Forming And/or Covering Indefinite Length Article Patents (Class 156/428)
  • Patent number: 11498654
    Abstract: A system includes a U-shaped chute, one or more feeder mechanisms, a sock application assembly, and a film application assembly. The chute has a chute inlet and a chute outlet and is configured to receive a mandrel having a mandrel length. The one or more feeder mechanisms are configured to move the mandrel into the chute inlet and through the chute. The sock application assembly has a sock material spool containing a breather sock in tubular form. The sock application assembly is configured to progressively apply the breather sock over the mandrel length as the mandrel exits the chute outlet. The film application assembly has a film material spool containing a film in tubular form. The film application assembly is configured to progressively apply the film over the breather sock covering the mandrel exiting the sock application assembly to thereby form a film-sock-mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jonathan Ahn
  • Patent number: 9022088
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Pipestream B.V.
    Inventors: Nicholas John Venero, Andrew Thomas Merriman, Raymond Nicholas Burke, Timothy Bond, David Miles, Robert Conder
  • Publication number: 20140352867
    Abstract: A single machine configured to manufacture a wire cable assembly including an twisted wire pair and a drain wire having a conductive tape and an insulative tape spirally wrapped about said wire pair. The machine includes a first clamp that secures an end of the wire pair and a second clamp that secures the other end of the wire pair. The second clamp rotates while the first clamp is fixed thereby twisting the wires of the wire pair one about the other. The second clamp can also rotate synchronously with the first clamp thereby rotating the wire pair without twisting. The machine also has a tape reel configured to move parallel to the clamps as they rotate, wrapping tape around the wire pair. The apparatus can be configured to apply the tapes simultaneously to electromagnetically shield and insulate the cable assembly. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: JOHN C. MCLANE, JOHN THOMAS KIGHTLINGER, ROBERT ALAN MCFALL, KEITH B. ADKINS, DONALD L. MCCONNELL, DAVID R. PETERSON
  • Publication number: 20140326412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: PIPESTREAM B.V.
    Inventors: Nicholas John VENERO, Andrew Thomas MERRIMAN, Raymond Nicholas BURKE, Timothy BOND, David MILES, Robert CONDER
  • Patent number: 8815353
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to wireless flexible hose articles and methods. Some embodiments include low-mass hoses. Furthermore, some embodiments can comprise methods for making and/or using such hose articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Ranieri Torchio, Antonio Rodrigues Da Silva
  • Publication number: 20140030453
    Abstract: Method for producing a fibrous product comprising: passing a texturized yarn (10) through a first passage (12) having a first outlet (14); projecting the texturized yarn (10) from the first outlet (14), inside a chamber (20), so as to fill the chamber (20) with the texturized yarn (10), thereby forming a first segment (31) of the fibrous product; moving the first segment (31) away from the first outlet (14); and forming a second segment (32) of the fibrous product in place of the first segment (31) and contiguously to the first segment (31), as many segments as necessary being contiguously formed by repeating the above steps. Apparatus for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Luc Joseph Louis Brandt, Frank Trasser, Herve Bourgeoisat, Andre Charvet, Christophe Clements
  • Patent number: 8597451
    Abstract: A method of forming a homogenous composite pipe of unspecified length from strips of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is disclosed. A mandrel is arranged stationary in a process direction to extend freely from a first supported end to a second end. A slip-sheath is applied about the mandrel. The thermoplastic material strips are wound about the slip-sheath. A section of the thermoplastic material strip winding is consolidated. The slip-sheath is formed from tape material which is applied longitudinally onto the mandrel surface. The slip-sheath is connected to a puller arranged downstream of the material in the process direction. Consolidated pipe sections are pulled off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the winding and consolidation. An assembly for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventor: Ole Grytå
  • Patent number: 8511361
    Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes, feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, decreasing a thickness of the permeable material, and wrapping the permeable material around a mandrel in a helical fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Randall V. Guest
  • Patent number: 8486211
    Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process. Also described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight, and methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Chandra Sekar
  • Publication number: 20130092277
    Abstract: Helically reinforced, flexible tubing or hose is formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material helically circumferentially wound at a wrapping station around an array of bearing-supported rods that are concurrently but individually turned and are canted relative to an imaginary center axis. The tubing or hose being formed has a continuous reinforcing rib helically wound therearound and continuously integrally connected thereto. The positions of the rods are progressively altered during formation of at least a contiguous portion of the length of tubing or hose, causing the resulting tubing or hose portion to exhibit a progressive continuous change in diametrical size. The resulting tubing or hose may be transversely severed at intervals along its length, and may be flattened to form cuffs near where severed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Carl J. Garrett, Donald K. Hadley, Martin E. Forrester
  • Patent number: 8419883
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel is formed from strips of plastics foam helically wound with layers of rovings to form webs which may extend in a wave pattern or may intersect transverse webs. Hollow tubes may replace foam strips. Axial rovings cooperate with overlying helically wound rovings to form a beam or a column. Wound roving patterns may vary along strips for structural efficiency. Wound strips may alternate with spaced strips, and spacers between the strips enhance web buckling strength. Continuously wound rovings between spaced strips permit folding to form panels with reinforced edges. Continuously wound strips are helically wrapped to form annular structures, and composite panels may combine both thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Continuously wound strips or strip sections may be continuously fed either longitudinally or laterally into molding apparatus which may receive skin materials to form reinforced composite panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Day, G. Scott Campbell, Danny E. Tilton, Frederick Stoll, Michael Sheppard, Robin Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8343295
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wrapping a conductor bar with an insulation. The apparatus has at least one supply roll for feeding an insulating tape to the conductor bar. The insulating tape can be wound around the conductor bar by the supply roll rotating relative to the conductor bar. At least one pressure roll is provided, and the insulating tape can be pressed against the conductor bar by means of the pressure roll. A method is also provided for wrapping a conductor bar with insulation, with an insulating tape being pressed against the conductor bar by means of a pressure roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Hossein Safari Zadeh
  • Patent number: 8308884
    Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Chandra Sekar
  • Publication number: 20120222771
    Abstract: Systems and methods for onsite manufacture of a composite pipeline. In one embodiment, a method for constructing a pipeline includes arranging a plurality of sections of tubing at or near to a location where the pipeline is to be finally installed. An end of a first of the sections of tubing axially abuts an end of a second of the sections of tubing. The abutting ends of the first and second of the sections of tubing are joined. A continuous strip of material is wrapped in a helical pattern over the length of the joined first and second of the sections of tubing to form a pipeline segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: PIPESTREAM B.V.
    Inventors: Raymond N. BURKE, Nicholas J. VENERO
  • Patent number: 8256484
    Abstract: An end effector constructing composite members, in which a compaction roller and redirect rollers translate synchronously along the compaction axis. Additionally, the end effector includes an advantageous arrangement of spools and rollers that directs tow to the redirect rollers at substantially a right angle. Movement of the compaction roller along the compaction axis induces little, if any, changes in tow tension. The substantially constant tow tension advantageously reduces rewinding of the tow supply spools, which can degrade the quality of the lay up and contribute to despooling problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Peter Vogeli, Kyle Jeffries, Russell DeVlieg
  • Patent number: 8256482
