Patents Examined by Mathieu Vargot
  • Patent number: 5242630
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object having a surface structure, the method employing pressure members (3, 5) which are movable relative to one another and which have facing pressure surfaces (23, 25). A first element (51) and a second element (53) having a relief on one surface are pressed against one another to provide the second element with a microstructure by cold deformation. During pressing use is made of a pressure body (27, 29) which is interposed between one of the pressure members and one of the elements and which is made of a material having a characteristic parameter equal to the quotient of the Poisson's ratio and the modulus of elasticity of the material, which parameter differs less from the corresponding parameter of the material of the relevant element than from the corresponding parameter of the material of the relevant pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter W. J. M. Nuij, Peter P. W. L. Van den Bekerom, Evert-Jan Mulder
  • Patent number: 5238642
    Abstract: A process for producing markings or lines engraved on a sheet or a tubular piece (6) made of plastic material or multi-layered metal-plastic material less than 1 mm in thickness, in which the sheet or piece (6) is gripped between a tool (1) bearing one or more marking contour(s) (2, 3) and a resilient support (9), in order to produce the engraved markings or lines. The sheet or piece (6) is at less than 50.degree. C. during the gripping stage, and in the resilient support (9) has a Shore hardness D of between 70 and 120, the markings or lines obtained being produced by plastic deformation with elastic return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Cebal SA
    Inventors: Jacques Benquet, Bernard Schneider
  • Patent number: 5238643
    Abstract: A method of vulcanizing an elastomer product such as a tire including placing the product in a mould, supplying a heating medium to the interior of the product to effect vulcanization, then supplying a pressurizing medium to the interior of the product. In this method the heating medium or the heated fluid mixture is exhausted or removed from the interior of the product at least once by opening an exhaust and simultaneously supplying a cooling pressurizing medium to cool the product to a required temperature level. The heating medium may be exhausted immediately after the completion of the heating medium supply process. The heated fluid mixture may be exhausted in and/or after the pressurizing medium supply process. Preferably the rate of exhaustion is limited by a control orifice. As a result the product is cooled without giving temperature differences in different parts of the product and avoiding unfavorable pressure drop so that efficient vulcanization with good homogeneity in the product results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
    Inventor: Michihito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5236639
    Abstract: A carbon/carbon composite material is efficiently and economically produced while maintaining a certain degree of strength, by mechanically mixing a matrix carbon material and carbon fibers in proportions that are determined on the basis of the carbonization ratio of the matrix material and on the basis of the desired ratio of fibers to be contained in a resultant product. After pressure molding the mixture, the mixture is cured, and carbonized while being further pressurized. Thus, additional matrix material is provided which fills open pores left by evaporated matrix material at the time of molding, curing, etc., thereby increasing the density. A carbon/carbon composite material of good quality has been provided without requiring repetition of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seigou Sakagami, Yoshuke Takemura, Satoshi Wakamasu, Takatoshi Takemoto
  • Patent number: 5236648
    Abstract: A toner concentration reference member which shows substantially no temperature effects is manufactured by a process employing the milling of ferrite particles together with the epoxy beads for several hours without using any solvent. After milling, the dry mixture is pressed in a powder press into pallet form. The still fragile, pressed reference members are removed from the press and baked at elevated temperatures to induce the epoxy to thermally set. With baking, the reference members become mechanically stable and durable and, thus, easy to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dilip K. Chatterjee, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Patent number: 5236635
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a retardation film having a suitable retardation using a film casting method but without requiring any special heat-treating process. The post-drying process in the film casting method is divided into three or more chambers, and the tension applied to the film is controlled under the condition that the tension does not exceed a yield value determined based on the amount of solvent content and the temperature of the film in each of the chambers, so that stretch of the film is carried out under the above condition and, if necessary, under the condition that the solvent content is not more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5236640
