Article Forming Processes (pulp Molding) Patents (Class 162/218)
  • Publication number: 20090139674
    Abstract: A method of making a formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material comprising (a) providing an aqueous lignocellulose fiber pulp slurry having an effective consistency; (b) de-watering the slurry to provide a de-watered material at an effective de-watering rate under an effective pressure to prevent or reduce the formation of fissures and voids within the material; (c) drying an effective amount of the de-watered material at an effective temperature and period of time to provide the formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The formed, dried lignocellulose material may be used to make a lignocellulose fiber-resin composite material of use as a cost effective structural member, as a substitute for steel, in, for example, bridges, processing equipment, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A.N. Scobie
  • Publication number: 20090056898
    Abstract: This invention is an acoustic fiber-based substrate composed primarily of insulation-type spun fibers or blends of such fibers and wheel spun fibers. The fibers are bound with a water-dispersible latex binder, or an agri-binder such as starch in conjunction with cellulose fiber. The insulation-type spun fibers can be first quality virgin, post-industrial waste-stream or post-consumer waste stream fiber. The substrate is wet-formed from a very dilute aqueous dispersion of ingredients onto a mesh forming screen, as on a Fourdrinier paper machine. By virtue of the insulation-type spun fiber dimensions, morphology and orientation: very low density wet-mats can be formed from a sufficiently dilute suspension. With respect to other wet-formed substrates, the invention is much lower in density and more highly porous, and, thus, the substrate is highly absorbing, exhibiting noise reduction coefficients, NRC values of about 0.80 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony L. Wiker, Robert C. Garman
  • Publication number: 20090025898
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making die-dried friction wafers collects friction particulates in a mold defining a wafer. The mold includes at least one perforate wall portion against which an aqueous slurry including the particulates is passed to form at least one layer on the wall as the particulates collect in the mold. The collection is dried followed by curing, and may be cured in the mold by heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Raytech Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela L. Petroski, Samuel A. Truncone, James Macey, Hualin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20080308239
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to producing paper or paperboard having improved stiffness and strength, compared to the conventional paperboard at the same basis weight. It also discloses a method of wood pulping having a significantly increased yield and providing fiber pulps with enhanced properties such as strength and stiffness. Wood chips are chemically pulped to a high kappa number, providing a rejects component and an accepts component. The rejects component is subjected to a substantially mechanical pulping process, optionally in a presence of bleaching agent, prior to blending back into the accepts component. The resulting fiber blend is washed, optionally bleached, and subjected to a papermaking process to provide paper or paperboard with enhanced strength and stiffness at low basis weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Peter W. Hart, Darrell M. Waite, Dale E. Nutter
  • Patent number: 7462261
    Abstract: A method of producing a lipped molded article comprising the steps of forming a molded article having an opening portion by papermaking and outwardly curling the peripheral wall portion which constitutes the opening portion to make a lip. The method is characterized in that the inner surface of the molded article is coated with a resin layer to make a multilayer molded article, the part to be curled of the peripheral wall portion of the molded article is impregnated with a liquid, and the part to be curled is subjected to curling processing while or after being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nonomura, Atsushi Sato, Shinji Kodama, Minoru Goto
  • Publication number: 20080292879
    Abstract: A molded article containing a powder and a fibrous material which is obtained by a wet papermaking process. The fibrous material has a fiber length frequency distribution such that 30% to 90% of the fibrous material have a fiber length of 0.4 to 2.0 mm and that 9% to 50% of the fibrous material has a fiber length of 0.4 mm or less. The molded article contains at least 50% by weight of the powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kumamoto, Masataka Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7449087
    Abstract: A method of producing a fiber molded article using a pressing mold, includes inserting a first split and a second split into a slurry tank such that a fiber layer is formed on the first split and a fiber layer is formed on the second split, placing the pressing mold, which includes a solid elastic member and an inflatable elastic member configured to be inflated, onto the fiber layer on the first split, joining the first split and the second split such that a fiber molded article is formed from the fiber layer on the first split and the fiber layer on the second split, and dewatering and shaping the fiber molded article by pressing the fiber molded article by the solid elastic pressing member and the inflatable elastic pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Odajima, Tokihito Sono, Koichi Sagara, Hiromichi Kimbara
  • Publication number: 20080179027
    Abstract: A cellulose pulp particle having the shape of a general prismatoid having two parallel bases, the pulp particle comprising pulp fibers in a wet laid pulp sheet form, one of the bases having an area that is equal to or greater than the area of the other base, the area of the larger base being equal to or less than 30 mm2 and equal to or greater than 8 mm2, the height of the particle, the perpendicular distance between the bases, being equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Co.