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying tape on a plurality of wire to form a harness thereof, the apparatus comprising a casing defining a fixed portion adapted to rotatably receive a moveable portion rotatable about a moveable portion axis, the moveable portion being adapted to secure a roll of tape thereon such that the roll of tape revolves with the moveable portion in a fashion allowing unwinding of the tape on the plurality of wires, the fixed portion and the moveable portion defining cooperating indentations encompassing the moveable portion axis, the indentation in the moveable portion being adapted to be selectively aligned with the indentation of the fixed portion to receive and allow positioning of the plurality of wires about the moveable portion axis such that the tape on the rotating moveable portion being unwounded on the plurality of wires to secure the plurality of wires in a harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Brosseau, Claude Rivest
  • Patent number: 8141608
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing extruded coiled tubes for medical purposes is provided which includes rotary shafts protruding from a spindle, each rotary shaft being coupled to a respective flexible shaft resting on a series of supporting elements substantially equidistant to each other and supported by a main central shaft; at least an extrusion head to extrude a ribbon, and at least an extrusion head to extrude a rib; the ribbon and the rib being co-extruded, side by side, and being wound on an ideal surface formed by the external surfaces of the flexible shafts. The apparatus is characterized in that for changing the pitch with which the rib is wound on a base tubular element, formed on its turn by the winding coil of the ribbon, at least two twisting bars operated by a crank are used to rotate the supporting elements with a pre-defined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Giuseppe Zucchi, Daniele Resca, Elisa Romagnoli
  • Patent number: 8142587
    Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Chandra Sekar
  • Patent number: 8105454
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus includes a control unit, a rotation mechanism that rotates a mandrel, a hoop winding head that performs hoop-winding, and a helical winding head that performs helical-winding. The hoop winding head includes bobbins that feed fiber bundles to the mandrel and a circulation mechanism that circulates the bobbins around the mandrel. The control unit controls the rotation and circulation mechanisms such that the mandrel is rotated and the bobbins are circulated in the same direction during helical-winding. It is not necessary to cut fiber bundles after hoop-winding, and wasted fiber is not fed during helical-winding, thereby increasing economy and productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Uozumi, Motohiro Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 7971616
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying weft yarns in a cross direction to warp yarns having an adhesive scrim thereon includes the warp yarns on a beam which are fed downstream of the apparatus by first laying the warp yarns onto a transfer belt to reduce the tension in the yarns. The warp yarns are fed upstream from a spool along a rotating tube on which they are mounted and pass through a tensioning apparatus to unify the tension in the various yarns running along the tube. The uniformly tensioned weft yarns pass through individual nozzles around the circumference of the rotating tube where the yarns are deposited onto the adhesive scrim. After the weft yarns are deposited on the warp yarns, the transfer belt moves the fabric having warp and weft yarns across a cooling section of a mandrel where the adhesive is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Kevin M. Dann
  • Patent number: 7934530
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus efficiently performs a helical winding process in which the winding angle of the fiber bundle differs. A helical winding head includes two guide rings, adjacently arranged along an axis center of the mandrel, and guide tubes arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the guide rings. The guide rings are switchable between a first state in which phase positions of the guide tubes are matched and a second state in which the phase positions of the guide tubes are evenly shifted in the circumferential direction by a phase switching structure. Tube exits of the guide tubes are arranged close in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Uozumi, Motohiro Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 7923126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a use of a duplex steel for the production of an armouring layer of a flexible pipe comprising at least one unbonded armouring layer and at least one unbonded sealing layer wherein the duplex steel comprises in weight percent 0.01-0.05% by weight of carbon (C) at least 0.15% by weight of nitrogen (N) 20.0-23.0% by weight of chromium (Cr) up to 3.0% by weight of nickel (Ni) up to 1.0% by weight of molybdenum (Mo) 3-6% by weight of manganese (Mn) up to 1.0% by weight of copper (Cu) incidental impurities and balance being iron (Fe).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/S
    Inventor: Jonas Gudme
  • Patent number: 7905266
