Tubular Core Patents (Class 156/187)
  • Publication number: 20030141011
    Abstract: A system for first heating a section of pipe and then wrapping a sheet of heat-shrinkable material around the pipe to cover the section, the heat-shrinkable material having an outer polyethylene side and an inner mastic side which goes against the pipe, the mastic side forming a mechanical bond to the pipe when heated and having a lower melt temperature than the shrink temperature of the material, comprising arranging a plurality of induction coil assemblies in spaced relation around the pipe section, the induction coil assemblies having relatively arcuate induction coils therein, mounting the coils on a rotation fixture to form an arcuate surface adjacent to and parallel with the surface of the pipe, locating a heater assembly on the rotatable fixture between a pair of induction coil assemblies, rotating the rotatable fixture around the pipe section to heat the pipe section to the melt temperature of the mastic, wrapping a sheet of heat-shrinkable material around the pipe to form a sleeve with overlapping en
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Damian Daykin, Terence Cottrell, Adrian Kelly
  • Patent number: 6592698
    Abstract: A method of forming sheet rolls made of a heat transfer recording sheet having a transfer ink layer on a surface of a base by winding the recording sheet around the outer peripheries of a plurality of cores. The method includes supplying a web heat transfer recording sheet, cutting a portion thereof corresponding to a region between two adjacent sheet rolls to form cut ends, placing a non-adhesive waste sheet and a pair of adhesive tapes attached to the waste sheet ends between the transfer recording sheet, the tapes having an adhesive portion, an outside-exposed portion, and a portion attached to a cut end of the recording sheet, winding the sheet around a core outer periphery, positioning the waste sheet between winding apparatus and a discharging portion, and cutting the waste sheet so positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikimi Semba
  • Patent number: 6586110
    Abstract: Contoured metal-containing structural members and methods for making the same. The contoured structural members comprise metal-containing materials sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure. The contoured structure can be provided by tube rolling (or roll wrapping) the metal-containing materials and the support structure together and then, if necessary, bonding them or connecting them. With a contoured and generally non-flat structure, applications for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Francis Obeshaw
  • Patent number: 6554936
    Abstract: An elastomerized phenolic resin ablative insulation particularly suitable for use in connection with the thermal insulation of selected components of rocket motors. A composition for making the elastomerized ablative insulation is disclosed. Furthermore, an associated method of forming calendered sheets of material formed of the composition is disclosed. The preferred ingredients of the disclosed composition include acrylonitryle butadiene rubber, zinc borate, and phenol formaldehyde resin which can be cured and bonded to structures such as domes of open-ended rocket motors and other rocket motor components. The subject elastomerized ablative insulation is well suited for use independently or in connection with other insulative materials to form a thermal barrier which is highly resistant to the heat and the erosive nature associated with the combustion of propellant fuels, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Metcalf, William E. White
  • Patent number: 6544367
    Abstract: A tape delivery end-effector apparatus is, in an exemplary embodiment, a multiple-channel system for applying materials in tape form to a tooling mandrel. The end-effector apparatus is mounted on a multi-axis fiber placement machine and uses the machine's computer controlled guidance system. A preset constant tension is independently applied to each tape unspooled from spool holders by a separate servo motor, servo amplifier and feedback transducer for each spool holder. The transducer continuously measures the tape spool diameter. Two sets of rollers guide the tapes to the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Fujimoto, Lloyd G. Miller
  • Patent number: 6543487
    Abstract: A wrapped and curing substrate is secured: with a strap. The strap has two clips, each having a prong. The prong of a first clip is slid in a first direction into a first portion of the wrapped substrate. A second clip is pulled away from the first clip over a substrate edge, and the prong of the second clip is slid into a second portion of the wrapped substrate in a direction opposite the first direction. In one embodiment, the first portion of the wrapped substrate is an overlapping layer of substrate, and the second portion of the wrapped substrate is the layer of substrate extending from underneath the overlapping substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Air Logistics Corporation
    Inventor: Steve R. Bazinet
  • Patent number: 6539999
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a paint roller are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a first core material strip feeder, a second core material strip feeder, a fabric cover strip feeder, a first heater, a second heater, a first liquid adhesive applicator and a second liquid adhesive applicator. The first core material strip feeder feeds a first strip of core material about the mandrel. The second core material strip feeder feeds a second strip of core material about the mandrel. The fabric cover strip feeder feeds a strip of fabric cover material about the mandrel and about at least one of the first and second strips of core material. The first and second heaters are actuatable between a first active state in which the first and second heaters apply heat to an outer surface of the first and second strips of core material, respectively, and an inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Bruce C. Polzin, Lawrence J. Bower, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6536480
