Patents by Inventor MaryLou Smith LeCoz

MaryLou Smith LeCoz 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).

  • Double-cast slush molding method and apparatus
    Publication number: 20040170788
    Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: John MacDonald, Michael Conroy, MaryLou Smith LeCoz, Marvin Nelson
  • Double-cast slush molding method
    Patent number: 6709619
    Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company Inc.
    Inventors: John MacDonald, Michael Conroy, MaryLou Smith LeCoz, Marvin Nelson
  • Double-cast slush molding method and apparatus
    Publication number: 20030109601
    Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: John MacDonald, Michael Conroy, MaryLou Smith LeCoz, Marvin Nelson
  • Double-cast slush molding method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6409493
    Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John MacDonald, Michael Conroy, MaryLou Smith LeCoz, Marvin Nelson