Patents Examined by Michele K. Yoder
  • Patent number: 5490890
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique and rapid method of producing a laminate foam or matted yarn article having permanent, pliable, decorative embossing lines or patterns which produce a relief-like article such as an embossed seat cushion or cover or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Actex
    Inventor: Clark Morrison
  • Patent number: 5474134
    Abstract: A laminate is made by first forming a substantially closed mold cavity between a pair of mold halves, then injecting a plastified synthetic resin into the cavity under pressure to substantially fill the cavity and at least partially curing the resin in the cavity to form a base body. The mold halves are then separated to leave the partially cured body in one of the mold halves with a face of the body exposed and a deformable sheet is laid over the face of the body in the one mold half. A die having a face conforming at least generally to the shape of the body face is then laid down against the sheet onto the body to press the sheet into intimate contact with the body face and bond the sheet and body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei AG
    Inventors: Markus Spotzl, Erwin Burkle, Konrad Zweig
  • Patent number: 5468323
    Abstract: An embossed paper laminate having two laminae. The laminae are embossed so that each embossed site of one lamina is adhesively joined to the nonembossed region of the other lamina. The laminate is made by two close tolerance pattern rolls juxtaposed to form a nip. Each pattern roll has radially extending protuberances which contact the periphery of the other pattern roll intermediate its protuberances. The laminae are fed through the nip in face-to-face relationship and are embossed and adhesively joined to the other lamina by the radially extending protuberances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Kevin B. McNeil
  • Patent number: 5468330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of manufacturing vacuum cleaner bags with a unique tri-lock top and bottom seal. The paper end of at the end of the open bag length is sealed onto itself with seam-paste glue three times providing an extra strong seam to accommodate the ever increasing air pressure created by today's powerful cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventors: Michael D. Ryan, Lowell H. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5466329
    Abstract: A variable load ballast system for the double facer of a corrugator includes a number of rows of holddown belt engaging ballast members positioned in side-by-side relation transversely across the belt, with the rows extending over the full heating section of the double facer. Each of the rows is divided into a number of longitudinal segments, each of which segments is controlled by a vertical actuator to move the segment between a lower full load ballast position on the belt and an upper no load position off the belt. The rows may comprise a series of ballast rollers or a continuous flexible membrane and either embodiment provides the ability to vary the ballast load on the holddown belt longitudinally, laterally and in any pattern of symmetry or asymmetry to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions and problems typically arising in the operation of a double facer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Marquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Marschke
  • Patent number: 5458719
    Abstract: A method for bonding a porous medium to a substrate is provided which includes contacting a porous medium with a surface of a substrate, impregnating the porous medium with a bonding composition, maintaining the impregnated porous medium in contact with the substrate surface until the substrate surface is at least slightly dissolved in the bonding composition without dissolving the porous medium, and passing the bonding composition through the impregnated porous medium towards the substrate and subsequently away from the surface of the substrate to remove bonding composition containing dissolved substrate from a portion of the porous medium to minimize blockage of pores in the porous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Pall, Brian T. Muellers
  • Patent number: 5456783
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for slidably contacting and pressing upon the back side of a conveyor to urge an advancing corrugated paperboard sheet into substantially uniform contact with adjacent laterally extending heating surfaces irrespective of any thermally induced deflection or bowing thereof. A plurality of heating chests arranged in side-by-side relation define the series of laterally extending heating surfaces. A conveyor belt is positioned opposite the series of heating surfaces for advancing the corrugated paperboard sheet longitudinally along a predetermined path of travel. A plurality of contact assemblies provides the sliding contact with the conveyor belt. Each contact assembly, in turn, preferably includes a plurality of contact shoes arranged in side-by-side relation and carried by a laterally extending supporting frame. The contact shoes have contact surfaces slidably contacting the back side of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Interfic Developments Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony J. Sissons
  • Patent number: 5454895
    Abstract: Equipment and method for manufacturing integral monolithic structures, using reinforcing fiber layers impregnated with thermosetting resins. The apparatus has an equipment base, which determines the shape of the structure, a cover of the equipment, two side supports enclosed by an outer bag of nylon or similar material and by as many supporting elements as the number of bays required breathing material; a sheet of parting film, sealing mastic, vacuum application valves, a tubular parting film and tubular bags. The invention simplifies the manufacturing process and is particularly important in the aeronautical field and wherever there is a need for very low weight, high structural efficiency and high quality standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Finmeccanica S.p.A. - Ramo Aziendale Alenia
    Inventor: Sabato I. Imparato
  • Patent number: 5453144
    Abstract: In a process for manufacturing degradable cigarette filters wherein adhesive is applied to at least one longitudinal edge of the plug wrap paper, a bond is made while the adhesive is molten and the resultant bond is held in compression for sufficient time to prevent bond movement, the improvement which comprises, using as the adhesive, a water sensitive hot melt adhesive comprising 50 to 90 weight percent of a graft copolymer which copolymer comprises 40 to 85 weight percent of at least one vinyl monomer and 15 to 60 weight percent of at least one polyalkylene oxide polymer, 0 to 50 weight percent of a compatible tackifying resin, 5 to 40 weight percent of a polar wax, 0 to 3 weight percent antioxidant and 0 to 30 weight percent of another compatible water soluble or water sensitive thermoplastic polymer; characterized in that the resulting cigarette filter will open when exposed to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kauffman, Joseph Wieczorek, Jr., Stephen F. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 5451281
    Abstract: A process for imparting scratch resistance to an ophthalmic lens during the process of edging. A scratch resistance imparting film is releasably adhered to the side of the lens to which a mounting block is to be attached. An opening is provided in the film, through which the mounting block can be affixed directly to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Arnold Lipman
  • Patent number: 5449431
