A mat of wood wafers coated with thermosetting resin binder is deposited between upper and lower, spaced apart platen assemblies of this type. The platen assemblies, in the planar configuration, are then pressed together to a limited extent to pre-compress the mat to fix the wafers. Horizontal force is then applied to the platen assemblies to convert them to the corrugated configuration, with the pre-compressed mat retained therebetween. The mat is therefore forced to adopt a corrugated form. The platen assemblies are then further pressed together and heated, to cure the resin and produce a corrugated wafer board panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta as Represented by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    Inventors: Lars Bach, Eduard Stark
  • Patent number: 4671914
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of granulates by using a tabletting machine comprising at least one top punch and one bottom punch which co-operate with a die formed with a bore, the top punch being displaceable into the bore from outside to compress powder accommodated in the bore and the bottom punch displaceable in the bore being displaced within the bore for ejecting the powder compressed into a tablet, the tabletting machine additionally comprising a powder feed unit which introduces the powder into the bore when the top punch is in its raised position. According to the invention, a perforated plug in the bore of the die in conjunction with a granulate stripping, transporting and collecting system arranged beneath the lower end face of the perforated plug is used instead of the displaceable bottom punch for producing granulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Ludwig Heumann & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Prochazka, Jochen G. von Gratz
  • Patent number: 4668463
    Abstract: A method for producing a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film by slot-die extrusion from an extrudate having an inherent draw resonance tendency whereby draw resonance is eliminated in the production of film at high speeds. Film of commercially uniform gauge thickness is obtained having significantly improved strength over films formed by conventional slot-die extrusion of LLDPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Clopay Corporation
    Inventors: Leopoldo V. Cancio, James N. Fitzsimmons, Robert M. Mortellite, Pai-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 4668447
    Abstract: Method and device for the casting of concrete products either by means of a periodic method or by means of a continuous slide casting method. Into the product, one or several cavities are formed by means of a cavity mandrel (4). The mix is compacted by rotating the cavity mandrel (4) back and forth around its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Oy Partek AB
    Inventor: Ilmari Paakkinen
  • Patent number: 4664855
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an atomized amalgamable alloy having mold adaptation characteristics superior to other atomized alloys and comparable or better than those for ad-mixed type alloys (alloys which are mixtures of spherical and irregularly shaped particles), and physical properties comparable to ad-mixed alloys. The process includes the steps of: producing a melt of an amalgamable alloy; atomizing the alloy so as to form particles which are primarily irregular in shape; collecting the particles; drying the particles; mechanically working the particles so as to fracture and change their shape; classifying the particles to finer than 53 microns; heat treating the particles; and reducing oxides from the surface of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Special Metals Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Tremblay, Kamal Asgar
  • Patent number: 4663103
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided in a system for continuously feeding disparate materials into a compounding extruder for the inline sheet extrusion of a highly filled thermoplastic material having at least about 65 percent by weight of filler. The apparatus and method of the present invention are particularly suitable in conjunction with the continuous lamination of the inline sheet extruder product with carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. McCullough, Clarence A. Peoples, Maurice J. Sacks, Ronald L. Adams, Klaus Kapfer, Graham M. Talbott
  • Patent number: 4661300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tipping one end of an I.V. catheter includes the method steps for use of the apparatus including mounting a catheter to be tipped onto a mandrel supported on a carriage; a die having an interior molding surface, at least one portion of which is tapered according to the tip desired on the catheter, is heated; the carriage is moved along guide bars to the die such that the catheter carrying mandrel moves toward the interior molding surface to define a space, when the carriage is halted the catheter carrying mandrel is biased toward the die space with only sufficient force to cause the heated catheter to flow into the die space and as the catheter melts and flows, the mandrel engages the die thereby defining the edge of the catheter, after which the die and catheter therein are cooled; the carriage is then reversed along the guide bars such that the catheter and mandrel are withdrawn from the die, and the catheter is removed from the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Daugherty
  • Patent number: 4654075
    Abstract: Water soluble precursors of ceramic compounds are emulsified in an organic fluid that is subsequently heated to remove the free water from the emulsion droplets and further heated in a partial oxygen atmosphere to form a char. The carbon in the char maintains the separation between the dried droplet-derived particles. This char may then be heated in air to oxidize and remove the carbon, to calcine the ceramic, and to controllably produce a fine powder of spherical particles having a narrow size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Sprague Electric Company
    Inventor: Ned E. Cipollini