Cooling Patents (Class 264/237)
  • Publication number: 20040142150
    Abstract: A method of making an embossed optical sheet material includes: providing an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented polymer substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; heating a patterned tool using radiant energy from a radiant energy source, wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of parallel raised microstructures having a longitudinal direction; pressing the tool against the first major surface of the polymer substrate such that the longitudinal direction of the raised microstructures is substantially parallel to the direction of orientation of the polymer substrate, to soften the first major surface of the polymer substrate and emboss groove-shaped microchannels into the polymer substrate; cooling the embossed polymer substrate; and separating the tool from the polymer substrate; wherein the orientation of the polymer substrate is unchanged throughout the polymer substrate and first major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Rishikesh K. Bharadwaj, Dennis I. Couzin, David N. Edwards, Reza Mehrabi
  • Publication number: 20040130050
    Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough, joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials, in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary, with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton, James Kendall Hankins
  • Patent number: 6756002
    Abstract: A producing apparatus is used, in which a metallic endless belt having a mirror face is wound on and extends between a first cooling roller covered with an elastic member and a second cooling roller, and a third cooling roller having a mirror face on its surface and touching the first cooling roller through a molten thermoplastic resin sheet and the endless belt oriented therebetween to hold the molten thermoplastic resin sheet pressed with the endless belt. While the temperature of the third cooling roller and the endless belt directly touching the molten thermoplastic resin sheet is retained at less than 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fujii, Akira Funaki, Tohru Yukumoto, Katsumi Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20040119198
    Abstract: A dual component molding assembly for packaging hot melt adhesives wherein a mold, preferably in the form of an open top pan, includes a cavity which is lined with a thin film of plastic material. The mold has openings formed therein which communicate with the cavity to facilitate vacuum forming of the film to the cavity's interior surface. The second component is a carrier for the mold and is also preferably in the form of an open top pan. The carrier also includes a cavity for receiving the mold, and functions not only to support the mold when nested therein, but also to act as a heat sink to effectively and rapidly remove, dissipate or absorb the heat from molten adhesive dispensed into the mold. After filling the mold with a mass of adhesive, the exposed open top surface of the adhesive is covered with a second layer of thin film of plastic material which is then sealed to the first film lining the interior of the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Alper, Atul Mehta
  • Publication number: 20040119199
    Abstract: A hot embossing auto-leveling apparatus which has an air-floating spherical bearing between a lower mold and a base, placed in a depression on the base, with the base housing an air inlet and an air outlet. A hot embossing auto-leveling method, comprising the steps of (1) performing an upward and downward coupling movement of the lower and upper molds; (2) adjusting the lower mold against the upper mold using the air-floating spherical bearing; (3) fixing the lower mold by under pressure in an orientation parallel to the upper mold; (4) placing a molded part on the lower mold; (5) evacuating, heating and pressurizing a working chamber; (6) cooling; and (7) opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jung Yan Huang, Chu Shu Tsai, Choung-Lii Chao, Chuan Kang Mu, Jauh Jung Yang, Cheng-Chun Huang, Ming Yueh Liu
  • Patent number: 6752948
    Abstract: A method for removing supports from a three-dimensional objected formed by selective deposition modeling. The three-dimensional object is formed from a curable phase change material and the supports are formed from a non-curable phase change material. The curable phase change material contains between about 5% to about 25% of a non-reactive wax in order to achieve the desired phase change characteristics of the material. When removing the supports with heat, discoloration undesirably occurs in the three-dimensional object as the non-reactive wax migrates within the object. The method prevents wax migration by cooling the object slowly past the freezing point of the build material such that a temperature differential no greater than about 5° C. is present within the object. With the preferred build material having a freezing point of about 49.5° C., this is achieved by lowering the temperature between about 62° C. to about 52° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Newell, Stephen A. Ruatta, John S. Stockwell
  • Publication number: 20040115376