    Abstract: High-pressure pipe element made of a hooped tube for making lines referred to as kill lines and choke lines that equip oil production installations, notably offshore. The high-pressure pipe element is an assembly consisting of two connections (3) and (4) respectively welded to the two ends of a metallic tube (1). The metallic assembly is hooped. Hooping (2) covering tube (1) comprises a sufficient number of hooping layers to withstand a determined internal pressure. Transition zones (5) and (7) in the vicinity of the welds comprise additional hooping layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, E.A.D.S. Composites Aquitaine
    Inventors: Jean Guesnon, Christian Gaillard, Pierre Schaeffner, Christophe Blois
  • Patent number: 6514369
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for producing a covered roll having a reinforcement fiber mat under layer infused with low viscosity thermoset resin and a smooth high temperature, high performance polymeric outer layer. The mat is formed of a plurality of layers, each layer having a leading edge that abuts a following edge when wrapped over the roll core, each subsequent layer being affixed to the previous layer along a seam, the seams being spaced apart angularly from one another to prevent irregularities over the surface of the resulting roll core. One or more layers of the dry reinforcement fiber mat may be formed of a two-ply construction, the first ply having fibers arranged in a random pattern, the second ply having aligned fibers oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the roll core central axis. The invention also includes an improved mold tape assembly for use in applying a polymeric cover over a roll core and an inventive apparatus for fabricating the mold tape assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Yang T. Shieh
  • Publication number: 20030019874
    Abstract: Pressure vessel end dome reinforcements are placed upon resin impregnated fiber wound pressure vessels to improve the strength to weight ratio of high performance pressure vessels, such as those that are used as rocket motors, gas generators, and the like. The reinforcement structures are assembled from gore pieces to form gore bodies over dome regions of the pressure vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Roger D. Wright, Marcus A. Darais, James A. Yorgason, Alan J. Loveless, Darrel G. Turner, David R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20030015280
    Abstract: A Field-Replaceable Composite Roll system (FRCR) consists of a complex composite cover and a unique mechanical mounting system, configured to allow the retrofit of existing silicone sleeved rolls, as well as manufacture new rolls, at substantially lower costs. The system of the present invention can be used for retrofitting existing dead-shaft or live-shaft rolls previously manufactured to use silicone sleeves, as well as fabricating new rolls in conjunction with the patented WINERTIA® brand tubing or conventional thin-walled tubing. The exemplary embodiment of the composite cover is fabricated of a filament wound tube bound together via a resin or the like having dielectric properties, the tube forming inner and outer walls, the inner wall coated with a conductive layer for receiving and conducting an electric current, the outer wall coated with a wear resistant layer (illustrated as ceramic coating), followed by a sealant layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Truong Pham
  • Publication number: 20030013565
    Abstract: An arrow shaft composed of a non-elastic fiber and a low elastic fiber and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of spreading an elastic sheet such as pre-impregnated or prepreged carbon or glass fiber, adhering a non-elastic or low elastic fiber, preferably a prepreged pre-impregnated natural, synthetic, or glass fiber onto the elastic sheet, winding them onto a mandrel, and carrying out tapping, heat treating/cooling, releasing, and polishing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jumsik Song
  • Publication number: 20030010426
    Abstract: An improved method of structurally upgrading existing steel monopole or lattice tower structures insitu consists of bonding fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials to the existing steel member or component surfaces. A structural adhesive is used to bond the composite material directly to steel and transfers the load between the two materials in shear. Steel includes galvanized steel, steel alloy, cortan steel and other painted or unpainted structural steel. Tower includes a monopole tower or a utility or transmission tower made of plate steel or a lattice of structural members or components. The result is a synthesized tower structure that is stronger and stiffer than the original steel tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: James D. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20030005998
