Including A Step Other Than Application Or Removal Of Tension Patents (Class 264/210.2)
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Patent number: 7615173Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing bicomponent fibers by melt spinning two semi-crystalline polymers differing in crystallization rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Inventor: James Edmond Van Trump
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Publication number: 20090169827Abstract: A nonwoven fabric including a nonwoven web material layer having thermoplastic polymer filaments and an initial thickness Ts, and a method to make the nonwoven web fabric including embossing the nonwoven web material layer to form an embossed portion of the layer having a compressed thickness Tc that is less than Ts and an expanded portion of the layer having a thickness Te that is greater than Ts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: AHLSTROM CORPORATIONInventors: Rahul Dharmadhikary, Rongguo Zhao
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Patent number: 7550102Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Proteus, Inc.Inventor: F. John Herrington
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Publication number: 20090136733Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an extruded resin film which thermally shrinks little and a method for producing the same. The present invention provides an extruded resin film, formed by an extrusion forming method, made of a thermoplastic resin, having a thickness of from 0.03 to 0.5 mm, wherein the extruded resin film has a shrinkage ratio in the extrusion direction, S1 (%), which satisfies the following formula (1) and has a shrinkage ratio in the cross-extrusion direction, S2 (%), of from 0 to 5% when being left at rest for 0.5 hours under a hot atmosphere at the temperature of 20° C. above heat distortion temperature (Th) of the thermoplastic resin: 0.1/X?S1?1.7/X??(1) wherein X is thickness of the extruded resin film (mm).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicants: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED, ESCARBO SHEET CO., LTDInventors: Tomohiro MAEKAWA, Koji Koyama
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Patent number: 7531118Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an upper reveal that conforms to a curved portion of a window opening of a motor vehicle door frame. The upper reveal is formed from TPV and a carrier. The method includes the steps of: co-extruding the TPV with the carrier; curing the TPV to form the upper reveal; heating the upper reveal to a temperature greater than a heat deformation temperature of the TPV; and bending the upper reveal to conform to the curved portion of the window opening of the motor vehicle door frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Decoma International, Inc.Inventor: Peter John Ellis
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Publication number: 20090039542Abstract: Packing tape is made by predrying polyethylene terephthalate and supplying it to an intake end of a chamber of an extruder where the polyethylene terephthalate is agglomerated and melted while being moved through the chamber in a travel direction. Negative pressure is applied to the chamber of the extruder and to degas the PET and thereby draw low-molecular-weight impurities from the polyethylene terephthalate therein, and extruding the melted polyethylene terephthalate as a strip from the extruder through a spinneret.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventor: Jurgen Morton-Finger
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Publication number: 20090032986Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a thermoplastic resin film, comprising the steps of: extruding a molten thermoplastic resin from a die in the form of sheet and sandwiching the sheet-form thermoplastic resin between one drum and the other drum to cool, in which at least one of the drums has concave portions of 5 nm to 500 nm (both inclusive) depth in an area ratio of 0.5% to 20% (both inclusive). According to the aspect of the present invention, the sheet-form thermoplastic resin is excellent in handling, since desired convex portions are formed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Akihide Fujita
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Publication number: 20090005477Abstract: A composition of matter comprising an article derived from a composition containing: a. from about 30 to 80 wt. % of a polycarbonate component, b. from about 5 to about 50 wt. % of a polyester component, wherein when polybutylene terephthalate is present in the composition, the polybutylene terephthalate is present in conjunction with at least one other polyester that is not polybutylene terephthalate; c. about 2 to about 25 wt. % of an impact modifier; and d. a gloss reducing effective amount of a multifunctional additive comprising at least one epoxy group. The invention also includes injection molding processes, thermoforming processes for making articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Claire Qing Yu, Kenneth Frederick Miller, Donald Howard Ellington, Yantao Zhu
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Patent number: 7455800Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Michael Putnam, Jian Weng
