One Step Reshapes Portion Only Of Article Patents (Class 264/296)
  • Publication number: 20010009988
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for making a combination hub and catheter. A material is molded into a body having at least a first hub, and at least a first nose extending from the first hub. The first nose is then elongated into a catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Adel Kafrawy, Fidelis C. Onwumere
  • Patent number: 6248276
    Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) 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; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Luis Parellada, Juan Sánchez
  • Patent number: 6245273
    Abstract: A method for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers using an apparatus, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Wendler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6235227
    Abstract: This steering wheel includes a ring portion to be gripped during steering, a core, a core coating layer coating the core and having a surface, and a decorative layer arranged at one or more surface portions of the core coating layer. The decorative layer has a printed layer and a transparent protective coating layer protecting the printed layer. The steering wheel is made by a process in which the core coating layer is molded around the ring portion in a mold, the printed layer is formed on the surface portions of the core coating layer by hydraulic transfer, and the protective coating layer is formed by applying a coating agent to a surface of the printed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Tooru Koyama, Tadashi Yamamoto, Mikine Hayashi, Atsushi Nagata
  • Patent number: 6220846
    Abstract: An apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Leopoldo Savioli, Lauro Pezzi, Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Patent number: 6221189
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine used in the method is a single apparatus having an indexing device with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The method involves advancing sleeves around the closed manufacturing path to form tubes from the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Thatcher Tubes LLC
    Inventors: Ronald E. Kieras, John J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 6214157
    Abstract: A trim component (1) for an automobile or the like includes a substrate (2) and two different cover materials such as a cover film (3) and a cover cloth (4). The two cover materials (3, 4) are not spliced together, but instead are independently adhesively bonded directly onto the substrate (2) by a hot-melt contact adhesion. The junction (7) is received in a valley (6) of the substrate (2) that is pinched closed during molding of the trim component. For forming the trim component, a molding apparatus includes a horizontally movable pinching stamp (13) that forms a pinching gap (16) relative to a protruding edge (11A) of a fixed mold tool (11). A tucking blade (22) presses the substrate and junction (7) of the cover sheets into the pinching gap (16), and is then retracted while the pinching stamp (13) pinches closed the pinching gap (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: R + S Technik
    Inventor: Gerhard Spengler
  • Patent number: 6210615
    Abstract: In a method for working the end portion of a roof molding for use in an automobile, at desired position on the molding surface 32 of a pressing mold 31 that faces a cut-away portion 21 formed on the back surface of the end portion 12 of the roof molding, there is formed a pressing projecting portion 33 which extends along the width direction of the end portion 12. In a pressing operation after the end portion 12 is heated and softened, the cut-away portion 21 of the back surface of the end portion 12 is pressed and deformed by the pressing projecting portion 33 of the pressing mold 31 to thereby form a mounting and fixing projection portion 22 which projects toward at least one side in the width direction of the end portion 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Fumitaka Yoshizuru, Hideharu Fujimatsu, Hideo Fukui
  • Patent number: 6192568
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a combination hub and catheter. A material is molded in a mold into a body having at least a first hub, and at least a first nose extending from the first hub. The first nose is then elongated into a catheter by moving first and second components of the mold away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Adel Kafrawy, Fidelis C. Onwumere
  • Patent number: 6190590
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a flanged polytetrafluoroethylene cuffed section from a tubular polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The flanged polytetrafluoroethylene graft is well suited for use as a distal bypass graft, for arteriovenous grafting, or as a hemodialysis access graft. The graft includes an integral terminal polytetrafluoroethylene flanged skirt or cuff section which facilitates an end-to-side anastomosis directly between an artery and the polytetrafluoroethylene flanged graft without need for an intervening venous collar or venous patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Impra, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Randall, Roy H. Tang, Albert L. Lamay
  • Patent number: 6183681
    Abstract: A multi-stage method of insert molding is described including the steps of: providing a vertically movable first mold member with a cavity formed therein; providing a second mold member having a substantially flat upper molding surface; providing a third mold member having an upper end with a cavity formed therein; positioning an insert directly on the flat upper molding surface of the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the second mold member so that the cavity of the first mold member receives the insert; injecting a first flowable plastic material into the cavity in the first mold member to partially encapsulate the insert; allowing the first flowable plastic material to cool and solidify, thereby creating a first stage molding; removing the first mold member and the second stage molding from the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the third mold member so that the first stage molding registers with the cavity of the third mold member; inj
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Sullivan, Douglas McKeown
  • Patent number: 6180051
    Abstract: A method for forming shaped fibrous articles. The method involves introducing at least a portion of a fibrous element into a shaping tool and subjecting the fibrous element in the shaping tool to ultrasonic energy. This imparts the shape of the shaping tool to the surface of the fibrous element. The apparatus has a guide-holder to receive and removably retain a fibrous element and an ultrasonic shaping tool which can be applied to the fibrous element. The shaping tool has a recess corresponding to a predetermined shape for the article. Preferably, the shaping tool and guide-holder are reciprocally moveable with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Werner Schoelling