    Abstract: A wire-gathering device to position a plurality of electrical wires without swing to the center of a rotating drum regardless of size of outer diameters of a bundle of the electrical wires by means of a simple configuration. The wire-gathering device includes the rotating drum having a notch for allowing insertion of the wires and an adhesive tape together and a band disposed in the notch for resiliently supporting and gathering the wires with a curved surface thereof. The band is resilient. The wire-gathering device further includes a slider slidably disposed in the notch and fixing the band, wherein the slider is urged toward an opening of the notch with a resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7748424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for winding filament to create a structure. In one embodiment, the invention includes the application of filament to a rotating mandrel to create a desired shape. The invention includes the filament winding of both simple and complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan H. Anderson, Mike Glen Allman, Larry Jed Ashton, Craig Bjamson Simpson, Benko Samasoni Ta'ala, Troy Larry White
  • Patent number: 7735536
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus for rotating in a predetermined direction a core material that is supported by a supporting portion, and for winding around the core material, an elongated material which has flexibility and which is impregnated with an unhardened synthetic resin material, the filament winding apparatus includes a plurality of feeding portions for feeding a plurality of elongated materials, and a plurality of guiding mechanisms which are positioned around the core material so as to correspond to the plurality of elongated materials that are drawn from the plurality of feeding portions, through which the corresponding elongated materials are passed, wherein at least one of the supporting portion and the plurality of guiding mechanisms are movable in a rotation axial direction, from a winding operation range in which the elongated materials can be guided by the guiding mechanisms to winding positions at which the elongated materials are wound around the core material, to an attachable/detachable pos
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Toru Mukai, Natsuhiko Katahira, Sakae Sugishima, Makoto Tsuzuki, Hidehito Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100132878
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying tape on a plurality of wire to form a harness thereof, the apparatus comprising a casing defining a fixed portion adapted to rotatably receive a moveable portion rotatable about a moveable portion axis, the moveable portion being adapted to secure a roll of tape thereon such that the roll of tape revolves with the moveable portion in a fashion allowing unwinding of the tape on the plurality of wires, the fixed portion and the moveable portion defining cooperating indentations encompassing the moveable portion axis, the indentation in the moveable portion being adapted to be selectively aligned with the indentation of the fixed portion to receive and allow positioning of the plurality of wires about the moveable portion axis such that the tape on the rotating moveable portion being unwounded on the plurality of wires to secure the plurality of wires in a harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: B3CG INTERCONNECT INC.
    Inventors: Marc BROSSEAU, Claude RIVEST
  • Publication number: 20090308633
    Abstract: A shielded electrical wire and device and method for making the same is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kirk D. Dion, Moe J. Jaber
  • Patent number: 7243697
    Abstract: Apparatus for coating pipes includes means for applying a sheet material 32,33,34, to a pipe 2 and means for heating 23,31 the sheet material and/or pipe. The means for heating may be operative to heat the sheet material during its application to the pipe. The means for heating may comprise a means for directing hot air towards the pipe and/or sheet material. The sheet material may be disposed on reels housed in canisters 22 that are releasably mounted on the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Pipeline Indusction Heat Ltd.
    Inventors: Damian Daykin, Terence Cottrell, Adrian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7225654
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the subject invention includes a frame 10 comprising a front plate, a rear plate, a generally circular passage which extends through the frame, and rollers arranged, circumferentially positioned about the passage. The rollers are suspended within the passage by an adjustable arm which is mounted to the frame on one end, and is rotatably coupled to a roller on an opposite end. The adjustable arm includes a threaded rod that is rotatably mounted to a plate by a mounting plate and extension 18 which engages the rod and which travels longitudinally along the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Edgardo Xavier Diaz Coello
