Patents by Inventor Martin Theodoor de Groot
Martin Theodoor de Groot 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).
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Patent number: 11858182Abstract: A press (10) for manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises a first and second press plate (12; 14) that are movable with respect to one another. The press (10) has a fluid circulation loop for heating and cooling the press plates (12; 14). The fluid circulation N loop comprises a heater (22) for generating a hot fluid connected to a fluid supply conduit (24) in fluid communication with an inlet (18) of at least one internal flow channel (16) in each press plate (12; 14) and connected to a fluid return conduit (26) in fluid communication with an outlet (20) of the at least one internal flow channel (16). The fluid circulation loop is also provided with a controlled expansion valve (34) for cooling by conversion of hot pressurized water into steam, and a water source (38) for slow cooling.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor De Groot
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Publication number: 20230116066Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises the steps of: a) providing a plate-shaped assembly of a first cover part and a second cover part and between these cover parts a core part of a thermoplastic material containing a physical blowing agent, b) heating the assembly resulting from step a) under pressure between press tools in a press to a foaming temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material in the core part, thereby effecting adhesion of the foamed core part to the first and second cover parts c) foaming the thermoplastic material in the core part under pressure and at the foaming temperature wherein the spacing between the press tools is increased; d) a cooling step of cooling the foamed sandwich panel resulting from step c), while the sandwich panel is maintained under pressure between the press tools; e) removing the thus cooled sandwich panel from the press; and f) drying the sandwich panel thus obtained; wherein the cooling step dType: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Patent number: 11524431Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises the steps of: a) providing a plate-shaped assembly of a first cover part and a second cover part and between these cover parts a core part of a thermoplastic material containing a physical blowing agent, b) heating the assembly resulting from step a) under pressure between press tools in a press to a foaming temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material in the core part, thereby effecting adhesion of the foamed core part to the first and second cover parts c) foaming the thermoplastic material in the core part under pressure and at the foaming temperature wherein the spacing between the press tools is increased; d) a cooling step of cooling the foamed sandwich panel resulting from step c), while the sandwich panel is maintained under pressure between the press tools; e) removing the thus cooled sandwich panel from the press; and f) drying the sandwich panel thus obtained; wherein the coolingType: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Publication number: 20220097265Abstract: A press (10) for manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises a first and second press plate (12; 14) that are movable with respect to one another. The press (10) has a fluid circulation loop for heating and cooling the press plates(12; 14). The fluid circulation N loop comprises a heater (22) for generating a hot fluid connected to a fluid supply conduit(24)in fluid communication with an inlet(18) of at least one internal flow channel (16) in each press plate (12; 14) and connected to a fluid return conduit(26) in fluid communication with an outlet (20) of the at least one internal flow channel(16). The fluid circulation loop is also provided with a controlled expansion valve (34) for cooling by conversion of hot pressurized water into steam, and a water source (38) for slow cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventor: Martin Theodoor DE GROOT
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Method of manufacturing a sandwich panel having an asymmetrical configuration in thickness direction
Patent number: 10737416Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel having an asymmetrical configuration in the thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Patent number: 10471634Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two cover layers. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on an advancing starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, intermediate cooling, foaming at a constant volume and further cooling.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor De Groot
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Patent number: 10369726Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two fibre-reinforced cover layers of a second thermoplastic. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on a starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, cooling, foaming and further cooling in contact with the press tools.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor De Groot
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METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SANDWICH PANEL HAVING AN ASYMMETRICAL CONFIGURATION IN THICKNESS DIRECTION
Publication number: 20190077058Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel having an asymmetrical configuration in the thickness direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Publication number: 20180194044Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises the steps of: a) providing a plate-shaped assembly of a first cover part and a second cover part and between these cover parts a core part of a thermoplastic material containing a physical blowing agent, b) heating the assembly resulting from step a) under pressure between press tools in a press to a foaming temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material in the core part, thereby effecting adhesion of the foamed core part to the first and second cover parts c) foaming the thermoplastic material in the core part under pressure and at the foaming temperature wherein the spacing between the press tools is increased; d) a cooling step of cooling the foamed sandwich panel resulting from step c), while the sandwich panel is maintained under pressure between the press tools; e) removing the thus cooled sandwich panel from the press; and f) drying the sandwich panel thus obtained; wherein the coolingType: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Publication number: 20160271846Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two fibre-reinforced cover layers of a second thermoplastic. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on a starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, cooling, foaming and further cooling in contact with the press tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventor: Martin Theodoor DE GROOT