  • Patent number: 6171539
    Abstract: A method for forming a molded grommet using a device which includes a fixed mold and a movable mold, the latter having three positions. The first is a closed position, wherein the two molds are adjacent each other with a middle plate between them. Second, there is an intermediate position in which the middle plate and movable mold are spaced apart from the fixed mold. Third, there is an open position, wherein the movable mold is spaced further from the fixed mold than the middle plate. A core is fixed to the movable mold and, when in the closed position; the two molds, the core, and the edge of the middle plate define the molding space into which moldable resin is introduced, thereby forming the grommet with the edge within the channel. As the core moves from the intermediate position to the open position, the middle plate is retained in the intermediate position; therefore, the core is pulled out of the grommet through the axial hollow therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Sakata
  • Patent number: 6156254
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, such that:a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having re-inforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; andb. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ranier Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Robert Adam Snell
  • Patent number: 6149640
    Abstract: Disclosed are flexible plastic tapes each having at least one rounded edge, a method for forming the rounded edge by the application of heat, and an absorbent article provided with such tapes. The edges are rounded to reduce their sharpness in order to reduce the risk of irritation or injury to a wearer of the absorbent article and/or to any person coming into contact with the tapes. The tapes have a thickness not greater than that at which the edge would be sharp if it were not rounded. The tapes are relatively stiff and formed from a plastic material such as polypropylene or polypropylene copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gianfranco Palumbo, Italo Corzani
  • Patent number: 6146559
    Abstract: A method for preparing high density titanium diboride ceramic bodies in which titanium diboride powder is first mixed with a preceramic organosilicon polymer. The mixture is then molded and sintered under pressure or by a pressureless process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg Alan Zank
  • Patent number: 6143229
    Abstract: A method for making a dispensing structure with a finger well formed after molding of the dispensing structure for a container that has an opening to the container interior. The dispensing structure includes a body or base for extending around the container opening and for defining a dispensing orifice. A lid is molded from at least one synthetic polymer material and is hingedly connected to the body for movement between (1) a closed position over the body dispensing orifice, and (2) an open position spaced from the closed position. The lid includes an occlusion member for occluding the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position. The lid includes a finger well to facilitate opening the lid. The finger well is formed by deflection or deformation of a portion of the lid from an as-molded convex condition to a concave condition relative to the exterior of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Socier
  • Patent number: 6136247
    Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel so the sleeve has an exposed portion. While rotating the forming mandrel which holds the sleeve, the inner surface of the exposed portion of the sleeve is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the sleeve. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, the rotation of the mandrel is stopped and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Thatcher Tubes LLC
    Inventor: John J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 6132660
    Abstract: There is provided a method of deforming the hook head portions of hook elements on a web backing. The hook elements on the web backing are fed into a nip formed between a support surface and an upper heated surface having a durameter hardness of less than 90 Shore A. This upper heated surface compressively engages the hook head causing it to turn down and permanently deform. This increases the uniformity of the hook head elements forming a fiber engaging crook region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Kampfer
  • Patent number: 6129880
    Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube having a closure member is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion and heating the exposed portion. The heated exposed portion is shaped into a head in a single step by contacting the exposed portion with a closure means which is later retained on the head after initial contact. The internal cavity of the closure means, which may have threads or grooves formed in the internal cavity, is made of an incompatible material to facilitate the forming of a head in said cavity. The closure means may also have tamper evident features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Thatcher Tubes LLC
    Inventors: Ronald E. Kieras, John J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 6126886
    Abstract: A method of forming a wide mouth blow molded thermoplastic container comprising the steps of i) stretch blow molding from a preform, an intermediate article defining the container with the mouth being threaded and/or flanged, the mouth terminating in an accommodation element having a neck finish that supports the preform in the blow mold; ii) heat setting the intermediate article including the entire container while still in the mold, and iii) removing the intermediate article of manufacture from the mold and severing the accommodation element to produce the container, and an article when made by the method. The method also includes post forming of a rim portion of the container following separation of the container from the accommodation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: DTL Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, George F. Rollend, Robert J. Caldicott
  • Patent number: 6126888
    Abstract: A method for making very strong gas mantles and other ceramic structures, and the resulting products, are provided. According to the method, an organic or composite structure is first pyrolyzed in the absence of oxygen to remove hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, leaving a porous carbon or composite structure, which is then impregnated with a metal compound-containing solution or slurry which is later fired in the presence of an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a refractory metal oxide which has about the same shape as the precursor carbon or composite structure. Due to minimal shrinkage of the mostly carbon or composite precursor, the resulting mantles and other ceramic structures have few defects in the fibers and great strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Quantum Group Inc.
