With Preliminary Edge Treatment Or Joining Of Edges Of Irregular Shape; E.g., Tongue And Groove, Beveled, Etc. Patents (Class 156/304.5)
  • Patent number: 6808580
    Abstract: A method is provided for splicing a conveyor belt having vulcanized rubber with steel strands embedded in the vulcanized rubber, comprising the steps of exposing a plurality of strands at two belt ends, and applying a vulcanizable rubber composition to the exposed strands to form a spliced joint between the two belt ends, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, and the rubber comprising from about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of syndiotactic polybutadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Terry Frank Allen, Jean Nicolas Bergh
  • Publication number: 20040194874
    Abstract: A method of assembling a storage unit is disclosed. The method comprises applying heat to a groove separating a pair of walls to melt at least a portion of the plastic material, and pivoting the walls so that the surfaces of the groove contact and join as the melted plastic material solidifies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: The Mills Company Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Newberry, Klaus Fromme, Mark A. Thielke, James R. Heimler, Richard A. Goodare, Bryan H. Mullett, Carolyn E. Johnson, Thomas E. Pelt, Larry K. Stover
  • Publication number: 20040099372
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for moving frameworks such as window frames or sashes from a plastic frame welding machine to a work station for further processing of the frameworks are disclosed. Two tracks are mounted at an elevated position so they extend horizontally from the welding machine to the workstation and an arm assembly is mounted for movement along each track. Preferably each arm assembly has gripping devices arranged one above the other each capable of releasably engaging and gripping one of the frameworks. An actuator is provided to move each arm assembly along its track from a position where the arm assembly can engage the frameworks when they are in the welding machine and then move them to a position where the grippers can grip the frameworks at the workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Pro-Line Automation Systems, LTD.
    Inventors: Vinode Ramnauth, Leon Gimelshtein
  • Patent number: 6733609
    Abstract: Method and device for connecting the end of a flattened tube of plastic foil to the beginning of a subsequent tube, said tubes being used in particular for applying sleeves onto bottles or like objects. The leading end of the beginning of a flattened tube is provided with an obliquely cut away corner at both longitudinal edges. The thus established two loose lips are separated from each other and the end of the spent tube is slid between the lips and fixed in relation to said lips. The materials of said tubes are melted together by a short-time, pressurized supply of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Seal Europe B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Antonius Leonarda van Heck
  • Patent number: 6719023
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing rectangular furniture boards with a glued-on edge, in which the following are arranged one after another in the passage direction: a longitudinal sawing device (14), which divides a rectangular initial board (12) into a plurality of parallel longitudinal boards (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), a longitudinal gluing device (31), which in each case glues a longitudinal edge onto both longitudinal sides of a longitudinal board (12a) passing through and machines the edge, a transverse sawing device (38), which divides a longitudinal board (12a) transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction into furniture boards (39) with a predetermined size, a transverse gluing device (40), which in each case glues a transverse edge onto both transverse sides of a furniture board (39) passing through and machines this edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Paul Ott GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kaser, Gerhard Pittrich
  • Patent number: 6711869
    Abstract: A process is proposed for laying and mechanically jointing floorboards provided with tongue and groove engagements on all sides for horizontal attachment. The process involves a) jointing of a number of boards and making them engage on their transverse sides n order to lay a first row on the floor of a room, b) jointing of a first board for a second row and making it engage with one or two boards in the first row using the tongue and groove joint on the longitudinal side for the purpose of starting a second row, c) pushing the tongue (or groove) of a second board into the groove (or tongue) on the transverse side of the first board in the second row, with movement from the longitudinal side towards the boards in the first row, and d) making the second board engage with one or two boards in the first row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kronotec AG
    Inventor: Detlef Tychsen
  • Patent number: 6706132
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating laminations to form structural elements of predetermined shapes (120, 220, 420, 520, 620) are provided. Laminations include parts (22, 24) fabricated from the tread portion (42) of discarded rubber tires. The parts are typically arranged in layers with various relationships therebetween. The parts are pressed to remove all voids therebetween causing dynamic tension which creates rigidity and then bonded with methods including vulcanization, chemical vulcanization, epoxy and adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tire Recycling Development Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph H. Coffin