    Inventors: David E. Fish, Hugh West, Linda A. Beltz
  • Patent number: 7396438
    Abstract: A method of making a formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material comprising (a) providing an aqueous lignocellulose fiber pulp slurry having an effective consistency; (b) de-watering the slurry to provide a de-watered material at an effective de-watering rate under an effective pressure to prevent or reduce the formation of fissures and voids within the material; (c) drying an effective amount of the de-watered material at an effective temperature and period of time to provide the formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The formed, dried lignocellulose material may be used to make a lignocellulose fiber-resin composite material of use as a cost effective structural member, as a substitute for steel, in, for example, bridges, processing equipment, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tembec Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. N. Scobie
  • Publication number: 20080156576
    Abstract: In a process for producing a loudspeaker diaphragm, pulp is deposited on a paper-making mold in the presence of vortex stream of water having pulp dispersed therein in a paper-making bath. Pulp is deposited on the paper-making mold while at least the water having pulp dispersed therein is rotated by the vortex stream in the paper-making bath. Consequently, variation of pulp fiber orientation is suppressed, and a loudspeaker diaphragm with high reproducibility and stable quality is produced with a high productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Shinya Mizone
  • Patent number: 7297232
    Abstract: A method for producing a fiber molded article comprising the step of transferring a fiber molded article 10 formed in a papermaking mold 2 composed of splits 20 and 20? to a split 30? of a drying mold 3, in which the papermaking mold 2 is once opened while attracting the fiber molded article 10 to the inner surface of the split 20? by suction to separate the fiber molded article 10 from the inner surface of the split 20, the papermaking mold 2 is closed, the suction by the split 20? is stopped, the papermaking mold 2 is opened again while attracting the fiber molded article 10 to the inner surface of the split 20 to separate the fiber molded article 10 from the split 20?, the split 20 is joined with the split 30?, the fiber molded article 10 is attracted to the inner surface of the split 30? by suction, and the fiber molded article 10 is separated from the split 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuo Tsuura, Masayuki Osaki
  • Patent number: 7297235
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming fibrous filter elements such as tubular elements molded from borosilicate microfibers. Molding rigs are supplied with a slurry from a system including a holding tank and a reservoir. The reservoir is coupled to a water intake and also receives recycled aqueous liquid. The holding tank receives a mixture of fibers and aqueous liquid. A controller monitors volume levels in the holding tank and reservoir and allows for incremental pH changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: PSI Global Ltd.
    Inventor: Alex George Hunter
  • Publication number: 20070227680
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing shock absorbing materials using wastepaper using vacuum forming principle and wastepaper shock absorbing materials using the method are disclosed, wherein the method comprises: disintegrating wastepaper selected from at least one or more of Korea Old Corrugated Container (KOCC), Korea Old Newspaper (KONP) and milk carton, using a blender; diluting the disintegrated wastepaper to manufacture pulp suspension; mixing the pulp suspension with cationic starch; vacuum-dehydrating the pulp cationic starch mixed with the pulp suspension to a dual direction using a vacuum forming capable of dual vacuuming to manufacture a shock absorbing material; drying the shock absorbing material; and performing a surface sizing process on a surface of the dried shock absorbing material, such that a shock absorbing material having a remarkably low elastic modulus and density can be effectively manufactured without recourse to the conventional press performed by a press plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Chul hwan Kim, Young min Lee, Dae bin Song
  • Patent number: 7118649
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises; a paper tank, a pulp dispersion reservoir tank connected to the paper tank, a stirring means provided in the paper tank, a water inlet unit connected to the paper tank, a drain unit disposed under the paper tank, and a paper mold disposed at the bottom of the paper tank or in the drain unit, wherein a sectional area of the drain unit is larger than the plane area of the paper mold. The drain unit may be further provided with a water flow control plate in a draining direction of the paper mold. According to the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention, diaphragms with very uniform internal composition and diaphragms with intentionally varied internal composition in accordance with required sound characteristics can be mass-produced with good reproducibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Morohoshi, Shinya Mizone, Nobuo Nakamura, Kazuto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7077933
