Encasing Or Enveloping The Configured Lamina Patents (Class 156/213)
  • Patent number: 5674593
    Abstract: This invention provides a structural laminate which includes thin outer layers of cellulose polymer material sandwiched about a corrugated cardboard core, where flutes of the corrugated extend perpendicularly between the outer layers of cellulose polymer material. More specifically, the outer layers of the composite are relatively thin sheets of a delignified cellulose polymer material, and the core comprises conventional corrugated cardboard with at least some, and preferably all of the flutes oriented on edge, i.e., extending perpendicularly between the outer layers. A related method comprises the steps of:a) forming a stack of corrugated cardboard sheets to a predetermined height, the sheets adhesively secured, one to the other;b) cutting a plurality of strips of predetermined width from the stack;c) turning one or more of the strips 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Anderson & Middleton Company
    Inventor: Gary L. Earl
  • Patent number: 5667620
    Abstract: A structural member formed from a billet, each member comprising a plurality of corrugated paperboard sheets bonded together with an adhesive and disposed between a core fibre layer, each core fibre layer comprising at least one ply of a fibreboard sheet, a pair of caps of a solid fibreboard sheet bonded to respective side faces of the paperboard sheet and to the respective edges of the core fibre layers. A method of manufacture is disclosed in which the billet is built up of corrugated paperboard sheets. The billet is then ripped into planks for use as a plank, board, or cleat, particularly as components for corrugated paperboard containers. A pallet made of planks and a pallet made of planar sheets cut from the billet are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: North American Container Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Grigsby, Jeffrey C. Banks, John M. Grigsby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5651849
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a ribbon-like coating structure to the outer surface of a tire bead core. A bead core (2) is coaxially placed around a support drum (6) carrying an inflatable air bag (7) disposed in a deflated condition. Clasping sectors (14) circumferentially distributed in the drum are radially moved close to the inner surface of the bead core (2) to make a central portion of a ribbon-like coating structure (3) arranged about the inflatable air bag (7), adhere against the bead core itself. The air bag is inflated so as to form, on opposite axial sides relative to the bead core (2), two lobes (17, 18) each of them being enclosed between the outer surface of the drum (6) and a respective annular opposition bell (19, 20) coaxially encircling the drum. By axially moving the opposition bells (19, 20), a first and a second side flap of the coating structure (3) are applied to respective surfaces of the bead core (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Pirelli Coordinamento Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Augusto Pizzorno
  • Patent number: 5645670
    Abstract: A fiberglass or other material skin is applied to a composite airfoil structure in a mold assembly having a partially compliant caul plate component which defines the shape of the lower surface of the airfoil. The caul plate component includes a first portion which is essentially rigid and which covers the leading edge of the airfoil. The rigid portion of the caul plate component provides improved conformation of the airfoil skin to the leading edge of the airfoil. The caul plate component also includes a compliant portion which covers and defines the shape of the trailing edge of the lower surface of the airfoil. The stiffness of the caul plate component also has a variable stiffness zone which interconnects the rigid and compliant portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
    Inventors: William C. Reinfelder, David A. Kovalsky, Corey D. Jones
  • Patent number: 5620540
    Abstract: In the method and the machine for manufacturing a bundle (33) of thread-like elements such as tubes or electric cables of finite length and including at least one junction point for a branch, and in which the elements of the bundle are covered by a tape (31) of thermofusible insulating material wrapped transversely about the bundle with the longitudinal edges (31a, 31b) of the tape being united by welding, two rows each comprising a plurality of wheels (9 to 14) for driving the bundle (33) and the tape (31) are provided, the wheels pressing against the tape, a V-shape being previously imparted to the tape by a guide situated upstream from the wheels, said rows of wheels defining between them a through path (18) for the bundle, the path being upwardly open and passing successively beneath a first horizontal guide (23) for folding down one of the sides of the V-shape against the bundle, beneath a nozzle (36) for blowing hot air into the angle formed between the folded-down side (31a) and the non-folded-down sid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Plasto SA
    Inventors: Henri Bigot, Michel Caure
  • Patent number: 5609709