  • Patent number: 6706133
    Abstract: A method for end-to end joining of paper rolls into a continuous core master is provided. The primary goal of the method is to produce usable paper roll cores from those returned for recycling after use. According to the aforementioned method, the ends of core sections are reworked into complementary shapes required for mating a joint, glue is applied to the complementary mating surfaces of the joint, the ends of the core sections are pushed in an axial direction abutting each other and the glue is set. The cross section of the cores is trued circular at least over the area of the joined core sections by applying a radial, compressive trueing force on the joint. The trueing force is also used for braking axial travel of the core sections during the joining of the core sections. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: A.P.E.-Trading Oy
    Inventor: Matti Erkkilä
  • Patent number: 6701984
    Abstract: The process is used for making individual wood boards (52) from a plurality of wood pieces (10). In this process, wood pieces (10) of similar length and are joined side by side so as to form a panel (30). The panel (30) is then cut in a longitudinal direction with reference to the wood pieces (10) into panel sections (40) having a similar width. These panel sections (40) are jointed end to end to form a continuous wood board (50), which is then cut into individual wood boards (52). This process allows to manufacture wood boards (52) with a high degree of structural integrity and dimensional stability. It also allows to efficiently use small wood pieces (10) that could have been considered otherwise waste or low-grade materials, thereby increasing the yield of the sawmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: 9069-0470 Quebec Inc.
    Inventors: Ghislain Lamontagne, Oliver Lamontagne
  • Publication number: 20040025955
    Abstract: A pipe construction system which utilises a multiplicity of arcuate pipe segments 11, 12 to form a pipe section 10 and which sections are assembled together to form a length of pipe. Each segment 11, 12 has two longitudinal edges 13 of increased radial thickness and having a groove 14 formed in the circumferential direction whereby an interlocking and sealing member 15 may be located in the aligned grooves 14 of two adjacent segments 11, 12. One end of a pipe section 10 assembled from the segments defines a socket 22 for receiving a spigot 23 defined at the other end of a like section. The spigot end of each segment has a pocket 25 formed along said edge 13 but within the thickness of the major area of the segment, which pocket 25 mates with a corresponding pocket 25 of an adjacent segment whereby sealant may be disposed in the mating pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Lee Martin Skinner, Graham Frank Towers, Ajay Talwar
  • Patent number: 6689247
    Abstract: A preformed strip (20) of unvulcanized rubber having two-strand receiving grooves portions (22A and 22B) for splicing the ends (11, 12) of steel cord or strand reinforced rubber conveyor belts (10) is disclosed along with a method of forming the spliced joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Robin Bovaird Steven, Houston Channing Brown
  • Publication number: 20040018333
    Abstract: A floor surface is described which involves a plurality of planks joined together using a 2-part adhesive system. Pre-applied adhesives on one or more floor panels are further described as well as methods of installing the floor panels to form a floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hao A. Chen, Yuhong Hu, Tianjian Huang, Richard Judd, Isaac Rufus
  • Patent number: 6669800
    Abstract: Imageable seamed intermediate transfer belts having a large seam surface area, and marking machines that use such imageable seamed intermediate transfer belts. The seamed intermediate transfer belt having an inner surface and an outer surface having predefine surface properties for the purpose of imaging. A belt is formed from a semiconductive substrate having a first end and a second end that are mated to form a seam. An adhesive is disposed over the joint whereupon joint can be burnished or overcoated with a material that substantially imitate predefined surface properties of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Constance J. Thornton, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., Joseph A. Swift, Santokh S. Badesha, Theodore Lovallo, Xiaoying (Elizabeth) Yuan, T. Edwin Freeman
  • Patent number: 6666945
    Abstract: A method for preparing an end of a thermoplastics tube (1) is provided, wherein the tube is manufactured by spirally winding and welding together of a hollow profile (1a) having a substantially rectangular cross section. The method includes the following steps: cutting the end of the tube by a planar transversal section; extruding a second hollow profile (2) having a rectangular cross section and an outer shape essentially similar to Fat of the hollow profile (1a) from which the tube (1) is manufactured; spirally winding the extruded second hollow profile (2) around a drum having a diameter corresponding to inner diameter of the tube (1); cutting a loop (2a) from the second hollow profile (2) in a length corresponding to circumference of the tube end; joining the ends of the loop (2a) to each other, whereby a ring (2b) is formed having the same inner and outer diameters as the spirally wound tube (1); placing the ring (2b) against the cut tube end; and welding the ring (2b) to the tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Oy KWH Pipe Ab
