Patents Examined by William Bell
  • Patent number: 8491743
    Abstract: A stabilizing mechanism for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates of a composite structure having a core comprises a lower grip strip and at least one upper grip strip. The lower grip strip may be mounted to a tool upon which the composite structure may be processed. The lower grip strip may include an outer surface having at least one engagement feature for engaging at least one of the upper and lower laminates which make up the composite structure. The upper grip strip may have opposing outer surfaces which may include at least one engagement feature for engaging the lower strip and at least one of the upper and lower laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Doan D. Pham, Mark W. Tollan, Richard M. Outzen, John C. Lockleer, Christopher G. Harris
  • Patent number: 8491745
    Abstract: Thermoplastic laminates are fabricated in a continuous compression molding production line. A lay-up of laminate plies is placed in a recess on a carrying tool, and the tool is moved through successive forming operations on the line, including preforming and consolidation operations. The tool is separated from the fully formed part at the end of the line and may be reused. Use of the carrying tool reduces material scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Wilkerson, James R. Fox, Alexander M. Rubin
  • Patent number: 8480837
    Abstract: The seamless edge-sealing method of fluorine resin coating comprises following steps: (I) Putting the raw material of fluorine resin into a mold to obtain a cylinder (1) through one of the below ways: First, pressure maintaining and demolding, finally sintering the mold formed casting; Second, mechanical injecting; Third, mechanical vulcanizing; (II) Cutting the cylinder (1) into rings (3) and cutting each ring (3) to form an annular slot (31) on the inner wall of each ring; (III) Cutting a piece of base fabric of fluorine resin coating (2) into the shape adapted for the ring (3), and then stuffing the edge of the cut fabric of fluorine resin coating into the slot (31) of the ring; (IV) After hot-pressing, obtaining a piece of fabric of fluorine resin coating (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ningbo Superbright Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yanyan Xue
  • Patent number: 8454862
    Abstract: This invention is related to lenses and the associated processes used to manufacture lenses. In particular, the present invention is related to a process for designing and creating bifocal, multifocal, and single vision ophthalmic lenses by modulating an energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Rafael Victor Andino, Angelika Maria Domschke, Joseph Michael Lindacher, Courtney Flem Morgan
  • Patent number: 8453699
    Abstract: A molding material 22 from an extruding machine 33 is fed by a molding material feed pump 34 to a molding material discharge pump 32, which discharges the molding material from a coating gun 31 to a peripheral edge portion 21a of a multilayer glass panel 21. The rate at which the molding material 22 is discharged from the coating gun 31 is adjusted by controlling the rotational speed of the molding material discharge pump 32 depending on the relative speed between the multilayer glass panel 21 and the coating gun 31. An amount of molding material 22, which is commensurate with the difference between the rates at which the molding material 22 is fed to and drawn into the molding material discharge pump 32, is circulated through a flexible circulation hose 39 to the extruding machine 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Toriumi, Yousuke Hamachi
  • Patent number: 8449709
    Abstract: Fiber reinforced composite structures having curved stepped surfaces are fabricated by laying up plies of fiber reinforced material over a tool having a stepped tool feature. The plies are rotated about a fixed axis as they are laid up to substantially form a fixed axis rosette pattern. The plies are angularly oriented such that at least certain of the plies have fiber orientations other than 0, +45, ?45 and 90 degrees. Potential bridging of the fibers over the stepped tool features is reduced or eliminated by cutting slits in the plies in the area of the stepped features, so that the plies can be fully compacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew E. Modin, Jack A. Woods, Robert D. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8419881
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a hollow composite structure by forming a prepreg product using a plurality of prepregs, forming a soft coating layer on an inner surface of the prepreg product, and compressing the prepreg product by applying pressurized air to the coating layer and, at the same time, applying heat to the prepregs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Younsei University
    Inventors: Heoung Jae Chun, Wook Jin Na
  • Patent number: 8414727
    Abstract: A method for securing a bottom piece to a paper-made container forms first and second glue layers in one injection molding process. The method includes a mold set has a first concavity located corresponding to the open top of the paper-made container and communicating with a pouring path of an entrance via a first passage in the mold. A second concavity is defined in the mold and communicates with a second passage which communicates with the pouring path via a hole defined through the bottom piece. The two glue layers are formed within one molding process while the bottom piece is connected to the paper-made container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Pei-Ti Lin
  • Patent number: 8414726
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a plastic spacer/riser to increase useable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glue, sonic welds, pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic foam tape, or screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher S. Autterson
  • Patent number: 8398803
    Abstract: A method for providing an insulated electric high voltage DC cable or a high voltage DC termination or joint. A polymer based insulation system including a compounded polymer composition is provided. The polymer based insulation system is subsequently exposed to a heat treatment procedure while the outer surface of the polymer based insulation system is covered by a cover impermeable to a substance present in the polymer based insulation system in a non-homogenous distribution, thereby equalizing the concentration of the substance in the polymer based insulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Carl-Olof Olsson
  • Patent number: 8394224
    Abstract: Layered nanostructures are constructed by imprinting material with a mold, while selectively modifying and removing a portion of the mold. The mold, which includes a pattern of features, is modified so that the portion of the mold that includes the features is made chemically and/or physically distinct from the rest of the mold. That portion of the mold that includes the features is retained while the rest of the mold is removed. The retained portion of the mold provides mechanical support for any adjoining layer or layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Fahhad H. Alharbi, John D. Bass, Ho-Cheol Kim, Robert D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8394310