    Abstract: A bonding device and bonding process for a surface skin member of a vehicle interior component which can reliably fold back and secure a peripheral part of a surface skin member onto the reverse surface of a core member without involving any positional deviation between the core member and the surface skin member even when the width of the peripheral part is small. A block of elastic material is used for a lower die for mounting a surface skin member in a bonding station, and slide bars are arranged around the lower die in a peripheral part folding back station disposed adjacent to the bonding station for provisionally shaping the peripheral part of the surface skin member. Further, vertically moveable bars are arranged around an upper die for mounting the core member thereon for pressing the peripheral part of the surface skin member which has been provisionally shaped against the reverse surface of the core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Doumae, Hisashi Yamada, Fumihiko Saito
  • Patent number: 5603800
    Abstract: A lampshade is manufactured from heat deformable sheet material by forming a blank of the sheet material, in the shape of a sector of an annulus, into a hollow truncated cone having upper and lower peripheral edges. The overlapping edges of the blank are welded or bonded together and the blank supported by an apparatus which engages the interior of the conical blank, which apparatus includes an upper former for engagement with the interior surface of the blank adjacent the upper edge thereof and a lower support, releasably supporting a stiffening ring around its periphery, for example magnetically, so that upper marginal edge portion of the blank projects beyond the upper former and so that the lower marginal edge portion of the blank projects beyond the stiffening ring supported by the lower support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Welwyn Lighting Designs Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Wheatley, Andrew C. Diamond
  • Patent number: 5584951
    Abstract: A disposable pallet made up of paperboard or like material. The components of the pallet include a plurality of base members and a plurality of cross beams which are interlocked in a skeletal-type structure having novel intersections at their cross over locations. A new pallet component and a method for making the pallet are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: William W. MacFarland
  • Patent number: 5575871
    Abstract: The heat insulator of this invention comprises a thermoformed open cell rigid polyurethane foam core enclosed in a gas barrier material and evacuated. The method of this invention comprises heating an open cell rigid polyurethane foam at a temperature not lower than the temperature at which its storage modulus of elasticity begins to decrease and enclosing the thus-thermoformed polyurethane foam in a gas barrier material and evacuating the interior of the enclosure. The heat insulator of the invention is highly heat-insulating and can be snugly applied to irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Ryoshi, Masanori Okamura
  • Patent number: 5558731
    Abstract: A method for fabricating plastic interior trim components having an insert with openings therein joined to a composite member including a shell and a foam layer, the method including die punching a hole through the shell and foam layer and die punching an edge extension on the shell to a predetermined parametric form; providing a press that is operable to compress a part therebetween and including a first platen and a second platen moveable between opened and closed positions with respect to one another; providing an insert having an opening; supporting the insert on one of said first and second platens and applying adhesive on a surface of the insert; loading the composite member on the other of said first and second platens so that the foam layer thereof is facing the adhesive sprayed insert inboard of the die cut edge extension; closing the press to compress the adhesive sprayed surface against the foam layer of the composite member for adhering the insert only to the foam layer without leakage of foam thr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B. Labrie, Claude E. Bemis, Robert J. Dadura
  • Patent number: 5545279
    Abstract: A method for making a mineral fiber insulation assembly is disclosed. The insulation assembly includes a mineral core having opposed major surfaces, opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces. polymer film covers only the opposed major surfaces and opposed side surfaces. One or multiple lanes of mineral fiber packs are moved along a predetermined path. At least one sheet of polymer film is supplied to the predetermined path to cover the major surfaces and side surfaces. The polymer film is attached to at least one of the core side surfaces and a plurality of openings are in the polymer film adjacent at least one side surface. The mineral fiber pack and the polymer film cover are cut perpendicular to the predetermined path to form individual ones of the mineral fiber insulation assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Herbert L. Hall, James W. Scott
  • Patent number: 5527587
    Abstract: A trim piece (10) includes a body shape (30) and mold edge (34). A fabric cover (28) covers the body (30). An indent (38) extends along the periphery of the trim piece (10) just below the mold edge (34). A movable die part (56) forces additional fabric (40) into the indent (38) during the mold process. The excess fabric (40) is in tension when the movable die part (56) is retracted but the excess fabric (40) relieves the tension between the indent (38) and the mold edge (34) eliminating the tendency of the fabric cloth (28) to pull back or creep back from the mold edge (34) or the resulting cut line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Top Source Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson Bahm
  • Patent number: 5527411