    Abstract: A pulp molded article (1) of the present invention comprises a neck portion (2) and a thread (5) provided on the outer surface of the neck portion (2), and has an overrun torque of 1 N·m or higher between the neck portion and a threaded cap screwed on the neck portion (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Otani, Yoshiaki Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 7074302
    Abstract: A fibrous panel is molded in two or more progressively formed mold members each comprising a porous support plate to which a plurality of rigid mold pieces are affixed. The mold pieces are truncated 3D tapered structures, and are arranged on the support plate in a regular array so that an intersecting grid or lattice of channels is defined between them. A fiber stock is poured into a first mold member and the stock is compressed and dewatered to form a panel. The panel is removed from the first mold member and placed into a second mold member having narrower and shallower channels whose side walls are more upright than those of the first mold member. The panel is further compressed and dewatered in the second mold member, and is densified in both the vertical and lateral directions by virtue of the progressive formation of the mold members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Renck, Jimmy W. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7067041
    Abstract: A method of producing pulp moldings having a paper-making process comprising the steps of assembling split mold halves (11, 12) having suction passageways (14) to form a paper-making mold (10), feeding pulp slurry of predetermined set feed concentration into the cavity (13) in the paper-making mold (10), and sucking the pulp slurry through the suction passageways (14) to form a pulp layer (15) on the inner surface of the paper-making mold (10), wherein the concentration of the pulp slurry in the cavity (13) in the initial and/or final period of formation of the pulp layer (15) in the paper-making process is lower than the above-mentioned set feed concentration of the pulp slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuo Tsuura, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Kenichi Otani, Masayuki Osaki, Shingo Odajima
  • Patent number: 7008509
    Abstract: A molded body formed with pulp mold having projected lines corresponding to a slit-shaped vent package part, capable of being provided by paper-making/dewatering, using a paper making mold, a slurry having fibers dispersed in a liquid so as to obtain a three-dimensional fiber wetted laminated body, moving the laminated body to a dry mold having an inner surface with the slit-shaped vent package, and pressing and drying that laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Otani, Toshio Kobayashi, Toshiharu Togashi, Shingo Odajima, Tokihito Sono, Masayuki Osaki, Hiromichi Kimbara, Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 6994772
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a fiber-molded hollow article by using a papermaking mold (2) composed of splits (21, 22) which are joined to form a cavity (20) having two openings (20a, 20b) connecting with the outside and an expandable pressing member (3) adapted to be placed in the cavity (20). The method comprises the steps of immersing each of the splits (21, 22) before being joined in a fiber slurry to form a fiber preform (10a, 10b), joining the splits (21, 22) each having the fiber preform (10a, 10b) formed thereon while placing the pressing member (3) in the cavity (20), and molding and dewatering a molded article (1) in the papermaking mold (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kimbara, Koichi Sagara, Masayuki Osaki, Tokuo Tsuura
  • Patent number: 6949183
    Abstract: A concentration adjustment unit adjusts a concentration of a fiber solution. An element forming unit includes an element forming tank, which receives the concentration-adjusted fiber solution, and a suction jig, which draws the concentration-adjusted fiber solution and accumulates fibers, which are contained in the drawn fiber solution, on a surface of the suction jig to form a filter element. A recovery unit includes a reservoir tank, which reserves recovered water that is drawn and is recovered through the suction jig. A filtration unit is provided in the recovery unit. The filtration unit includes a filter, which filters the recovered water, and jet nozzles, which remove the fibers, which are accumulated on a surface of the filter upon drawing and filtering the recovered water through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Etori
  • Patent number: 6933038
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reinforcing mineral-based materials using reinforced fiber material. More particularly, the present invention relates a method for more uniformly dispensing a fiber material with a mineral-based material, such as cement paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nanko, Kimberly E. Kurtis
  • Patent number: 6929717
    Abstract: An apparatus for making paper includes a stirring tank and a paper making portion. The stirring tank includes: an outer cylinder; a middle cylinder disposed concentrically with the outer cylinder; a raw-material feeding port for feeding raw-material into said stirring tank; a stirring mechanisms; and a top plate for holding the outer and middle cylinders in a predetermined position. The paper making portion is installed below the stirring tank and includes: a wire cloth and a paper making frame having an opening for holding said wire cloth, and the opening is connected to a suction unit. The stirring mechanisms are uniformly disposed above the wire cloth. In addition, a plurality of raw-material feeding ports are uniformly disposed above the wire cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: NSK - Warner Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Azuma, Makoto Suzuki, Nobuhiro Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6918997