    Abstract: A calendar for the production of packing sheets has a heated cylinder of large diameter on which a packing sheet is progressively built-up of layers of rubber-fiber mixture during many revolutions and the cylinder and an unheated counter pressure cylinder of smaller diameter mounted in slidable bearings for rotation and for movement toward and away from the heated cylinder. As the packing sheet is progressively built-up on the heated cylinder, its thickness is continuously measured by feeler rollers pressed lightly against the surface of the packing sheet and associated inductive sensors. In a comparison circuit, the values of thickness-indicating signals received from the sensors are compared with the sum of an initial zero value recorded before rubber-fiber mixture is applied to the circumference of the heated cylinder, and a predetermined desired value. When the value of the thickness indicating signal equals the sum of the zero value and the desired value, the calender is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Ralf Heiderich, Hermann Siebert
  • Patent number: 5236636
    Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Michael D. Tisack
  • Patent number: 5234647
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rubber sheet with rugged patterns formed on one side surface portion includes the step of preparing an apparatus including a rotating roll having rugged patterns, a member having an arcuate inner surface radially spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the rotating roll, and a die. The arcuate inner surface is recessed away from the rotating roll and defines an arcuate compartment chamber together with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roll. The arcuate compartment chamber, has an inlet port and an outlet port. The die is placed in such a manner to adjoin to the outlet port portion of the compartment chamber, the die having an inner edge portion which is radially spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roll and defines an extrusive clearance together with the outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Harada, Shigeru Miyazaki, Noriyuki Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 5232644
    Abstract: Polyethylene resin compositions containing mottled colors and a process for their production, includes forming a colored resin by hot melting the resin together with an appropriate color in an extruder. The colored resin is reground to about 35 mesh, and then blended with a flow additive such as zinc stearate, and preferably an anti-static powder. The blended resin is then rotationally molded along with other, different colored resin particles to obtain a final multi-colored, mottled appearance in the molded product. Different color combinations such as granite, green, red, brown, grey, sandstone, etc., can be produced, without the different colors intermixing or bleeding into each other, while still maintaining the integral molded product form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hammond, John D. Hammond
  • Patent number: 5232637
    Abstract: A method of producing a glass-plastic, laminated, ophthalmic lens structure in a continuous operation. A thin, flexible, plastic adhesive layer is applied to a glass element to form a composite body that is inserted in a cylindrical gasket in such manner as to fit snugly and be sealed from the ambient. A monomeric formulation is flowed onto the adhesive layer and cured to form a laminated lens blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: David Dasher, E. Robert Fretz, Jr., Mark S. Friske, Reba S. Herndon, Ronald E. Johnson, David J. Kerko, John W. Nelson, Frederick E. Noll, Anthony R. Olszewski, Nikki J. Russo
  • Patent number: 5232649
    Abstract: To extract a liquid from a workable mass of material a first force is applied to the material in a first direction. A second opposed force is applied to the material within or slightly downstream of a liquid-extraction location. These opposed forces tend to compact the material to extract the liquid. The extracted liquid moves out of the liquid-extraction location along a path which extends generally transverse to the direction of the first and second forces. Third forces are applied to the material along the path in a direction generally opposite to that taken by the exiting liquid to prevent the material from traversing the path but to permit the liquid to exit. The first, second and third forces form a pinch point on the material within or slightly downstream of the liquid-extraction location to substantially obviate liquid flow countercurrent to the direction of the first force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer
    Inventors: Paul G. Andersen, Kai L. Kite-Powell
  • Patent number: 5230852
    Abstract: In a method of feeding a plastic material to a using apparatus such as a molding press or an extruder, a moldable or extrudable plastic material in elongated strand form is provided. The moldable or extrudable plastic material is arranged such as in a package comprising a plurality of convolutions. The package is supported adjacent to the using apparatus and successive increments of length of the elongated strand material are payed out and fed into the using apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Jerald L. Golmanavich
  • Patent number: 5229055
    Abstract: Hollow profile elements are formed by shaping a starting workpiece that consists of multiple layers of a material having a large width-to-thickness ratio, e.g., woven fabrics or laid materials. The layers are joined by seams to define elongated pockets or channels. Shaping tools are inserted into these channels to form the profile elements with a desired cross sectional shape, which can be constant or varied. The shaping tools employ one or more endless belts that extend in closed loops around guide rollers; the belts are driven so that during the shaping process sliding friction is substantially eliminated between the material of the workpiece and the respective shaping tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Erich Wintermantel
    Inventors: Erich Wintermantel, Oswald Landwehr
  • Patent number: 5229140