    Abstract: Improved insulating modular panels are manufactured to incorporate into each insulating modular panel at least one vacuum insulation panel. Vacuum insulation panels are conveyed seriatim toward a pultrusion die which ultimately produces the insulating modular panels as a continuous block. Joint spacings or gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels and sides of the vacuum panels are filled with foam or preformed filler material to form a substantially continuous inner core which has substantially continuous side edges. Reinforcement material is applied to the inner core. The reinforcement material can be impregnated with resin prior to its application to the inner core or resin may be injected into the pultrusion die. In either event, a continuous elongated block of insulating modular panels emerges from the pultrusion die. The continuous elongated block is severed at joint spacings or gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels to form insulating modular panels of desired sizes from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph B. Jutte
  • Patent number: 5456780
    Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Findlay Industries
    Inventors: Gerald A. Coon, Douglas A. Reinhart, Lawrence D. Ray
  • Patent number: 5453142
    Abstract: A composite structure such as a roller door comprises a plurality of rigid slats (1) arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart transversely in an array, the array of slats being sandwiched between upper (3) and lower (4) flexible sheets fixed together in the spaces (5) between adjacent slats to form flexible hinge portions. Preferably the structure is formed by advancing the array of slats (1), in the longitudinal direction of the slats through means which applies the upper and lower flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats and bonds the flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats, then passing the resulting assembly, still in the longitudinal direction of the slats, through apparatus which bears on the flexible sheets and deforms them, in the interstices between the slats, until the upper and lower sheets come together in said interstices and are bonded to each other where they come together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Andre Klein
  • Patent number: 5453144
    Abstract: In a process for manufacturing degradable cigarette filters wherein adhesive is applied to at least one longitudinal edge of the plug wrap paper, a bond is made while the adhesive is molten and the resultant bond is held in compression for sufficient time to prevent bond movement, the improvement which comprises, using as the adhesive, a water sensitive hot melt adhesive comprising 50 to 90 weight percent of a graft copolymer which copolymer comprises 40 to 85 weight percent of at least one vinyl monomer and 15 to 60 weight percent of at least one polyalkylene oxide polymer, 0 to 50 weight percent of a compatible tackifying resin, 5 to 40 weight percent of a polar wax, 0 to 3 weight percent antioxidant and 0 to 30 weight percent of another compatible water soluble or water sensitive thermoplastic polymer; characterized in that the resulting cigarette filter will open when exposed to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kauffman, Joseph Wieczorek, Jr., Stephen F. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 5449425
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a ski which includes a first preparation step of a solid core made of synthetic foam and a second assembly step of the core with the various component elements of the ski. The first step includes injecting or pouring in a mold having the final shape of the core to be obtained, the components of a hardenable and expandable foam and during which a solid adhesive film having good adhesive properties with the foam as well as with the elements adapted to enter into contact during the second assembly step, is located against the walls of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Renard, Jean-Marie Cazaillon, Yves Gagneux
  • Patent number: 5435865
    Abstract: A process for manufacture of an automotive trim piece having a polymeric skin fastened to substrate. The polymer, for example, polyvinyl chloride has the property that upon cooling to a relatively rigid state the polymer shrinks. The process includes a step of molding the polymeric skin separately from the substrate such that the skin has a rear face for abutment with an obverse face of the substrate and a pair of lips extending from ends of the rear face. The lips are configured for engaging corresponding edges of the substrate. The skin is cooled to a relatively elastic state, and the skin and substrate are assembled while the skin is in the relatively elastic state. On further cooling, shrinkage forces of the skin and the skin lips in abutment with the corresponding edges of the substrate produce a snug fit from edge to edge of the skin to the substrate and the skin becomes relatively rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Shueh-Mo Lee, Gerhard Hirmer, Earlby E. J. Wakefield
  • Patent number: 5425836
    Abstract: A die for pressingly bonding a foam padding to a covering member of assemblage of a vehicle seat, the foam padding being of a one-side-opened type having a hollow therein, which die includes an upper die comprising a main die portion and a movable die member connected hingedly thereto. The movability of such die member allows easy securement of the foam padding to the upper die, as the movable die member is easily inserted into the hollow of the padding, thereby allowing further insertion of the upper die on the whole into within the padding. When pressing the padding against the covering member by use of the upper die, the movable die member is moved within the padding to a position on the same horizontal line with the main die portion, giving a pressure evenly both padding and covering member for effective bonding of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Tachi-S, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Shimada, Hideki Kamata