    Abstract: A pair of rollers (2), constituting the seat and the traction means for the formwork (3) to be reinforced, are established on a bench (1). A pair of upper pressure rollers (12) act, at the same time, on the formwork. On the same bench (1) there are also placed, laterally with respect to the formwork (3), a pair of longitudinal guides (15) for the movement, in parallel to the formwork (3) of a carriage (14) wearing the fiberglass mesh delivering reel (13), said reel (13) being furthermore mounted on the carriage (14) with the possibility to rotate around the vertical axis, in order to vary the orientation of the fiberglass mesh with respect to the formwork (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Valero Salinas
  • Publication number: 20020189749
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a covered roll having a multi-layered construction. A first embodiment includes a plurality of steps. The first step is to provide a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length therebetween, and an outer surface. Next, a dry fiber mat layer is tightly wrapped over the roll core outer surface. A fabric, in the form of a strip, is impregnated with a thermoset resin such as epoxy or urethane. The roll core is then rotated and the thermoset resin impregnated fabric strip is helically wound over the tightly wrapped dry fiber mat layer. Tension is maintained while winding the thermoset resin impregnated fabric strip to form a fabric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Advanced Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Yang T. Shieh
  • Publication number: 20020187345
    Abstract: A composite yarn formed of a core yarn and a cover yarn, wherein one of the core yarn and the cover yarn is a fluid-soluble strand and the other of the core yarn and cover yarn is a non-fluid-soluble strand. The composite yarn can be knitted into an intermediate fabric product. The soluble element is dissolved to leave a use fabric suitable for other processing, such as coating with materials such as latex. the non-fluid-soluble strand may be either a single strand or multi-filaments of steel wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory V. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20020170649
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying adhesive in a web converting machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, an adhesive application assembly is used to seal the tail of a rolled product against the rolled product. After being positioned in a location upon a roller, the rolled product is rotated and a sensor detects the location of the tail end, thereby establishing a reference for determining tail length in later operations. When the tail reaches a desired position, the adhesive application assembly applies adhesive to the tail and/or rolled product. In some embodiments, the adhesive assembly includes one or more adhesive sprayers with aperture members, and is self-cleaning. After the adhesive has been applied, the tail is wound upon the rolled product. In some embodiments, an adhesive application assembly is employed to apply adhesive to a core about which sheet material is to be wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Tad T. Butterworth, John W. LaChapelle
  • Publication number: 20020166621
    Abstract: A wire bead build-up wheel assembly for a single-wire bead-building process has a disk member with a peripheral groove for the bead wire, and an open core, and a hub that has a head and a threaded shaft. There are thrust bearings between the main disk member and the head of the hub, and between the main disk member and a second annular disk member. An axial sleeve bearing may be positioned over the hub shaft. A suitable retainer keeps the build-up wheel assembly together. The thrust bearings may have radially disposed bearing pins. An associated wire guide chute is formed of a pair of side plates mounted to a base or block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Rodney C. Marsden
  • Publication number: 20020168491
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a hollow fiber membrane contractor comprising the steps of: winding a hollow fiber fabric around a center tube, potting the fabric and the tube together, forming thereby a unitized structure, placing the structure into a shell, potting the structure and the shell together, and forming thereby a cartridge. The invention, also, includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor comprising a unitized structure. The structure includes a center tube, a hollow fiber fabric wound around the tube and a first potting material joining together the fabric and the tube. A second potting material joins together the structure and the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Charles J. Runkle, Amitava Sengupta, Tony R. Vido
  • Publication number: 20020160138
    Abstract: An undercritical drive shaft and a method of producing the undercritical drive shaft from fiber composite material is disclosed. The drive shaft, which is produced of fiber composite material and is to be used as an undercritically operating shaft, has a high damage tolerance with respect to resistance to torsion and the manufacturing process requires lower expenditures. For the drive shaft, the fiber composite material consists of several successively individually wound-up webs of prepreg. For the method of producing the drive shaft from fiber composite material, as the fiber material, the web-shaped prepreg is wound onto the winding spindle and this prepreg is deaerated and simultaneously compressed by the winding-on of a thermoplastic woven band which is prestressed in a defined manner. The thermoplastic woven band is unwound again and additional prepreg layers are then wound up which are then deaerated and compressed in the same manner by a thermoplastic woven band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Anton Bergmann, Marinus Sedlmeier
  • Publication number: 20020155232