    Inventor: Mark K. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 6123891
    Abstract: A method for molding a closed profile member such as a sealing gasket, sequentially comprising a static step of molding a series of contiguous segments of an unprocessed strip with two ends. Each segment is moved substantially over its own length so that it is replaced by the following segment once it has been molded, and the final segment is made by juxtaposing, connecting and molding the two ends of the unprocessed strip together. A mold with two mold tools operative along part of its length is used to carry out the method. A temperature gradient is generated so that the temperature at the mold ends is 25-35.degree. C. lower than the temperature at the center. The mold is part of a fixed or portable device including mold heating means and means for exerting pressure on the unprocessed strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Jacques De Tonnac
  • Patent number: 6120721
    Abstract: A process for the production of pile-up lids, each of which comprises an upper wall (1) and an element (2) arranged around the perimeter of said upper wall (1) and which forms a lip (3) protruding above said upper wall (1), and skirt (4) extending below said upper wall (1); the process includes the steps of bringing together in a synchronous manner external sector elements (9) and internal sector elements (10) in radially opposite directions so that, owing to the forced approach of the contact surfaces of the external and internal sector elements (9, 10) with said upper lip (3) of said lid interposed between them, a reeding pressure-molding is obtained on both the inner and the outer surfaces of said upper lip (3), giving said lip (3) an outline to allow piling up on other similar lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Seda, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco D'Amato
  • Patent number: 6113826
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for U-bolts comprising the steps of (a) winding a linear, tape or cloth member made of fiber reinforced plastics in which at least a part of the fiber is oriented in three-dimensional directions around a mandrel having a substantially oval or rectangular section (b) making a pipe molded article by hardening the linear, tape or cloth member wound around the mandrel, (c) cutting the hardened pipe molded article into slices transverse to a longitudinal axis of the mandrel, (d) separating the molded article cut into slices into at least two U-shaped portions, and (e) forming screw portions at tip portions of a pair of separated U-shaped portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: SOWA Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Isao Tajima, Yuji Kometani
  • Patent number: 6113819
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interpenetrating network of carbon fibrils and a polymer, which comprises a rigidized, three-dimensional macroscopic assemblage of a multiplicity of randomly oriented carbon fibrils and an innerpenetrating mass of an organic polymer. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such innerpenetrating networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard G. Tennent, Chun Ming Niu, Robert Hoch, Alan B. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6106757
    Abstract: A lid (1) made of a thermoplastic material for covering an open upper end (42) of a container (40). The lid (1) comprising a lid body (10) with an opening (11) for dispensing and a pull cap (20) having a cap portion (21) to reclose the opening (11) and a pull tab portion (22) integrally formed with the cap portion(21). The opening (11) is covered by a gas-barrier film (23) sealed to a lower surface of the lid body (10). The cap portion (21) is sealed to the gas-barrier film (23) and a clearance (25) is provided between the opening (11) and the outer periphery (15) of the cap portion (21). A method of manufacturing the lid involves inserting the gas-barrier film into a mold cavity, injecting a thermoplastic resin into the cavity to form the lid body, while still warm the molding is removed. After removal, the molding can be thermally shaped along its periphery to form a flange (12) for mounting to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Per Ohlsson, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 6106931
    Abstract: A panel unit comprising a window glass panel, and a frame continuously formed on a peripheral edge of the window glass panel by extrusion molding and simultaneously bonded to the peripheral edge of said window glass panel. The frame is formed on the peripheral edge of the window glass panel so as to cover a part of the upper and lower surfaces and the end surface of the window glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Ito, Yoshihiro Suita
  • Patent number: 6103173
    Abstract: A method for bending a component made of a thermoplastic material. The component involved is in particular a sleeve-shaped component for a personal care appliance such as a dental care apparatus or the like. For the component to be bent it is heated up to the plastic's softening point. The component is brought into engagement with a forming rail and, during a relative movement of the component and the forming rail, is bent against the forming rail by means of a bending tool. As this occurs, the engagement surface between the component and the forming rail varies continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Kastl, Ulrich Schenk, Karlheinz Johne, Rudolf Majthan
  • Patent number: 6103149
