Patents Examined by Michael P. Colaianni
  • Patent number: 7157036
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to reduce adhesion between a conformable region on a substrate and a pattern of a mold, which selectively comes into contact with the conformable region. The method features forming a conformable material on the substrate and contacting the conformable material with the surface. A conditioned layer is formed from the conformable material. The conditioned layer has first and second sub-portions, with the first sub-portion being solidified and the second sub-portion having a first affinity for the surface and a second affinity for the first sub-portion. The first affinity is greater than the second affinity. In this fashion, upon separation of the mold from the conditioned layer, a subset of the second sub-portion maintains contact with the mold, thereby reducing the probability that a pattern formed in the conditioned layer becomes compromised. These and other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Molecular Imprints, Inc, University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: Byung Jin Choi, Frank Y. Xu, Nicholas A. Stacey, Van Xuan Hong Truskett, Michael P. C. Watts
  • Patent number: 7114949
    Abstract: Method for mold clamping of the present invention is capable of shortening a molding cycle without any initial setting works for an engaging position of a tie bars. The method is constituted the steps of moving the tie bars in the direction of mold closing during mold close operation, judging a relative moving speed between a movable die plate and the tie bar to be within a predetermined value, engaging the tie bars with the movable die plate mechanically by operating an engaging means when the relative moving speed is judged to be within the value, then further moving the movable die plate against a fixed die plate under engagement, and after contact of a movable mold with a fixed mold driving a mold clamping cylinder, thereby executing mold clamping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nishizawa, Toshihiro Kasai, Kazuhito Kobayashi, Yukio Iimura
  • Patent number: 7108821
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a double-walled shell of fiber reinforced plastic material is by centrifuging. The outer wall of the shell is made by projecting glass fibers and resin in a liquid phase against an inside face of a cylindrical mold rotating about its horizontal axis. A section member is then applied against the inside face of the outer wall by a plurality of turns having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the outer wall and separated from one another by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the outer wall. The section member has a channel section with a web and two flanges extending radially outward, defining a sealed helical duct. The space between the turns is filled with resin by centrifuging, forming a helical spacer, and the inner wall is formed by centrifuging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Adolphe Tartar
  • Patent number: 7108825
    Abstract: A mold assembly for forming a multi-shot molded part includes a mold system defining a mold cavity, and a retracting member disposed in the mold system selectively movable between extended and retracted positions in the mold cavity. A first molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in a configuration with the retracting member in the extended position, forming a first portion of a molded part including a thin wall portion. A second molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in another configuration with the retracting member in the retracted position, forming a second portion of the molded part and providing open cavity portions adjacent both surfaces of the thin wall portion. The second material penetrates the thin wall portion, filling the open cavity portions and forming a connection between the first and second portions of the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Alan G. Dry, Michael P. Schoemann, Thomas W. Spanos, John D. Youngs, Michael W. Moran, Eric S. Mozer, Richard J. Trombley
  • Patent number: 7108811
    Abstract: In a process for producing, in particular, optical moulded parts from plastic, a first mould plate (1?) is moved in the direction of the second mould plate (2?) until the mould plates (1?, 2?) make contact at stop faces (9, 10). Subsequently, the first mould plate (1?) approaches the second mould plate (2?) through a tilting movement. In this case, plastic is injected into the cavity (15) which is formed between the first mould plate (1?) and a second mould plate (2?). Shortly before termination of the clamping movement, the two mould plates are caused to be released from one another in the region of the stop faces (9, 10). The two mould plates are then clamped in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Franz Josef Summerer
  • Patent number: 7108818
    Abstract: A spun polyester fiber, a drawn polyester yarn, and methods for making them. Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by extruding a molten melt-spinnable polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 0.8 through a shaped extrusion orifice having a plurality of openings to form a molten spun yarn; solidifying gradually said molten spun yarn by passing said molten spun yarn through a solidification zone which comprises (i) a retarded cooling zone and (ii) a cooling zone adjacent said retarded cooling zone where, in said cooling zone, said yarn is rapidly cooled and solidified in a gaseous atmosphere; withdrawing at sufficient speed said solidified yarn from said solidification zone to form a crystalline partially oriented yarn; and hot drawing said crystalline partially oriented yarn at a total draw ratio between about 1.5/1 and about 2.5/1 to produce a drawn yarn having an effective crosslink density (N) between about 10×1021 and about 20×1021 crosslinks per cubic centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Performance Fibers, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jay Nelson, Jayendra Hiralal Bheda, Peter Bryan Rim, James Michael Turner
  • Patent number: 7097802
    Abstract: The disclosed method for fabricating low cost laryngeal mask devices includes providing a mold, the mold including interior walls that define a hollow interior volume. The interior volume includes a first portion and a second portion. A liquid plastic material is introduced into the mold, and then the mold is moved so as to coat the mold's interior walls. The liquid plastic material and then allowed to cure. The cured plastic material is then removed from the mold and the cured plastic material includes a generally elliptically shaped plate and a cuff. The cuff is formed from plastic material that coated the portion of the interior walls that defined the first portion. The plate defines a laryngeal side, a pharyngeal side, and a central aperture. An interior perimeter of the cuff is attached to the laryngeal side of the plate proximal to a perimeter of the central aperture. An outer perimeter of the cuff is attached to the laryngeal side of the plate proximal to an outer perimeter of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Indian Ocean Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Archibald I. J. Brain
  • Patent number: 7097801
