Patents by Inventor Dennis Knaus

Dennis Knaus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5874024
    Abstract: A stability control agent composition for foamable polyolefin compositions comprising at least one compound that is a partial ester of fatty acid with polyol, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of higher alkyl amines, fatty acid amides and/or complete esters of higher fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5842660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of a wound roll of a web of material is provided. The apparatus utilizes a surface windup device for automatically introducing a core onto a primary lay-on roll, and automatically cuts the web so that it can be attached around a new core. A primary lay-on roll feeds the web of material onto the rotating core. The core is driven by a secondary lay-on roll. The differential in speed between the primary and secondary lay-on rolls controls the tension of the web as it is wound. This invention also incorporates a retractable cutting roll and knife assembly that moves into position to cut the web of material, assists in transferring the web of material to a new core, and then retracts to a position that does not hinder winding the new roll of wound material. The winder is also equipped with an apparatus that ejects the wound roll from the hold-down clamps as a new roll is automatically started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5763498
    Abstract: A continuous process for making moldable foam beads comprising a non-crosslinked or crosslinked thermoplastic polymer foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a non-crosslinkable or crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic polymer with a crosslinking agent, additives to achieve specific properties, a blowing agent, extruding the admixture under pressure, crosslinking, when applicable, the admixture under pressure, modulating the admixtures temperature to achieve the desired foaming properties, and then expanding the admixture in a zone of lower pressure to form a foam bead that can be molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5750584
    Abstract: A stability control agent composition for foamable polyolefin compositions comprising at least one compound that is a partial ester of fatty acid with polyol, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of higher alkyl amines, fatty acid amides and/or complete esters of higher fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5605937
    Abstract: A continuous process for making moldable foam beads comprising a non-crosslinked or crosslinked thermoplastic polymer foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a non-crosslinkable or crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic polymer with a crosslinking agent, additives to achieve specific properties, a blowing agent, extruding the admixture under pressure, crosslinking, when applicable, the admixture under pressure, modulating the admixtures temperature to achieve the desired foaming properties, and then expanding the admixture in a zone of lower pressure to form a foam bead that can be molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5589519
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a lightly crosslinked polyolefin foam and articles made therefrom is disclosed. According to the method, a polyolefin resin is lightly crosslinked, mixed with a blowing agent, forwarded as a molten gel admixture through an extruder, cooled, and expelled from a die into a zone of lower pressure, e.g., the atmosphere or a controlled pressure zone, to produce a uniform fine celled expanded shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5556052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of a wound roll of a web of material is provided. The apparatus utilizes a surface windup device for automatically introducing a core onto a primary lay-on roll, and automatically cuts the web so that it can be attached around a new core. A primary lay-on roll feeds the web of material onto the rotating core. The core is driven by a secondary lay-on roll. The differential in speed between the primary and secondary lay-on rolls controls the tension of the web as it is wound. This invention also incorporates a retractable cutting roll and knife assembly that moves into position to cut the web of material, assists in transferring the web of material to a new core, and then retracts to a position that does not hinder winding the new roll of wound material. The winder is also equipped with an apparatus that ejects the wound roll from the hold-down clamps as a new roll is automatically started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 5190706
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of multicolor, multidensity and/or multithermoplastic foam and products composed thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gels of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined and extruded simultaneously through the same orifice of a die and expanded into a foam. The color, density and/or thermoplastic resin of the secondary foamed gel or gels can form a multitude of patterns or shapes that include waves, diagonals, stripes and/or continuous coverage over the entire surface of the primary foamed gel. These patterns or shapes can be on the surface and/or within the cross-section of the primary foamed gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 4919864
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of multicolor, multidensity and/or multithermoplastic foam and products composed thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gels of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined and extruded simultaneously through the same orifice of a die and expanded into a foam.The color, density and/or thermoplastic resin of the secondary foamed gel or gels can form a multitude of patterns or shapes that include waves, diagonals, stripes and/or continuous coverage over the entire surface of the primary foamed gel. These patterns or shapes can be on the surface and/or within the cross-section of the primary foamed gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Packaging Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 4836814
    Abstract: A multicolored foam product and a method for the preparation thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gel of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined with different coloring materials added sequentially and extruded through an orifice of a die which is extended in length to facilitate laminar flow in the resin. This resin is expanded to form a multicolored layered foam product, such as multicolored foam planking, in a single extrusion. Multicolored foam planking produced is suitable for use as the body material for surfboards, body boards, and other recreational products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Packaging Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Bambara, Charles E. Flathers, Jr., Dennis A. Knaus, Gregory G. Palmieri
  • Patent number: 4308352
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of polysulfone foam using methylene chloride as a blowing agent. A pressurized combination of heat-plastified foamable gel of polysulfone containing methylene chloride as a blowing agent is extruded into a zone of lower pressure through an orifice of a die. As the gel expands into a foam, it forms a product of decreased density, increased resiliency and flexibility, and improved insulation properties over conventional polysulfone foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Packaging Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Knaus
  • Patent number: 4087002
    Abstract: An improved cushioned shipping bag is disclosed, together with a unique method of continuously making the bags. The improved bag protects objects from being damaged when they are transported, shipped, handled or sent in the mail. A continuous layer of foamed plastic sheet material is positioned on and affixed (laminated) to a continuous layer of relatively thin sheet material. The laminated layers are then folded with the foamed plastic sheet material positioned on the inside; the folded laminated layers are subsequently heat sealed, glued or the like together at predetermined positions along the continuous laminate. The cushioned bag blanks subsequently are cut from the continuous laminate. In this manner, three sides of the objects to be shipped. The open end of the bag is provided with a foldable flap which is used to seal the bag after the objects are placed inside it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Packaging Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Bambara, Dennis Knaus
  • Patent number: 4011798
    Abstract: An improved cushioned shipping bag is disclosed, together with a unique method of continuously making the bags. The improved bag protects objects from being damaged when they are transported, shipped, handled or sent in the mail. A continuous layer of foamed plastic sheet material is positioned on and affixed (laminated) to a continuous layer of relatively thin sheet material. The laminated layers are then folded with the foamed plastic sheet material positioned on the inside; the folded laminated layers are subsequently heat sealed, glued or the like together at predetermined positions along the continuous laminate. The cushioned bag blanks subsequently are cut from the continuous laminate. In this manner, three sides of each bag are sealed and one end is left open for insertion of the objects to be shipped. The open end of the bag is provided with a foldable flap which is used to seal the bag after the objects are placed inside it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Packaging Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Bambara, Dennis Knaus