    Abstract: Flat textured or roughened blanks are used in injection molding processes to provide in-mold labels and similar decoration. This provides decorated article that has a desired texture, for example, that of a football or basketball, with custom graphics behind the texture. They may be configured into (preferably but not necessarily tapered) self-supporting sleeves, by joining opposite sides together at a seam or other interface. The sleeves may be used in applications such as inserts for injection molded containers, attachments to existing objects; components of containers manufactured using modified paper cup technology, or glued onto existing paper or plastic cups or containers. Other articles could be produced, such as recording media (e.g, DVD) cases, lunch boxes, food and other consumer packages, or any other type of injection blow molded or impact molded product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: John Tomczyk
  • Publication number: 20040109966
    Abstract: A medical tubing is disclosed which includes a first material extending between proximal and distal ends of the tubing and which defines a lumen of the tubing. The tubing also includes a second material extending between at least portion of the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the tubing and that is embedded in the first material. The second material is fractured. The first material is flexible and the second material is relatively rigid and brittle and the two materials combined to provide a medical tubing that exhibits strain softening behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: John Jianhua Chen, Douglas A. Devens, Paul James Miller, Edward Parsonage
  • Patent number: 6743387
    Abstract: A process for producing cables, in particular cables for the distribution of electrical energy or cables for telecommunications, more particularly, cables having at least one covering layer having a composition of high viscosity. cables with at least one covering layer are made from a polymeric composition having a mineral filler capable of imparting one or more specific properties to the cables. A production process includes conveying at least one conducting element inside of an extruder; feeding the polymeric material, optionally premixed with other components of the composition, into the extruder; filtering the material transferred and plasticized by the screw of said extruder; and depositing the material onto the at least one conducting element, the filtration operation being performed with a filtration efficiency greater than 0.8, preferably greater than 0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi E Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Belli, Angelo Giuseppe Locatelli, Giovanni Pozzati, Paolo Veggetti
  • Patent number: 6716522
    Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a molded article of a thermoplastic composite material which is not only durable with little discoloration or fading even on prolonged outdoor exposure and is very satisfactory in physical properties and appearance qualities inclusive of wood-like texture but also has high productivity and good economics. The present invention is a method of producing a molded article of a thermoplastic composite material comprising extruding the thermoplastic composite material containing a thermoplastic resin and a vegetable filler, said vegetable filler content being 50 to 90 weight % of the total weight of said thermoplastic resin and said vegetable filler, wherein extrusion is carried out by means of an extrusion apparatus comprising at least an extruder, a hot shaping die, and a cooling die, said hot shaping die and cooling die being directly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Masaki Ito, Koushi Kawabata, Keisuke Hashimoto, Mitsuo Okubo
  • Publication number: 20040046281
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for rapidly and economically replicating microstructures on polymeric substrates. During the process, a die with protruded microstructures is rapidly heated to above the polymer softening temperature, pressed onto a cold polymer substrate, and subsequently rapidly cooled for die separation. When the heated die contacts the polymer substrate, localized melting occurs at the contacting locations between the substrate and the to-be-replicated microstructure. The resulted melts are confined locally, forming localized spots for compression molding. Bulk deformation of these localized melts results in microstructure replication. In addition to reduction in cycle time, the new process improves dimensional accuracy of replicated microstructures due to uncoupling of microfabrication with macrofabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Byung Kim, Donggang Yao
  • Publication number: 20040021256
    Abstract: A process of fabricating aerospace parts using selective laser sintering is provided, wherein the process generally comprises the steps of preparing a powder nylon material, loading the powder nylon material into a laser sintering machine, warming up the powder nylon material according to build warm-up parameters, building the part according to build parameters and part parameters, and cooling down the part according to build cool-down parameters. As a result, parts are produced that are directly used in aerospace structures, which meet the stringent performance requirements of aerospace applications, rather than as rapid prototypes as with conventional selective laser sintering processes. Additionally, specific designs for aerospace parts such as ducts, panels, and shrouds are provided that are produced by the selective laser sintering process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. DeGrange, Daniel F. Beilman, Robert P. Willer, Roger L. Spielman, Tracy L. Taylor, Kevin L. Wannemuehler, Jeffrey Fink, Gary G. Bond
