Utilizing A Flexible, Deformable, Or Destructable Molding Surface Or Material Patents (Class 264/313)
  • Patent number: 5626802
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming surface texture on contoured surfaces includes a laminar, dimensionally stable, flexible mold having an impression of the surface texture to be formed on one side thereof. An adhesive material is provided on the side of the mold opposite that having the impression of the surface texture for adhering the mold to a recipient surface. A plurality of backing strips are provided on the adhesive backed side extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mold and are individually removable from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Gibbs M. Slaughter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5599608
    Abstract: A method for molding a plastic part comprises preforming a film laminate and insert molding a plastic substrate against the film laminate. According to one embodiment, the film laminate is preformed with re-entrant edge portions. The insert molding step involves positioning the film laminate in a mold cavity, closing the mold and injecting molten resin into the mold cavity against the film laminate. The force of the closing of the mold and the injection of the resin causes the re-entrant edge portions to curl up under the solidifying resin to ensure complete coverage of the longitudinal edges of the plastic substrate by the film laminate. According to another embodiment, a stencil of an image is made in the film laminate prior to the insert molding. The resin injected into the mold flows into the stencil so that the image is visible against the surrounding surface of the film laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamamoto, William Hardgrove
  • Patent number: 5597435
    Abstract: A mold system for a curable composite material. The mold receives the uncured plies of the composite material. A restraining member is attached to the mold to restrain a forcing member. The forcing member is positioned between the mold and the restraining member. At least a portion of the uncured plies are positioned between the mold and the forcing member. The forcing member is comprised of an elastomeric material having a high thermal coefficient of expansion. The assembly of plies, mold, forcing member and restraining member is placed in a furnace and heated. As the assembly is heated, the forcing member uniformly expands with increasing temperature. However, since the forcing member is constrained between the restraining member, whose purpose is to restrain the forcing member, the forcing member expands in a preselected direction determined by the shape of the mold, the forcing member, the composite part and the restraining member. The expansion however is limited by the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John T. Desautels, Timothy J. Bayer, Juan R. Mora
  • Patent number: 5593623
    Abstract: A casting mould for keeping the cast compound together and supporting it on casting elongated objects, standing on an underlayer and extending vertically comprises a flexible elongated envelope (3) being substantially inelastic and having an opening (7) at one end thereof for supplying cast compound (6). The envelope is arranged to be held substantially vertically while being stretched by cast compound introduced through said opening (7) so as to form a casting mould having a circular cross-section, extending vertically and supporting and keeping the cast compound together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Anders Mohss
  • Patent number: 5562873
    Abstract: A seat cushion mold with an elastic member and method provide the manufacture of an improved seat cushion for use in upholstered chairs or the like having a smooth, uniform shape without unsightly underlines. A thick, resilient foam block is positioned on a rigid planer base and is urged into the mold whereby a thin foam cover layer is adhered to the outer edges of the planar base to produce a precisely contoured cushion which can be upholstered and fitted to a chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Matrex Furniture Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Tornero
  • Patent number: 5558895
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for molding flowable materials. The mold may be provided with deformable or collapsible mold surfaces and a forming member which is positioned in the mold when producing a shell molded article is also deformable or collapsible. After the molded article is formed the forming member and/or the mold surfaces are deformed or collapsed to facilitate removal of the article from the mold and to avoid "backlocking" of the article in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Gradual Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Laurence A. Boyhan
  • Patent number: 5547629
    Abstract: One piece hollow airfoils are manufactured from molded carbon filament materials, with internal support structures integrally formed in a single closed mold operation. The outer skins and the internal reinforcement structure all are cured together as an integral unit. To accomplish this, a mold having a cavity defining the outer shape of the airfoil is opened. Precut, pre-preg fiber material and core material then is placed in the mold halves. At least two adjacent elongated resilient mandrels are placed in contact with the precut sheets of pre-preg fiber to press the sheets and core into contact with the mold upon subsequent closure thereof. An elongated web of pre-preg fiber material is placed between the adjacent mandrels, and in contact with them, to cause said edges of the web to contact the sheets of pre-preg fiber material on opposite sides of the mold cavity. The mold is closed; and heat is applied to cure the pre-preg fiber material and to bond the web with the precut sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Competition Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: David Diesen, William R. Olsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5545361