  • Patent number: 7124797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for winding filament to create a structure. In one embodiment, the invention includes the application of filament to a rotating mandrel to create a desired shape. The invention includes the filament winding of both simple and complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan H. Anderson, Mike Glen Allman, Larry Jed Ashton, Craig Bjarnson Simpson, Benko Samasoni Ta'ala, Troy Larry White
  • Patent number: 7083698
    Abstract: An aircraft part manufacturing device for automated composite lay up includes a mandrel tool having a an interior mandrel surface that conforms to an outside mold line (OML) of a part: to be manufactured. One or more circular rings surround the mandrel and are attached to the mandrel. The circular rings rotate supported by bearings in a bearing cradle so that the mandrel rotates concentrically with the circular rings about an axis of rotation passing through the center of the circular rings. A composite material delivery head delivers material directly to the outside mold line on the interior mandrel surface while the mandrel is rotated. A cantilever supported gantry beam supports the material delivery head inside the interior mandrel surface. A connecting mechanism connects the material delivery head to the gantry beam and provides motion of the material delivery head relative to the interior mandrel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dwight L. Engwall, Mark G. Yonash, Randall R. Clark, Jeffrey A. New
  • Patent number: 6959747
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: José Manuel Valero Salinas
  • Patent number: 6926055
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a unique non-woven fabric which has the appearance of a woven fabric includes a supply station for adhesive coated parallel warp yarns, a support structure for orienting the parallel warp yarns into a cylindrical orientation with the adhesive coating on the outside, a weft yarn applicator for wrapping weft yarns around the cylindrically oriented warp yarns, a heating station for activating the adhesive and a cooling station for setting the adhesive, and a cutter for severing the cylindrically formed fabric composite so that it can be flattened and wrapped onto a take-up roller. The weft yarn applicator includes a rotating drum wherein a plurality of spools of weft yarn material are mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship. Tension on the weft yarns is provided by the rotation of the drum (centrifugal force) and a stationary conical aligner is used to guide the weft yarn material onto the warp yarns in substantially perpendicular alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Patent number: 6901985
    Abstract: A manually-powered taping tool for taping an elongated object with tape, which consists of a radial bearing ring (5) provided with a cutout (7) of sufficient size so that the object can pass into the cutout (7); an inner part (6) rotatably mounted within the radial bearing ring (5), which has a radial recess (8) corresponding to the cutout (7); a centrally disposed tape holder (9) mounted on one side of the inner part (6) transverse to the recess (8); a pendulum bearing (10) pivotally connecting the tape holder (9) with the inner part (6); a tape-severing device (14) arranged in tie vicinity of the cutout (7) and a handle (11) or a stationary stand (12) rigidly attached to the radial bearing ring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Wella AG
    Inventor: Hubert Eckart
  • Patent number: 6869493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing wire having an inverted cone-shaped cylinder within a spool, wherein the diameter of the top end of the cylinder is larger than the lower end thereof enabling a tape wound thereon unwound from the spool to go from a lower position to a higher position of the cylinder while the tape being wrapped on the wire due to the centrifugal force of rotation in the wrapping process. This has the benefit of preventing the subsequent turns of the tape from loosening out of the spool, and enables the tape being continuously, evenly, and securely wrapped on the wire in a high speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Cheng-Lang Tsai
  • Patent number: 6701762
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the subject invention includes a frame 10 comprising a front plate, a rear plate, a generally circular passage which extends through the frame, and rollers arranged, circumferentially positioned about the passage. The rollers are suspended within the passage by an adjustable arm which is mounted to the frame on one end, and is rotatably coupled to a roller on an opposite end. The adjustable arm includes a threaded rod that is rotatably mounted to a plate by a mounting plate and extension 18 which engages the rod and which travels longitudinally along the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Amanco Holding Inc.