  • Patent number: 6676886
    Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an exposed lip portion which forms a complimentary angle with the outer sloped surface of the gasket which it abuts. The complimentary angles of the backup collar and gasket form a wedge shaped contact area which serves to retain the gasket in its initial circumferential position on the working surface of the mandrel as the heated pipe is forced over the mandrel and gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: S&B Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford Corbett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6676880
    Abstract: A PTFE seal and method of fabrication therefor includes preparing a mixture of PTFE resin powder and a susceptor material which is then compacted and sintered by exciting the susceptor material with microwave energy. Preferably, the compaction and sintering of the mixture is carried out in a continuous process and a vacuum is drawn on the mixture in the heating zone to extract any air from the mixture. The sintered mixture is advanced, preferably continuously, to a cutting zone where PTFE wafers are cut from the sintered mixture, preferably while the mixture is still warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Warran B. Lineton
  • Publication number: 20040003908
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method of making an integrated mold product with a molding tool. The method includes introducing polymeric material in the molding tool and molding the polymeric material to define an outer layer in the mold. The outer layer has a channel formed thereon. The method further includes introducing molten metal in the channel of the outer layer when the outer layer is at about the same temperature as the molding tool and cooling the molten metal in the channel to define a metal insert in the channel of the outer layer for electrical and thermal conductivity, structural support, and electromagnetic shielding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvinder Singh, Donald Hanson
  • Patent number: 6663813
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. More particularly, the present invention teaches a high speed robot that transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones. Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Witold Neter
  • Patent number: 6660212
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for constrained post cure inflation (CPCI), for improvement of tire uniformity, footprint shape factor, and tread wear. The method comprises the steps of: (1) initiating the method on a tire after the tire has been removed from a tire curing mold (preferably while the tire is still hot); (2) providing 360 degree circumferential tread restraint which holds the tread in an ideal tread shape, concentric to the axis of rotation and nominally perpendicular to the equatorial plane; (3) sealingly holding the beads concentric to, and equidistant from, the axis of rotation, and symmetrically spaced about the equatorial plane; and (4) inflating the tire to a controlled pressure, and holding the controlled pressure for a controlled time while the tread is restrained and the beads are sealingly held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: David John Balter, Michael Alois Kolowski, Anthony J. Scarpitti
  • Publication number: 20030205841
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. More particularly, the present invention teaches a high speed robot that transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones. Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Witold Neter
  • Patent number: 6638455
    Abstract: In a method for the internal cooling of a rotating object (4), liquid gas from at least one inlet channel (61) in a fixed object (5) is pressed into a ring-shaped groove (62) located between the fixed object (5) and the rotating object (4). From the ring-shaped groove (62) the liquid gas is pressed into at least one channel (63, 64.1, 64.2) in the rotating object (4) and brought to a part to be cooled (15). The liquid gas, upon contact with the part, evaporates and expands while absorbing heat, thereby cooling the part. The area surrounding the part to be cooled (15) may be designed as an expansion chamber (65). The method can be used to cool molded parts in injection molding machines with rotating molds (1), thereby achieving shorter cycle times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Foboha GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Bodmer, Rainer Armbruster, Udo Bodmer
  • Publication number: 20030183966
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Lixiao Wang, Jan Weber
  • Publication number: 20030183972
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Scott Schewe
