Reshaping Or Treatment Of A Preform (e.g., Vulcanizing, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/297.5)
  • Patent number: 11342822
    Abstract: A bending apparatus (10) includes an upper first die (11), an upper second die (12), a lower die (13), a control unit (20), an upper first moving mechanism (21), an upper second moving mechanism (22), a lower moving mechanism (23), a holding die (31), and a moving and rotating mechanism (32). The lower die (13) is moved in an upper direction after the upper first die (11) and the upper second die (12) are moved to the front, whereby four coil segments (4) are bent. When the upper second die (12) is moved to a first withdrawal position in the rear direction after the four coil segments (4) are bent, a working space for the holding die (31) is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Miyashita, Kazuaki Ushiku, Shinsuke Onishi, Hideki Shigematsu, Takumi Fukaura
  • Patent number: 10519392
    Abstract: A non-water-based tire lubricant includes a thickening agent and a thinning agent. The thickening agent may be a silicone grease, hydrotreated light petroleum distillates, or hydrogenated liquid rosin ester, and the thinning agent may be a blend of petroleum distillates and additives or a silicone liquid. The tire lubricant has a pliable consistency, is easier to apply and use than standard tire lubricants, allows the tire to seal at much lower pressures, and is not water-based so that nitrogen concentrations inside the tire are maintained at 100 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Ruel Aaron Hux
  • Patent number: 8980151
    Abstract: A method and system for compression molding a dual core of a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include a first cycle in which a top mold plate, a middle mold plate, and a bottom mold plate may be used to compression mold concave shells. During the first cycle, the top mold plate and the bottom mold plate may be held at a first temperature T1 and the middle mold plate may be held at a second temperature T2. During the first cycle, the mold plates may be pressed together with a first pressure P1 for a first time t1. A second cycle may include compression molding the concave shells about a solid core. During the second cycle, the top mold plate and the bottom mold plate may be held at the first temperature T1 and pressed together with a second pressure P2 for a second time t2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Hsin Chou, Chin-Shun Ko, Chun-Ting Chiang, Chen-Tai Liu, Takahisa Ono
  • Patent number: 8894904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for distributing tablet blanks to the dies of a tablet press. The present invention moreover relates to a system consisting of the device according to the invention and a tablet press and to a method for forming tablets from tablet blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gruenenthal GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schateikis, Elisabeth Arkenau-Maric, Johannes Bartholomäus
  • Patent number: 8821782
    Abstract: A rim 58, 83 of a post cure inflator 60 can be changed in an easy and safety manner, while the amount of energy consumption is reduced. A inflator body 61 having the lower rim 58 can be located at a lower position, and the upper rim 83 can be moved downward to a lower position. Thus, the lower rim 58 and the upper rim 83 can be changed at the lower position in response to the change of the type of the tire to be manufactured, whereby the changing operation is made easy and safety. Further, the upper rim 83 moves upward. With this configuration, a vulcanized tire T having a heavy weight only moves in a front and rear direction while being supported by the inflator 61(lower rim 58), whereby the amount of energy consumption can be reduced easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Ichinose
  • Patent number: 8808591
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite article by injecting at least two composite materials comprising metal carbides into a mold to form a green compact is disclosed. The composite materials may be metal powders comprising a binder metal, a hard particle. The composite material may further comprise a plastic binder. The two different composite materials are injected into the mold to form the green compact. Additionally, the composite materials may be injected through a die before entering the mold. In a specific embodiment, the die forms at least one internal channel within the green compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, David J. Wills, Michale E. Waller, Jeffrey L. Weigold, Billy D. Swearengin
  • Patent number: 8703034
    Abstract: A process of making a tack-free gel is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material; pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. The forming step further comprises cooling the gel from the molten state to a solidified state. The melting temperature of the plastic material is lower than the molding temperature of the gel; and the higher the temperature differential, the greater the melting of the plastic material and the thicker the layer of the plastic material on the surface of the gel. The mold may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Russell E. Ahlberg, Payam Adlparvar, Scott V. Taylor, Matthew A. Wixey, Daniel Martinez, John R. Brustad
  • Patent number: 8617450
    Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: placing a green tire, arranged on a toroidal support, inside a vulcanisation mold; connecting a supply device of at least one pressurised primary working fluid and a supply device of at least one pressurised secondary working fluid to the vulcanisation mold in a prevulcanisation and molding station; at least partially vulcanising a radially internal portion of the green tire on the toroidal support; transferring the mold to a vulcanisation station and completing the vulcanisation of the prevulcanised tire by supplying the at least one pressurised primary working fluid inside the toroidal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Marchini, Fiorenzo Mariani