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Patent number: 7427372Abstract: An apparatus for producing a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet or film has a casting mechanism having support rollers each mounted to undergo rotation about a corresponding rotational axis and one of which is mounted to undergo non-rotational displacement relative to the other support rollers. A casting sleeve is entrained around the support rollers for rotation therewith. A casting roller is mounted for undergoing rotation relative to the casting sleeve. A synthetic resin material is fed between opposite and confronting outer peripheral surfaces of the casting sleeve and the casting roller while rotating the casting sleeve and the casting roller and while effecting non-rotational displacement of one of the support rollers to holdingly press the synthetic resin material between the casting sleeve and the casting roller and thereby form the synthetic resin material into a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet or film.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: CTE Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keita Morita
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Patent number: 7416692Abstract: A method of embossing a sheet material includes: heating at least a portion of the sheet directly or indirectly with radiant energy from a radiant energy source; pressing a tool against the heated portion of the sheet, thereby patterning a surface of the sheet; and separating the sheet and the tool. The radiant energy may travel through a solid material that is relatively transparent to radiation, on its way to being absorbed by a relatively-absorptive material. The relatively-transparent material may be an unheated portion of the sheet, and the relatively-absorptive material may be either the tool or the heated portion of the sheet. Alternatively, the relatively-transparent material may be the tool, and the relatively-absorptive material may be all or part of the sheet. The method may be performed as one or more roll-to-roll operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Rishikash K. Bharadwai, Eng-Pi Chang, Philip Yi Zhi Chu, Hsiao Ken Chuang, David N. Edwards, Robert J. Fermin, Ali R. Mehrabi, Reza Mehrabi, Ronald F. Sieloff, Chunhwa Wang
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Publication number: 20080169590Abstract: The invention relates to blends of polyamides in polyesters, a method for forming such compositions, and to containers made from such compositions. Specifically the compositions have less haze and transparency than previous blends. The blends can be used as passive gas barriers, and/or active oxygen scavengers with the addition of a transition metal catalyst. The invention seeks to obtain balanced refractive indices for the polyamides/polyester compositions. A method to blend the copolyester and polyamides and orient the blend to minimize the haze, thereby forming an oriented article, is also described and claimed. These articles have excellent gas barrier properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A.R.L.Inventors: Sanjay Mehta, Phyllis Anne Hiltner, Eric Baer
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Patent number: 7396493Abstract: Polymeric multilayer optical films, and laminate bodies that include such films, are provided with a melt zone that extends between a first and second portion of the multilayer optical film. If a shearing operation or other external influence acts on the film in the first portion that causes delamination of individual layers of the multilayer optical film, the melt zone is effective to prevent the delamination from propagating from the first portion to the second portion. The melt zone is characterized at least in part by a deformation of individual layers of the multilayer optical film. The melt zone can be positioned to extend along and proximate to some or all of a periphery of the multilayer optical film.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bruce E. Tait, Steven J. Dobrzynski, David K. Mortenson, John A. Wheatley
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Patent number: 7384588Abstract: A process for making a flexible structure that includes at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property that differs in value.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: The Procter + Gamble CompanyInventors: Gregory Charles Gordon, David William Cabell, Larry Neil Mackey, John Gerhard Michael, Paul Dennis Trokhan
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Publication number: 20080118692Abstract: Applicants have discovered that certain polyethylene (PE) homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and C3 to C10 alpha-olefin monomers are more suitable for oriented processes than other polyethylene resins In an aspect, the PE has a MFI of 0.3 g/10 min. to 5.0 g/10 min., a melting point of from 110° C. to 140° C., a density of from 0.912 g/cm3 to 0.965 g/cm3(%), a haze of 10% or less, a clarity of at least 90, and a gloss of at least 60. The polyethylene is heated and formed into an article, cooled, and then the article is stretch oriented. In an embodiment, the film, tape, the melt extruded, injection blow molded, injection stretch blow molded, cast, and thermoformed articles that can be produced with this polyethylene has a thickness of 0.1 mil to 100 mils. The polyethylene exhibits excellent elasticity, toughness, stretch and optical properties for such applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Michael McLeod, Gerhard Guenther, Shannon B. Hoesing