  • Publication number: 20030175520
    Abstract: Formed composite structural members and methods and apparatus for making the same are described. The composite members are formed by using a continuous roll pressing process or apparatus, or a consolidated cold press process. Using these processes, the composite members are formed with a better surface finish using shorter cycle times and without spreading of the tows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: James T. Grutta, Larry E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6613257
    Abstract: A process for making load limiting yarn comprising making block copolymer and then spinning the block copolymer into yarn. The process employs a twin screw extruder and comprises (A) forwarding aromatic polyester melt to an injection position in a twin screw extruder, (B) injecting lactone monomer into the molten aromatic polyester, (C) dispersing the monomer into the aromatic polyester melt so that a uniform mixture forms in less than about thirty seconds, and (D) reacting the uniform mixture resulting from step (C) at a temperature from about 250° C. to from a block copolymer. Steps (A) through (D) occur in less than about four minutes residence time in the twin screw extruder. The process is advantageous because high IV starting aromatic polyester can be used and the short reaction time at high temperature results in block copolymer with minimum transesterification, a high melting point, and a high melt viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Weiming Tang, Frank Mares, Robert Clark Morgan
  • Publication number: 20030157297
    Abstract: A method for forming an article in which thermoplastics materials are used as the binding agent. Materials (21) are shredded in a shredder (1), compressed in a compressing chamber (15) and moulded in a moulding chamber (16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27). The thermoplastics material is heated whilst the material is held under compression and then cooled to bind the material together. In one embodiment superheated steam is supplied via tubes (31) having apertures there along. In another embodiment superheated steam is supplied via apertures in side walls of the mould (58, 59). Blocks (62, 72) formed by the method and apparatus of the invention may find application as construction materials etc. and have good structural, thermal and acoustic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Joseph Lelievre Lewis
  • Patent number: 6585920
    Abstract: Embossed oriented thermoplastic films and a method of making same are described. The embossed oriented thermoplastic films have substantially the same mechanical properties as unembossed oriented thermoplastic films. The method includes providing an oriented thermoplastic film having first and second major surfaces, softening at least one of the first and second major surfaces to produce a softened surface, embossing the softened surface to produce an embossed oriented thermoplastic film, and cooling the embossed oriented thermoplastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joan M. Strobel, Mark A. Strobel, Patrick J. Hager, Ronald S. Kapaun
  • Publication number: 20030108718
    Abstract: Mechanically embossed resilient surface coverings having superior textural fidelity are prepared by mechanically embossing a polyurethane coated floorcovering before the polyurethane is cured. The mechanical embossing is conducted when the polyurethane is dry and the underlying plastic layer and the polyurethane are softened by heating. After the mechanical embossing step, the polyurethane is cured using ultraviolet (UV) light. The product can be cooled before or after UV curing. The invention is applicable to a variety of resilient surface covering products including floor and wall coverings which otherwise have a wearlayer which can be softened by heating. This includes surface coverings having the full range of decorative effects available in the art, including surface coverings which also have been, for example, chemically embossed, mechanically embossed, chemically and mechanically embossed or not embossed at all prior to application of the process of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Simon, Dao Viet Dung
  • Publication number: 20030107157
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of applying a coating of a resinous material to a substrate to produce a molded device. The method involves installing a layer of the resinous material over a mold die and adding a molten substrate to melt the resinous layer and filling the mold. The mold is cooled and a molded device with a surface containing the resinous layer is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Harry Charles Buchanan
  • Patent number: 6576180
    Abstract: In a process for the production of corrugated plastic tubes an extrusion device passes plastic material into a perpendicularly arranged injection head for injecting the plastic material into a perpendicularly arranged mold section comprising at least two pairs of movable mold jaws arranged in axially mutually superposed relationship. A drive device is associated with each pair of mold jaws for displacement thereof in the radial and axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Corma Inc.
