Mold Element Patents (Class 249/187.1)
  • Publication number: 20040157007
    Abstract: A mold apparatus for manufacturing a surface patterned block. The apparatus includes a resilient template with a relief pattern supported in a support frame. A setting substrate is supported in the support frame and on the cloth template and has at least one moldable surface. The relief pattern contacts the moldable surface and transfers the relief pattern to the moldable surface to form the surface patterned block. A method of producing a patterned block and a patterned block are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Larocque
  • Publication number: 20040135293
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a mold and a method of fabricating an article with the mold is disclosed that is capable of fabricating a high three-dimensional surface structure and extending the service life of the mold. A mold having a fine surface shape of a height less than an object height is fabricated, then the fine surface shape of the mold is transferred to an intermediate mold by dry-etching, and then the fine surface shape of the intermediate mold is further transferred to a final article material by dry-etching. In each transfer step by dry-etching, the etching selection ratio is appropriately adjusted to increase the height of the fine surface structure step by step, so that the fine surface shape of the final article material has the object height. On the surface of the final article material, a preliminary pattern of the object surface shape may be formed beforehand to reduce the required thickness of the curable resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: RICOH OPTICAL INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Umeki
  • Patent number: 6749171
    Abstract: A rustication for preparing reveal bands in a precast panel surface. The rustication is made from a one piece elongate body of extruded foam and comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and laterally-spaced sidewall surfaces that extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface defines a base plane. One or more downward-extending edges that project below the lower surface base plane are included such that they can bend under the application of a load, such as when concrete is poured around it to form the precast panel. Under such a load, the edge scrapes along the top of a panel-forming surface so that an enhanced sealing engagement between the panel-forming surface and the rustication is effected. The rustication can further include a plurality of longitudinally-spaced apertures that extend from the upper surface to the lower surface to facilitate the securing of the rustication to the panel-forming surface, thereby precluding rustication shift once the concrete is pouted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Fukuvi USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyozaburo Takagi
  • Patent number: 6742759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mould side system for concrete casts. The magnet unit according to the invention has no movable parts, but the magnet is a fixed component of the unit and detachment is carried out using a simple level tool. The fastening of the mould side to the magnet unit takes place by a known slanted-notch principle. According to an advantageous embodiment, the magnet unit has two faces for fastening mould sides, whereby parallel sides of separate, adjacent moulds may be fixed using the same magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Addtek Research & Development Oy AB
    Inventor: Kari Vappula
  • Patent number: 6706230
    Abstract: An auxiliary jig used with a couple of jigs for forming a structure made of a fiber-reinforced composite by heating under a pressure. The auxiliary jig is provided between the jigs while heating the structure under a pressure to prevent the jigs from falling down and to restrain a resin contained in the fiber-reinforced composite from flowing out from an interspace between the jigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Sato, Yuki Kasahara, Junichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20040032667
    Abstract: A surface microstructure is superimposed on the surface of a replication mould such as an injection moulding tool insert by laser interference exposure of a mask pattern and etching or electroplating the additional microstructure. The technique enables the post-processing of planar and non-planar replication moulds with additional microstructure to improve the functionality and value of the moulded components. A major area of application is an anti-reflection surface for injection moulded polymer optical components, achieved by the superposition of submicrometer anti-reflection grating structure onto injection moulding tool inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Gale, Juergen Sochtig, Markus Rossi
  • Publication number: 20030234336
    Abstract: A conformable modular support/enclosure wall system incorporates a skin formed of modular sheet sections bolted to a skeleton or framework constructed of elongate rib elements that can be fastened, e.g. bolted, together in various relationships including end-to-end, side-to-end and side-to-side configurations. The rib elements are provided in a variety of lengths and wall arrangements and each element has a generally trapezoidal cross-section, with a similar trapezoidal appearance in side elevation. The rib elements include transverse slots and apertures as well as axial apertures all configured to receive bolt fasteners within a range of angular orientations relative to the axial and transverse axes of the ribs. The flexible sheet sections of the skin bear arrays of openings in the form of elongated slots arranged in coordinate grid patterns, with the slots alternately aligned with the x and y axes of the same or independent coordinate grids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Hugh G. McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20030205657