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Publication number: 20080018014Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cooling material during continuous vacuum forming. The apparatus includes one or more cooling regions positioned adjacent one or more vacuum regions. A rotatable support belt including perforations therein supports a flexible patterned belt. The flexible patterned belt includes apertures spaced along the length and width thereof. The one or more cooling regions provide a cooling fluid to be drawn through the apertures in the flexible patterned belt to form an area of cooling fluid on the flexible patterned belt which contacts a bottom surface of a hot material received on the flexible patterned belt in order to cool the bottom surface of the material and the flexible patterned belt. The vacuum regions are in fluid flow communication with the perforations of the support belt and the apertures of the flexible patterned belt for drawing the material onto the flexible patterned belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Kenneth D. Bosler
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Publication number: 20070281129Abstract: In one embodiment, the diffuser film comprises a polymer composition, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The diffuser film is capable of diffusing light. The diffuser film, without a coating, has a film haze of about 10% to about 80%, and has no visible mura defects under panel observation as determined with a backlight display having a center brightness of about 6,000 nit to about 6,300 nit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Chi Kwong Chan, Yaowen Bai, Jinghui Xu, Adel Bastawros, Karkala Arun Kumar
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Patent number: 7238309Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Scott L Adriaansen, Kim F Cobb-Cain, Kevin B Sterner
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Patent number: 7211210Abstract: A finished PTFE film is produced by first preparing an extruded, dried, unsintered and unexpanded PTFE feed film, and then reducing the thickness of the feed film by more than 20% by passing it with back tension through a roll nip.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Textiles Coated InternationalInventor: Stephen W. Tippett
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Patent number: 7182900Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a winding tape (10) of unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene wherein polytetrafluoroethylene powder is mixed with a lubricating or slip agent, the material is molded into a cylindrical blank (1) and the blank (1) is first extruded as a strand with small outer dimensions and subsequently calendered into the tape (10) in the forming gap (13) of a pair of rolls (8,9). The surface of at least one roll is deformed under compression during calendering of the round rope (6) into the tape.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Hew-Kabel/CDT GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Schwamborn, Walter Steffes
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Patent number: 7172720Abstract: Heating and extruding a polymeric sheet having a predetermined thickness and introducing it into and through a gap between cooling rolls, measuring directly by laser beam and without reflection the gap between the cooling rolls, and controlling the gap to control minimal pressure on the softened and heat-plastified sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Welex IncorporatedInventor: Frank R. Nissel
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Patent number: 7157039Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of a spiral or coil shaped puffed extrudate. A tube or other peripheral containment vessel is placed at the exit end of an extruder die. A force or resistance is then applied on the extrudate downstream of the glass transition point, thereby causing the extrudate to back up and coil in the containment vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.Inventor: Eugenio Bortone
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Patent number: 7135063Abstract: Biodegradable starch-based extruded products and methods of manufacturing those products are provided. In particular, extruded starch products processed by compression, stretching or compression and stretching provide excellent flexibility, pliability, dimensional stability, resiliency, abrasion resistance and other properties making them attractive for use as packaging materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Amylex CorporationInventors: Hans G. Franke, Donald R. Bittner
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Patent number: 7128862Abstract: A tubular extruded member particularly suitable for use in medical devices such as intravascular catheters and guide wires, wherein the extruded tubular member includes multiple layers having biaxial helical orientation in different directions. A counter-rotation extrusion process may be used to orient the layers in different biaxial helical directions. The counter-rotation extrusion process provides orientation in two different circumferential directions in addition to a longitudinal direction. By combining the dual direction or biaxial helical orientation with multiple layers, different layers of the tubular member may be tailored to have the desired mechanical properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventor: Lixiao Wang