    Inventor: Horst Rahn
  • Patent number: 6576175
    Abstract: A method of tempering composite fiber panels eliminates a need for a bake oven during the tempering step. Both the front and back surfaces of the panels are sprayed with a tempering oil including a mixture of a drying oil and a dryer or catalyst. The drying oil may include a linseed oil refined to minimize low molecular weight and a conjugated oil. Sometimes the drying oil is further mixed with either a conjugated oil, a catalyst, a low molecular weight isocyanate resin (Imw-MDI) or another additive. The sprayed panels are stacked preferably in face-to-face contact inside a curing chamber heated only by the residual heat in the hot panels. A number of additives to the tempering oil are considered. A number of different forms of commercial panels are considered, such as: hardboard, oriented strandboard, fiber board siding, wafer board, medium density fiber board, particle board, and other similar boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Roos
  • Patent number: 6572807
    Abstract: An improved selective deposition modeling method which produces a cold weld joint in an object formed by dispensing a single phase change material. The cold weld joint can be controlled so that a lower portion of the object can serve as a support structure for forming the upper portion of the object. Upon separation of the lower and upper portions along the cold weld joint, a downward facing surface is revealed on the upper portion exhibiting superior detail and quality compared to other downward facing surfaces created by conventional selective deposition modeling techniques. The method can readily be adapted for use by selective deposition modeling machines utilizing ink jet print heads dispensing a single phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Jody Fong
  • Patent number: 6572798
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for spinning a synthetic yarn, wherein a heated polymeric melt is extruded through a spinneret and the resulting filaments are combined and wound to a package by means of a take-up device located downstream of the spinneret. A cooling tube for the filaments is positioned below the spinneret, and an inlet cylinder which has a gas permeable wall is positioned between the inlet cylinder and the cooling tube. The cooling tube connects to an air stream generator in such a manner that an air stream develops in the cooling tube in the direction of the advancing yarn. The air stream is formed by a quantity of air that enters the cooling tube via the inlet cylinder, and the inlet cylinder is subdivided in the direction of the advancing yarn into several zones, each with a different gas permeability, for controlling the quantity of air entering the inlet cylinder. It is thereby possible to influence with advantage the precooling of the yarn and the formation of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Roland Nitschke, Hansjörg Meise, Hans-Gerhard Hutter, Ulrich Enders, Peter Senge, Detlev Schulz, Dieter Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20030098526
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, David Piccioli
  • Patent number: 6565780
    Abstract: A method is provided for making ligneous material boards into an endless board strand with a continuously operating press. The press includes two flexible endless steel belts which take the press material between them and carry it through the press. The steel belts thrust with friction-reducing elements against heated press plates of the press table and press ram and a cooling system that follows. The cooling system is configured as a double-belt holding apparatus with an applicable holding pressure up to a maximum of 0 to 0.05 N/mm2. A diagonal sawing apparatus, which is disposed directly behind the continuously operating press and ahead of the cooling system, divides the board strand into single boards. Several rows of coolant spray nozzles disposed on the backs of the holding belts making contact with the single boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gernot von Haas
  • Publication number: 20030090032
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for quenching thin walled metal hollow casings (6) manufactured by blow moulding. The apparatus comprises a moulding tool (1) defining a slot or aperture (21) and a delivery system for applying a coolant to the slot or aperture (21) of the moulding tool (1). The invention also discloses a method of applying a coolant to the external surface of a blow moulded casing (6) by applying the coolant onto an external surface of the casing (6) after the casing (6) has been formed against a tool (1) which includes at least one slot or aperture (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Accra Teknik AB
    Inventors: Anders Sundgren, Goran Berglund, Mats Lindberg
  • Publication number: 20030085484
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for preserving the potency of a tableted heat sensitive ingredient. The process includes the steps of forming the ingredient into a tablet and cooling the tablet for a sufficient time and at a sufficiently low temperature to decrease the heat degradation of the ingredient. The process may be carried out in any number of tablet cooling apparatus, including a conduit forming a passageway for receiving tablets from the tablet press. A coolant inlet is connected to the conduit for supplying coolant into the passageway and into contact with the tablets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Nutraceutix, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Turner, Steven K. Kazemi, Tanya M. Borek, Jeffrey S. White