    Abstract: A method for forming imprint lithography templates is described herein. The method includes forming a masking layer and a conductive layer on a substrate surface. The use of a conductive layer allows patterning of the masking layer using electron beam pattern generators. The substrate is etched using the patterned masking layer to produce a template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald D. Voisin
  • Publication number: 20030205658
    Abstract: A method for forming imprint lithography templates is described herein. The method includes forming a masking layer and a conductive layer on a substrate surface. The use of a conductive layer allows patterning of the masking layer using electron beam pattern generators. The substrate is etched using the patterned masking layer to produce a template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Voisin
  • Publication number: 20030186405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing micro and nano-porous polymeric articles with well-defined pore structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. James Lee, Siyi Lai
  • Publication number: 20030178547
    Abstract: A process for producing an article with a microstructure includes the steps of forming a primary relief structure on a surface of a substrate, applying a photo resist on the substrate, exposing part of the photo resist using a photo mask so as to form a microstructure pattern, developing the microstructure pattern in the exposed photo resist, thereby allowing access to a part of the primary relief structure from the photo resist, and thereby forming a patterned surface with a microstructure relief that is bounded by the exposed part of the primary relief structure and by remainder of the photo resist on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the patterned surface to form the article having the microstructure with a profile corresponding to the microstructure relief on the patterned surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Taiwan Nano Electro-Optical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Fu Wang, Yi-Tang Wang
  • Patent number: 6547209
    Abstract: A mold side system for a concrete mold, including one or more mold side parts to be removably attached to a casting bed by one or more magnet units. The magnet unit has a front face to be supported against the back face of the mold side part, which front face includes an oblique projecting member to be placed in an oblique counter-groove or hole provided in the back face of the mold side to thereby press the front face and the back face together when the magnet unit is attached to the casting bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Addtek Research & Development Oy Ab
    Inventor: Kari Vappula
  • Patent number: 6540202
    Abstract: Mold pins for use in a mold matrix, as used in the production of electroforms, are provided with means to alter the longitudinal axis of the pins relative to that of adjacent pins so that the longitudinal axis of the pins are tapered with respect to one another towards the operative ends of the pins. In one embodiment of the invention a dowel is inserted into a sidewall of the pin and extends normal thereto to space the pin from an adjacent one. In another embodiment, a spacing member of a desired thickness is applied to the shank of the pin at a location remote from the operative end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: DBM Reflex Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Vecrin, George Iatan
  • Patent number: 6533887
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a plurality of laminae for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective cube corner articles. Each lamina has opposing first and second major surfaces defining therebetween a first reference plane. Each lamina further includes a working surface connecting the first and second major surfaces. The working surface defines a second reference plane substantially parallel to the working surface and perpendicular to the first reference plane and a third reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Patent number: 6508558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making retro-reflective articles are described wherein continuous or large sheets of retro-reflective material can be made without visually disturbing seam lines. In one embodiment molds having retro-reflective elements have serrated edges along boundary lines of retro-reflective elements. In another embodiment the molds are provided with mold lines aligned with edges of the molds and so spaced from the edges that molds can be placed adjacent to one another as part of a grid pattern wherein seam lines are a part of the grid pattern and thus visually hidden. Articles made with molds having mold lines exhibit a regular grid pattern, but without an asymmetric seam line appearing on the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Printmark Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Sloot
  • Publication number: 20020153469
    Abstract: Adjacent tilt-up concrete wall panels are poured on a horizontal concrete floor or forming surface and are separated by a bulkhead device including a base member or channel of extruded semi-rigid plastics material and secured by screws to the forming surface. The base channel has upwardly projecting walls with inwardly projecting opposing teeth which releasably engage outwardly projecting teeth on spaced side walls of a generally U-shaped bulkhead member of extruded semi-rigid plastics material. The spaced side walls also have opposing ribs for gripping a bulkhead extension member, and the bulkhead member is also extruded with outwardly and downwardly projecting walls which have tapered lower edge portions engaging the forming surface to form chamfer corners on the concrete panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Miller-Valentine Construction Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Eyring, Kyozaburo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20020152709
    Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided. The retaining wall block includes top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side surfaces. A tongue set is provided on the top surface of the block and a groove in the bottom surface of the block. The tongue set includes a rear-facing surface set that includes first and second curved sections. A block form for forming retaining wall blocks is also provided. A face form for placement on the bottom surface of a block form is also provided. A method of molding retaining wall blocks with a form having hinged doors is also provided. A method of using a face form for forming two blocks of reversed front surface ornamentation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Gresser, Stanley W. Hamilton, Charles E. Carter, Anders M. Ruikka, Thomas J. Brion, Lawrence J. Ebert, James M. Barthel, Mathew A. Barron
  • Patent number: 6447878
    Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective sheeting and methods of making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a single row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed on its working surface. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Corresponding surfaces of opposing groove sets intersect substantially orthogonally along a reference edge to define first and second optical surfaces of the respective cube corner elements. The third optical surface of each respective cube corner element is defined by one surface of the third groove set. The laminae can inclued at least one cube corner element having a four-sided perimeter in plan view in which a first and second pair of opposed paralled sides are obliquely disposed with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20020027187
    Abstract: An auxiliary jig used with a couple of jigs for forming a structure made of a fiber-reinforced composite by heating under a pressure. The auxiliary jig is provided between the jigs while heating the structure under a pressure to prevent the jigs from falling down and to restrain a resin contained in the fiber-reinforced composite from flowing out from an interspace between the jigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichi Sato, Yuki Kasahara, Junichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6329077
    Abstract: A plate shaped compression mold, a process for producing the same and a process for making laminate therewith. The plate-shaped compression mold for producing sheet laminate including synthetic resin with a metal coating on at least one surface thereof has a surface for contacting the metal coating of the sheet laminate, which surface has a Rockwell C hardness of higher than about 44 and a thermal coefficient of linear expansion which differs from that of the metal coating by not more than about 2.5×10−6/K, thereby substantially preventing warping or wrinkling of the metal coating during the compression molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bohler Bleche GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Kügler, Werner Josef Jerlich
  • Publication number: 20010041198
    Abstract: A die for a rotary compression press, comprising a die holder axially supported in a guide bore and a die insert which is seated in the end-side bore of the die holder via a trunnion-shaped projection and is adapted to be mounted via releasable fastening means, wherein the projection is helically guided in the bore between axially spaced stops and is biased by a spring towards the associated front-end face of the die holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Ulrich Arndt, Andreas Arning, Heinrich Behrmann, Helmut Bommrowitz, Thomas Heinrich, Jurgen Hinzpeter, Thomas Jacob, Peter Luneburg, Nils Petersen, Hans-Joachim Pierags, Jurgen Schikowski, Elke Wittenberg, Hans Wolf, Ulrich Zeuschner
  • Patent number: 6302992
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a plurality of laminae for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective cube corner articles. Each lamina has opposing first and second major surfaces defining therebetween a first reference plane. Each lamina further includes a working surface connecting the first and second major surfaces. The working surface defines a second reference plane substantially parallel to the working surface and perpendicular to the first reference plane and a third reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Patent number: 6279868
    Abstract: Tilt-up concrete wall panels are poured on a horizontal concrete floor or forming surface and are provided with decorative recesses or rustications each formed by a device including an elongated clip or base member or channel of extruded semi-rigid plastics material and secured by fasteners to the forming surface. The base channel has upwardly projecting walls with inwardly projecting opposing teeth which releasably clip or engage outwardly projecting teeth on parallel spaced inner support walls of a generally flat rustication member of extruded semi-rigid plastics material. The rustication member is extruded with outwardly and downwardly projecting side or edge walls which have tapered lower edge portions engaging the forming surface to form precision recesses with beveled edge surfaces within the concrete panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Miller-Valentine Construction Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Eyring, Kyozaburo Takagi, Matthew Packer
  • Patent number: 6202978
    Abstract: A side wall system for a concrete casting mould, including a side part (2, 3) which is removably attachable to a casting bed (1) by means of one or several magnets (7). The body (6) of the magnet part that carries the magnet (7) includes a pivoting shaft (10) about which the magnet part (6, 7) can be pivoted into a lower position wherein the magnet (7) is fastened to the casting bed (1) and into an upper position wherein the magnet is spaced from the casting bed. The side part (2, 3) includes a holder (5) on which the pivoting shaft (10) of the magnet part can be hung so that it can be pivoted between its lower and upper positions. The holder (5) has a mounting face to which the upper surface of the magnet (7) can be fastened by means of the magnetic force when the magnet is pivoted into its upper position about its pivoting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Addtek Research and Development Oy AB
    Inventor: Kari Vappula