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and the resultant reticulated open cell carbon foam with a controlled aspect ratio between 0.6 to 1.2 throughout the body of the foam billet by controlling the exothermic reaction of the resin system below the decomposition temperature of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ultramet
    Inventor: Edwin P. Stankiewicz
  • Patent number: 6099965
    Abstract: This invention relates to rigid porous carbon structures and to methods of making same. The rigid porous structures have a high surface area which are substantially free of micropores. Methods for improving the rigidity of the carbon structures include causing the nanofibers to form bonds or become glued with other nanofibers at the fiber intersections. The bonding can be induced by chemical modification of the surface of the nanofibers to promote bonding, by adding "gluing" agents and/or by pyrolyzing the nanofibers to cause fusion or bonding at the interconnect points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Tennent, David Moy, Chun-Ming Niu
  • Patent number: 6093482
    Abstract: A carbon--carbon composite for friction products comprises an outer friction part and a load bearing structure part supporting the friction part. The friction part contains a mixture of carbon fibers, pitch powder and graphite powder, whereas the structure part is comprised of a pack of alternating layers of the mixture and layers of one member selected from the group consisting of carbon fabrics, carbon-based prepregs and carbon-based, segmented prepregs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Park, Hong Bum Lee, Ik Hyun Oh, Hyun Kyu Shin, Kwang Soo Kim, John Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 6090477
    Abstract: A carbon fiber carbon matrix hybrid adsorbent monolith with enhanced thermal conductivity for storing and releasing gas through adsorption and desorption is disclosed. The heat of adsorption of the gas species being adsorbed is sufficiently large to cause hybrid monolith heating during adsorption and hybrid monolith cooling during desorption which significantly reduces the storage capacity of the hybrid monolith, or efficiency and economics of a gas separation process. The extent of this phenomenon depends, to a large extent, on the thermal conductivity of the adsorbent hybrid monolith. This invention is a hybrid version of a carbon fiber monolith, which offers significant enhancements to thermal conductivity and potential for improved gas separation and storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Burchell, Michael Ray Rogers, Roddie R. Judkins
  • Patent number: 6085420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a slider of a linear guide device for guiding a movable body such as a work table or an industrial robot of a machine tool under load which moves along a track rail arranged at a fixed portion such as a bed, a column or the like, the method is comprising a first step of forming a block main body made of a metal which becomes a core part of the slider in a predetermined shape and forming load rolling faces of balls on the block main body by machine, and a second step of inserting the block main body formed in the first step into a mold and executing an injection molding of a synthetic resin by which ball retaining portions are built on both sides of the load rolling faces of block main body, and according to the first step pairs of smooth faces for shielding the molten synthetic resin are formed along the both edges in the longitudinal direction of the load rolling faces formed on block main body whereas according to the second step the block main body is fix
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Konomoto
  • Patent number: 6083440
    Abstract: A method for making an outer cannula of an intravenous cannula. An insert pin (3) is inserted into an outer cannula (1) having a hub (12) and a tube (11) made of a shape memory polyurethane resin and having an untreated distal end portion, until a tip end of the insert pin (3) reaches a position retracted from a distal end of the tube (11). While holding the position of the insert pin (3), the tube (11) with the insert pin (3) is forced into a cavity in a mold (4) heated to a temperature of 120.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. until the insertion of the tube into the cavity is obstructed. Subsequently, the insert pin (3) is moved within the tube (11) toward the extremity of the tube until the tip end of insert pin (3) reaches a first predetermined position in the mold (4). After maintaining the tube at the mold temperature until the tube is softened, the insert pin is further moved within the tube toward the extremity thereof and held in position for a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Matsumoto, Takahito Wakabayashi, Hiroshi Okada
  • Patent number: 6080343
    Abstract: Rapid prototyping methods and apparatuses that produce structures made of continuous-fiber polymer-matrix composites without the use of molds. Instead of using molds, the composite structure is fabricated patch by patch in layers or wraps, using a two- or three-axis stage connected to a rapidly-reconfigurable forming surface, and a robot arm to position the evolving composite structure, which are both programmable devices. Because programmable devices are included, i.e., a robot and a two- or three-axis stage connected to the reconfigurable forming surface, the control program needed to produce a desired shape can be easily modified to automatically generate the desired shape from an electronic model (e.g., using a CAD/CAM system) of the desired (predetermined) shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen G. Kaufman, Barry L. Spletzer