    Inventors: Anders Andtbacka, Gunnar Blomqvist, Stefan Slotte
  • Patent number: 6649015
    Abstract: A double containment pipe fitting and method of making same is disclosed. The fitting includes a branch double containment pipe section butt welded to a double containment pipe header, or main section to form a fitting wherein the branch section extends away from the header section. The header and branch section primary and secondary pipe portions contain distinct engagement surfaces which are joined together to form the fitting. A unique, non-planar heating element having opposed heating surfaces is brought into contact with the main and branch pipe sections to soften the plastic for welding purposes which are then joined together in a manner such that the respective centerlines of each pipe section intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Enfield Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: John Allen, Alec Ewen, Robert Gurney
  • Publication number: 20030201057
    Abstract: The invention is a method of joining two belt ends together, either laterally or longitudinally, and the resulting belt. The two ends can be of two different belts being joined, a short section added to replace a damaged section of a belt, or two ends of the same belt. Moreover, the belt or belts can be damaged or intentionally cut in preparation of their joining. The belt ends are stripped of their rubber or elastomeric coating that covers the cord core, and the ends can be fashioned in any shape such that one belt end complements the other end when abutted. The ends are joined and a new rubber layer is then bonded to the belt above and below the cord core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Troy D. Dolan, Joseph Gibson
  • Patent number: 6638383
    Abstract: A process for seaming seamed component for use in seaming members useful in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like machines, including: a) compounding an adhesive; b) forming the adhesive in contact with a first side of the seam and the mutually mating members; c) contacting the adhesive and first side of the seam to a first heated clamp; d) contacting the second side of the seam to a second heated clamp; e) subjecting the adhesive in contact with the mutually mating members to a first cure at a first temperature to form a cured adhesive; and f) subjecting the cured adhesive to a second cure at a second temperature to form a dual-cured adhesive, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ihor W. Tarnawskyj, Joseph A. Swift, Christopher P. Manos, Theodore Lovallo, Gregory Toth
  • Patent number: 6616791
    Abstract: A flap fusion sheet is formed by folding a flap continuous in the longitudinal direction in two, overlaying the side ends and fusing the inner sides of the side ends by heat to form a sleeve, at one side of a continuous backing sheet formed by laminating layers made of low melting point polyolefin on both sides of a flat yarn cloth made of high melting point polyolefin, and fusing the outer side of the sleeve in the longitudinal direction at least at other positions than the end portions in the width direction of the backing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hagihara Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Keiji Nagato, Kazumasa Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6613177
    Abstract: A strip joint having a required length is produced by obliquely feeding a given amount of a strip of rubberized cords onto a conveyor from a given separated distance, cutting the strip along the conveyor, moving the cut strip piece in a given moving pitch amount through the conveyor, joining a front end portion of a subsequently fed strip piece to a rear end portion of the preceding strip piece, and successively repeating these procedures, wherein the moving pitch amount is adjusted by controlling the movement of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Suda, Yasuo Mizota
  • Patent number: 6609546
    Abstract: A process for creating a distressed surface for an article of furniture, and an article of furniture incorporating a distresses surface. The process includes the steps of selecting at least one piece of material having at least one planar surface and opposed side edges, mechanically forming grooves along at least one of the opposed side edges of the piece of material, and adjoining multiple pieces of material so formed to create a surface of an article of furniture that has a distressed appearance. The article of furniture includes a surface having a distresses appearance that is adhered to a substrate to create the face of the article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Bobb, Mike Washburn, Brian K. Moore
  • Patent number: 6592704
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for forming splice ends for elastomeric strips. The splicing ends each have a low angle splicing surface and an abutment surface. The combination of surfaces provide a precise way to locate and join splices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: James Alfred Benzing, II
  • Patent number: 6582550
    Abstract: A preseamed sheet flooring product having first and second sheet products positioned closely adjacent each other edge-to-edge to form a seam therebetween. An adhesive is positioned in the seam and has visual characteristics suitable for creating an indistinct appearance of the seam in the sheet flooring product. The seam also has wear characteristics sufficiently similar to wear characteristics of the sheet flooring product to maintain the visually indistinct appearance of the adhesive on the surface of the seam as wear occurs to the end product sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer W. Sager, Ronald S. Lenox, George L. Lilley, Robert K. Keener