    Abstract: A method of producing a pulp molded article comprising the steps of assembling splits (10, 11) each having a suction passageway and a papermaking screen (5) into a papermaking mold (1), filling the cavity of the papermaking mold (1) with a pulp slurry, discharging the liquid component of the pulp slurry through the suction passageway to deposit pulp fiber on the inner side of the papermaking screen (5) into an undried wet molded article, and dewatering the undried molded article deposited on the inner side of the papermaking screen (5), wherein the splits (10, 11) each have a large number of flow passageways (2) for feeding a purging fluid for cleaning the papermaking screen (5), and the purging fluid is ejected from the outer side of the papermaking screen (5) toward the cavity through the flow passageways (2) during the filling with the pulp slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Goto, Keiji Eto
  • Patent number: 6899793
    Abstract: A method of producing a pulp molded article. The method feeds a pulp slurry to a cavity of a papermaking mold having a prescribed cavity shape to form a pulp preform including a main part having an opening and a separable part having a flange and connected to an edge of the opening. A pressing member is inserted into the preform, the pressing member is expanded to press the preform toward the papermaking surface, the preform is removed from the papermaking mold, and then the preform is cut at a joint between the separable part and the main part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nonomura, Yasushi Yamada, Tokuo Tsuura, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Kenichi Otani
  • Publication number: 20040265513
    Abstract: A support for an image recording material comprises base paper having a formation index at a restriction diameter of 1.0 mm equal to or greater than 80 and density equal to or greater than 0.95 g/m3, changes of said formation index and density of said base paper before and after contact of a front surface of said base paper at a side on which an image recording layer of said imager recording material is formed with water at 20° C. for 30 seconds being equal to or less than 10 and 0.05 g/m3, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Shigehisa Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 6819970
    Abstract: A continuous-path moulding machine for moulded articles, including at least one moulding or forming die moving continuously or stepwise forward on a primary path and at least one transfer or pressing die moving continuously or stepwise forward on a secondary path, wherein at least one said path is a continuous-path loop, the arrangement being such that a component on said continuous-path loop passes a given fixed point on said continuous-path loop repeatedly, and wherein a plurality of discrete reference positions are provided on at least said primary path, and wherein said reference positions generate at least one position signal, and wherein said at least one position signal is transmitted to at least one DIOC, and wherein said DIOC includes associated customised software containing “if-then” type instructions, and wherein at least one communication system is provided to enable signals to be communicated from a stationary component of said machine to at least one component on a path of said mach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ludowici Packaging Limited
    Inventor: John Charles Turner
  • Patent number: 6797119
    Abstract: A pulp packing material comprising: a first layer containing crosslinked pulp as a main component; and a second layer containing non-crosslinked pulp or biodegradable plastics as a main component, which are produced by sheet making, wherein the first and second layers are stuck and laminated onto each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Motomu Koike
  • Patent number: 6777103
    Abstract: A fiber cement composite material providing improved rot resistance and durability, the composite material incorporating biocide treated fibrous pulps to resist microorganism attacks. The biocide treated fibers have biocides attached to inner and outer surfaces of individualized fibers to protect the fibers from fungi, bacteria, mold and algae attacks. The biocides selected have strong affinity to cellulose and do not interfere with cement hydration reactions. This invention also discloses the formulation, the method of manufacturing and the final fiber cement products using the biocide treated fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: James Hardie Research Pty Limited
    Inventors: Donald J. Merkley, Caidian Luo
  • Patent number: 6758996
    Abstract: Granulated papermaking sludge is combined with plastic to form composite materials that may be shaped into structural and non-structural articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kadant Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Yiannis A. Monovoukas, Steven J. Anderson, David Leeman, Anatole A. Klyosov, George P. Philippidis