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Patent number: 7052638Abstract: Forming a fastener component having heads constructed to engage loops formed e.g. of fibers of a mating component, comprises forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends, by a process having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction. Each molded stem has at least two terminal features spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction, the features having a transverse shape about which engaging fibers can bend, the features having a thickness of about 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) or less, preferably about 0.20 mm (0.008 inch), and for personal care products and the like preferably about 0.1 mm (0.004 inch) or less. The terminal ends of the features are heated to a predetermined softening temperature and the terminal ends are contacted to reform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base sufficiently to engage loops.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Mark A. Clarner, George A. Provost, William L. Huber
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Patent number: 7052639Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a helical pattern. The wires are used, in essence, to form a structured surface on the tool roll that is the negative of the structured surface to be formed on the articles processed using the tool roll. One of the wires wound around the base roll may include depressions formed therein that, when wound in helical coils about the base roll, form cavities on the outer surface of the tool roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Robert D. Kampfer, Thomas R. LaLiberte
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Patent number: 7001442Abstract: There is provided a particulate filter for trapping particulates contained in an exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of an engine, comprising a plurality of exhaust gas flow passages each formed by three porous partitions extending substantially parallel with each other, each of the exhaust gas flow passages having a triangular cross section, wherein the partitions defining one of the adjacent exhaust gas flow passages are deformed at one end area of the filter so that the partitions at one end area of the filter approach each other toward one of the ends of the filter, the deformed portions of the partitions are connected to each other at their ends, thereby an opening of one of the adjacent exhaust gas flow passages is at least partially closed, the partitions defining the other exhaust gas flow passage are deformed at the other end area of the filter so that the partitions at the other end area of the filter approach each other toward the other end of the filter, and the deformed portions of tType: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Haruo Ooishi, Shuji Watanabe, Shinya Hirota
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Patent number: 6998081Abstract: Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are demonstrated herein. Such fibers are manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers include rigidifying nucleating compounds that nucleate polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive tape fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Brian G. Morin, Martin E. Cowan, Kenneth Higgins
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Patent number: 6969479Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a modified undulating helical pattern. The modified helical pattern results in the distance between the first wire and a reference plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base roll sequentially increasing and decreasing at least once when moving in one direction about a circumference of the base roll.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael R. Gorman, Thomas R. LaLiberte
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Patent number: 6960314Abstract: Methods of forming mold cavities suitable for hook and loop fastening are disclosed, along with effective hook construction and hook and loop fastener products that have an ultrathin cross-section. Photochemical techniques are employed to form plates that define hook-form mold cavities, and, alternatively, chemical etching is employed following preforming of the cavities and machining. Hooks having three-dimensional tapers with enhanced loop engaging characteristics are disclosed. By utilization of special surface finishes and tolerances, hook fasteners, having ultrathin cross-sections are realized, that pave the way for practical use of touch fasteners in a wide range of new areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Thomas G. Lacey, George A. Provost, Clinton Dowd, James Van Stumpf, Mark Joseph Condon, Samuel White Pollard, Stephen C. Jens, Peter E. Grulke
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Patent number: 6955780Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (see FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Proteus, Inc.Inventor: F. John Herrington
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Patent number: 6953542Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: The Glad Products CompanyInventor: Ronald J. Cisek
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Patent number: 6942832Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Inventor: Ivonis M. Mazzarolo
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Patent number: 6913714Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic polycarbonate film having an optical retardation value of less than or equal to 20 nm, is described. The method includes: (a) forming a molten extrudate (20) of a thermoplastic polycarbonate polymer in an extruder (11) having a terminal die (17) through which the molten extrudate is passed, the molten extrudate having a temperature of 150° C. to 400° C. upon emerging from terminal die (17); and (b) passing molten extrudate (20), from die (17), between two counter-rotating rolls (23 and 26) each having an elastomeric polymer surface (35 and 38), the counter-rotating rolls having a roll speed ratio and a nip (41), the distance between the terminal die (17) and the nip (41) being a die-nip distance (47). The extrudate temperature, the roll speed ratio and the die-nip distance (47) are each selected such that a thermoplastic polycarbonate film (32) having an optical retardation value of less than or equal to 20 nm is formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: Shu Liu, Luis A. Colon