    Abstract: Two problems face fabricators of pressure tanks for space flight use. First, helium is the most common pressurant gas for launch vehicles, yet composite tanks, and liners used in other tanks carrying helium perform poorly. Pressure tanks fabricated using steel, aluminum, and copper are too heavy for space flight use. Second, cost is a considerable factor when tanks must be configured to fit in spaces of various sizes and shapes available for them. By the method herein pressure tanks having very low permeabilities for gases can be fabricated in various sizes and shapes. A mandrel is cut out of foamed plastic. It is then wrapped or overlayed with composite materials in three stages to form the pressure tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas K. DeLay
  • Publication number: 20020144768
    Abstract: In order to provide a process for the production of structural elements absorbing energy with defined characteristics, these elements being produced as shaped members from a matrix material and a reinforcing material embedded therein, with which an energy absorption of defined characteristics may be realized in a simple manner it is suggested that in different areas of the shaped member layers of the reinforcing material be arranged so as to extend in relation thereto in a defined manner and be arranged with a number differing in a defined manner, and that the reinforcing material for the entire shaped member be wound in a single winding procedure to form the shaped member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: CHRISTOF KINDERVATER
  • Publication number: 20020119269
    Abstract: Improved cylinders and processes for making. The cylinders include a polyurethane core having a sheet or mesh of fiber applied thereto. In one embodiment, a process requires application of a resin and glass flake. In another embodiment, a process is shown for using a resin-impregnated carbon fiber. In the later embodiment, a Mylar® sheet is wrapped around the core, and they are heated. The Mylar® is subsequently removed and the core is further processed to provide a lightweight, but strong cylinder that can be used in engraving, etching, printing or the like. A conductive paint may be applied to the core-mesh combination to enhance electrolysis when the core is coated with a metal, such as copper or nickel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Karl Bardin, John D. Littlehale
  • Patent number: 6440245
    Abstract: Method for the implementation in situ of the three-layer coating with thermoplastic materials for the anticorrosive protection of welding joints of coated metal pipes, and/or of damaged coating areas, by wrapping up a ready-to use sheathing/band or tape, made of thermoplastic materials. The application of the sheathing/band or of the tape onto the joint is carried out mechanically by means of a suitable roll, e.g. in silicone rubber, said roll, carried by a suitable device placed on the pipe in the area to be coated, turning around the pipe wrapping and pressing with the desired pressure the sheathing/band/tape onto the pipe itself and ensuring a strong adherence to the support/pipe and the absence of air bubbles entrapped between the sheathing/tape and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Socotherm S.r.L.
    Inventors: Fernando Culzoni, Enrico Berti
  • Patent number: 6413343
    Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peet strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Brian S. Smith, Herbert Reyes, James M. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20020077234
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of a thermoplastic tubular structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stationary mandrel, a first and second feeder for feeding a first and a second strip to a mandrel at a first location and second location respectively, and a third feeder for feeding a cover strip to the mandrel at a third location, the third location being downstream of the second location. A transport system adapted to wind and advance the strips as they are being fed to the mandrel is used to helically wind the fed strips around the mandrel. A head for dispensing a width of a liquefied thermoplastic material is also disclosed. The head is oriented to dispense the width of the liquefied thermoplastic material on at least part of a winding of the first strip and part of a winding of the second strip. A cutter is used for cutting the thermoplastic tubular structure into predetermined sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Chandra Sekar
  • Publication number: 20020066521
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making reusable paint rollers comprised of a core formed of thermoplastic material. The core is formed by helically winding one or more strips of thermoplastic material about a stationary mandril. A layer of adhesive is then applied to the outer surface of the core whereupon a cover, applied as a strip of material or as blown on fibers, is bonded thereto. The core may also be formed by applying liquefied thermoplastic material to a driven belt which transfers the thermoplastic material to the mandril. The paint roller may also be made by bonding, in a single step, the fabric cover to the wound strip wrapped about the mandril. The cover is then pressed onto the core to form a tight and secure bond therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Chandra Sekar and Pinnacle Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandra Sekar
  • Publication number: 20020062924