  • Publication number: 20130341831
    Abstract: A tool to expand an end of a pipe includes a plurality of jaws movable between a closed and expanded position and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a shuttle movable along the axis between a disengaged position and engaged position wherein the shuttle and the jaws are engaged and rotatable about the axis between a first and second orientation. A spindle moves between a first position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is disengaged from the jaws, a second position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is engaged with the jaws, and a third position in which the shuttle and jaws are rotated to the second orientation while the jaws are closed. Movement of the spindle to a fourth position moves the jaws to the expanded position and maintains the engagement of the shuttle and the jaws in the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Andrew J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20130344118
    Abstract: Nanosized particles are molded from granules of organic substances in nano-scale molds. The nano-scale molds can be fabricated from non-wetting, low surface energy polymeric materials. The nanosized particles can be virtually any shape, are typically less than 500 micrometers in a broadest dimension, and can include pharmaceutical compositions, biologic drugs, drug compositions, organic materials, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Ginger D. Rothrock, Benjamin W. Maynor
  • Patent number: 8337188
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Kevin MacKinnon, Robert E. Dodd, Joong Youn Kim, Douglas H. Wylie
  • Publication number: 20120125499
    Abstract: A tread wear indicator may be molded into the shoulder region of a tire tread and may have three symbols. Two of the symbols may be alphanumeric characters and the third symbol may surround the two symbols. All three symbols may be visible prior to wearing the tread. After the tread has been worn a first amount, the first symbol may be invisible and the second and third symbols may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire will soon be required. After the tread has been worn a second amount, the first and second symbols may be invisible and the third symbol may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire is required immediately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Delwyn Lovell Harvey, Crystal Espinoza Sherman
  • Patent number: 8119051
    Abstract: The present invention is directed relates to a method of applying a thin thermoset or thermoplastic cover over a golf ball subassembly by simultaneously dispensing polyurethane into multiple molds while using multiple mixers from multiple polyurethane sources. The method employs a continuous conveyor system wherein pre-heated first (top) and second (bottom) mold halves are pre-heated and pre-sorted prior to a polyurethane material being deposited in each mold half, preferably, each mold half comprises four cavities. A rotary table maneuvers the mold halves into position to receive a shot of polyurethane in each cavity. The polyurethane is dispensed from two separate mixers, each mixer having a pair of dispensing nozzles capable of shuttling back and forth between the cavities. To maintain process integrity, it is imperative that polyurethane dispensed into a particular top mold half and the polyurethane dispensed into the corresponding mated bottom mold half be from the same polyurethane mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Mydlack, Thomas E. Moore, Edmund T. Maher, Mark R. Verronneau, Richard Westgate, Glenn R. Newell, Sharon P. Easton
  • Patent number: 8017052
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Kevin MacKinnon, Robert E. Dodd, Joong Youn Kim, Douglas H. Wylie
  • Patent number: 7919733
    Abstract: A heat trace assembly is provided that includes a heat trace section, an insulation jacket surrounding the heat trace section, and a plurality of standoffs disposed between the heat trace section and the insulation jacket. A corresponding plurality of passageways are formed between the heat trace section and the insulation jacket and between the plurality of standoffs. The standoffs can be a part of the insulation jacket and/or the heat trace section, and the standoffs can furthermore be integrally formed with or separately attached to the insulation jacket and/or the heat trace section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric E. Ellis, Shawn L. Leininger, Peggy Gruenloh, Steve Brncic, Louis P. Steinhauser, Allen Boldt
  • Patent number: 7811492
    Abstract: A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Ennis, Ming Lun Ho, David John Claudius, Lee D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 7785510
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Kevin MacKinnon, Robert E. Dodd, Joong Youn Kim, Douglas H. Wylie
  • Patent number: 7758781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resin polymer blend comprising at least two dry blended, non-melt processible resin polyimide particulates, wherein the non-melt processible resin polyimide articulates are molded by compression molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Schmeckpeper, Timothy D. Krizan
  • Publication number: 20100127425
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: CERTAINTEED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Kevin MacKinnon, Robert E. Dodd, Joong Youn Kim, Douglas H. Wylie
  • Patent number: 7704436