    Abstract: A bumper construction for vehicles constructed of a single strip of metal roll-formed into a completely enclosed tubular member in which a foamed-in-place material is located in and completely fills only a central section of the tubular member a relatively short distance on each side of the central axis of the vehicle. An apparatus is provided for manufacturing roll-formed bumpers partially filled with a foam-in-place material, the bumpers including material defining a continuous closed section defining an open interior and opposing open ends. The apparatus includes a turntable with a plurality of holders including arms shaped to extend partially into the bumpers, and a plug on the end of each arm configured to block off the open interior of the bumper. The holders are pivotally mounted on the turntable so that a bumper can be slipped onto a selected holder, pivoted to an upright position, and then rotated by the turntable under an injector for dispensing foamable reaction injectable urethane (RIM) material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 5534217
    Abstract: A method of making tooth belts by formation thereof about the outer peripheral surface of a building drum having a generally cylindrical configuration and a surface defining a series of parallel, tooth-shaped grooves. The belts are formed by wrapping a fabric circumferentially around the building drum and winding a cord of tensile material helically about the fabric. A layer of thermoplastic material is formed about the cord of tensile material, and a cord of shrink material is wrapped helically about the layer of thermoplastic material. The shrink material has a higher softening temperature than the thermoplastic material and will shrink at a temperature below its softening temperature. Pressurized steam is applied to the shrink material at a temperature below its softening temperature and between the softening temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny L. Thomas, Clinton L. Bishop
  • Patent number: 5534203
    Abstract: A composite ski pole is formed of fiber reinforced plastic laminates laid up around an inflatable bladder, and placed in a female mold. The bladder inflates to compact the laminates to substantially eliminate voids and form a smooth, hollow ski pole with a structurally strong and stiff skin. The molds may use compound shapes such as differing cross sections or longitudinal bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Radius Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Nelson, Dimitrije Milovich
  • Patent number: 5531949
    Abstract: A method and mold for making a wheel of a roller skate including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart generally axially extending curvilinear paths. A speed skater, traveling a predominately circular course with such wheels properly aligned on such skates, is able to use air moving past the skater to increase skating speed. As air enters the curvilinear paths of the wheel the direction of air flow changes. In this manner, momentum is transferred from the moving air to the spinning wheels, thus increasing the number of revolutions of the wheel and the speed of the skater. The mold may be formed of polyurethane and use flexible fingers to form the curvilinear paths of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Creative Urethanes
    Inventor: Richard V. Heitfiled
  • Patent number: 5520871
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spherical pigging device for passing through a pipeline by forming a water soluble spherical core, affixing numerous magnets to the surface of the core, suspending the core within a spherical mold, pouring a liquid between the mold and the core that will cure to form a spherical body, removing the spherical body and dissolving the core to leave a hollow spherical body with the magnets encased within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rosenberg, Steve Worthen
  • Patent number: 5514321
    Abstract: A process creates molded pans by reaction injection molding (RIM) of inorganics. Two or more slips are mixed as they are being fed into a mold and the slips react rapidly with each other to form a mechanically strong part. The slips contain ceramics/metals which chemically react to form a binding phase, or which destabilize, floe, or gel to form the part. The formed part is then removed from the mold and used as is, or heat-treated prior to use. With this forming process, setting times are independent of part size, unlike slip casting or injection molding, and there is no requirement to add or remove heat from the mold to form the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignees: Cridge, Inc., Thomas A. Gallo
    Inventors: Peter D. Cridge, Thomas A. Gallo
  • Patent number: 5510065
    Abstract: The injection molding of an elongated thin-walled tubular product such as a medical catheter is accomplished through the mounting of an elongated core pin on the interior of an elongated mold cavity wherein tension is continuously applied to the core pin for the purpose of maintaining it in a predetermined, substantially centered relation to the mold cavity and further maintaining a straight line configuration of the core pin along its length. The plastic material from which the product is formed is introduced into the mold cavity while at the same time overcoming any imbalance in the flow of the plastic melt into the mold cavity and as it travels in surrounding relation to the core pin and along its length by adjusting the position of the core pin relative to the inner surface of the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Richard H. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 5507981
    Abstract: A process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is then applied to the crucible in order to bring the glass-ceramic material to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic material being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the working range the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing. Once the glass-ceramic material is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contact with a mold having a preformed cavity therein, the cavity being in the shape of the desired dental restoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tel Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Petticrew
  • Patent number: 5500178
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing hollow molded articles having a beautiful surface at a low cost and by a simple and efficient process includes providing a hollow elastic molding die made of an elastic film and having an opening port, feeding a material to be molded of an amount smaller than the internal volume of the elastic molding die into the elastic molding die through the opening port, closing the opening port, solidifying the material to be molded while the elastic molding die is rotated to all directions, and parting the solidified hollow molded article from the elastic molding die. Arrangement for preventing the elastic molding die from being deformed while it is rotated to all directions includes holding it firm by a solid holding member conforming to the external shape thereof or by positioning it in a fluid or powdery material holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignees: Asahi Denka Kogyo Kabushikikaisya, Okamoto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hayashi, Hiroshige Kohno, Akinori Watanabe, Itaru Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 5487854