  • Publication number: 20030102668
    Abstract: A hydroformable frame element is formed from the combination of at least two elements. The at least two elements are designed with a partially overlapping region, with an annular space defined within the overlapping region. The annular space is filled with adhesive, which is then cured to bond the at least two elements together. The adhesive bond is designed to withstand the stresses caused by the hydroforming operation and to retain its strength so that the hydroformed article is then usable as a vehicular frame element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company and General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kent S. Tarbutton, Joseph M. Lendway
  • Publication number: 20030094230
    Abstract: A process for installation of surface elements (1), the surface elements (1) comprising a core, a decorative upper surface (3) and edges (2) provided with joining means for mechanically locking the surface elements (1) together. Predetermined portions of the edges (2) are provided with a glue which is present on the edges (2) of the surface elements (1) in a passive dry form and which may be activated by applying a liquid. The surface elements (1) are joined to each other by use of the joining means wherein a unit of a plurality of surface elements (1) is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Ake Sjoberg
  • Publication number: 20030079820
    Abstract: Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member. The floor elements are alternatively provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge also is provided with male vertical assembly joining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Jorgen Palsson, Ake Sjoberg
  • Publication number: 20030066588
    Abstract: A process for installation of surface elements (1), the surface elements (1) comprising a core, a decorative upper surface (3) and edges (2) provided with joining means for mechanically locking the surface elements (1) together. Predetermined portions of the edges (2) are provided with a glue which is present on the edges (2) of the surface elements (1) in a passive dry form and which may be activated by applying a liquid. The surface elements (1) are joined to each other by use of the joining means wherein a unit of a plurality of surface elements (1) is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Jorgen Palsson, Ake Sjoberg
  • Patent number: 6524425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for butt welding cross-linked polyethylene pipes in order to use these pipes in industrial and underground pipeline construction. The pipe faces are spatially melted on using a serrated heating element at a temperature >420° C. but <450° C. with a warming up time of greater than sixty seconds such that enlarged and serrated pipe faces are produced whose integral melt layers join during the joining process while under a welding pressure of 0.1 to 0.4 N/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kunststoff-Zentrum In Leipzig GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Tobias, Gunter Bernstein
  • Patent number: 6513558
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing carved wooden doors includes the steps of forming wooden blocks with different width but same height and joining them together at a vertical lateral side thereof, joining said wooden blocks together to form a rectangular member for carving, carving desired patterns on said rectangular member, and carving a transverse recess on said rectangular member and affixing a panel in said transverse recess to form a complete carved wooden door, whereby carved wooden doors can be manufactured at a faster speed than the conventional and joint connections of said wooden doors can be prevented from becoming loose thereby prolonging service life thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Cheng Ta Wood Industry, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen Tsen Chen
  • Patent number: 6508907
    Abstract: A crown installation system for forming a crown in place on a pillar in a manner that avoids the need for heavy and complicated concrete form structures. The crown installation system includes a kit for forming a crown on a pillar, such as a chimney, having a perimeter wall with an outer surface and an upper surface converging at an outer upper perimeter edge. The kit includes a plurality of form members, with each form member being adapted for forming a portion of the outer surface of the crown. Each of the form members has opposite ends and an outer face. A plurality of support members are provided for supporting the form members. Each of the support members has a front surface for pressing against a portion of the outer surface of one of the form members. A tension member is provided for holding the support members in position against the form members such that the form members are restricted from outward movement. The invention also includes a method of utilizing the kit to form a crown on a pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Monte Lutz
  • Patent number: 6502617
    Abstract: A group for joining the ends of closed-loop abrasive belts, including a machine for the preparation of the end edges of the strips of abrasive belt and an assembling machine including a support arm around which the strips of abrasive belt are wound in a closed loop, and a press unit for joining the relative end edges. The input end of the support arm of the assembling machine is situated immediately next to and on the extension of the edge preparation machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Metis SRL