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Publication number: 20160250784Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two cover layers. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on an advancing starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, intermediate cooling, foaming at a constant volume and further cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventor: Martin Theodoor DE GROOT
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Sandwich structure with a high load-bearing capacity, as well as methods for the manufacture thereof
Patent number: 9242425Abstract: A sandwich structure based on a composite panel made of a thermoplastic core layer connected to at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer, in particular in-situ manufactured sandwich panels, comprises a thermoplastic core, which is arranged between two cover layers, in which the core is reinforced with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing ribs which extend between the cover layers. Preferred methods for the manufacture are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: FITS Holding B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Sandwich Structure with a High Load-Bearing Capacity, as well as Methods for the Manufacture Thereof
Publication number: 20150118440Abstract: A sandwich structure based on a composite panel made of a thermoplastic core layer connected to at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer, in particular in-situ manufactured sandwich panels, comprises a thermoplastic core, which is arranged between two cover layers, in which the core is reinforced with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing ribs which extend between the cover layers. Preferred methods for the manufacture are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Sandwich structure with a high load-bearing capacity, as well as methods for the manufacture thereof
Patent number: 8932422Abstract: A sandwich structure based on a composite panel made of a thermoplastic core layer connected to at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer, in particular in-situ manufactured sandwich panels, comprises a thermoplastic core, which is arranged between two cover layers, in which the core is reinforced with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing ribs which extend between the cover layers. Preferred methods for the manufacture are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: FITS Holding B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Patent number: 8182625Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel (10). Such a sandwich panel consists of a foamed core layer (12) and at least one thermoplastic cover layer (14). The sandwich panel is made by in situ foaming. In a first assembling step a core web, comprising at least one sheet of a thermoplastic material (12) containing an amount of a suitable physical blowing agent is positioned between two cover layers (14). The assembly of core web and cover layers is arranged between two press plates. Due to heat and pressure applied in a subsequent foaming step, foaming of the core web and effective bonding thereof to the cover layers is achieved. Subsequently the foamed assembly is allowed to cool down. Remaining physical blowing agent is removed during a subsequent drying step at elevated temperature while the outflow of physical blowing agent via the peripheral edges of the panel (10) is restricted, e.g. by taping (24) or clamping by clamps (16, 20).Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: FITS Holdiing B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Patent number: 8110133Abstract: A method for producing a composite construction element is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: a) providing a composite construction element, which comprises a thermoplastic core layer between two fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers; b) providing one or more interruptions in a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layer of the panel; c) positioning a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing layer over and/or near the interruption; d) deforming at least the edges situated along the interruption and, if desired, the thermoplastic reinforcing layer, preferably while simultaneously locally compacting the core layer, so that a thermoplastic construction element having a recess which is delimited by fiber-reinforced thermoplastic walls is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: FITS Holding B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Patent number: 7807093Abstract: A method for arranging a thermoplastic insert unit (2) in a thermoplastic sandwich product (1) having at least one planar or virtually planar section by the application of ultrasonic energy (6, 8). A thermoplastic sandwich product (1) comprises at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic covering layer (7) and a thermoplastic core which is not completely solid (8). Examples of thermoplastic sandwich products include: a flat plate, a slightly curved product, a folded product, etc. The production of a recess in the surface of the thermoplastic sandwich product, with the plastic insert unit being welded into the recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Fits Holding B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot
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Sandwich Structure with a High Load-Bearing Capacity, as well as Methods for the Manufacture Thereof
Publication number: 20090297758Abstract: A sandwich structure based on a composite panel made of a thermoplastic core layer connected to at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer, in particular in-situ manufactured sandwich panels, comprises a thermoplastic core, which is arranged between two cover layers, in which the core is reinforced with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing ribs which extend between the cover layers. Preferred methods for the manufacture are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2007Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot -
Publication number: 20090115097Abstract: A method for producing a composite construction element comprises the steps of: a) providing a composite construction element, which comprises a thermoplastic core layer between two fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers; b) providing one or more interruptions in a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layer of the panel; c) positioning a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing layer over and/or near the interruption; d) deforming situated along the interruption and, if desired, the thermoplastic reinforcing layer, preferably while simultaneously locally compacting the core layer, so that a thermoplastic construction element having a recess which is delimited by fiber-reinforced thermoplastic walls is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: FITS HOLDING B.V.Inventor: Martin Theodoor de Groot