    Inventor: Edgardo Xavier Diaz Coello
  • Publication number: 20040026042
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously making a bristle subassembly comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Edwards, Harold Francis Staunton
  • Patent number: 6689238
    Abstract: An applicator 16 is used to apply a label 10 to a shaped CD ROM (not shown). The applicator 16 comprises a central projection 18 and peripheral locator pins 20a and 20b, as well as a well 22 in which to receive a shaped CD ROM. A label is secured to a CD ROM held in the well 22 by placing locator tabs of the label over the locator pins 20a and 20b to ensure correct relative location of the CD ROM and the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: John Richard Barnet
  • Publication number: 20030221786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing wire having an inverted cone-shaped cylinder within a spool, wherein the diameter of the top end of the cylinder is larger than the lower end thereof enabling a tape wound thereon unwound from the spool to go from a lower position to a higher position of the cylinder while the tape being wrapped on the wire due to the centrifugal force of rotation in the wrapping process. This has the benefit of preventing the subsequent turns of the tape from loosening out of the spool, and enables the tape being continuously, evenly, and securely wrapped on the wire in a high speed operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Cheng-Lang Tsai
  • Patent number: 6615892
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously seaming cured EPDM membrane to form a composite sheet of predetermined width and indefinite length. The method includes the steps of providing at least two rolls of cured EPDM membrane having longitudinal marginal edges and feeding the cured EPDM membrane from the at least two rolls in a first direction. The longitudinal marginal edges of the cured EPDM membranes are positioned in an overlapping relationship as the cured EPDM membranes are fed in the first direction and then the overlapping longitudinal marginal edges are continuously seamed to form a composite sheet of indefinite length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Omnova Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hubbard, Walter J. Kelly, Anthony Verrocchi, Raymond J. Weinert
  • Publication number: 20030121595
    Abstract: Armouring tape (102) for wrapping around a hose (300) during its fabrication by a hose-wrapping machine (200; 400). The tape (102) is coiled into a roll (100) having a hollow core (109) from which the tape (102) is unwound to be wrapped onto the hose (300). The hose-wrapping machine (200; 400) rotatably mounts the roll (100) with the hose (300) passing through the roll core (109), the roll axis (108) being skewed to the hose axis (304) by the helix angle at which the tape (102is to be wrapped onto and along the hose (300). The hose (300) is moved longitudinally through the longitudinally static roll (100) and at the same tine, the roll (100) is rolated around the longitudinal axis (304) of the non-rotating hose (300). The armouring tape (102) unwinds from the inside (109) or the roll onto and along the hose (300) so as to wrap the hose (300) with a uniform helix of armouring tape (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Dixon-Roche, Luc Julien Pierre Albert Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 6494980
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for applying individual reinforcing threads onto a tubular layer. The device contains a positioning ring with equidistant holes that lie on a circumferential line, with the positioning ring surrounding and concentric with a rotationally symmetric, funnel-shaped deflection element. The deflection element deflects the reinforcing threads that are guided from radially outward to radially inward through the holes f the positioning ring into an essentially axial direction, wherein all the threads assume an equidistant spacing from one another. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing an unfinished tube consisting of several layers with the aid of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Contitech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Röthemeyer, Achim Hüls, Rainer Oehl, Stefan Wode
  • Patent number: 6394145
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining a flexible conduit comprising a tube and a helical structure. The process comprises extruding a crosslinkable plastic material in a malleable or formable state, so as to form a profiled strip having, as one piece, a web with two mutually complementary marginal edges, and at least one rib projecting on one side from the web; winding the profiled strip about an axis in a helix with touching turns so that the complementary marginal edges of the profiled strip, belonging respectively to two different turns, form between them, directly, a sealed joint; varying and controlling a winding pitch of the profiled strip, in order to modulate and control a quantity of available and formable plastic material of the tube along the length of the conduit; and crosslinking the wound profiled strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Norton Gessil
    Inventor: Pierre Bailly
  • Patent number: 6306235
    Abstract: In the present invention, hollow thermoplastic foam tubes of any desired diameter are easily achieved as well as large sheets or planks of thermoplastic foam material in any width and thickness desired by spirally wrapping and fusing a thermoplastic foam profile having a desired size and shape. By employing a thermoplastic foam extruder to produce a profile having a desired cross-sectional shape or configuration, and advancing the profile onto a rotating support member for being wrapped peripherally surrounding the rotating support and continuously bonding the abutting edges of the profile as the profile is spirally wound, a unique spiral forming and product manufacturing procedure and system is realized. By employing this unique spiral forming process, a hollow cylindrical thermoplastic foam tube is formed on a continuous basis, with the length thereof being controlled only by the needs of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Nomaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Henderson