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a passive integrated circuit. The integrated circuitry is fabricated in a single plane, the circuitry including passive components such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors. The method features the steps of forming on a substrate a first pattern of conductive material and a first set of passive component elements, and depositing a patterned dielectric layer onto the substrate. The first pattern of conductive material provides electrical connectivity to the first set of passive component elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: William F. Hartman, Kirk M. Slenes, Kristen J. Law
  • Patent number: 6394385
    Abstract: A tubular or ring-shaped core for winding pressure-sensitive tape has a paper board body and a release-coated outermost ply formed of a strip of polymer film having a release coating on its outer surface and a tacky adhesive layer on its inner surface. The strip is wound onto the core with one edge of the strip folded outwardly away from the core so as to expose the tacky adhesive layer on the folded edge. This folded edge is overlapped by the opposite edge of the strip, thereby placing the tacky adhesive layers on the two edges in contact with each other. A firm bond between the overlapping edges is achieved by the adhesive-to-adhesive contact. In a preferred embodiment, the overlapping edge of the strip overlaps slightly beyond the folded edge onto the unfolded outer surface of the strip. This unfolded portion is treated to promote adhesion of the overlapping edge thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rhodes, Krishnaraju Varadarajan, Richard K. Mims
  • Publication number: 20020053391
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Maurice R. Paquin
  • Patent number: 6374892
    Abstract: A sheet winding apparatus or a heat transfer recording sheet providing apparatus including the sheet winding apparatus, the sheet winding apparatus formed of a plurality of sheet winding devices arranged in multiple steps in a vertical direction. Each of the sheet winding devices includes (1) a plurality of holding/rotating devices, (2) a sticking apparatus for sticking adhesive around a number of outer peripheral portions of an unused roll shaft held by one of the holding/rotating devices, arranged in the direction of the unused roll shaft, and (3) a press roll that presses a sheet against an outer periphery of a roll shaft held by the holding/rotating device during the entire time that the sheet is wound around the roll shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikimi Semba
  • Patent number: 6372064
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the tail of a rolled product against the rolled product using a roller and one or more sensors to position the tail for accurate adhesive application upon the tail and/or the log. After being positioned in a location upon a roller, the rolled product is rotated between the roller and a conveyor assembly until a jet blows the unsealed tail against the roller. By further rotating the roller, a sensor detects the location of the tail end, thereby establishing a reference (along with measured roller and conveyor assembly movements) for determining tail length in later operations. Next, the roller is reversed to pass the tail around the roller and preferably to a tail support adjacent to the roller. When the tail reaches a desired position along the tail support, an applicator sensor sends a signal to an adhesive assembly which applies adhesive to the tail and/or to the rolled product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tad T. Butterworth, John W. LaChapelle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6361637
    Abstract: A stent-graft including a stent member having an inner surface and an outer surface, a generally tubular graft member and a coupling member that couples the stent member to the graft member. The coupling member, which is the preferred embodiment is in the form of a ribbon, covers only a portion of the inner or outer surface of the stent member and secures the stent member and graft member to one another. Alternatively, the coupling member can be to described as interconnecting less than entirely the inner or outer surface of the graft member to the stent member. With this construction, regions of the stent member do not interfere with the coupling member. Shear stresses between the stent member and the coupling member and the risk of tearing the graft or coupling member or delamination therebetween may be reduced as compared to a fully enveloped stent member. This construction also provides improved flexibility and kink resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Ray Martin, Lilip Lau, Scott N. Stonebrook, Sharon Lam, Troy Thornton
  • Patent number: 6350336
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Maurice R. Paquin
  • Patent number: 6344100
    Abstract: A method of resurfacing a traction roll to provide a friction surface to replace a worn surface. A supply reel of metal strip material is continuously unwound from a supply reel and rewound on a take-up reel. Between the reels, the unwound strip passes through a treating station at which a surface of the strip is prepared for coating and is then coated by one or two sprays of various types of thermal spray equipment as the applicator, with a polymer coating sometimes applied as a top coating. The take-up reel with the coated strip is then transported to a facility where the traction roll is located. The traction roll is then prepared for winding of the strip thereonto. The strip is wound helically onto the traction roll and secured thereto by doublesided adhesive tape disposed between and attached to the roll surface and the metal strip. In a modification, the strip is fed through the treating location in contact with an arcuate surface of a mandrel to impart curvature to the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Hipskind
  • Publication number: 20020006523