  • Patent number: 6752906
    Abstract: A loudspeaker in which the input resistance is improved and the effect of humidity on the playback frequency response is suppressed, and a method for the preparation of the loudspeaker. A sheet-like product, containing glass particles with a particle size of 8 nm to 300 nm and polyamide resin, and prepared by application of a paper-making technique, is used as the diaphragm. The content of the glass particles in the compound material is 5 weight % to 70 weight %. In preparing the diaphragm, a phase of an aqueous solution containing diamine and water glass is contacted with a phase of an organic solution containing a dicarboxylic acid halide to generate a compound material containing glass particles and the polyamide resin. The compound material so prepared is formed into a sheet by a paper-making technique. In the process of the preparation by the paper-making technique, the compound material mixed with other fibrous material may also be used as a starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Uryu, Kunihiko Tokura, Yoshio Ohashi, Satoshi Idemura, Michiya Nakashima, Katsuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6740202
    Abstract: A speaker diaphragm is formed from a material combining a fiber-type material and a ceramic-type-coating agent including metal alkoxide, metal hydroxide, and a colloidal or fine-particulate inorganic substance. The combining process for the ceramic-type-coating agent is performed before or after the fiber-type material is formed into a shape of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation, Nippan Kenkyujo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishigaki, Hideo Sekikawa, Koji Maekawa, Tomoyuki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20040084166
    Abstract: A method of producing a lipped molded article comprising the steps of forming a molded article having an opening portion by papermaking and outwardly curling the peripheral wall portion which constitutes the opening portion to make a lip. The method is characterized in that the inner surface of the molded article is coated with a resin layer to make a multilayer molded article, the part to be curled of the peripheral wall portion of the molded article is impregnated with a liquid, and the part to be curled is subjected to curling processing while or after being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Akira Nonomura, Atsushi Sato, Shinji Kodama, Minoru Goto
  • Publication number: 20040079505
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises; a paper tank, a pulp dispersion reservoir tank connected to the paper tank, a stirring means provided in the paper tank, a water inlet unit connected to the paper tank, a drain unit disposed under the paper tank, and a paper mold disposed at the bottom of the paper tank or in the drain unit, wherein a sectional area of the drain unit is larger than the plane area of the paper mold. The drain unit may be further provided with a water flow control plate in a draining direction of the paper mold. According to the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention, diaphragms with very uniform internal composition and diaphragms with intentionally varied internal composition in accordance with required sound characteristics can be mass-produced with good reproducibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Yukinori Morohoshi, Shinya Mizone, Nobuo Nakamura, Kazuto Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040069429
    Abstract: An element made by papermaking for use in the production of a die casting which comprises an organic fiber, an inorganic fiber, and a binder. The contents of the organic fiber, the inorganic fiber, and the binder are preferably 10 to 70 parts by weight, 1 to 80 parts by weight, and 10 to 85 parts by weight, respectively. The binder is preferably an organic binder. The organic fiber is preferably pulp fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Tokuo Tsuura, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Yoshimasa Takagi, Shigeo Nakai, Tokihito Sono
  • Patent number: 6716319
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a molded pulp product from a fiber slurry comprising a dip tank containing a fiber slurry therein and having a liquid level. A platen is provided. A porous mold is carried by the platen. The platen and the mold carried thereby are lowered into the fiber slurry in a downward direction with the platen being disposed upwardly of the mold so that the mold is introduced through the liquid level into the fiber slurry. A vacuum is supplied to the platen and to the mold while the mold is disposed in the fiber slurry to cause fibers in the fiber slurry to collect onto the mold and form a wet molded pulp product. The platen and the mold with the wet molded product thereon are moved out of the fiber slurry through the liquid level to permit water to drain from the mold and the wet molded pulp product. The wet molded pulp product is then dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Regale Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gale, Jeffrey J. Haugen, Edward D. Alloway, Eric A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6712939