  • Patent number: 5372667
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a seat by using adhesives in which an air permeable skin material and a cushioning pad are bonded to each other by means of reactive hot-melt adhesives, the method comprises a step of coating adhesives to the cushioning pad, a step of provisionally assembling the skin material to the cushioning pad from the side of the adhesive coating surface, a step of setting the provisionally assembled cushioning pad and skin material to an attaching die, a step of applying heating by a heating die to the skin material and the cushioning pad attached in the attaching die assembling step from the side of the skin material and a step of applying cooling under pressure by a cooling die from the surface of the skin material subsequent to the heating step. A seat comprising a skin material and a cushioning pad can be molded with a seat frame by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Tokyo Seat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Miyota, Shuichi Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 5346367
    Abstract: An advanced composite blade construction for a helicopter rotor blade using for the most part fiber reinforced plastic materials in which the major assembly of blade elements is a single step co-cure operation and in which an integral spar/skin carries centrifugal, flapwise and chordwise loads and also incorporates redundant means to carry torsional loads and a honeycomb core carries shear and aerodynamic pressures loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard J. Doolin, Eric G. Olsen, William C. Reinfelder, George Capowich
  • Patent number: 5324375
    Abstract: The present invention refers to that position in which an assembling position of the shoulder bladder is connected with the expansion part thereof and stress is accumulated, and the expansion of the bladder and the assembling part are all wrapped with core-rubber composition to form a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Kumho & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Sik Kim, Young-Rok Yoon, Seong-keun Kim
  • Patent number: 5314557
    Abstract: Means for unitizing objects, e.g., packages, through the use of a stretchable, detackifiable, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. In the preferred embodiment, the tape comprises a highly extensible, substantially non-recoverable backing bearing on at least one major surface thereof a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. This tape has the dual capability of (1) being capable of being firmly bonded to a substrate and (2) being detackified after being stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Schwartz, Karl W. Kreckel
  • Patent number: 5306372
    Abstract: Adhesive-coated wrapping paper is provided wherein one surface of the paper, to be positioned against a box or article to be wrapped, is provided with a continuous coating of adhesive, preferably at the time of manufacture, to facilitate the forming of a package by wrapping the paper around the box or article. The adhesive is preferably of the type having a relatively small amount of adhesion, such as the type commonly known as artist's adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventors: Nancy E. Hall, Robert C. Economos
  • Patent number: 5296079
    Abstract: A luggage case is provided with a removable protective covering for wrapping a first length of plastic sheeting from a dispenser (80) in one direction and a further length in a direction at 90 degrees to the first direction. The sheeting covering the case handle and wheels is cut away to enable manual use of the case. Apparatus for use in providing the protective covering includes a rotatable pedestal on which the case rests and clamping plate assembly vertically positionable to releasably secure the case to the pedestal during wrapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Ernesto S. Romo
  • Patent number: 5258083
    Abstract: An office space dividing panel, and method of assembling same, wherein first and second rectangular fabric pieces are applied to first and second major flat faces, respectively, of a rectangular frame. The rectangular frame has a perimetrical edge which defines first and second peripheral grooves. Outer edges of the first and second fabric pieces are firmly held in the first and second peripheral grooves by a pressure sensitive adhesive, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is applied to the grooves in a foamed, heated state. Each fabric piece is tensioned in the directions of the length and width of the fabric piece while the fabric is pressed into an adhesive coated peripheral groove, with sufficient pressure being applied during the pressing step to immediately set the adhesive and bond the fabric piece to the frame while retaining the applied tension in the fabric piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Duane M. Monk, John R. Pfaendtner, Ronald B. DeLong
  • Patent number: 5253401
    Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Findlay Industries
    Inventors: Gerald A. Coon, Douglas A. Reinhart, Lawrence D. Ray
  • Patent number: 5252161