    Abstract: A two-stage co-cure method for fabricating a composite article having a box-beam cross-sectional configuration wherein an outer shell portion of the composite article is fabricated and configured in the first stage to function as the tooling for completing the fabrication of composite article in the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Peter B. Leoni
  • Patent number: 5483890
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating a seamless printing master for use with an embossing roll to ultimately produce a textured wall or floor covering. A hardenable material is applied to the textured surface of a positive printing master section. The positive printing master section is pressed onto the embossing roll and the hardenable material is allowed to cure to a hardened state. The positive printing master section is then removed to expose a negative printing master region which is the negative image of the pattern contained in the positive printing master section, imprinted in hardened material, and adhered to the embossing roll. The process is repeated, either reusing the original positive printing master section or using a different positive printing master section, overlapping positive printing master sections onto previously formed negative printing master regions until the entire outer surface of the embossing roll is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Kildune
  • Patent number: 5472653
    Abstract: A method for producing a lightweight, highly rigid, highly strong and less thermally expansible, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic molding, which comprises using a rigid female mold and elastic male mold(s) in combination and applying an external pressure to at least the male mold(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Onoda, Kenichi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 5470517
    Abstract: A method of pultrusion is provided that includes the steps of saturating a bundle of fibers in a curable resin, pulling the saturated fibers (also known as "prepreg") into a flexible mold, manipulating the mold (with the saturated fibers therein) into a given shape or form, allowing the saturated fibers to cure or harden, and then removing the flexible mold by mechanical or chemical means. This novel method permits one to mold prepreg into any given shape prior to hardening, not limited by the shape of a given mold or die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Ed Conley
  • Patent number: 5464337
    Abstract: A resin transfer molding system including a sealable chamber having opposing flexible diaphragms forming an outer reconfigurable tooling surface and an inner surface surrounding a workpiece including fibrous reinforcing material to be impregnated and formed over a mold surface. There are means for impregnating the fibrous reinforcing material and means for compressing the diaphragms about the fibrous reinforcing material and for urging the compressed diaphragms and the fibrous reinforcing material contained therein over the mold surface to conform the compressed diaphragms and the fibrous reinforcing material to the contours of the mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratories
    Inventors: Edward Bernardon, Michael F. Foley
  • Patent number: 5462702
    Abstract: A method of replicating surface textures by providing a laminar, dimensionally stable, flexible mold having an impression of the surface texture to be formed on one side thereof, applying a layer of fluid casting material to the flexible mold, and partially curing the resinous material wherein the impression is transferred to the partially cured resinous material. The flexible mold and layer of partially cured resinous material are then secured to a recipient surface, and the material is fully cured, and the flexible mold removed, leaving a surface texture on the recipient surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Gibbs M. Slaughter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5458840
    Abstract: An improved manufacturing process is provided for surface protective striking tools such as hammers and mallets. An elongate hollow core is fitted with impact heads at opposite ends thereof and filled with a flowable filler material such as small steel pellets prior to placement of the core into a mold cavity for injection mold formation of an outer encasement. During the molding step, the filler material provides a substantially rigid structural backstop which enables a core of lightweight construction to withstand typical injection molding parameters. The molded outer encasement ensheathes a skirt portion of the impact heads and any exposed portion of the core member to bind the impact heads to the core member. The molded outer encasement does not extend over an impact face of each impact head. A handle may also be molded with the outer encasement. A striking tool thus formed is removed from the mold, and some or all of the filler material is drained from the core through an open port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph A. Carmien
  • Patent number: 5443784
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for simultaneously molding separate portions of an article which may be subsequently assembled to form the complete separable article. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes separate mold portions which, when assembled, define a molding cavity in which each of the mold portions has an outwardly extending flange. The mold portions are fastened together such that the flanges are spaced apart a distance at least twice as great ad the thickness of the article to be molded. The mold portions extend along a longitudinal axis and each defines a molding surfaces which extends around the axis less than 360.degree.. When the mold portions are assembled, the molding surfaces extend completely around the longitudinal axis. The mold also includes silicone bead elements extending along the longitudinal axis in the space between the spaced apart flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Societe Nationale D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation (S.N.E.C.A.)