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing wet-felted and thermally bonded porous structures is provided to produce formed porous media for use in filters with improved filtration performance. The process includes the steps of forming a slurry with a primary media consisting of natural or synthetic fibers, a wet strength agent consisting of fibrillated fibers, and a binding agent; vacuum forming the slurry to produce a formed media; drying the formed media using a gas at a temperature below the melting temperature of the binding agent; bonding the formed media using a gas at a temperature above the melting temperature of the binding agent; and cooling the formed media using a gas at ambient temperature. The process produces a formed porous media with improved bonding which results in improved filtration performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Chen, Katharine L. K. Faye, Mark Schimmel
  • Patent number: 6706146
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a preform having a desirably uniform distribution of structural forms (for example and without limitation, particles, flakes, and fibers) therethrough. The method according to the present invention includes using an electrical charge reaction between cationic and anionic agents (such as, without limitation, cationic and anionic polymers) to cause the structural forms to floc or clump together in a mass in which the structural forms are desirably uniformly distributed therethrough. The flocculent mass is then dewatered and/or dried to form a preform that is ready for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6706151
    Abstract: A pulp moulding process including the steps of pulp stock, forming wet products by means of forming die (7), transferring the wet products from the forming die by means of a heated transferring die-and-heated pressing tool arrangement (13)(14) for in-mould pressing and drying of the wet product, and delivering the dried products to a down line facility (18). The invention encompasses a pulp moulding system, a pulp moulding apparatus, and a pulp moulded product made by such a process, system and/or apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Southern Pulp Machinery (PTY) Limited
    Inventors: Johan Jacob Oosthuizen, Jonathan David Taljaard
  • Publication number: 20040045690
    Abstract: A pulp molded article having a pulp fiber layer (2) of single layer structure which is formed by papermaking from a single raw material composition and has a density distribution in the thickness direction thereof. The pulp fiber layer (2) has such a density distribution that the density increases or decreases in the thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Keiji Eto, Yoshiaki Kumamoto, Masataka Ishikawa, Akira Nonomura
  • Publication number: 20040011489
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a fiber-molded hollow article by using a papermaking mold (2) composed of splits (21, 22) which are joined to form a cavity (20) having two openings (20a, 20b) connecting with the outside and an expandable pressing member (3) adapted to be placed in the cavity (20). The method comprises the steps of immersing each of the splits (21, 22) before being joined in a fiber slurry to form a fiber preform (10a, 10b), joining the splits (21, 22) each having the fiber preform (10a, 10b) formed thereon while placing the pressing member (3) in the cavity (20), and molding and dewatering a molded article (1) in the papermaking mold (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kimbara, Koichi Sagara, Masayuki Osaki, Tokuo Tsuura
  • Publication number: 20040013830
    Abstract: A heat-insulating container having a first fiber layer (111) with a prescribed density and a second fiber layer (112) which is formed inside the first fiber layer (111) and has a lower density than the first fiber layer (111). The first fiber layer (111) is 0.2 to 1 mm thick, and the second fiber layer (112) is 0.4 to 3 mm thick, with the total thickness of the first fiber layer (111) and the second fiber layer (112) being 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Akira Nonomura, Masaaki Suzuki, Mitsuyuki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20040007342
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for engineering the architectural arrangement and inter-fiber bonding of fibers within an article being molded form a pulp. This allows for optimal structural characteristics and additive disposition within the article. Complex forms can be fabricated, articles so made having regional variations in chemical and physical parameters as well as those defined by the gross structural form of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: George Gary Coulter
  • Patent number: 6666951
    Abstract: An improvement in the process for the production of articles from lignocellulosic material and a formaldehyde based resin binder comprising the step of treating the lignocellulosic material prior to combining it with the binder by exposing the lignocellulosic material to an acidic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Darren J. Kostiw
  • Publication number: 20030209337
    Abstract: A method for producing a pulp molded article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming and drying a pulp molded precursor (15). The drying step includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the precursor (15) is set in a cavity of a heating mold, and is hot-pressed. The cavity has a configuration in conformity to the contour of the pulp molded article to be produced. In the second step, the hot-pressed precursor (15) is taken out from the heating mold and is heat-dried in a drying furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Nonomura