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single facer provided with a plurality of fluting units, each consisting of an upper fluted roll and a lower fluted roll which engages with the upper fluted roll and forms a predetermined corrugation on a corrugating medium to be passed between the upper fluted roll and the lower fluted roll in the corresponding fluting unit and to paste a liner onto the glued crests of the corrugating medium; the single facer comprising a single fixed supporting member disposed adjacent to and to oppose to all of the lower fluted rolls via a route of feeding the liner fed to the corresponding fluting unit; a sleeve-like endless belt wound around the supporting member to be able to run freely therearound; and a plurality of pressing members disposed to oppose, via the endless belt, to the lower fluted rolls to be parallel with the respective lower fluted rolls; the pressing members being able to be moved, while maintaining the horizontal posture, closer to the corresponding lower fluted rolls with the aid of pr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Isowa
    Inventor: Eiichi Isowa
  • Patent number: 5439549
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding and applying double edged adhesive tape to non resilient objects includes a tape supply spool, a tape tensioning device, a tape backing remover and tape backing take up reels. A folding apparatus folds over portions of top and bottom edges of the tape and pulls the object being taped and the tape along a work surface during the taping operation. An optional "w shape" folder applies an additional pleat to the folded tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Oldrich Fryc, David J. Layton, Howard A. Storhoff
  • Patent number: 5439544
    Abstract: A no-crush roll system for attaining zero crush across the double backer in a corrugator is disclosed which is retrofittable to most existing machines. The no-crush roll system includes a series of pairs of bearing adapters each formed with a pin received in an overhead support frame with a bearing support cup located at inwardly extending ends of the pin to receive a bearing mounted to opposite ends of the roller. Each bearing is received in an elongate cavity facing the roller which permits the height of the roller to self adjust in response to changes in thickness of the cardboard material being conveyed along a hot plate as the weight of the rollers pressing against the top surface of the cardboard ensure even glue distribution and curing contact without crushing the material. A method of eliminating crush in a double backer of a corrugator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Chesapeake Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Bory
  • Patent number: 5437752
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for laminating a finish layer of paper, plastics, film, foil, and other thin sheet material to corrugated material along a corrugator line. The finish layers may be single layer or composite material and are preferably, but not necessarily preprinted, reverse printed, etched or otherwise. The finish layers may be produced, supplied and run in any desired width to suit a customer's needs, without the need to engage in the planning, expense and scheduling necessary to run an entire full width roll of preprint material as single face or double face liner on the corrugator, and without the problems inherent in applying graphics to containers or cartons during the conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Lin Pac Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Lang
  • Patent number: 5433805
    Abstract: A method for preventing cracks in bamboo canes subjected to drying comprises longitudinally cutting open the bamboo cane along its entire length, allowing the cut cane to dry to a desired residual moisture content, and sealing the resulting longitudinal gap by adhesively bonding into the longitudinal gap a multi-section filler strip. The longitudinal gap may be milled out to produce desired dimensioning and shaping. The strip may also be mechanically attached to the cane by clips, screws or dowels. The cane may be optionally chemically pretreated before drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Alexander Schmidmeier
  • Patent number: 5425836
    Abstract: A die for pressingly bonding a foam padding to a covering member of assemblage of a vehicle seat, the foam padding being of a one-side-opened type having a hollow therein, which die includes an upper die comprising a main die portion and a movable die member connected hingedly thereto. The movability of such die member allows easy securement of the foam padding to the upper die, as the movable die member is easily inserted into the hollow of the padding, thereby allowing further insertion of the upper die on the whole into within the padding. When pressing the padding against the covering member by use of the upper die, the movable die member is moved within the padding to a position on the same horizontal line with the main die portion, giving a pressure evenly both padding and covering member for effective bonding of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Tachi-S, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Shimada, Hideki Kamata
  • Patent number: 5423934
    Abstract: A method for producing a laminate structure from smooth and corrugated webs which may be used to form a corrugated or cellular contactor for the exchange of heat, moisture, and the like. The paper webs are saturated with a concentrated waterglass solution and partially dried. A first web is then corrugated after which the first and second webs are pressed together to form a laminate structure which is subsequently dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: AB Carl Munters
    Inventors: Hakan Vangbo, Roger Svensson
  • Patent number: 5421935
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic layers are fused together at selected locations. The thermoplastic layers at each of the selected locations are melted together to form a welded portion which includes first and second exterior surfaces. The welding of the thermoplastic layers is controlled so that no more than one of the exterior surfaces is melted. This partial melting of one layer prevents undesirable welding to adjacent layers. An apparatus for carrying out the method for welding thermoplastic honeycomb structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Doyle G. Dixon, Peter G. Turner
  • Patent number: 5415720
    Abstract: A gluing apparatus for a corrugated board installation is provided with a fluted roller and a gluing station. The actual size of the glue spreading gap formed between the fluted roller and the glue spreading roller of the gluing station is adjustable to a desired size via a control unit and an adjustment drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Schonhammer, Andreas Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5415715
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure of thermostructural composite material comprising a fiber reinforcing fabric densified by a matrix, the fibers of the reinforcing fabric being of a material selected from carbon and ceramics, as is the matrix, the method comprising the following steps:making a three-dimensional fiber fabric by means of superposed two-dimensional plies that are bonded together by means of fibers passing through the plies;making slit-shaped cuts in a staggered configuration through the plies, and through the entire thickness of the fabric;stretching the cut fabric in a direction that is not parallel to the cuts but that is parallel to the plies so as to form cells whose walls are constituted by the lips of the cuts; andwhile the cut texture is held in the stretched state, densifying it using the matrix-constituting material to obtain a rigid honeycomb structure of thermostructural material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Propulsion
    Inventors: Andre Delage, Jean-Michel Georges, Jean-Pierre Maumus