  • Patent number: 6558598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Witold Neter, Faisal Oueslati, Tiemo Brand, Gordon Elliott, Richard Unterlander, Gheorghe Olaru
  • Patent number: 6551534
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for cooling an extruded hollow product. According to the invention, the extruder (1) is provided with means for sucking air through the pipe (2). The air to be sucked is thus in contact with the inner surface of the pipe (2), cooling the pipe from the inside. Therefore the cooling of the pipe (2) can be realized in an efficient and simple manner. By arranging the sucking to occur from the middle of the conical extruder (1), no weld line will be formed in the extruded product, and the extruder (1) can be cooled effectively from the inside. According to the invention, the heat contained by the air that has been sucked through the pipe (2) can also be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventors: Kari Kirjavainen, Jyri Järvenkylä
  • Publication number: 20030071384
    Abstract: Petroleum or coal tar pitch-based cellular or porous products having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 are produced by the controlled heating of mesophase carbon materials derived from coal tar or petroleum pitch having a softening point in excess of about 300° C. and preferably between about 300 and about 400° C. in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The porous product thereby produced, preferably as a net shape or near net shape, can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Darren Kenneth Rogers
  • Patent number: 6544458
    Abstract: A ceramic material is prepared which has a favorable combination of high density, and elevated modulus of elasticity and thermal shock resistance as measured by the ability to withstand temperature changes of at least 300° C. The ceramic material is prepared by subjecting a ceramic structure to at least one heat treatment providing the formation in the structure of controlled macro- and micro-cracks, and subjecting the structure processed in this fashion to further heating under static pressure to form the final ceramic material having the favorable combination of properties enumerated herein. The invention extends to the material, the method of its preparation and to a variety of products having predetermined properties that can be fabricated therefrom. For example, cylinder inserts for the manufacture of internal combustion engines, and packaging for integrated circuit devices may be prepared from the present ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: A. H. Casting Services Limited
    Inventor: Arnold Hansma
  • Publication number: 20030057600
    Abstract: A device and a method for thermal treatment at a casting process, wherein objects (14,20) are formed in a casting machine (50), which comprises a divisible forming tool (10,11) with a casting space (40) enclosed therein, designed to be filled by a liquid casting material (30). The device comprises a treatment tool (1,21) comprising at least one treatment surface (3) arranged to, in its form, at least partially be similar to the casting space (40), and a treatment tool (1,21) comprises means (7) arranged to connect an object (14,20) formed in a casting space (40) to the treatment tool (1,21), and that the device is arranged to carry out thermal treatment of said object (14,20) outside the casting machine (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Mikael Wennberg
  • Publication number: 20030057599
    Abstract: Wax compositions that have a high triacylglycerol content are provided. The wax compositions can be used to produce candle and are particularly useful in the production of container candles. The wax compositions commonly have a melting point of about 50° C. to 57° C. and include a triacylglycerol component which has a fatty acid composition including about 14 to 25 wt. % 16:0 fatty acid; about 20 to 30 wt. % 18:0 fatty acid; and about 45 to 60 wt. % 18:1 fatty acid. Methods of producing candles from a triacylglycerol-based wax and kits, which include the triacylglycerol-based wax, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy A. Murphy, Robert E. Wainwright
  • Publication number: 20030057598
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for the post mold cooling of injection molded articles where an exterior portion of the article is exposed to a cooling atmosphere separately from any other cooling of the article. More particularly, the external surface of a neck finish portion of a preform is cooled by means of a cooling fluid stream which is specifically directed at the external surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Tiemo D. Brand, Jacob Rebel
  • Patent number: 6537476
    Abstract: A method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. The first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed; the tube is cooled and released from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Polymer Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hargreaves
  • Publication number: 20030052438
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball subassembly. After forming a partially-cured golf ball subassembly, the partially-cured subassembly is placed in a medium to continue curing until it is a substantially-cured subassembly. The medium in this embodiment is heated air and the subassemblies are moved through the heated air on a spiraled path. Subsequent to substantially curing the subassembly, it can be cooled in a cooling unit with a spiraled path. In one embodiment, the subassembly is a core, in another embodiment the subassembly is a core with a castable material thereabout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: William Brum, Stephen K. Scolamiero