  • Patent number: 6071458
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast panels of moldable material which panels require shaped surface patterns. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast concrete panels formed of concrete, for use in vertical wall systems, with one or more shaped surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Port-O-Wall Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Mossi
  • Patent number: 6054080
    Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, strong and durable casting that has a surface appearance simulating carved stone, and is especially adapted for use as a transition between a brick or stone wall and window and door openings. Further, it provides architectural detail to building constructions, especially as a surround for window and door openings. The casting is produced from a mixture of graded aggregates and a resin binder, combined in predetermined proportions to make a soupy mixture that is cast in a mold. The mold is vibrated to cause migration of air bubbles away from the surface of the molded product, and to cause realignment and orientation of the aggregate materials in a way to enhance the structure and surface density of the product. After the casting has set, it is removed from the mold and cured and the surface is sandblasted to erode away some of the resin binder and portions of the aggregate at the surface to produce an appearance that is an accurate simulation of carved stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: John J. Sheahan, Brian W. Sheahan, Kenneth R. Augst, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6054091
    Abstract: A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Philip Miller, William L. Melbye
  • Patent number: 6051167
    Abstract: A carbon composite structure, for example, an automotive engine piston, is made by preparing a matrix including of a mixture of non crystalline carbon particulate soluble in an organic solvent and a binder that has a liquid phase. The non crystalline particulate also contains residual carbon hydrogen bonding. An uncured structure is formed by combining the matrix mixture, for example, carbon fibers such as graphite dispersed in the mixture and/or graphite cloth imbedded in the mixture. The uncured structure is cured by pyrolyzing it in an inert atmosphere such as argon. Advantageously, the graphite reinforcement material is whiskered prior to combining it with the matrix mixture by a novel method involving passing a gaseous metal suboxide over the graphite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Withers, Raouf O. Loutfy, Witold Kowbel, Calvin Bruce, Ranji Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 6039906
    Abstract: A method for aperturing a laminate. The first step is to provide a laminate having at least one nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers and at least one elastic member. The laminate is forwarded through a pressure biased nip having a relief patterned nip defining member having a plurality of pattern elements and a nip defining anvil member. The nip defining members are biased towards each other with a predetermined pattern-element loading. Each nip defining member is heated to a temperature that is sufficiently above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic fibers of the nonwoven web and above the melt temperature of the elastic member to enable aperturing of the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David Mark Sageser, Takuya Shirakawa, Koichi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6039911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping a headed stem fasteners. The precursor web having a backing with a rear surface, a front surface, and a multiplicity of polymeric stems projecting distally from the front surface of the backing is fed into a variable nip between a heated member opposite a support surface. The support surface has a shape generally conforming to the contour of the heated member. The variable nip compressively engages the polymeric stems between the heated member and the support surface so that distal ends of the polymeric stems are deformed. The heated member can be a heated roll or a heated belt. The support surface may be a curved capping shoe or a belt shaped to create a particular nip profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip Miller, Thomas R. LaLiberte
  • Patent number: 6037032
    Abstract: A process for producing a carbon foam heat sink is disclosed which obviates the need for conventional oxidative stabilization. The process employs mesophase or isotropic pitch and a simplified process using a single mold. The foam has a relatively uniform distribution of pore sizes and a highly aligned graphic structure in the struts. The foam material can be made into a composite which is useful in high temperature sandwich panels for both thermal and structural applications. The foam is encased and filled with a phase change material to provide a very efficient heat sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Klett, Timothy D. Burchell
  • Patent number: 6033506
    Abstract: The process obviates the need for conventional oxidative stabilization. The process employs mesophase or isotropic pitch and a simplified process using a single mold. The foam has a relatively uniform distribution of pore sizes and a highly aligned graphic structure in the struts. The foam material can be made into a composite which is useful in high temperature sandwich panels for both thermal and structural applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Engery Research Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Klett