    Inventors: Eric P. G. Celerier, Philippe Henrio
  • Patent number: 5440082
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an in-the-ear hearing aid (25), a mould (23) is made of an ear canal for use as a moulding die for making a housing of the hearing aid. After the mould is made an auxiliary tool made up of a flexible tube (11) with a flange at one end is inserted into the ear canal into the proximity of the tympanic membrane of the ear. Subsequently, a curable material (19) is introduced into the ear canal. The material presses the flange against the tympanic membrane, which precludes the ingress of material between the flange and the tympanic membrane. After the material has cured the mould with the tube and the flange is removed from the ear canal. During removal of the mould the space between the tympanic membrane and the mould is in communication with the outer air via the tube, so that no partial vacuum is produced which otherwise might damage the tympanic membrane. The mould obtained is used as a moulding die for making a custom made in-the-ear hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Rudi-A. M. Claes
  • Patent number: 5439632
    Abstract: A method of preconditioning a non-isotropic composite cylindrical member. The method involves fitting the cylindrical member onto a mandrel having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the cylindrical member and heating the mandrel and cylindrical member to a temperature sufficient to cause thermal deformation of the mandrel and substantially irreversible thermal deformation of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: ICI Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Leach, John Barnes
  • Patent number: 5435959
    Abstract: A method of making a mold from a model is disclosed. A mold carrier is formed having an aperture therein. The aperture has a configuration generally corresponding to the shape of the model. The model is positioned within the aperture such that a space is created between the outer peripheral surface of the aperture and the outer peripheral surface of the model. A resilient first material in its liquid state is poured into the space such that the first material substantially covers the outer peripheral surface of the model. The resilient first material is allowed to solidify in the space such that a resilient mold insert is formed. The mold insert forms an impression of the outer peripheral surface of the model and is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the aperture. The model is removed from the resilient mold insert. A second material in its liquid state is poured into the aperture of the mold carrier with the resilient mold insert disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Williamson, Steven R. Castellanos, Bruce J. Kilgore, John C. Tawney
  • Patent number: 5433418
    Abstract: A selectively-flexible, selectively-rigid, reusable, one-piece mold is used to fabricate a composite part having a complex shape on an outer surface of the mold. Disposed within the interior of the shell is a grid-type support truss structure having a plurality of individual support members attached at one end to headers that are attached by clips to the inside surface of the shell at predetermined locations. The support members are locked in place relative to each other by the use of pins placed in holes formed at various locations in the support members. When locked in place in this manner, the shell is stiffened, thereby facilitating the fabrication of the composite part on the mold. When the pins are removed, the shell is allowed to flex, thereby facilitating the removal of the cured composite part from the outer surface of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nowak, Stephen R. Norko
  • Patent number: 5422064
    Abstract: This method for forming a measuring diaphragm which measures the volume of a passing gas with high accuracy and has a prolonged service life because the diaphragm moves completely in the same way to both sides of the measuring vessel in which it is fixed. The measuring diaphragm when produced in quantity has an undulating structure of high uniformity and variation in quality of the diaphragm is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Tamura
  • Patent number: 5413748
    Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for forming encapsulated glass which includes the use of a plurality of mold sections 10 and 12 which, when closed, cooperate with a sheet 5 and at least one seal 25 to define a gasket forming cavity 35. When a gasket forming material is injected into the gasket forming cavity 35 and is allowed to at least partially cure, a gasket 2 is formed on at least a portion of the sheet 5 to produce a window gasket assembly 50. A seal 25 with an outwardly angled facing portion 27 defines an interior face 37 of the gasket forming cavity 35 and prevents leakage of the gasket forming material and the formation of flash on the sheet 5. In one embodiment of the invention, the mold section 12 is made of a resilient material and mold section 10 is made of a rigid material. In another embodiment of the invention, mold section 12 has positioned therewithin a rigid member 45 having a finishing surface 48 which cooperates with the seal 25 and the sheet 5 to define a gasket forming cavity 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Vidrio Plano De Mexico, S.A.