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Patent number: 6908582Abstract: A process for producing a biodegradable and bioabsorbable implant material, which comprises forging a billet comprising and biodegradable and bioabsorbable crystalline polymer at a low temperature and then forging the same once more or in a plurality of times at a low temperature by changing its press-forcing direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Takiron Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Shikinami, Masaki Okuno, Hiroshi Morii
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Patent number: 6878332Abstract: Touch fasteners with different portions having different material properties, and methods and apparatus for making such a product. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a cross-linkable polymer, and a first portion of the fastener is cross-linked and a second portion of the fastener is not cross-linked or is cross-linked to a degree less than said first portion. In another embodiment, the fastener is made in a continuous process on a rotating mold roll having a plurality of fastener element mold cavities extending into the mold roll from its outer circumferential surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Velcro Industries, B.V.Inventors: Ernesto S. Tachauer, Brian J. VanBenschoten
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Patent number: 6872352Abstract: The invention relates to webs or batts including polytrimethylene terephthalate crimped staple fibers and fiberfill products comprising such webs and batts, as well as the processes of making the staple fibers, webs, batts and fiberfill products. According to the preferred process of making a web or batt, polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, containing polytrimethylene terephthalate is melt spun at a temperature of 245-285° C. into filaments. The filaments are quenched, drawn and mechanically crimped to a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm). The crimped filaments are relaxed at a temperature of 50-130° C. and then cut into staple fibers having a length of about 0.2-6 inches (about 0.5-about 15 cm). A web is formed by garnetting or carding the staple fibers and is optionally cross-lapped to form a batt. A fiberfill product is prepared with the web or batt.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Ismael A. Hernandez, Geoffrey David Hietpas, James M. Howell
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Patent number: 6843949Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Tredegar Film Products CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Brady, John H. Mackay
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Patent number: 6841105Abstract: A method of forming thermoplastic panels is disclosed which includes the steps of forming the thermoplastic panels by extrusion or a similar process and simultaneously or subsequently texturing or graining at least one face thereof, and utilizing such pre-textured or pre-grained panels to form a finished panel or article by disposing such panel in a thermoforming mold having at least one grained or textured mold surface against which the pre-textured or pre-grained surface of the panel is disposed and thermoforming such panel. The process provides a textured or grained surface having greatly improved uniformity and enhanced appearance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gary J. Nehring, John C. Montagna
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Publication number: 20040261229Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: The Glad Products CompanyInventor: Ronald J. Cisek
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Publication number: 20040245665Abstract: A method for manufacturing a long molding having an axial bend, includes: forming a long first member; performing an axial bending process for the first member, when the first member passes through a gripping portion; and extruding a heated and molten liquid resin molding material for formation of a second member through a second member molding opening of a second member extrusion die while following a bend of the first member to integrate the second member made of the molding material with the first member. The second member extrusion die has a changeable substantial opening shape of the second member molding opening. The second member having a different cross sectional shape between one part and the other part in the longitudinal direction is extruded in accordance with a change of the opening shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takayuki Yamaguchi, Katsura Sugiura
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Patent number: 6824729Abstract: A method of preparing a nonwoven web that has substantially continuous synthetic fine fiber includes preparing an aqueous amide crosslinked polymer solution. The solution is extruded through a die having a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are then attenuated with a primary gaseous source under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, at a rate sufficient to provide fibers having a desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jian Oin, Yong Li, Wendy Lynn Van Dyke, Anthony John Wisneski, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Hannong Rhim
