Bending Or Twisting Of Work Patents (Class 264/339)
  • Patent number: 7097804
    Abstract: A duct formed of a thermoplastic material is lightweight, strong, flame and smoke resistant, and non-toxic. The duct is formed from a flat laminate and does not require a specialized, disposable mandrel for supporting conventional thermoset plies. Preferably, the duct is formed from a preform, which is cut according to the desired shape and size of the duct so that trimming after the duct has been formed is not required. Additionally, features such as holes and spud locations can be provided by cutting or marking the preform before forming the duct. Each duct can be formed of multiple articulated segments that are joined by connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Danny A. Jorgenson, Denis J. Klein, Douglas D. Maben
  • Patent number: 7090792
    Abstract: A group of multiple hollow fibers may be shaped to introduce angular divergence among the fibers, or to introduce a selected longitudinal oscillation into the fibers. In one shaping technique, the fibers are held in parallel while upper and lower crimping assemblies of parallel crimping bars are drawn together on opposite sides of the parallel fibers. When bars of the opposing assemblies draw sufficiently close, they sandwich the fibers in between them, causing each fiber to assume a shape that oscillates as the fiber repeatedly goes over and then under successive bars. Since the crimping bars are aligned at oblique angles to the fibers, the peaks and troughs of successive fibers are offset. While in this position, the fibers are heated and then cooled to permanently retain their shapes. A different shaping technique utilizes a lattice of criss-crossing tines defining multiple apertures. In this technique, the lattice and fibers are positioned so that each fiber passes through one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Alsius Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Balding, Steven C. Foster
  • Patent number: 6936211
    Abstract: Methods for making a tubular device that has a rim disposed at one end thereof. In one method, a sleeve having an expandable profiling surface is inserted into an end of the tubular member, and the profiling surface is expanded to form a shoulder projecting outwardly from the tubular member adjacent the end of the tubular member. The profiling surface is collapsed inwardly away from tubular member, and a return margin is formed directed inwardly from the shoulder, distal the tubular member. In another method, return margin of the tubular device adjacent an end is folded inwardly and superposed on an inner surface of the tubular device adjacent the folded margin. A sleeve having an expandable profiling surface is inserted into the end of the tubular device, and the profiling surface is expanded to form the rim comprising a shoulder projecting outwardly from the tubular member and the return margin. As a result, the fold between the shoulder and the return margin defines an edge of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt Binner, Gary Vogt
  • Patent number: 6916438
    Abstract: The texturing, patterning and bending of a solid surface material. The end product can be achieved both through casting technologies and heat pressure processes. Controlled surface deformation can be created in a pre-manufactured flat sheet and the sheet can then be heated and bent using conventional thermoforming technology. This contrasts considerably with the conventional norm, whereby an embossed solid surface sheet, when reheated, loses its embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Allegheny Solid Surface Technologies
    Inventor: Russell E. Berry
  • Patent number: 6908583
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending a substantially rigid substrate (22) having first and second portions (28, 30) interconnected by a bend region (32). The apparatus comprises first and second heated die members (60, 80). The first heated die member (60) has a longitudinal body portion (62) and an outer edge portion (64) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (62) and is substantially rounded. The second heated die member (80) has a longitudinal body portion (82) and a groove (84) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (82). The first and second heated die members (60, 80) are configured to contact the substrate (22) and are capable of bending the substrate (22) in the bend region (32) when the outer edge portion (64) of the first heated die member (60) slides into the groove (84) of the second heated die member (80). There is also a method for bending the substantially rigid substrate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fiedler, David W. Currier, Horace M. Long, James V. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6902672
    Abstract: There is disclosed a spiral-wound membrane module design for various membrane filtration techniques having significantly reduced fluid flow resistance in the feed stream path. Specifically, the inventive spiral-wound membrane module is designed having a corrugated entrance and exit spacers together over less than 10% of the length of the spiral wound module and a stiffener sheet wound to provide for uniform feed channel gap width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Osmotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Herron
  • Patent number: 6878321
    Abstract: Gypsum board having inorganic fiber, preferably glass fiber, preferably glass fiber, includes providing face sheets which have been completely impregnated with a gypsum slurry so as to penetrate through said random interstices between the inorganic fibers and to thereby cover the board surfaces with gypsum slurry. The gypsum board product is formed by passing the wet gypsum board through a board forming station having double forming plates, an upper forming plate having at least a portion thereof being set at a predetermined angle relative to a lower forming plate and having a separation between the forming plates defining a predetermined dimension substantially equal to the desired thickness of the manufactured gypsum board product. The method provides a multilayer gypsum board having a polymeric compound added to unset gypsum so as to provide a gypsum board ready for finishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: BPB plc
    Inventors: Robert J. Hauber, Christopher J. Sanders, Mark E. Hennis, Michael P. Fahey
  • Patent number: 6878329
    Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon or other tubular medical device or component, in which a sheet of polymeric material is wrapped on a mandrel and heated to fuse sections of the wrapped sheet together to form a tube. The mandrel has a metallic core and a jacket on an outer surface of the metallic core, and the wrapped sheet of polymeric material is heated without corroding the metallic core of the mandrel. In a presently preferred embodiment, the sheet is formed of a fluoropolymeric material, and the resulting fluoropolymeric tube forms at least a layer of a catheter balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Delma M. Blankenship, Jeong S. Lee
  • Patent number: 6855284
    Abstract: A presently-preferred process for bending a workpiece includes placing a first portion of the workpiece on a substantially flat surface so that a second portion of the workpiece overhangs an edge of the substantially flat surface, and securing the first portion of the workpiece on the substantially flat surface by clamping the workpiece between the substantially flat surface and a substantially v-shaped end portion of a male die. The presently-preferred process also includes causing the second portion of the workpiece to pivot around a tip of the substantially v-shaped end portion by rotating a bending die around the tip while the bending die contacts the second portion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Arthur L. Lanni, Joseph Oravsky, Tri D. Vu