    Inventor: Luis A. A. M. Garza
  • Patent number: 5409767
    Abstract: A process handling resin preimpregnated fabric plies that assures release of the plies from surfaces. The process includes applying pressure to a substantially dry side of a resin impregnated fabric ply with a surface, thereby facilitating release of the ply from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Allen E. Trudeau, Joseph D. Mogilewsky
  • Patent number: 5407627
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method and apparatus for casting stress-free thermosetting resin materials. A process for forming a thermosetting product which comprises: (a) pouring a thermosetting polymer, with initiator, and catalyst, into a cavity of a mold which has a polymer coating or film on the interior surface thereof; (b) permitting the polymer to cure to a point where the cured material is reasonably dimensionally stable; (c) removing the partially cured polymeric material from the mold and placing the material in an oven; and (d) fully curing the polymeric material in the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Polycryl Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Schiller, Jost H. Schiller
  • Patent number: 5405566
    Abstract: A module, such as a terminal block (10), configured of a body (12) having an open end (20) and at least one window (24) spaced from the open end, is fixtured and sealed by way of a channel (28) comprised of a pair of parallel, spaced-apart, generally elastic walls (30,32) jointed by a bottom member (34). The walls (30,32) and the bottom member (34) run longitudinally a distance at least as long as the width of the terminal block (10) to allow the block to be received between, and to be held by, the walls. At least one protrusion extends out from a separate one of the walls (30,32) and the base member (34) for receipt in the window (24) in the terminal block to seal the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Peter F. Lilienthal, III, Ivan Pawlenko, Ching-Ping Wong
  • Patent number: 5387098
    Abstract: A reusable laminate mandrel which is unaffected by extreme temperature changes. The flexible laminate mandrel is comprised of sheets stacked to produce the required configuration, a cover wrap that applies pressure to the mandrel laminate, maintaining the stack cross-section. Then after use, the mandrels can be removed, disassembled, and reused. In the method of extracting the flexible mandrel from one end of a composite stiffener, individual ones of the laminae of the flexible mandrel or all are extracted at the same time, depending on severity of the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kurtis S. Willden
  • Patent number: 5387384
    Abstract: A mold apparatus for use in manufacturing bespoke complementarily contoured cushion members such, for example, as cushion insole members for footware for subjects with foot deformities employs a large multiplicity of rods 15 supported at their ends by first and second flexible membranes 17, 19 formed from a medium viscosity silicone rubber. Under finger pressure applied at a surface say 19a of the membrane 19, the membrane 19 is locally deformed, the rods 15 sliding with respect to one another so as to produce complementary deformation at surface 17a of the other membrane 17. Clamp means 18 is operable by increasing friction between the rods 15 to prevent the rods from subsequent relative sliding movement.Using the apparatus a bespoke cushioned insole for footwear may be produced to complementarily conform with the contoured surface 19a created by pressing the latter surface into intimate contact with a subject foot whilst the foot is in contact with the surface 17a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Leslie F. Irving
  • Patent number: 5384085
    Abstract: An improved method of making a bent graphite shaft in which a mandrel is provided as the basic form for forming the shaft. The mandrel includes a flexible portion at the location of the desired bend in the shaft. Graphite composite material is applied to the mandrel and to the flexible portion thereof. The flexible portion is then bent into a configuration which provides the desired bend, and the flexible portion is held in this configuration while the graphite composite material is cured in situ on the mandrel to form a rigid, graphite shaft. The mandrel is then slid out of the shaft with the flexible portion of the mandrel being sufficiently flexible to allow the mandrel to pass out of the shaft without fracturing the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Berkley, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy M. Houser, Robert B. Sandman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5380182
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a flexible, heat resistant mold member. The mold member is useful in molding processes such as dip or slush molding. The mold member maintains its structural integrity and may therefore be used as an insert in the article being molded to provide flexible stability at specific locations within the article. The mold member is made of a material which is substantially non-reactive with the molded article. The molded article may be any article made from a plastisol such as a binaural for a stethoscope having single or double lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Packard, James H. Quackenbush
  • Patent number: 5378424