    Inventor: Maurizio Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20020189747
    Abstract: A joint between two components (2, 4), with both components (2, 4) having joint faces (6, 8) which at least partially correspond with one another, which at least partially press against one another in the jointed state. The technical problem, on one hand, of preserving the advantages of an adhesive joint in comparison to mechanical joining systems, but simultaneously not increasing the outlay by the consumer and the outlay for handling the components, is solved in that a matrix (14, 16) is positioned on at least part of at least one of the joint faces (6, 8), multiple capsules (18) are positioned distributed in the matrix (14), a material of a reaction adhesive system is contained in the capsules (18), and at least a part of the capsules (18) at least partially release the material contained in them under external action. Also, a component having at least one joint face and a method for producing an adhesive matrix on a joint face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Martin Steinwender
  • Patent number: 6490839
    Abstract: A window frame is formed of a plurality of plastic section pieces welded together at their ends. The ends of the plastic section pieces also have surfaces which abut one another. The plastic section pieces are not welded at the abutting surfaces. The unwelded abutting surfaces can therefore be used to define the length of the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Lapeyre
    Inventors: Philippe Macquart, Remi Carel
  • Patent number: 6488798
    Abstract: Imageable seamed intermediate transfer belts having a large seam surface area, and marking machines that use such imageable seamed intermediate transfer belts. The seamed intermediate transfer belt having an inner surface and an outer surface having predefine surface properties for the purpose of imaging. A belt is formed from a semiconductive substrate having a first end and a second end that are mated to form a seam. An adhesive is disposed over the joint whereupon joint can be burnished or overcoated with a material that substantially imitate predefined surface properties of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Constance J. Thornton, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., Joseph A. Swift, Santokh S. Badesha, Theodore Lovallo, Xiaoying (Elizabeth) Yuan, T. Edwin Freeman
  • Publication number: 20020170667
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an endless flexible seamed belt, substantially equivalent in performance to a seamless belt, includes forming the belt by joining two ends of a substrate material. Each end of the substrate has mutually mating elements in interlocking relationship. The surfaces of the mutually mating elements have a gap therebetween into which bonding material is applied such that there is no substantial thickness differential between the seam and the portions of the belt adjacent the seam. The bonding material is then cured by any known means and post-cured to improve the stability of the bonding material and to achieve an effectively electrically invisible seam for an electrostatographic imaging system operating at high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Schlueter, Theodore Lovallo, Laurence J. Lynd
  • Publication number: 20020157785
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for joining thermoplastic composite sandwich panels with thermoplastic welds (fusion bonds) made without autoclave processing of the joint. The preferred joint is a double interleaf staggered joint with supporting titanium doublers providing a tensile strength of at least 12,000 lb/in. The joint is particularly suited for joining sections of a cryogenic tank for spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David M. Anderson, Steven E. Hahn, Douglas A. McCarville
  • Publication number: 20020157786
    Abstract: A process for seaming seamed component for use in seaming members useful in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like machines, including: a) compounding an adhesive; b) forming the adhesive in contact with a first side of the seam and the mutually mating members; c) contacting the adhesive and first side of the seam to a first heated clamp; d) contacting the second side of the seam to a second heated clamp; e) subjecting the adhesive in contact with the mutually mating members to a first cure at a first temperature to form a cured adhesive; and f) subjecting the cured adhesive to a second cure at a second temperature to form a dual-cured adhesive, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Ihor W. Tarnawskyj, Joseph A. Swift, Christopher P. Manos, Theodore Lovallo, Gregory Toth
  • Patent number: 6461704
    Abstract: A window panel for use in automotive glazing applications is described, in which inner planer piece transparent plastic is bonded to an outer piece molded from an opaque plastic creating a masking border. The two pieces have overlapping portions, and may be of reduced or tapering thickness to create a transition masking zone of reduced or varying opacity. The inner piece may be designed to separate from the outer piece at a lower impact force than that required to fracture the pieces to establish a prescribed failure mode. The window panel may be formed by a two shot molding process in which the inner and outer pieces are molded respectively to increase the overall window panel size beyond that able to be molded by a one shot process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Exatec, LLC.