    Abstract: A formed panel for a bag and method of manufacturing therefore is provided which allows the bag to maintain an original shape without deformation even though the bag may be acted on by external forces, and also allows the bag to appear soft from the outside thereof. The panel is formed from the impression of a fabric material onto a rigid plastic material. Also provided is a hard-sided, soft-gusseted luggage to protect the contents of the luggage without a totally rigid construction. A method of manufacturing is provided a hard panel for luggage which includes impressing a fabric sheet onto a plastic sheet to form a combined sheet and molding the combined sheet to the desired shape. In another embodiment, a formed panel is made from an outer fabric, a substrate and an inner fabric, all of which are separately formed and then adhered together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventors: S. J. Chang, Joseph J. Berman
  • Patent number: 5238513
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a vehicle seat assembly utilizing a stylized forming tool and bonding a seat cover to a foam seat bun having a predetermined surface contour. The seat cover is positioned exterior side down on the stylized forming tool. A film of air impermeable material is then placed over the seat cover and a vacuum is applied between the impermeable material and the forming tool so as to draw the seat cover down into substantial conformity with style lines on the upper surface of the forming tool. The impermeable material is then removed and an adhesive coated foam seat bun is positioned and compressed against the seat cover on the forming tool. Once the seat cover and the seat bun are bonded together by the adhesive, the seat assembly is removed from the forming tool. The outer edges of the seat covers are then fastened together or to the underside of the seat bun so as to complete the assembly of the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon R. Gill
  • Patent number: 5211788
    Abstract: A tennis ball comprising a hollow, spherical rubber ball (2) and a felt covering (4) attached to the rubber ball by an adhesive, characterized in that the felt covering is cut out from a felted fabric manufactured through steps of knitting a circular knitted high-pile fabric by laying blended slivers of wool fibers and nylon fibers in a circular knitted fabric in knitting the latter on a circular knitting machine so that the component fibers of the blended sliver extend as pile fibers on one surface of the base portion of the circular knitted high-pile fabric, needle-punching the circular knitted fabric so that each pile fiber is anchored at least at two parts thereof to the other surface of the base portion, and milling the needle-punched circular knitted high-pile fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Jae M. Song
  • Patent number: 5201981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a plastic film-protected external siding board in a molding press having an upper normally closed heating box open at its lower end, and a support system below the upper box which supports a board core with a plastic film disposed over it to project beyond its side and end edges. The upper box and film are brought into engagement to close the heating chamber with the film which is then billowed upwardly in the heating chamber to prevent it from sagging while heat is applied to raise the film to molding temperature. A differential pressure is then applied to the film to mold it to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Citadel Architectural Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5180460
    Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Findlay Industries
    Inventors: Gerald A. Coon, Douglas A. Reinhart, Lawrence D. Ray
  • Patent number: 5164254
    Abstract: A composite material is provided for use in a vacuum thermoforming process, which material is easily handled and presents an aesthetically pleasing fabric-like surface. The composite material comprises an outer layer of nonwoven fabric comprising thermoplastic fibers capable of elongation upon the application of heat and tensile force so as to be readily conformable to shaping in the vacuum thermoforming process. The composite material further comprises an inner layer of thermoplastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Chicopee
    Inventors: Melvin I. Todd, Peter M. Doioshuk, Frank J. Flesch
  • Patent number: 5158634
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle seat by bonding adhesively a trim cover assembly to a preformed foam cushion member. In the assemblage, a location board having a serrated part on its side is sewn to the trim cover assembly such that the serrated part projects from the reverse surface of cover assembly, and such assembly is turned over and placed on a lower die having a location groove which includes a vertically curved part. The location board is fitted and bent vertically along such location groove, which permits bonding of the cover assembly neatly over the uneven surface of cushion member, without slack and wrinkles, when pressing the cushion member against the cover assembly by means of an upper die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kasuya
  • Patent number: 5142842
    Abstract: A film/foil panel comprises a substrate such as a thermoformed film; a first film/foil combination; an insulating material; a second film/foil combination; a top web in sealing relationship to the substrate; the film/foil combinations substantially enclosing therebetween the insulating material; and the insulating material and enclosing film/foil combinations disposed between and enclosed by the substrate and top web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5129976