    Abstract: A device for smoothing out the thickness of a sheet of thermoplastic material which includes a sheet die and a heating device which is integrated with the upper die lip of the sheet die. The heating device includes a hollow box filled with a liquid and a bar which projects laterally beyond the endfaces of the hollow box. The inlet and outlet openings of the bar in the hollow box are sealed. Arranged on the underside of the bar are small hot plates which are electrically heated. The liquid in the hollow box serves as a heat transfer medium and typically is an oil having a boiling point higher than 280.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guenther Crass, Siegfried Janocha, Harald Mueller
  • Patent number: 5225138
    Abstract: A PCI main body includes two sets of gripping mechanisms and is rotatable about a horizontal axis, and a loader for detachably gripping an outside rim of the PCI and which is swingable in a horizontal plane. A vulcanized tire is received on the outside rim of the loader externally of the PCI main body, the loader is rotated to a position underneath the PCI main body, the tire and the outside rim are locked to the main body, a tire is seated on and fixed between an inside rim and the outside rim, compressed fluid is fed to the inside of the tire, and the PCI main body is rotated. Accordingly, a degree of precision in the concentricity between the respective rims can be maintained, a remote operation is possible, and the rims can be exchanged in a short period of time. Also, in addition to the above-mentioned features, a slide mechanism causes a support member for the outside rim to retreat upon rotation of the loader. Thus, the stroke of a rim interval adjusting screw can be relatively short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Irie
  • Patent number: 5225137
    Abstract: In general, used thermoplastic liquid containers such as oil and solvent bottles are discarded. When recycling oil bottles, the usual practice is to wash the bottles with a solvent to remove oil therefrom. Washing of the bottles results in large quantities of used, oil-containing solvent, which present a disposal problem. A simple solution to the problem of recycling liquid containers with no preliminary washing or cleaning operation includes the steps of tumbling the bottles to promote liquid separation, shredding the bottles into small pieces and draining the liquid therefrom, grinding the pieces of plastic to yield a particulate thermoplastic, and mixing the particulate thermoplastic and any liquid remaining therein with an additive, e.g. an oil absorbent and a filler such as calcium carbonate, glass, mica or talc, and when the liquid is an oil, an absorbent to produce an extrudable mixture which can be used to form new containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: ABC Group
    Inventor: Changize Sadr
  • Patent number: 5223204
    Abstract: An apparatus for reversing a tubular bag for internally lining a utility pipe installed underground, which includes a container for defining a closed space and containing a liquid body, constructed such that an amount of a liquid body therein has first and second level surfaces, the first partially defining the closed space and the second being exposed to atmospheric air; a compressor to supply compressed air to the closed space; and the tubular bag to be reversed. The tubular bag is primarily arranged in a manner such that it penetrates through the liquid body passing the first and second level surfaces and also penetrates through the closed space, with one end portion of the bag placed in atmospheric air and the other end portion thereof reversed and fixed, and some of the reversed portion partially defining the closed space so that when the pressure in the closed space is increased that portion of the tubular bag which is defining the closed space is forced to inflate and be reversed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Get, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeru Endoh
  • Patent number: 5223189
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method by which an opening into a lateral pipe connection for a pipeline into which a liner is being installed may be sealed and protectively lined. The invention features a bushing which is emplaced in the lateral connection by use of an expandable mandrel and a control means. The bushing includes an integral heating element for softening the thermoplastic material from which the bushing is formed. O-rings are positioned between the bushing and the lateral pipe to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Gundle Lining Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Struve Friedrich
  • Patent number: 5221510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming curing envelopes which apparatus and method enable the use of a conventional inner tube mold for making a curing envelope perform in the form of an envelope tube which may have a portion thereof easily removed to provide a curing envelope suitable for use in a tire retreading process. A curing envelope is made by placing an annular tube of uncured envelope material in a curing mold having a center core and a mold insert installed therein. The insert includes a pair of coaxial annular rings projecting radially outwardly from the center core and connecting straps for maintaining the axial spacing between the rings. The mold is closed and heat and internal pressure are applied to the envelope tube for curing the envelope tube and urging the tube against the interior cavity surface with the annular rings penetrating into the inner wall of the tube for forming therein corresponding annular grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin M. Kassaw, Jr., Jolanta K. Klimek