    Abstract: Contoured structural members containing vibration damping mechanisms and methods for making the same. The contoured structural members comprise composite or metal materials sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure. The contoured structure can be provided by tube rolling (or roll wrapping) the composite or metal materials and the support structure together and then, if necessary, bonding them or connecting them. With a contoured and generally non-flat structure, applications for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless. As well, by incorporating a vibration damping mechanism, the structural impact of oscillations caused by varying mechanical loads is diminished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Dale Francis Obeshaw
  • Patent number: 6336983
    Abstract: Reinforcing bands of high tensile strength filaments in a cured resin matrix are in the shape of a coil having a plurality of elastic convolutions for reinforcing a weakened pipe. Areas of depressions on the exterior surface of the pipe are filled with a load transfer filler material and the bands are coiled around the pipe with adhesive holding an innermost convolution of the coil to the pipe and subsequent convolutions of the coil to adjacent convolutions. A plurality of the bands are placed in abutment with one another to cover the entire weakened area of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Norman C. Fawley
  • Publication number: 20010050135
    Abstract: The invention is a method or a device for wrapping the rubber strip around the forming drum while extruding an unvulcanized rubber strip from an injection device, wherein the rubber strip is pressed by a guide roll against the forming drum under tension, as well as a space for absorbing variations in an amount of extrusion of the rubber strip is formed between the guide roll and an extrusion outlet of the injection device, the forming drum is rotated in synchronism with extrusion of the rubber strip so that the guide roll is driven, and the rubber strip guided by the guide roll is wrapped around the forming drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Takaoka
  • Publication number: 20010035252
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wall thickness program onto an elastomeric tubular component, such as an expandable bladder and/or cover element, for incorporation into a packing device for use in a subterranean well includes steps of contouring upon a surface a diametrical configuration defining a wall thickness program for the tubular component. The diametrical configuration is transferred from the surface onto at least one of the walls of the tubular component as a wall thickness program whereby the transfer diametrical configuration conforms substantially as a mirror image of the program on the contoured surface. An elongated mandrel may be provided as the surface onto which the diametrical configuration of the wall thickness program is contoured, such as by machining. Thereafter, the elastomeric tubular component may be prepared on the mandrel, such as by wrapping elastomeric ribbon in layers therearound as the mandrel is manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: JAMES V. CARISELLA
  • Patent number: 6276401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing metal or non-metal vessels, including straight and curved pipes and various pipe connections, such as T's, elbows, swages, etc., and pressure containing vessels such as tanks, with an external composite lining of a webbing of biaxial or triaxial weave preferably composed of fiberglass which is pre-impregnated with a high temperature heat curable polymer composition capable of being heat cured at a temperature range of from about 275° F. to about 375° F. The vessel is prepared for bonding by abrasive cleaning and by solvent cleaning. Metal imperfections are then filled with an epoxy. A small amount a quick setting epoxy is employed to attach one end of the web to the external surface of the vessel in oriented position for wrapping of the web in intimate surface-to-surface contact with the vessel. During wrapping only enough tension is applied to the pre-impregnated webbing to eliminate any wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Fred D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6269859
    Abstract: A sheet roll forming system for forming sheet rolls by winding a heat transfer recording sheet around an outer periphery of a plurality of cores including a core supplying apparatus and a sheet roll discharge apparatus. The core supplying apparatus includes a cantilever shaft supporting the cores, a tray below the shaft and movable up and down in a direction of the shaft, and core stoppers on the tray where the shaft is an air shaft that can increase in diameter when air is supplied from a charge and exhaust apparatus. The sheet roll discharge apparatus includes the shaft supporting rolls of the recording sheet on the cores, a tray below the shaft, and a stopper on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikimi Semba
  • Patent number: 6254710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making reusable paint. rollers comprised of a core formed from thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is formed into a core about a stationary mandril. An adhesive is then applied to the core whereupon a cover is bonded thereto. In a first embodiment the core is formed by winding a plurality of thermoplastic strips about the mandril. In a second embodiment the core is formed by applying liquefied thermoplastic material to a driven belt which transfers the thermoplastic material to the mandril.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Chandra Sekar, Newell Co.