    Inventors: Mark M. Matsco, Michael E. Sykes, Roland Sauer, Barry B. Hoult
  • Patent number: 6447631
    Abstract: A process for joining components and assembly units of rail-borne vehicles by bonding is described, in which the use of an adhesive, which produces fatigue strength but cures more slowly, is combined with the use of an adhesive that ensures sufficient strength for handling in a short time, wherein complicated design of the bonded joints as well as the need for a large amount of devices are to be avoided, manufacturing tolerances are to be equalized, and defined minimum bonded gap widths are to be maintained. Furthermore, the wetting by the adhesive shall be limited to selected joining surfaces, without having to remove and dispose of the edge limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schähl, Peter Weichelt
  • Publication number: 20020074085
    Abstract: A method is provided for joining two pieces of elastomeric fabric together without the need for sewing or stitching the seam. This is accomplished by cutting a first piece of elastomeric fabric to form a first edge having a predetermined first geometric pattern. Similarly, a second piece of elastomeric fabric is cut to form a second edge having a predetermined second geometric pattern which corresponds with the first geometric pattern. The lateral surfaces of the geometrically patterned first and second edges then have a bonding agent applied prior to mating the patterned edges to one another to create an intersecting seam between the first and second pieces of the elastomeric fabric. The intersecting seam is immobilized to allow the bonding agent to set. Tape may be placed on one or both sides of the seam for additional strengthening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Hot House Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Huber
  • Publication number: 20020074082
    Abstract: A seamless flexible electrostatographic imaging member belt fabrication method comprising providing a flexible substrate support sheet, such as with a rectangular shape, placing a template on the support sheet, producing first desired features on a first portion of the substrate support sheet, including removing material from the substrate support sheet with first emissions, producing second desired features on a second portion of the substrate support sheet complementary to the first desired features, including removing material from the substrate support sheet with second emissions, overlapping the first and second desired features, bonding the first desired pattern with the second desired pattern to produce a seamed substrate support belt having substantially no added seam thickness and applying at least one coating over the substrate support belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C.U. Yu, Anthony M. Horgan, Satchidanand Mishra, Donald C. Von Hoene, Bing R. Hsieh, Edward F. Grabowski, Richard L. Post, Kathleen M. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 6387204
    Abstract: A web material, which is able to avoid air entrainment, comprises a surface for applying at least one layer of coating material. The web material has at least one splicing tape for connecting a preceding web and a succeeding web with respect to a transport direction of the web material. The splicing tape defines a trailing edge on the surface of the succeeding web. After the trailing edge of the splicing tape a thin layer with limited width and a rough surface is formed. Additionally, there is a method for continuous coating a web material having at least one spliced joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Deprez, James M. Breitfeller
  • Patent number: 6379486
    Abstract: A process for providing a seamed flexible polyimide component by providing a poly(amic acid) at the seam between interlocking mutually mating seam elements, and curing the seam, thereby converting the poly(amic acid) into a polyimide adhesive at the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: T. Edwin Freeman, Joseph A. Swift, Santokh S. Badesha, Xiaoying Elizabeth Yuan, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., Nancy Y. Jia
  • Patent number: 6378579
    Abstract: A finger joint architecture method and formation apparatus are disclosed, the finger joint architecture characterized by an array of interspersed projections and cavities formed at an end face of a first wood product. The projections are spaced from one another in both first and second dimensions defining the end face and are formed by the cavities which are bored through the end face. A mating array of projections and cavities is formed at an end of another wood product to be secured to the first wood product. The projections and cavities thus formed are preferably tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: ReConnX, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon X. Giltner
  • Patent number: 6372079
    Abstract: Machine for welding hollow articles and process for welding these articles, for example half-shells of a plastic fuel tank, using the technique of hot-plate welding, in which the mirror is in the form of separate elements which can be moved independently. Particular processes in which the articles to be welded together are preshaped by pressing against cold-plate elements, which might not be plane, by stretching or compressing the side walls of the articles or by pressing against the walls of a mould. Process applied to the manufacturer of injection-moulded/welded fuel tanks. Use of the machine for manufacturing such tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Solvay, S.A.