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator is made of a rubber latex foam which has been solidified by microwave irradiation. The foam satisfies (i) a bubble fineness corresponding to 9 bubbles/mm2 or more, (ii) flexibility of 0.7 N/cm2 or less in initial Young's modulus indicated by 50% compressive stress, and (iii) bulk density of 0.14 g/cm3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Koji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7670540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a balloon catheter in which a non-contact type laser perforator and printer are separately provided above a primary extruder such that inflation apertures can be uniformly perforated through a non-vulcanized lumen tube and simultaneously, tube cutting positions can be printed on the lumen tube at positions uniformly spaced apart from the inflation apertures without stopping a primary extrusion process. Also, a bond preventing agent layer is coated on the lumen tube at balloon inflating portions prior to cutting the tube, to facilitate a secondary extrusion of the tube. With this configuration, continuous and accurate perforation of inflation apertures is possible and automatic tube cutting can be achieved based on the printed tube cutting positions. Also, the present invention can compensate for a time delay due to a bond preventing agent application process and achieve high productivity and minimized loss of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Keun-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7604760
    Abstract: An automatic pressure and temperature control apparatus and method for use in curing tire assemblies including retread tire assemblies is provided. Using water as a heating medium, a new process control method and apparatus is described that allows a more precise control of process variables during steady state conditions such that heat transfer is improved and the undesirable formation of steam is eliminated. Existing processes and equipment for curing tire assemblies can be modified, using the teaching disclosed herein, to implement and achieve the benefits of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Norman Christopher, Stephen Manuel, Robert Young
  • Patent number: 7588711
    Abstract: A method of forming a support beam is provided. One exemplary method of forming a support beam includes supporting a C-shaped charge upon a first forming tool and placing an additional composite charge upon at least a portion of the C-shaped charge and a second forming tool proximate the first forming tool. The method of forming a support beam further includes positioning a fixed forming tool proximate a first portion of the additional charge and bending the additional charge about the forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edoardo P. Depase, Kurtis Willden, Grant Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20090121388
    Abstract: The unit comprises a moulding machine having a plurality of press moulds (N) for moulding the article, which operate in sequence and are driven along a fixed operative path (P), and a feeder means (20) located in a fixed position to the side of said operative path (P) to feed to each mould (N) at least one component part (8) of the article. According to the invention, a plurality of loading means (30) are provided, each rigidly associated with a respective mould (N) and movable with the mould along said operative path (P), said loading means (30) moving relative to the respective mould (N) to transfer one component part (8) at a time from the feeder means (20) to the mould (N).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA
    Inventors: Maurizio Borgatti, Fiorenzo Parrinello
  • Patent number: 7497981
    Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay-up being accomodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Quickstep Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Neil Graham
  • Publication number: 20080167393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing antistatically treated, expandable styrene polymers, in which a styrene polymer melt is admixed with from 0.05 to 6% by weight of an antistatic and a blowing agent, extruded through a die and pelletized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Markus Allmendinger, Klaus Hahn, Joachim Ruch, Bernhard Schmied, Jan Holoch
  • Patent number: 7335326
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for forming a golf ball is described. The method includes utilizing strands of a desired material. The method employs a top, center and bottom plate. The strands are placed over the concave cavities of a lower plate and over the hemispherical protrusions of a center plate. The three plates are then placed in a press, along with a top plate, thereby forming two sets of hemispherical shells. One set of shells remains in the cavities of the top plate, and one set remains in the cavities of the bottom plate. Centers are placed inside the hemispherical shells of the bottom plate. The two sets of shells are then brought together to form a complete core. A cover may be added to complete the formation of a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Publication number: 20070200277
    Abstract: Bipolar plates in a fuel cell stack tend to experience lower operating temperatures near and at the ends of the stack, and these plates require lower coolant flow. But common stamping tooling can be used to make all of the plates for the stack when suitable coolant flow restrictors are stamped into each plate for lowest coolant flow. The flow restrictors are then trimmed (or their formation avoided) from those plates designated for higher coolant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6929836
    Abstract: A multi-layered perform for substantially preventing the generation of strains and obtaining improved stress cracking resistance with excellent appearance characteristics includes a mouth portion, a body portion and a bottom portion and has at least the body portion and the bottom portion formed of an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer by a compression molding. A multi-layered bottle is manufactured by performing a biaxial stretch blow molding of such multi-layered perform. The multi-layered bottle includes a mouth portion a shoulder portion, a body portion and a bottom portion. At least the shoulder portion, the body portion and the bottom portion include an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kikuchi, Yorihisa Hamada, Makoto Etoh, Kazunobu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6913726