    Abstract: An inflatable compaction tool for consolidating a composite material inside a faceted hollow or tubular mold for a composite part is made from an elastic material. The compaction tool includes relatively flat wall segments conjoined by corner segments that define a sealed chamber. The wall segments curve away from the mold surface toward the midpoint of each wall segment, so that as a pressurized fluid is introduced into the compaction tool, a component of the force exerted on the tool interior surface is transmitted through the wall segments toward the corner segments. Thus, during initial inflation, the corner segments are forced toward the corner regions of the mold before the wall segments contact the composite material, firmly compressing the composite material into the corner regions of the mold before the friction of the wall segments against the composite material inhibits expansion of the corner segments into the mold corner regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven F. Hanson, Amitabh Vyas
  • Patent number: 8377244
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a panel (1) comprising a core (10) made of honeycomb material provided with a plurality of cells (13) and encased by top and bottom outer walls (20, 30), which method comprises, during a preparation stage (P1): fabricating the top outer wall (20); fabricating the bottom outer wall (30); fabricating said core (10), and perforating one internal orifice (11) per fastener element (50) in said core (10) so as to provide a space (12) for receiving said fastener element (50); and then coating at least one layer of a film of an intumescent adhesive (60) on a connection side wall (51) of said fastener element (50) that is to be connected to said core (10). After performing an assembly stage on a bench (70), the assembly comprising the top outer wall (20), the core (10) provided with said fastener element (50), and the bottom outer wall (30) is polymerized in order to obtain said panel (1) provided with said fastener element (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Joseph Mairou
  • Patent number: 8372234
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing footwear includes providing a modular forepart and a modular rearpart, overlapping these parts along an overlap margin a preselected distance, and permanently joining the parts to selectively manufacture footwear of at least two different sizes, for example, a full size or a half size or some other partial size. The forepart and rearpart can be injection molded from one or more polymeric materials in a mold. The polymeric materials can be bonded to a sheet of material which can be at least partially retained in a three-dimensional, contoured shape by the polymeric material. The molded polymeric material can form a supportive and/or structural exoskeleton in an upper portion of the footwear. The exoskeleton can define one or more holes through which the sheet is visible to form one or more aesthetic regions on the upper. An article of footwear constructed with the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Loveder
  • Patent number: 8353996
    Abstract: An information handling system housing is manufactured from a laminate material having a stainless steel exterior and magnesium interior that are encapsulated with injection molding. A thin sheet of stainless steel is formed to have a lip that meets against the magnesium and is secured in place with injection molding material. In one embodiment, an injection molding tool holds the laminate material in place to encapsulate the perimeter of the material with injection molding material and also activates an adhesive that holds the laminate material together, such as by applying pressure and heat to the laminate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Mundt, Ernesto Ramirez, John Bauer, James Slagle
  • Patent number: 8337654
    Abstract: Configurable layup tooling is used to fabricate reinforced composite parts have a common shape but varying features. The tooling includes a tool base, multiple mandrels and optionally, a tool insert, all of which may be used to form a portion of the common shape. The mandrels have differing tool geometries for forming the varying features of the commonly shaped parts. The tool base may be used as a bonding jig to assemble and bond assemblies that include the fabricated parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Schmier, II, Dwight L. Engwall, Carlos Pena
  • Patent number: 8328975
    Abstract: A fixed window assembly is adapted to be fixedly secured to a door of a motor vehicle having a retractable window pane. The fixed window assembly includes a fixed window pane having an outer periphery. A division post extends along a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed window pane. A glass run is fixedly secured to the division post opposite of the fixed window pane for receiving the retractable window pane. The glass run is formed from a first moldable material. An encapsulation is molded to the fixed window pane to secure the division post thereto. The encapsulation is formed from a second moldable material that is different from the first moldable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Y. Ruppert, Peter J. Ellis, Steven C. Dubay
  • Patent number: 8323014
    Abstract: An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanising apparatus incorporating the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gaetano Lo Presti, Rodolfo Noto, Ignazio De Gese, Giovanni Pozzati, Massimo Loprevite
  • Patent number: 8323555
    Abstract: A container forming assembly and method includes receiving a parison within a cavity of a mold, enclosing the parison within the mold having a wall with a recess, inflating the parison in the mold to form a blow molded container where the blow molded container has a sidewall, a movable region formed at the recess, and a hinge circumscribing an interface between the sidewall and the movable region, and moving the movable region toward an interior of the blow molded container about the hinge before filling. Furthermore, a method for forming a container includes receiving a parison, enclosing the parison with a mold that includes a cavity, and inflating the parison in said mold to form a blow molded container with a moveable region at the cavity. The method further includes repositioning the moveable region before filling the blow molded container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Trude, Paul Kelley
  • Patent number: 8316906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for impregnating filaments, wherein the filaments form a roving. The device comprises a barrel (10) having at least one groove (12) formed in circumferential direction of the barrel, an inner space formed along the center axis of the barrel, and at least one recess (16) which forms a connection between the inner space and the groove. The recess includes a cylindrical section (16a), a conical section (16b) and a pocket section (16c). By means of said device and according to the method, a polymer material can be pressed successively from the inner space through at least the cylindrical section and the conical section into the groove to impregnate the filaments of the roving which is drawn through the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Hermann Prokschi, Siegfried Westmüller