    Inventors: Hubert Coninck, Pierre Gilliard, Joel Op De Beeck, Guy Van Meulebeke, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen
  • Publication number: 20020040761
    Abstract: A connecting member, used for serially connecting two carrier tapes, comprises a base film, a belt-like reference band substantially fixed on the base film, a bonding tape adhering on the base film, and a cover film covering the bonding tape. A straight reference face is provided on a longitudinal side of the reference band closely to the bonding tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Sumida, Kunio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6368440
    Abstract: A flexible electrostatographic imaging member belt comprises two ends with matching puzzle-cut patterns of fingers arranged to be joined. The belt is fabricated by a method comprising the steps of: first, joining the two belt ends to form a juncture; second, applying an adhesive strip to the juncture; third, applying a compressing force to the adhesive strip; fourth, heating the adhesive strip for a heating period; fifth, cooling the adhesive strip for a cooling period; thus forming a puzzle-cut seam; and, sixth, determining when the puzzle-cut seam is satisfactory. When it is determined the puzzle-cut seam is not satisfactory, the heating and cooling steps are repeated. When it is determined the puzzle-cut seam is satisfactory, the compressing force is removed. In one embodiment, the method determines when the puzzle-cut seam is satisfactory based on the total time heat is applied to the adhesive strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6358347
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing large quantities of seamed belts for printing systems with controlled imageable seams, which belts require a defined circumference and width, from suitable belt material in a large roll thereof, by feeding a continuous web of that belt material from the roll in (or cut to) a width that is at least as wide as the defined circumference of the finished seamed belt into a seam cutting station, where the opposing side edges of the continuous web of belt material are cut as they move through the seam cutting station into opposing seam-forming mating edge patterns, preferably mating puzzle-cut patterns cut by small movement laser beams on each side of the moving web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Constance J. Thornton, Joseph A. Swift, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., Theodore Lovallo
  • Patent number: 6352093
    Abstract: A tire (10) having a continuous folded belt construction (24) is shown to be more durable than conventional tire made using conventional steel reinforced cut belts. The folded belt construction of the invention is made by folding a reinforced (22) strip upon itself, wherein the folding is always in the same direction. The continuous folded belt construction may include an elastomeric core (23) that provides adhesion between the folded layers, and reduces kinking at the folded edges. Also, a splice (28) is used wherein substantial overlap is provided between two ends of the folded belt construction, and is made by cutting a first end (32) of the belt construction to accommodate a second end 44 of the belt construction (24) without modifying the second end 44 of the belt construction, thereby using a minimum amount of labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert Allen Losey
  • Patent number: 6348120
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rubber weir main body, which manufactures a rubber weir main body intended to rise by the flow-in of a fluid and to fall by the discharge of the fluid by integrally bonding at least two main body segments divided in the circumferential direction to each other, including the steps of: forming a material removed portion with stepped portions at edges of the rubber weir main body segments previously manufactured; abutting the rubber weir main body segments on each other at the edges; laminating unvulcanized rubber sheets containing reinforcing canvasses and an unvulcanized rubber sheet on the material removed portion formed between both the rubber weir main body segments contacted with each other; and integrally vulcanizing and bonding them. With this method, a large sized rubber weir main body excellent in quality can be easily manufactured at a job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Takasaki, Yoshihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6328840
    Abstract: A processes for adhering a vulcanized rubber to a vulcanized rubber or an unvulcanized rubber. Adhesion of vulcanized rubbers to each other is conducted by using at least one of the vulcanized rubbers before vulcanization thereof according to steps of: (1) laminating a sheet material which can easily be peeled from a surface of a rubber after vulcanization to a rough surface of the rubber before vulcanization, (2) vulcanizing a resultant laminate, (3) removing the sheet material from the vulcanized laminate immediately before adhesion of the vulcanized rubber in the laminate to another vulcanized rubber, and (4) adhering the vulcanized rubbers to each other according to a method of adhesion. The adhering of the vulcanized rubbers to each other is also conducted by using a rubber composition for adhesion inserted between the vulcanized rubbers without procedures using the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Takano, Shingo Kato, Hiroshi Takada, Shingo Iizumi, Masanao Ieyoshi