    Abstract: The present invention essentially relates to a process for curing pipe insulation, including the employment of a two-part mold and the utilization of a device for the passage of curing air through the mold and through a pipe insulation preform which is arranged around a core disposed within the mold. The process for the curing of insulating chutes constituted of a fibrous materials, such as wool or the like, completely avoids the formation of any burrs which can conceivably be formed between interengaging and cooperating mold halves, one of which is a female and the other a complementary male component. A sharp and flexible leading edge in the male part is arranged to come into contact with the inner surface of the female part and to slide therealong before making contact with a preform for producing the pipe insulation, which is preferably a thermal wool material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Oy Partek Ab
    Inventor: Osmo Soikkeli
  • Patent number: 5376321
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped article includes the steps of constituting a patterning form by disposing at a prescribed position within a main form for molding the shaped article an auxiliary form of a configuration appropriate for a pattern to be formed, charging a dry material for pattern formation into the patterning form at a prescribed form cavity portion thereof, charging a base-course material for forming the base course of the shaped article into the remaining space of the patterning form not filled with the pattern material, removing the auxiliary form, causing the pattern material and base-course material charged into the patterning form to set into a shaped article, removing the shaped article from the main form and, optionally, sintering the shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5376316
    Abstract: A lightweight concrete forming tube is disclosed, and wherein the tube has a very thin wall of wound paper layers which permit the tube to be collapsed and wound into a reel to facilitate shipment and storage. In use, the desired length is severed from the reel, and the severed length is opened and positioned about a vertically disposed steel reinforcing structure. Concrete is then poured into the opened tube, and the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid concrete causes the tube to assume a circular cross-section and straight vertical configuration. Upon hardening of the concrete, the tube is severed with a knife and removed, leaving a formed concrete column of circular and straight configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventor: Emile E. A. J. Weekers
  • Patent number: 5372676
    Abstract: A method of producing replicated paving stone including a base having a shaded and stratified layered upper surface with a plurality of simulated grout lines formed therein including the steps of preparing a cementitious mortar, applying a release agent to the interior of a forming mold, pouring the cementitious mortar into the forming mold, leveling the mortar, vibrating the forming mold and cementitious mortar therein, allowing the cementitious mortar to cure forming a base with an upper surface, releasing the base from the forming mold, applying an acid stain to the base, allowing the acid stain to etch the base to shade the upper surface, accenting the plurality of simulated grout lines with a pigment and sealing the replicated paving stone with an acrylic polymer sealer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Michael Lowe
  • Patent number: 5368804
    Abstract: A method of molding a composite bicycle frame that includes the steps of curing a pair of seat stays and chain stays respectively and then connecting with the front triangle. Non-foaming dilatable materials are provided at suitable locations in the mold, such as the steering support cavity, the pedal support cavity, the seat stay butting cavity and the chain stay butting cavity. By heating the mold once, the seat stays and chain stays will secure with the front triangle and the front triangle can be cured at the same time to simplify the mold and the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jen-Loong Hwang, Sheng-Long Wu, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Chin-I Lin
  • Patent number: 5368807
    Abstract: A method for fabricating fiber reinforced resin matrix composite structures having molded outside surfaces with intermittent molded inside surfaces (e.g. an aircraft skin with internal stiffeners) is performed as follows: composite prepreg stiffener sections are preformed and laid up on the inside portion of the rigid portion of the vacuum bag and the lay-up debulked. Elastomeric tubes are then installed in rigid cavity portions of a hybrid vacuum bag and sealing wedges are forced into place to hold the elastomeric tubes and at the same time seal them to the rigid portion of the cavity. The elastomeric tubes extend through and protrude from the sealing wedges. Skin plies are then laid up on a primary mold and the hybrid bag installed on the mold. Index pins are provided to properly orient the hybrid bag to the primary mold or tool. A vacuum is then drawn on the bag, any vacuum leaks are remedied, and the part is ready for curing in either an oven or an autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5368791