    Abstract: An improvement in the method of molding is disclosed which utilizes a three plate mold to form golf ball cores having dual parting lines. A method of stripping the cores from the mold and the flashing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Patent number: 6797219
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing tiles for use in a raised floor system is disclosed. The tiles comprise an outer shell and an inner core material. The method includes constructing the shells at a manufacturing facility, transporting the shells to a remote location associated with a job site, and filling the shells with a fill material at the remote location. A method is also disclosed for providing a rack to hold the tiles during the manufacturing process, stacking shells in a vertical orientation on the rack, and filling the shells with a core material while on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Vander Wal, Richard A. Kroko, John C. Duba, Jr., Kenneth J. Knister, David J. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20040113315
    Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay-up being accomodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Neil Graham
  • Patent number: 6737003
    Abstract: A lip rolling method for open-mouthed stacked thermoplastic containers. One particular method includes presenting a nested stack of containers having unrolled lips to a rim roller, engaging individual cups on a screw assembly, heating a supply of air in a heater to a desired temperature, discharging the supply of heated air toward the containers as they are engaged on the screw assembly, and rolling the lips of the containers in the screw assembly. The present invention may be designed to prevent the screw assembly from operating until the supply of air reaches the desired temperature. Additionally, the heater (e.g., a forced air heater) may be moved between an initial position proximate the nested stack of containers and a safety position in response to a signal. Such a signal may be generated in response to a temperature sensor, system error, or any other such triggering episode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventor: Randy Golden
  • Patent number: 6706235
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a pin shaped thermoplastic material is provided including a quartz tube, a heat radiator and a securing mechanism. The quartz tube has tube ends and is helix shaped. The heat radiator is arranged in the quartz tube and includes an electrical resistance wire connected to a power supply. The securing mechanism is a heat resistant element connected to the quartz tube that secures the part to be heated relative to the quartz tube along an axis of the quartz tube and heats the plastic part. The quartz tube and/or the part to be heated are moveable. An apparatus is also provided for heating a number of pin shaped plastic parts simultaneously. In addition, a method for heating one or more pin shaped plastic parts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Scherzer, Bernhard Weber
  • Patent number: 6645414
    Abstract: A method of making a golf ball core, including the steps of providing a plurality of centers; providing a top mold plate defining a first plurality of cavities, a bottom mold plate defining a second plurality of cavities corresponding to the first cavities, and a center mold plate disposed between the top and bottom mold plates and comprising a plurality of corresponding protrusions; forming a plurality of shells from a layer material by placing the layer material into the top and bottom mold plate cavities; and molding the layer material around the protrusions of the center plate by applying at least one of heat and pressure to the top and bottom mold plates such that the layer material has a different temperature than the mold plates; opening at least one mold plate from the center plate and placing the centers in the shells; and joining the top and bottom mold plates to join the shells around the centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Walter L. Reid, Jr., Stephen K. Scolamiero, Thomas E. Moore, John W. Kennedy, Steven Earle, Daniel Ditzel
  • Patent number: 6632393
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing large radial pneumatic tires using a plurality of like molds each having top and bottom mold sections provided with radially movable groove-defining tread segments which are automatically extended into a tire to be cured when the molds are positioned within an autoclave and which are automatically retracted when the molds are withdrawn from the autoclave to free the cured tire from its respective mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Louis T. Fike
  • Patent number: 6610238
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tire curing system (10) having a plurality of molds disposed in side by side relation, transporting means (91) for transporting green tires (20) to the tire curing system, loading means (71) for loading a green tire (20) into a bottom mold half (14) of one of the molds, mold closing means (34) for closing a top mold half (13) over the bottom mold half (14), self-locking means (15) for locking the top mold half to the bottom mold half, curing means (18) for curing the green tires, mold opening means (35) for opening the top mold half from the bottom mold half, unloading means (72) for unloading the cured tire (22) from the bottom mold half (14) and take-away means (17) for carrying the cured tires (22) away from the curing system (10). The loading means (71) and the unloading means (72) include a movable robot (40) and the mold closing means (34) and the mold opening means (35) include a movable manipulator (30). The robot and the manipulator move in straight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
    Inventors: Larry Eugene Steidl, George Michael Stoila, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6562271
