Patents Examined by Stephen J. Lechert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6793992
    Abstract: A cushioning molded product is provided which is produced by binding a vegetable fiber with a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to conduct molding. Further a process is provided for producing a cushioning molded product from a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a vegetable fiber, the process comprising (a) mixing or adhering the copolymer and the vegetable fiber, and (b) molding the resulting mixture into an intended shape by heating the mixture to bind the vegetable fiber with the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Chieko Mihara
  • Patent number: 6790394
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing plastic-substitute goods by using natural materials is disclosed. Agricultural byproducts and wood byproducts such as rice husks, rice plant stems, corn plant stems, bean plant stems, wheat plant stems, saw dust and the like and the washed and dried sludge produced from the alcoholic factory are crushed into a particular size, then the crushed particles are mixed with natural adhesives (such as corn starch, potato starch and the like), and are coated with melamine resin or urea resins, and then a molding is carried out by applying a pressure in a molding machine, thereby manufacturing the plastic-substitute goods. The raw materials of the present invention are readily available from the rural areas, and the molding is carried out at a temperature of 100-300 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Young Bok Kim, Myung Ja Kim
  • Patent number: 6787075
    Abstract: A method of making a low friction bearing for use when immersed in a liquid particularly water is provided comprising a synthetic resin composition which includes powders of a rice bran ceramic, carbon rice bran ceramic or both which are uniformly dispersed in a synthetic resin. The weight ratio between the RBC or CRBC powders and the synthetic resin is 30:90 to 70:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hokkirigawa, Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6787073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to process a diverted molten polymer waste stream directs the polymer stream to one of at least two passages, separates it into individual segments while containing and discharging it from a containment exit, cools each segment with a quench fluid to form a solid or semi-solid polymer, and transports the solidified segments away from the exit and into a container using the quench fluid. The apparatus includes a cross-section transition connector, a moveable block with two passages, a block oscillator, a cut-off plate, and open space above an inclined transporting device, a quench fluid jet, and a quench fluid transporting trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Invista North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Tadler, Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: 6787089
    Abstract: A method for making a shoe includes the steps of forming a midsole in an outsole in a first mold, transferring the assembly of the midsole and the outsole into a second mold, and forming an insole between the midsole and an upper in the second mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kun-Chung Liu
  • Patent number: 6783714
    Abstract: A method and a production plant for production of sheets with substantially stiff structure of paper material comprise the steps of paper grinding to obtain paper flakes, spreading the flakes to obtain a carpet of flakes, sprinkling the carpet with gluing liquid, accomplishing a first compacting of the flakes and accomplishing a second compacting of the carpet during which is executed a simultaneous forming to obtain a sheet with a plurality of stiffening dishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Giuseppe Locati
  • Patent number: 6780359
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component in which a cellulosic material is mixed with a plastic material to form a cellulosic reinforced plastic composite. The cellulosic reinforced plastic composite is then formed into irregular shaped granules, such as by grinding. The granules are then molded into the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLC
    Inventors: Burch E. Zehner, Jeffrey R. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6780368
    Abstract: A freeform fabrication method for fabricating a 3-D multi-material or multi-color object from successive layers of a primary body-building powder, at least a modifier material and a binder powder in accordance with a computer-aided design of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Junhai Liu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 6777084
    Abstract: A molded product consisting of a skin layer and a core layer is obtained by injecting a skin layer resin and a core layer resin from a skin injection unit 13 and a core injection unit 12 into metal molds 8, 9, respectively. The skin layer resin injection pressure by the skin injection unit 13 and the core layer resin injection pressure by the core injection unit 12 are controlled in such a manner that a volumetrically reduced quantity at the time of cooling and solidifying the skin layer resin is compensated so as not to generate defects such as hollows and the like in the molded product. It is characterized in that the state the core dwelling pressure is higher than the skin dwelling pressure over a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6773650
    Abstract: A prestressed concrete casting apparatus includes a prestressing element (e.g., wire cable or rod) pretensioning fixture of simple easy to use construction, and great strength/rigidity for withstanding considerable pretensioning forces. Advantageously, a clamshell-type mold form may be used together with the pretensioning fixture, in such a manner that the mold form is easily properly locatable on the pretensioning fixture. The form can be removed for reuse without moving the pretensioning fixture or otherwise disturbing the casting, which is permitted to continue to cure in the stationary pretensioning fixture. Maintaining the pretensioning fixture stationary during the process lends greater structural integrity and stability to the pretensioning fixture under the considerable forces set-up by the pretensioning of the prestressing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Power Poles, Inc.