    Abstract: A method of adhering a decorative paper to a cubic structure such as a box. A double-face adhesive sheet is prepared to have an upper and lower release papers, and the lower release paper is entirely peeled off to adhere thereto a decorative paper. A cut is formed on the upper release paper to form a desired shape of non-adhesive portion and surrounding adhesive portion. The upper release sheet at the surrounding adhesive portion is peeled off and the cubic structure is positioned on the non-adhesive portions. Then, the adhesive portion is bent inside of the cubic structure and adhered to the interior of the cubic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sakura Hobby Craft Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yataro Horikiri
  • Patent number: 5123985
    Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer film vacuum bags are provided which readily conform to the surface contour of the workpiece at low pressures without failure. The thermoplastic elastomer film can be made into thin films which are able to withstand higher pressures and temperatures than the prior art nylon films. The films can also withstand the presence of epoxide and phenolic resins during pressure and cure without degradation. Preferred thermoplastic elastomers are block copolymers such as Hytrel. The films are pliable and can be used with minimal or no pleating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventors: Patricia Evans, David Evans
  • Patent number: 5116686
    Abstract: Method for forming a laminate and a product formed therefrom. A thin layer of oil is applied to a facing surface of at least one of a plurality of adjacent sheets and a wax is applied along the longitudinal edges of a facing surface of at least one of the sheets. The sheets are combined into a laminate by being passed between a pair of rollers which apply sufficient pressure to remove excess oil from between the facing surfaces and to spread the wax thereby forming a continuous seal along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. Air between the facing surfaces is displaced by the oil and the wax forms the seal to prevent reentry of the air and seepage of the oil along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. The laminate is tightly held together to permit handling or fabrication without delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Schoen
  • Patent number: 5112663
    Abstract: A method of making a composite structure, such as an aircraft wing, which has a foam core and at least one outer layer of fiber reinforced resin material. A shaped foam core is prepared by compressing a rigid, closed-cell foam to the desired shape in a closed mold under heat and pressure. A sheet of flexible open-cell foam is impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A sheet of dry fiber reinforcement material is placed on one or both sides of the impregnated foam sheet. The resulting sandwich is wrapped around the foam core and the assembly is placed in a corresponding tool cavity. The tool is heated to the curing temperature of the impregnating resin. As the temperature rises, the foam core expands, exerting pressure on the impregnated foam sheet, forcing resin into the fiber reinforcement, wetting all the fibers and forcing air out of the material. As the resin cures, void-free, strong skins are formed integral with the core foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation, Convair Division
    Inventors: Paul W. Morenz, Charles E. Knox
  • Patent number: 5098498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating a porous article in plastic film without employing supporting molds. The article is deposited onto a lower web and an upper web is moved into overlying position. The edges of the webs are gripped by moving teeth to move the webs and the article in unison. The webs are then pinched together adjacent the article to form an enclosed volume. The film is heated to its fusing temperature and the enclosed volume is evacuated through a tube inserted through the lower web and into the article. The tube is removed and the fused webs are trimmed adjacent the edges of the article, resulting in an encapsulated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Manville Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Hale, James W. Sherman, Daniel J. Batdorf
  • Patent number: 5091027
    Abstract: A hard roll is produced by a process utilizing the steps of winding a fiber material impregnated with a thermosetting resin around the outer peripheral surface of a metal roll core to form a fiber-reinforced lower winding layer, then injecting a thermosetting synthetic resin material into a mold of predetermined size and curing the material at a specified temperature to form an outer layer hollow cylinder separately from the first step. The next stepsave fitting the outer layer cylinder around the roll core covered with the winding layer, and injecting an adhesive of low viscosity into an annular clearance between the winding layer and the cylinder and then curing the adhesive at a specified temperature to bond the winding layer to the cylinder with the layer of adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Yamauchi Corporation
    Inventor: Atsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5089072
    Abstract: A catalytic converter block is wrapped in a loose laminate of plastics material and a mat fibrous material, the plastics material being secured to the block at one end and continuing beyond the mat of fibrous material to cover same completely. The plastics material is secured under tension so as to compress the fibrous material to facilitate fitting in a casing for the converter block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Fibre Techniques Limited
    Inventor: John E. Carson
  • Patent number: 5080742