    Abstract: A nonslip member in which a large number of nonslip convexes are fixed to an upper surface of a base fabric performing an anchoring action, and the nonslip convexes are made of rubber. By engaging a male mold and a female mold with each other, a large number of small pieces coincident to a shape of through holes of the female mold are punched out from a plate-like material. By pressurizing and heating each small piece between a punching convex and a mounting base while engaging the male mold and the female mold with each other, the small piece is bridged and fixed to the base fabric to serve as a nonslip convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: ASICS Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Hiraoka, Tomohiro Hayashi, Masanobu Inohara
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6521161
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an one-piece ball formed with vulcanization in which a partial mold has eight grooves in a radius direction of a mating face, and ends of spews generated when the vulcanization is conducted do not connect and unify one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Naoki Baba, Hiroaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Hirata
  • Patent number: 6503437
    Abstract: A method for embossing a cylindrical object such as a paint roller cover, especially using an apparatus that includes a shuttle and a rotatable shaft on the shuttle. The rotatable shaft includes two ends, with one end accepting a paint roller cover and with the other end being toothed for engagement with a gear rack. As the rotatable shaft is drawn in one direction by the shuttle, the toothed end engages the gear rack and rotates the rotatable shaft, thereby also rotating the paint roller cover. As the paint roller cover rotates, it is drawn by the shuttle over a die transfer plate having a design formed therein, and such design is transferred to the paint roller cover. The die transfer plate is heated to the desired temperature, and the speed of the shuttle is controllable so that time and temperature is controlled. Another controlled parameter is pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Walter A. Walczak
  • Patent number: 6500372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device with which it is possible to arrange complicated shapes with considerable differences in height in wood fiber board, and in particular but not exclusively so called MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). The deformation of the wood fiber board which can be achieved with the invention is known in the art as extusion, wherein a considerable plastic deformation takes place accompanied by flow and stretch of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Premador, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Frankefort, Alex Charles
  • Patent number: 6468381
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for making a golf ball. Two cups are molded from an elastomer separately from a center. The cups are molded on both sides of a center mold plate with hemispherical protrusions having a channel circumventing the protrusions to capture excess cup material. The material in the channel aids in centering of the hemispherical cavity and allows the reduction or elimination of reinforcing polymer material. The protrusions force the elastomer cup material into cavities in outer mold plates on either side of the center mold plate, thus forming cups with cavities. The solid or fluid-filled center is placed within the cup cavities, and the cups are joined, preferably by raising the temperature of the mold above the cure activation temperature of the cup material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Megan Morgan
  • Publication number: 20020066979
    Abstract: A method of making a segmented mold utilizing a first number of matrix sections employed with a second number of inserts which cannot be equally divided by the number of matrix segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Louis T. Fike
  • Patent number: 6395218
    Abstract: A method and system for casting a thermoset layer over a golf ball precursor product is disclosed herein. The system includes multiple stations connected by a conveyor system. The thermoset flowable material is dispensed into a plurality of cavities on each of the mold halves. A plurality of golf ball precursor products are then centered and inserted into the first mold half cavities. The mold halves are mated, heated and cooled. Then, at a de-molding station, the mold halves are separated and the thermoset layered golf balls are removed from the second mold half. A preferred thermoset material is a thermoset polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Gary G. Marshall, Pijush K. Dewanjee
  • Patent number: 6340514
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cushioned dust control mat article wherein the mat comprises at least two distinct layers of rubber, one comprising foam rubber, the other comprising solid rubber. The solid rubber layer is present over the foam rubber layer on the side of the mat in which at least one integrated rubber protrusion is present to provide cushioning characteristics. The solid rubber layer acts as a cap or barrier for the foam rubber layer, particularly over the integrated protrusion or protrusions, in order to provide a mat which is resilient, will not easily degrade in its modulus strength after appreciable use and/or washing within industrial cleaning processes, and will not exhibit appreciable cracking or breaking, particularly within the integrated protrusion(s), after standard use for pedestrian traffic. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor mat article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Kerr, William O. Burke, lll
  • 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: 6197242
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a Class-A surface, fiber reinforced molded article. The process broadly requires the use of two separate fiber surfacing veils with a fiber reinforcement sandwiched therebetween. A polyurethane reaction system is injected into the mold. The system requires the presence of specified hindered amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen L. Parks, Frank Sanns, Jr., Richard W. Mitesser, Merle W. Lesko, Randall C. Rains
  • 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