    Inventor: Adriel Emilio Longo
  • Patent number: 6774161
    Abstract: Particulate materials are cold molded by preheating a binder and the material to be bound to a temperature of from 160 to 240° C., and then press molding at a temperature less than 80° C. and at a pressure of from 1 to 120 bar to give a molding, wherein the binder contains a polymer powder or aqueous polymer dispersion thereof, the polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg greater than 80° C. and a complex viscosity less than 15,000 Pa·s at 190° C., and derived from one or more comonomer units from the group of vinyl esters of optionally branched C1-18 alkylcarboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic esters of optionally branched C1-15 alcohols, dienes, olefins, vinylaromatics, and vinyl halides. The moldings exhibit excellent properties including resistance to sagging at elevated temperatures, and are recyclable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Wacker Polymer Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Abdulmajid Hashemzadeh, Klaus Kohlhammer, Thomas Lehmann, Peter Weiler
  • Patent number: 6773641
    Abstract: The method of producing slabs made of granulated stone and/or sand bound with a hardenable resin by compaction under vacuum and subsequent hardening in which before the vibratory compaction the mixture is spread to a uniform thickness on a support, the support being protected by highly resilient sheet material. A lower sheet material has a shaped configuration comprising a flat base and a peripheral frame projecting from the flat base for a predetermined height so as to define a seat of dimension corresponding in plan to those of the slab to be produced. The peripheral frame having a height which is lower by a predetermined amount than that of the final slab produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Luca Toncelli
  • Patent number: 6770232
    Abstract: In addition to a loading apparatus (10) for loading material through the upper mouth of the mold cavity (6), the unit comprises a blower device (30) for blowing air, means for moving said device while held a short distance from the upper surface of the material (B′) loaded into the mold cavity, such as to lift in a gauged manner a thin layer of material from the top thereof, and means (51, 55) for collecting the material lifted by the blower device (30), in order to remove it from the mold cavity. In particular, the blower device (30) comprises a relatively narrow, long blowing port (31) arranged to emit an air jet in the form of a thin sheet extending in a horizontal direction, and means (33, 34) for feeding compressed air to said blowing port (31), which is moved while maintained a short distance from the upper surface of the material (B′) loaded into the mold cavity (6) in order to lift a thin gauged layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: L.B. - Officine Meccaniche - S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Prodi
  • Patent number: 6764568
    Abstract: A decoration includes a thin cover sheet onto which an image has been printed and which has been formed into a contoured shape at least partially corresponding to the image. A filler support layer is added to the hollow side of the cover sheet and hardens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander M. Sud
  • Patent number: 6761841
    Abstract: Tire rubber material is highly accurately and efficiently extruded by a positive displacement extruding system that includes, as seen from an upstream side of the tire rubber, a screw extruder unit, a gear pump unit and an extrusion head unit with an extrusion nozzle, which are connected in series with each other. While the tire rubber is caused to flow through the extruding system, the temperature of the rubber material is measured and controlled to be within a predetermined temperature range, in accordance with the measured temperature of the rubber material. The rubber material maintained at a controlled temperature is extruded from the extrusion nozzle, thereby improving the positive displacement performance of the extruding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ogawa, Shuhei Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6758046
    Abstract: A slush hydrogen production device (10) utilizes a hydrogen slushifier magnetic refrigerator (30) having a wheel (50) of material exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect. The wheel is rotated through a magnetic field of varying intensity around the circumference of a wheel housing (36) created by the windings of superconductive magnets (56). The material of the wheel (50) follows a magnetic Carnot cycle as the wheel rotates (36) through regions of low temperature heat transfer and high temperature heat transfer. Liquid hydrogen is supplied to the regions of low and high temperature heat transfer through inlet pipes (39 and 42). Gaseous hydrogen is produced in the high temperature heat transfer region and vented away by an outlet pipe (48). Solid hydrogen is produced in the low temperature heat transfer region by direct solidification upon the magnetic wheel (50); and is removed by scrapers (76) and deposited in a compartment (26) where it mixes with liquid hydrogen to form slush hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Astronautics Corporation of America
    Inventors: John A. Barclay, Steven R. Jaeger, Peter J. Claybaker, Carl B. Zimm, Steven F. Kral
  • Patent number: 6758994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making polymer tapes utilizing metallocene catalysts. An isotactic propylene polymer is prepared by polymerizing propylene in the presence of an isospecific metallocene catalyst. The resulting polypropylene is heated, extruded and withdrawn as a sheet. The sheet is then slit longitudinally into tape segments and drawn in the longitudinal direction to a draw ratio of at least about 4.5:1 to produce an oriented tape. It has been found that these polypropylene tapes have different characteristics than those polypropylene tapes produced using Ziegler-Natta catalyst drawn at the same draw ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohan Gownder, George R. Rowland, Jr., David Keith Young
  • Patent number: 6759109
    Abstract: A rubber hose having a multilayer wall is formed of an inner layer of NBR type rubber having a high AN content, available at a low cost and highly impermeable to fuel and an outer layer of a rubber composition having a minimum Mooney viscosity of 25 to 65 at its curing temperature and highly resistant to flattening. Those layers are extruded and cured together without the aid of any mandrel owing to the inside diameter and wall thickness of the hose and the thickness of the outer layer which fall within specific ranges. This process enables the manufacture of a fuel hose having a high fuel impermeability at a low cost, while protecting its inner wall effectively from flattening during curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Kanbe, Takahiro Nishiyama, Hideki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6756105
    Abstract: A method of producing molded wood flake or strand three-dimensionally curved products using draft angles of 10 degrees or larger with little or no blistering or wood flake springback from over densification. A loosely felted mat of wood flakes is placed between top and bottom molds which slidably engage one another at pinch points to pinch and sometimes remove excess flashing/pinch trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce A. Haataja
  • Patent number: 6752953
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a non-gelatin hard capsule shell. The hard capsule shell is made by a heat-melting method which involves heating a capsule forming composition (preferably in powdery form) in a mold, followed by inserting a pestle into the mold to coat the melted capsule forming composition onto the pestle. The hard capsule shell thus formed, after hardened and dried, is removed from the pestle. This method has the advantages over the conventional “dip molding method” for not requiring the capsule forming composition to be pre-dissolved in solution so that no solvent is used in preparing the capsule forming composition. Also, by inserting a pestle into a mold, a pressure is imposed so as to ensure uniform coating of the capsule forming composition to the pestle. The present invention also provides a capsule forming composition which comprises a polymer and optionally a plasticizer and an apparatus for making the non-gelatin hard capsule shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yung Shin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gan-Lin Chen, Chien-Yuan Lee, Cheng-Hsiung Liu