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped article includes the steps of disposing at a prescribed position within a main form for molding the shaped article a cell form having a plurality of cells arranged in a contiguous manner, charging a prescribed amount of dry pattern-course material for forming the pattern course of the shaped article into prescribed cells of the cell form, charging a base-course material for forming the base course of the shaped article into the remaining space of the main form not filled with the pattern-course material, removing the cell form, causing the charged pattern-course material and base-course material to set into a shaped article, removing the shaped article from the main form and, optionally, sintering the shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: CCA Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Mituhiro Onuki, Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5356586
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a structural member having a stiffener bead therein. Prepreg plies or layers of high tensile strength fabric are laid up on a conformable caul plate. A rubber-like plug is prefabricated to the shape of the stiffener bead and is urged into a stiffener bead cavity of the caul plate by a metal tool to sandwich the prepreg plies between the caul and the plug. The caul and the plug cooperate to cause the prepreg plies to conform to the desired shape of the stiffener bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander C. Dublinski, Edward J. Fabian, Philip J. Ramey, Darryl M. Toni
  • Patent number: 5348601
    Abstract: A method for making an offset corrugated core sandwich construction is diosed. Mandrels of preestablished form and size are arranged into a pattern in a confined area. After covering the mandrels with a release film, strips of pliable, uncured composite material are arranged in a "peak-to-valley" pattern with adjacent strips being out of phase by 180 degrees. Selected mandrels are replaced by a granular mixture and top and bottom face sheets are fitted to the arrangement. After curing, all mandrels are removed from the construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Hemen Ray
  • Patent number: 5344602
    Abstract: A workpiece of a fiber-containing composite material is formed in a kinematically admissible manner by applying a tension loading to the workpiece in a transverse direction and passing the workpiece in the transverse direction through apparatus having a bending roller extending in the longitudinal direction over substantially the entire length of the workpiece. The workpiece is formed over the bending roller by introducing a net bending deformation into the workpiece and progressively propagating the bend transversely through the workpiece as the workpiece is moved in the transverse direction. The transverse laminar length of the workpiece remains substantially unchanged during the forming process. Preferably, the workpiece is contained within a vacuum bag during the forming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Stephen A. Yencho
  • Patent number: 5344601
    Abstract: An injection molding method which injects a first resin in a first cavity (1) and a second resin in a second cavity (2) with a flexible fabric and porous membrane (3) spanning the interior of the cavity to inpart define the two cavities (1, 2). The second cavity is filled with fibers (14) and is vented via vents (6). The first resin injected into cavity (1) can penetrate the membrane (3) and fuse with the second resin in cavity (2). A nozzle (5) penetrates the membrane (3) with the membrane forming a seal thereabout for delivery of the second resin to the cavity (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: John Newton
  • Patent number: 5338177
    Abstract: A hot compacting device for producing a part, whose production requires raising the pressure and temperature simultaneously, is provided. A device made according to the present invention includes a heating mold for receiving a blank of the part to be produced and compacting element for pressing the blank against the heating mold. The compacting element includes a compacting bag for pressing the blank against the mold and an anti-convection zone for containing a pressurized fluid in the vapor state, which anti-convection zone is interposed between the compacting bag and a semi-permeable wall, which wall is impermeable to the fluid in the liquid state but is permeable thereto in the vapor state. Also provided is a supply zone for receiving the fluid in the liquid state, which supply zone is located on a side of the semi-permeable wall located opposite the anti-convection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Roger Le Touche
  • Patent number: 5336461
    Abstract: A vulcanizing method including a cylindrical vulcanizing drum for winding and molding unvulcanized rubber belt materials thereover, the vulcanizing drum being removably and rotatably supported on a transfer mechanism. A pair of endless pressurizing bands are arranged to oppose each other with the vulcanizing drum between, the pressurizing bands arcuately surrounding and pressing the corresponding portions of the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum. While the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum is heated inside, and the respective pressurizing bands are opposingly pressed against the vulcanizing drum, the respective pressurizing bands are synchronously rotated so as to turn the vulcanizing drum and continuously vulcanize the unvulcanized rubber belt molding on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Bando Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken-ichi Ohtani, Osamu Sakamoto, Masahiko Houzouji, Hiroshi Yamamoto