  • Publication number: 20030150582
    Abstract: A method of producing pulp moldings having a paper-making process comprising the steps of assembling split mold halves (11, 12) having suction passageways (14) to form a paper-making mold (10), feeding pulp slurry of predetermined set feed concentration into the cavity (13) in the paper-making mold (10), and sucking the pulp slurry through the suction passageways (14) to form a pulp layer (15) on the inner surface of the paper-making mold (10), wherein the concentration of the pulp slurry in the cavity (13) in the initial and/or final period of formation of the pulp layer (15) in the paper-making process is lower than the above-mentioned set feed concentration of the pulp slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Tokuo Tsuura, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Kenichi Otani, Masayuki Osaki, Shingo Odajima
  • Publication number: 20030150583
    Abstract: A method of producing a pulp molded article comprising the steps of assembling splits (10, 11) each having a suction passageway and a papermaking screen (5) into a papermaking mold (1), filling the cavity of the papermaking mold (1) with a pulp slurry, discharging the liquid component of the pulp slurry through the suction passageway to deposit pulp fiber on the inner side of the papermaking screen (5) into an undried wet molded article, and dewatering the undried molded article deposited on the inner side of the papermaking screen (5), wherein the splits (10, 11) each have a large number of flow passageways (2) for feeding a purging fluid for cleaning the papermaking screen (5), and the purging fluid is ejected from the outer side of the papermaking screen (5) toward the cavity through the flow passageways (2) during the filling with the pulp slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Minoru Goto, Keiji Eto
  • Publication number: 20030145968
    Abstract: A method for producing a pulp molded article (7) comprising the steps of supplying a pulp slurry into the cavity (1) of a mold (10) composed of a set of splits (3 and 4), the set of splits (3 and 4) being assembled together to form the cavity (1) with a prescribed configuration, to form a pulp deposited body (5), feeding a fluid into the cavity (1) to press the pulp deposited body (5) onto the inner wall of the cavity (1) for dewatering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kumamoto, Kenichi Otani, Shinji Otakura, Tokuo Tsuura, Masataka Ishikawa, Toshiyuki Suga, Akira Nonomura
  • Publication number: 20030121635
    Abstract: A method for producing a pulp molded article (7) comprising the steps of supplying a pulp slurry into the cavity (1) of a mold (10) composed of a set of splits (3 and 4), the set of splits (3 and 4) being assembled together to form the cavity (1) with a prescribed configuration, to form a pulp deposited body (5), feeding a fluid into the cavity (1) to press the pulp deposited body (5) onto the inner wall of the cavity (1) for dewatering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kumamoto, Kenichi Otani, Shinji Otakura, Tokuo Tsuura, Masataka Ishikawa, Toshiyuki Suga, Akira Nonomura
  • Patent number: 6554962
    Abstract: A loudspeaker in which the input resistance is improved and the effect of humidity on the playback frequency response is suppressed, and a method for the preparation of the loudspeaker. A sheet-like product, containing glass particles with a particle size of 8 nm to 300 nm and polyamide resin, and prepared by application of a paper-making technique, is used as the diaphragm. The content of the glass particles in the compound material is 5 weight % to 70 weight %. In preparing the diaphragm, a phase of an aqueous solution containing diamine and water glass is contacted with a phase of an organic solution containing a dicarboxylic acid halide to generate a compound material containing glass particles and the polyamide resin. The compound material so prepared is formed into a sheet by a paper-making technique. In the process of the preparation by the paper-making technique, the compound material mixed with other fibrous material may also be used as a starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Uryu, Kunihiko Tokura, Yoshio Ohashi, Satoshi Idemura, Michiya Nakashima, Katsuji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030051845
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a molded pulp product from a fiber slurry comprising a dip tank containing a fiber slurry therein and having a liquid level. A platen is provided. A porous mold is carried by the platen. The platen and the mold carried thereby are lowered into the fiber slurry in a downward direction with the platen being disposed upwardly of the mold so that the mold is introduced through the liquid level into the fiber slurry. A vacuum is supplied to the platen and to the mold while the mold is disposed in the fiber slurry to cause fibers in the fiber slurry to collect onto the mold and form a wet molded pulp product. The platen and the mold with the wet molded product thereon are moved out of the fiber slurry through the liquid level to permit water to drain from the mold and the wet molded pulp product. The wet molded pulp product is then dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Regale Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gale, Jeffrey J. Haugen, Edward D. Alloway, Eric A. Davis