  • Publication number: 20030047847
    Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus having a mold with an internal vacuum chamber and a quench for cooling a thermoplastic sheet while it remains on the mold. Because the quench cools the sheet, conventional cooling lines are eliminated from the mold. A preferred process of using the thermoforming apparatus includes drawing a heated sheet over the mold, creating a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the mold to maintain the sheet on the mold and quenching the sheet on the mold in a quenching tank. A preferred process of manufacturing a mold with an interior vacuum chamber includes forming an impression of the mold in a casting media, suspending a vacuum line or vacuum cabinet within the impression and pouring molten material around the vacuum line or vacuum cabinet to form the mold at least partially surrounding the vacuum line or vacuum cabinet. Vacuum holes are drilled through the mold from the mold face to the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: James Richard Fitzell
  • Patent number: 6524521
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric has a spinning mechanism having a plurality of nozzles for extruding filaments, and a conveyor for collecting and delivering the extruded filaments. Between the spinning mechanism and the conveyor, there are disposed a high-speed air stream generating mechanism for generating a high-speed air stream to carry the filaments extruded from the nozzles to attenuate the filaments, and an air stream vibrating mechanism for periodically changing the direction of the high-speed air stream in the machine direction of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignees: Nippon Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., Polymer Processing Research Institute Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Kuroiwa, Kazuhiko Kurihara, Kazuhiro Yabe, Akira Nii, Shin-ichi Umejima
  • Publication number: 20030025239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for melt spinning and cooling a filament bundle. To this end, the device comprises a spinning device with an annular spinneret for extruding the filament bundle as well as a cooling unit arranged below the spinning device. The cooling unit comprises a holding device and a coolant dispersing head that is connected to said holding device. In an operating position, said coolant dispersing head is substantially centered relative to the spinneret with contact between the spinning device and the holding device. The coolant dispersing head can be guided into a standby position at a distance from the spinneret. According to the invention, a movable shielding means is arranged laterally of the coolant dispersing head and can be moved between an initial position laterally of the coolant dispersing head and a shielding position directly underneath the spinneret.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Holger Brandt, Andreas Cohrt, Herbert Peters, Peter Blunck
  • Publication number: 20030025240
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mold component having a conformal thermal management system comprises forming a first mold segment and a second mold segment, each comprising a surface having a profile defined by the surface. A channel pattern is disposed beneath the profile defined by the surface in at least one of the first mold segment and second mold segment. The first mold segment and second mold segment are aligned to form a network of channels. The first mold segment and second mold segment are joined together to form the mold component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Roy E. Moore, Daniel J. Swistak
  • Publication number: 20030020190
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of polyacrylontrile (PAN) polymer fibers from a polyacrylonitrile polymer, wherein a polyacrylonitrile polymer that comprises 90 weight percent or more polyacrylonitrile, optionally mixed with from about 30 to about 50 weight percent, based on the weight of the polymer, of a fugitive plasticizer, is heated, provided to an extruder in liquid form, extruded to form polyacrylonitrile fibers, and the fibers, immediately after the extrusion, are cooled, preferably in an air-cooled manifold, to a temperature of from about 110 to about 135° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: John P. Fouser L.L.C.
    Inventor: John P. Fouser
  • Patent number: 6511624
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a high modulus and a low shrinkage polyester multifilament yarn of 1000 deniers or more at a spinning rate of 2,000 m/min or more, comprising the steps of: melt-extruding polyester chips having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.90 to 1.2 through a spinning nozzle and passing polyester chips through a heating zone; quenching melt-extruded yarns with the use of a radial in-to-out quenching method to solidify them; and providing spin finishes to solidified yarns before winding. The industrial polyester multifilament yarns have a coefficient of variation of 4.0% or less in a cross sectional diameter of filaments, and excellent uniformity of fineness. Treated cords formed from the industrial polyester multifilament yarns with high modulus and low shrinkage have an excellent dimensional stability and tenacity, and can be used as reinforcements of rubber goods such as tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hyosung Corporation
    Inventors: Eun-lai Cho, Duk-ho Oh, Song-joo Choi