    Inventor: Chandr Sekar
  • Patent number: 6253818
    Abstract: The invention refers to a process for changing reels at paper machines, particularly tissue machines. It is mainly characterized by adhesive being applied to an empty reel over almost the entire web width, the core shaft being placed thus prepared on the moving paper web, the paper web being detached across its entire width from the reel currently in use, then secured immediately to the empty core shaft as the paper continues to be wound on the reel. In addition, the invention refers to a device for implementing the process, where an adhesive application device is provided, which is installed on a movable mounting on a winding device at least above the paper web area, at right angles to the web running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Ernst Preinknoll
  • Patent number: 6245178
    Abstract: An automated process and apparatus for installation of a handgrip on a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The handgrip is installed on the golf club shaft in a dry state. The present invention does not utilize solvents, lubricants or the like for the installation of the handgrip onto the golf club shaft. The apparatus has a taping mechanism for automatically wrapping a double-sided tape onto the butt end of the golf club shaft. The apparatus also has a gripping mechanism for preparing a grip for automated installation on a shaft while in a dry state. The apparatus also has a shaft shuttle mechanism for transferring the golf club shaft from the taping mechanism to the gripping mechanism. The gripping mechanism has means for expanding the handgrip prior to placement on the butt end of the golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Konrad Lenhof, Jerry V. Blanke
  • Patent number: 6238506
    Abstract: To provide a steering wheel which is lightweight, and which has adequate strength and shock resistance, a carbon fiber prepreg 13 is wound on a mandrel 11 or a lightweight foam core 40 so as to obtain a preformer 14. By heating this preformer 14 in a mold 18, a steering wheel is obtained wherein the rim is formed from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin joined to a metal skeleton 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Toho Rayon Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Satoh, Masanobu Wakita, Tohru Kaneko, Naoki Oe, Tsutomu Muraoka, Keizoh Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6209353
    Abstract: A known method for producing an object having a flanged tubular portion at the outer periphery, comprises supplying a continuously extended, cylindrical body made of the flange material to a welding zone at the tubular portion of the object and welding the flange material to the welding zone by heating and winding the cylindrical body around the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Matsuya, Yoshiaki Ise, Shoji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6206994
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a roll core with a polymeric material, preferably a high performance thermoplastic material, is disclosed. The method includes first providing a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length, and an outer surface. A spacer assembly is attached proximate one end of the roll core, the spacer assembly having a circumference greater than that of the roll core. After preheating to a desired temperature, the roll core is then placed within an apparatus in a substantially vertical orientation and held therein by suitable fixtures, e.g., opposed universal chucks. A length of mold tape is helically wound over the length of the roll core in a spaced-apart relationship therewith to define an application zone between the mold tape and the roll core outer surface. A filament formed of the polymeric material is extruded within the application zone and helically wound over the roll core outer surface so that the roll core is covered with the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Yang T. Shieh, Jose J. A. Rodal, Erik Vaaler
  • Patent number: 6203648
    Abstract: The invention consists of bonding a strip of pile fabric to a plastic tube which is mounted over a mandrel, by an adhesive substance. The adhesive substance may take many forms, and heat derived from a multitude of heat sources, such as infra red, radio frequency, open flame, quartz, induction, ultrasonic or a plasma jet may be used to ensure a good bond between the plastic tube and the pile fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: William W. Barton, Bruce C. Polzin, Kenneth L. Shehow, Jaime Alvarez Garcia
  • Patent number: 6203647
    Abstract: A method for producing a wound insulating conduit, in particular for a high-voltage insulator, with at least one empty channel for subsequent insertion of a conductor, e.g., an optical fiber. First layers of a material to be wound are applied first, then a molded body provided with at least one empty conduit is applied to a resulting surface and wrapped by additional layers. The molded body has lateral projections which extend over an entire length of the empty conduit and are designed so that they correspond to the surface to which it is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schuler, Dieter Lorenz, Walter Gross, Stefan Hain, Hans-Henning Lessmann-Mieske, Hans Schmuck, Karl Stenzel
  • Patent number: RE37242
    Abstract: A frame, a drive mechanism for rotating a mandrel, at least two spindles mounted to the frame, a tensioner, and a belt extending between the first and second spindles may be used to roll pre-preg strips or similar sheets of composite materials around the mandrel. The belt over the spindles, and the spindles guide the belt through changes in its direction of travel. The mandrel is mounted in the drive mechanism in contact with the belt, which changes its direction of travel around the mandrel. The lower surface of the belt bears against portions of the spindles, and the mandrel contacts the upper surface of the belt. As the drive mechanism rotates the mandrel, pre-preg sheets are fed between the mandrel and the belt and are thereby wrapped around the mandrel. The belt presses the pre-preg sheets against the mandrel. The wrapped mandrel may then be removed from the apparatus and cured in any suitable manner known in the art to produce a composite tubular article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Revolution Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Hadzicki, James E. Hadzicki, Joseph R. Hadzicki, Dale F. Thompson, Milton G. Evangelou, Jr.