    Abstract: An improvement in a process for manufacture of an article comprising a core body covered with an embossed flexible plastic sheet employing an apparatus which comprises a male mold having a protruded portion and a female mold comprising a vacuum chamber and a depressed portion arranged thereon is disclosed. The apparatus is characteristic in that an embossed porous bottom surface is provided in the depressed portion and passages of pressurized gas are arranged on the wall of the depressed portion. An edge or rim of a reverse surface of the core body is neatly covered with an embossed plastic sheet by means fo the passage of pressurized gas attached to the female mold in the process of the manufacture of the covered article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Tama Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5073429
    Abstract: A panel formed as a laminate with a decorative fabric at the exposed face includes a pair of foamed resin layers as backing material. Between the foamed resin layers is a fiber glass layer for strength. Means are provided to attach the panel to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Process Bonding, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Steinke, Michael Blankenship, Marshall G. Satterfield, Philip D. Gardner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5061333
    Abstract: A process for producing a laminate comprising a sheet material and a plastic film laminated on at least one side of the sheet material, which comprises vacuum-packaging the sheet material by a vacuum packaging film material, of which at least the portion corresponding to said side of the sheet material is made of a plastic film to be laminated on the sheet material, press-bonding the plastic film to the sheet material, and removing the film material from the sheet material except for the plastic film portion laminated on the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ishikawa, Koji Kurita
  • Patent number: 5051144
    Abstract: A method for encasing a porous body, such as fiberglass, in an envelope of a plastic sheet material in which the plastic material is embedded in the fiberglass without the use of an adhesive material other than the plastic sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Sota Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Kistner
  • Patent number: 4996090
    Abstract: A panel formed as a laminate with a decorative fabric at the exposed face includes a pair of foamed resin layers as backing material. Between the foamed resin layers is a fiber glass layer for strength. Means are provided to attach the panel to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Process Bonding, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Steinke, Michael Blankenship, Marshall G. Satterfield, Philip D. Gardner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4971645
    Abstract: A pull strap handle (10) for an automotive interior is fully cushioned by forming a foamed resin cushion (20) that is fit around and over both faces of a strap (15) for the handle. A backing bar (30) is then positioned to extend over cushion (20) and be spaced from strap (15), and a resin cover (25) is wrapped over the cushion and over backing bar (30) so that edges of the cover overlap adjacent the backing bar. Then a dielectric bonding bar (31) presses the overlapping edges of cover (25) against the metal backing bar so that the cover edges are dielectrically bonded together in a seam that preferably has the same surface texture pattern as the rest of the cover material, so as to be inconspicuous. Then backing bar (30) is slid endwise out from under cover (25), to leave the seam (32) spaced from strap (15) by the thickness of cushion (20) which can extend all around and over both faces of the strap. Handle ( 10) is then completed by forming the strap and providing end anchorages, as is generally known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Voplex Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Licus
  • Patent number: 4952264
    Abstract: A process for producing plastic parts, in particular molded plastic articles that are deep-drawn in a shaping contrivance into molded articles from at least one heated plastic foil, with the molded articles then being separated from the molded article assemblage in the separating contrivance and conveyed with the aid of a transport contrivance to successive processing stations such as a printing unit, or a stacking contrivance or the like. The shaping and detaching of the individual molded articles made of the still warm foil are executed directly after one another at one station, with forming taking place first and detaching then following by means of strip steel cutting, while the form still remains in the closed condition. It is also possible, with the aid of this process, to produce molded articles consisting of two superimposed foils with layers of an absorbent material disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: VTM-Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Michael Knape
  • Patent number: 4949417
    Abstract: An abrasive and/or scouring pad, comprising a core of foam between two nonwovens, wherein the core is a polyurethane foam and the nonwovens are based on a mixture of polyamide and polyester fibers. The polyamide has physical properties similar to those of the polyurethane foam. The nonwovens and the foam are bonded together at their periphery by thermal-welding, either directly, or by two layers of heat-fusible or heat-softening material placed on either side of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Spontex Incorporated
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Wertz, Jacques Baudonnel