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method of making an integrated mold product with a molding tool. The method includes introducing polymeric material in the molding tool and molding the polymeric material to define an outer layer in the mold. The outer layer has a channel formed thereon. The method further includes introducing molten metal in the channel of the outer layer when the outer layer is at about the same temperature as the molding tool and cooling the molten metal in the channel to define a metal insert in the channel of the outer layer for electrical and thermal conductivity, structural support, and electromagnetic shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvinder Singh, Donald Hanson
  • Patent number: 7097796
    Abstract: A method of preparing a molded article by means of an in-mold decoration process, is described. The method includes, providing a laminate (4) of a plurality of separate releasable thermoplastic labels (14) superposed over a carrier film (26). A decoration (86) is applied in-line to the exposed second surface (68) of the labels (14), thereby forming a decorated laminate (5). The decorated laminate (5) is forwarded and indexed into a mold (20) such that the exposed first surface (77) of the carrier film (26) abuts at least a portion of the interior surface of the mold, and the decorated second surface (68) of the label (14) faces the interior space of the mold. Plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic material) is injected into the mold against the decorated surface of the label, thus forming a molded article. The carrier film (26) is then separated from the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLC
    Inventors: Ronald W. Williams, Christopher Cooper, Stephen G. Smith, Timothy J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7094376
    Abstract: A carrier assembly controls movement of a movable member within a mold tool to first receive a quantity of molten material, and then displace that molten material back into a mold cavity during solidification of a molded article. The moveable member moves relative to the surface of the mold cavity to compensate for local volume changes in a molded part that occur during solidification to substantially eliminate depressions and sink marks on an outer surface of a plastic injection molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Build A Mold Limited
    Inventor: Horst Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7083756
    Abstract: A method for efficiently producing injection molded toothbrush handles wherein two or more adjacent cavities in a mold are respectively configured to mold a first portion of a handle and a second portion of a handle, wherein upon injection molding of the first portion in a first cavity, the second portion is simultaneously injected into a second cavity into which a previously molded fist portion has been placed after its removal from the first cavity, thereby to immediately contact the previous first portion with the newly injected second portion. A third portion may also be injected into a third cavity into contact with a previously injection molded contacting first and second toothbrush handle portion. In this manner, seriatim transfer of the said portions between cavities enhances product output. The handle may include transparent or translucent portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventor: Reto Strahler
  • Patent number: 7083754
    Abstract: A sample tube for injection molded with two cores in one base with an intermediate bottom forming a well for receiving the biological material. In a second stage, the bottom edge of the cylindrical wall is heated and turned inwardly to form preferably a rounded bottom of complementary contour to a stamp applied thereagainst in a thermal reforming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Sarstedt AG & Co.
    Inventor: Horst Färber
  • Patent number: 7077989
    Abstract: A hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product is removed from a core mold part by closing the threaded end of the molded product and injecting compressed air into the molded product to loosen the molded product from the core mold part. The threaded end of the product is closed by attaching a closure having a matching thread onto the threaded end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sorensen Research and Development Trust
    Inventors: Paul Philip Brown, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7074359
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough, joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials, in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary, with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Com-Pac International
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Patent number: 7070729
    Abstract: An improved pressware die set includes mechanical ejectors for removing formed product from the punch. A preferred embodiment includes rocker-style ejectors free from edges or other asperities which may tend to snag and mar the product during the production process. Most preferably, the outward surfaces of the rocker members extend beyond the perimeter of a paperboard blank positioned for forming so the paperboard blank does not encounter an obstruent outward edge during forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Thomas W. Zelinski
  • Patent number: 7056466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiao Wang, Jan Weber
  • Patent number: 7056463
    Abstract: Pre-tension and post-tension processes for the manufacture of pre-stressed structures in which bonded carbon fiber cables are provided with burial anchors and temporary anchors outward of the burial anchors. The burial anchors are embedded in the structure. The temporary anchors enable stressing of the carbon fiber cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventor: Toshiaki Ohta
  • Patent number: 7052643
    Abstract: Heat treatment is performed on preforms placed in an enclosure accompanied by sweeping with an inert gas under reduced pressure, and with a gaseous effluent being exhausted continuously via a first effluent outlet connected to an effluent exhaust circuit. At the end of the heat treatment, the first gaseous effluent outlet is closed so as to isolate the effluent exhaust circuit from the enclosure, sweeping of the enclosure with the inert gas is interrupted, and the heat-treated preforms are left in the enclosure and are subjected to densification by admitting a reagent gas into the enclosure via at least one reagent gas admission duct opening out into the enclosure, with gaseous effluent being exhausted via a second effluent outlet separate from the first, said second outlet being closed during the heat treatment step. Advantageously, metal, in particular sodium, contained in the gaseous effluent exhausted from the enclosure during the heat treatment step is neutralized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Eric Sion
  • Patent number: 7045088
    Abstract: Components of a measuring tool such as a main beam (11) and a slider (12) of a caliper gauge (1) are formed by a synthetic resin containing carbon nanofiber and an electro-conductive electrode (15) is formed on the surface of the main beam (11) at a predetermined pitch, so that a production process can be simplified, rigidity of the components can be enhanced, linear expansion coefficient can be reduced, and anti-frictional properties can be improved, thus enhancing durability while improving measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Susumu Yoshioka, Shuuji Hayashida, Kouji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7037461
    Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Denker, Joseph T. Bartusiak, Anthony B. Ferguson, Thomas P. Hanschen, Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Susan J. Newhouse, Fred J. Roska, Richard J. Thompson, Chiu Ping Wong