  • Patent number: 6024900
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon composite material which is a molded material comprising (a) an expanded graphite powder and (b) a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin or a fired product of the thermosetting resin, and the expanded graphite powder (a) being dispersed in the component (b), wherein the expanded graphite powder has an average particle diameter of 5-12 .mu.m and at least 80% of the total particles of the expanded graphite powder have particle diameters of 0.1-20 .mu.m; and a process for producing a carbon composite material, which comprises mixing and dispersing a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin and the expanded graphite powder as mentioned above, and then pressure-molding the resulting mixture at room temperature to 400.degree. C., or a process for producing a carbon composite material, which comprises mixing and dispersing a thermosetting resin and the expanded graphite powder as mentioned above, pressure-molding the resulting mixture at room temperature to 400.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Atsushi Hagiwara, Fumio Tanno
  • Patent number: 6024764
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve is provided for enabling a physician to impart a preselected shape in an implantable tubular device, such as a cardiac lead, a catheter, or some other tubular structure. The sleeve may be deformed by the surgeon before or at the time of implantation to customize the shape of the tubular device to the particular anatomical structures to be encountered by the device. To retain the deformation imparted by the physician, the sleeve may be composed of a heat-sensitive shape-memory material or an elastomeric material provided with a plastically deformable rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Intermedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 6024898
    Abstract: Small diameter silicon carbide-containing fibers are provided in a bundle such as a fiber tow that can be formed into a structure where the radii of curvature is not limited to 10-20 inches. An aspect of this invention is directed to impregnating the bundles of fibers with the slurry composition to substantially coat the outside surface of an individual fiber within the bundle and to form a complex shaped preform with a mass of continuous fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James D. Steibel, Gregory S. Corman, Robert C. Schikner, Andrew Szweda
  • Patent number: 6017473
    Abstract: A porous, flow-through molded body, designed specifically for use in the removal of diesel soot particles from the exhaust gas of diesel engines. It includes a reciprocally closed honeycombed body made of silicon carbide and possessing the following features.wall thickness: 1.25.+-.0.5 mm;porosity: 55 to 60%;average pore diameter: 25 to 70 .mu.m;specific permeability: 20 to 100 nPm.In the production method, a starting powder of silicon or a mixture of silicon with portions of silicon carbide and/or carbon is combined with an organic binding agent that can be coked and molded into a green body. This is then subjected to a coking fire in an inert-gas atmosphere; the molded body obtained in this manner is then heated in the presence of nitrogen or a nitrogenous inert gas to a temperature where free silicon is converted with the carbon, in a reaction firing, to silicon carbide. Additionally, a recrystallization firing at greater than 2000.degree. C. is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignees: Verein zur Forederung des Instituts fur Prozess-und Anwendungstechnik Keramik an der RWTH Aachen e.V., Thomas Josef Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst R. Maier, Uwe Schumacher, Walter Best, Wolfgang Schafer
  • Patent number: 6013684
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for recycling a cured phenolic resin by (a) heating a cured phenolic resin to form a thermal decomposition product having a residue, (b) separating said residue from said thermal decomposition product, (c) pulverizing said separated residue to obtain a carbide powder and molding said carbide powder alone or in combination with a binder into a molded article, and/or (d) gelling and drying said separated thermal decomposition product thereby molding it into a molded article. By the method, the present invention realizes efficient recycling of a cured phenolic resin which can become a massive waste into a useful material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Suzuki, Takayoshi Ueno, Hiroshi Onishi, Yukiyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 6013208
    Abstract: A carbonaceous material for an electrical double layer capacitor is produced by performing a halogenation treatment step wherein a halogenated dry-distilled charcoal is obtained by bringing a dry-distilled charcoal into contact with a halogen gas; a molding treatment step of adding a binding agent to the halogenated dry-distilled charcoal to form a molded article; and a dehalogenation treatment step wherein a part or all of the halogen in the molded article is eliminated. The carbonaceous material for an electrical double layer capacitor obtained by this method is impregnated with sulfuric acid to form a carbon electrode for an electrical double layer capacitor. This electrode is used to form an electrical double layer capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakamura, Tadayoshi Iwasaki, Takashi Inui, Toshiya Miyagawa, Yasuo Tatsumi