  • Patent number: 6263937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a resin-impregnated fiber web that is particularly suitable for use in reinforced plastic composites and printed circuit board applications. The method includes the steps of drawing machine direction yarns from multiple spools contained in creels arranged around a hollow cylinder; passing machine direction yarns from the creels through a circular reed; pulling machine direction yarns the length of the hollow cylinder's outer surface in a longitudinal direction; controlling the application of an uncured or partially cured thermoset or thermoplastic resin to the yarns as they travel the length of the hollow cylinder; winding cross-direction yarns around the periphery of the hollow cylinder (i.e., on top of the machine direction yarns) thereby forming a web; heating and cooling the resulting web; and finally collecting the web on a roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: ARE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6209607
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for making a conduit or pipe. An extruder is provided for producing a strip of continuous thermoplastic. A winding drum receives the strip and helically winds the strip around the drum's perimeter to form a conduit having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the drum. The drum includes a core tube surrounded by a plurality of rollers which define the outer diameter of the drum. The rollers rotate to advance the strip around the drum. A pair of detachable plates are provided for supporting said rollers. Each plate has a plurality of support structures for receiving and removably supporting each of said rollers at either end, at a desired radial distance from the drum axis, in order to define the drum diameter. The pair of plates is part of a plurality of pairs of plates, with each pair being of a different diameter to manufacture pipe or conduit of a variety of different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventor: George J. Foos
  • Patent number: 6059001
    Abstract: The present invention is a technique for manufacturing microtube devices which have circumferential geometries repeated either uniformly or nonuniformly along the tube or device axis with sub-micron precision. The preferred manufacturing process involves forming a complex mandrel and giving it a metallic and/or nonmetallic coating or coatings by any of a variety of techniques. The mandrel can then be removed by appropriate chemical or physical means, leaving a microtube structure having an axial profile consisting of repeat units duplicating those on the mandrel. One technique for forming the complex mandrel consists of drawing a single core fiber (or bundle of core fibers) through a confining orifice. The fiber is held with minimal constraint (typically by friction), so that no breakage takes place as it is drawn through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Phillip G. Wapner, Wesley P. Hoffman, Gregory J. Price
  • Patent number: 5807451
    Abstract: Pile weatherstripping having rows of pile and longitudinal fins both within and external to the rows of pile. The heights of the fins with respect to the height of the pile may be independently varied and controlled. A travelling endless band receives a pair of first webs providing internal fins on opposite sides of the band. The first webs are indexed to the edges of the band, which defines the heights of the fins. Each web may be independently indexed. Alignment of the webs on the band is provided either by an aligning fixture or by coining the webs to provide lines of indentations which index the webs at the edges of the band. The yarn which forms the pile is wound around the first webs. Second webs providing the external fins are indexed through the yarn and first webs to the edges of the band and are also aligned by a second aligning fixture or by coining. Backing strips are attached, as by ultrasonic welding, along the edges of the band. Then the yarn is slit without cutting into the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ultrafab, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5798013
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of producing a tubular lining ho in particular for use in sewer reconstruction work, comprising the steps of forming at least one fibrous strip into a curable, resin-impreganted hose. The inner side of the resultant lining hose is provided with a protective foil. It is the object of the present invention to provide a method of producing a tubular lining hose with the aid of which hoses of arbitrary length can be produced in a simple manner. This object is achieved by producing first a foil hose, which forms the protective foil, by helically winding a foil strip onto a winding mandrel, the fibrous strip being then wound onto said foil hose. In addition, the present invention refers to apparatuses for carrying out said method as well as to the lining hose itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Brandenburger Patentverwertungsgesellschaft des burgerlichen Rechts
    Inventor: Joachim Brandenburger
  • Patent number: H2266
    Abstract: A jig is provided for setting and gluing pairs of specimens along their joining faces to cure into a lap joint. The jig includes a platform with a setting surface flanked by first and second upright walls, first and second plates and fasteners. The platform positions the pairs of specimens for lap joint arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William E. Blakley, II