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Publication number: 20040234724Abstract: Disclosed is a light directing polymeric film bearing on a surface thereof a three-dimensional features having an Ra of at least 3, the features containing a polymer dispersion comprising a continuous phase thermoplastic first polymeric material and a discontinuous phase thermoplastic second polymeric material that is immiscible with the first polymeric material and is dispersed in elongated micro-regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Cheryl J. Kaminsky, Robert P. Bourdelais, Michael R. Brickey
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Patent number: 6814905Abstract: A continuous process for making a thermoplastic article comprises extruding a sheet of thermoplastic and contacting the sheet with a mold surface while the sheet is in a substantially non-oriented state. The mold surface is selectively heated and/or cooled during thermoforming to maintain the sheet in a molten or thermoformable state. A stripper plate adjacent to the mold surface is maintained at different temperature for inducing a predetermined degree of crystallinity to the sheet, for increasing web stiffness and improving web alignment, and optionally for assisting in the separation of the articles from the mold. A continuous apparatus for making thermoformed articles has co-extruders for extruding at least two distinct layers, which can have dissimilar properties (e.g., polar and non-polar), and a temperature controlled molding surface. Preferred thermoplastic compositions of the present invention have improved toughness and retained intrinsic viscosity.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Associated Packaging Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Edward J. Dalgewicz, John Bond
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Publication number: 20040212124Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention continuously produces a suction cupped sheet of a predetermined width having a number of suction cups molded on a resin sheet. The apparatus has an endless track including an upper conveying path and includes a drawing mechanism. A thermoplastic soft resin is extruded sequentially into a train of molds conveyed along the conveying path. The extruded resin solidifies and forms a suction cupped sheet. The drawing mechanism draws the suction cupped sheet from the molds near the end point of the conveying path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventor: Hiroshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6808658Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6805823Abstract: Biodegradable starch-based extruded products and methods of manufacturing those products are provided. In particular, extruded starch products processed by compression, stretching or compression and stretching provide excellent flexibility, pliability, dimensional stability, resiliency, abrasion resistance and other properties making them attractive for use as packaging materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Amylex CorporationInventors: Hans G. Franke, Donald R. Bittner
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Patent number: 6797209Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width. In another embodiment the invention is a method for of producing generally cylindrical hollow filaments comprising extruding a polymer melt through a spinneret having first and second curved slots where each slot has a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by a intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width along the continuum defined by the distance between the first end and the second end.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Wellman, Inc.Inventors: Frederick L. Travelute, Evan T. Basalik
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Publication number: 20040178532Abstract: A method of making a roofing product such as a shingle is provided. One such method includes creating a mixture having at least a polymer and a filler, forming a sheet from the mixture, cooling the sheet, embossing the sheet, forming multiple roofing products from the sheet and bundling at least some of the roofing products together. This method is performed using an automated procedure. Another method of the present invention involves creating a composite roofing product using mold cavities, using a robot to transfer some of the roofing products from some of the mold cavities to a conveying system, and stacking together at least two of the roofing products that have different colors of different surface configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: EPOCH Composite Products, Inc.Inventors: Randal J. Jolitz, Dennis Dean Carlson, Charles Doyle Ziulkowski
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Patent number: 6790405Abstract: An embossed, cast polyolefin film or an embossed, oriented polyolefin film includes: (a) a core layer including a propylene polymer; (b) an embossed outer layer on one side of the core layer, the embossed outer layer including an olefin polymer capable of being embossed; and (c) an additional outer layer on a side of the core layer opposite to the embossed outer layer, the additional outer layer including an olefin polymer. The embossed film can then be metallized to produce a shiny, metallic film having a prismatic or holographic appearance.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil CorporationInventors: Robert Andrew Migliorini, Christopher Nothnagle, Salvatore James Pellingra, Jr.