  • Publication number: 20040251577
    Abstract: Complex shaped articles and a method for their manufacture are disclosed. The complex shaped articles comprise a one piece, honeycomb core material that can be conformally shaped for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic movement having formed edges and an outer skin bonded to its top and bottom surfaces to protect and encase the honeycomb core material and provide a drag resistant surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Greven
  • Publication number: 20040245659
    Abstract: Tools and methods for making molded an optical integrated circuit including one or more waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a molding die is provided that includes a substrate that has a topographically patterned first surface. A conformal protective film is provided over the first surface of the substrate. The substrate may be formed of silicon or gallium arsenide, and may be patterned using conventional semiconductor patterning techniques, such as plasma etching. The protective film may be metal (e.g., nickel or titanium), diamond, or some other hard material. Typically, a plurality of such molding dies are formed from a wafer of the substrate material. The die is pressed into a moldable material, such as thermal plastic, to form the wave guide(s) of the optical integrated circuit. A plurality of the dies may be mounted around the curved surface of a heated roller, and a heated tape of the waveguide material may be fed under the roller in a mass production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas P. Glenn, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20040185203
    Abstract: It is disclosed a method for producing thermo-insulating cylindrical vacuum panels starting from planar panels, which comprises subjecting the planar panel (1) to a calendering operation, passing it through at least two rollers (2, 3) and a third element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pierattilio Di Gregorio
  • Publication number: 20040178539
    Abstract: A system for bending a substantially rigid substrate (22) having a first portion (28) and a second portion (30) interconnected by a bend region (32). The system comprises a first heated die member (60) and a second heated die member (60). The first heated die member (60) has a longitudinal body portion (62) and an outer edge portion (64). The outer edge portion (64) extends along the longitudinal body portion (62) and is substantially rounded. The second heated die member (80) has a longitudinal body portion (82) and a groove (84). The groove (84) extends along the longitudinal body portion (82). The first heated die member (60) and the second heated die member (80) is configured to contact the substrate (22). The first heated die member (60) and the second heated die member (80) are capable of bending the substrate (22) in the bend region (32) when the outer edge portion (64) of the first heated die member (60) slides into the groove (84) of the second heated die member (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: David Fiedler, David W. Currier, Horace M. Long, James V. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6790402
    Abstract: The complex shaped articles are formed by trimming, cutting and shaping a honeycomb core material to a desired size and shape, deforming the sized and shaped honeycomb core material at ambient temperature; permanently setting the shape and contour of the sized and shaped honeycomb core material; affixing side edges to the shaped and contoured honeycomb core material; and, bonding a fiber reinforced resin to the top and bottom surfaces of the honeycomb core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Greven
  • Publication number: 20040154721
    Abstract: A prosthesis, and method for forming same, are provided which includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubes having angularly offset node and fibril configurations. Also, the node and fibril configurations are angularly offset from the longitudinal axes of the respective tubes, providing resistance against failure in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie S. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20040146792
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of controlling dimensional relations between an original pattern present in a mold and a recorded pattern formed in a layer of a substrate. In this manner, the size of the recorded patterned may appear to be magnified and/or reduced, when compared to the original pattern. To that end, the method comprises defining a region on the layer in which to produce the recorded pattern. The substrate is bent to produce a contoured surface in the region. Dimensional variations in the original pattern are produced by bending the mold, defining a varied pattern. The contoured surface and the mold are provided to have similar radii of curvatures. The varied pattern is then recorded in the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Pawan K. Nimmakayala, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Byung-Jin Choi, Anshuman Cherala
  • Patent number: 6764635
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ski for creating a preload force upon a front portion of a ski combination with a resilient preload member. The method basically including the steps of molding an elongate ski body having a front portion in a position P1, removing the elongate ski body from the mold after solidified, applying a force upon a front portion of the elongate ski body thereby bowing the front portion into position P2, securing a preload member to the front portion and a middle portion of the elongate ski body, and releasing the force applied to the front portion whereby the resiliency of the front portion deforms the preload member until the front portion is into position P3. Position P1 of the elongate ski body is preferably less than 20 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate ski body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Dale D. Cormican
  • Publication number: 20040135289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for twisting elongate dough products and a device therefor. A supplied dough product is herein engaged at least at two positions in a longitudinal direction. The dough product is twisted by applying torsion to a dough product around a longitudinal axis at least at a first position. The twisted product is then discharged. The invention is characterized by engaging the dough product on at least two longitudinal sides, which lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, with a first respectively a second speed relative to the longitudinal axis of the dough product. By engaging or more than two longitudinal sides it is possible to prevent curvature of the dough product in a transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Tromp Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Bastiaan Tromp
  • Patent number: 6759001
    Abstract: A method for producing an embossed PVA film, which includes embossing the film such that the crystallinity index of the emboss top is 0.50-0.90. The invention provides an embossed PVA film superior in resistance to blocking even when in a rolled state, in appearance to show the high quality of products, and in resistance to pinholes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Mizutani, Syuichi Kitamura, Kenji Hasegawa, Manabu Miyato, Hideki Oono
  • Patent number: 6756007
    Abstract: A method and method to ensure the uniform collapse and diminished loading forces of a prosthesis, the prosthesis having at least one layer of biocompatible material. The device includes a way to stabilize the prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis can be incrementally axially rotated, and a way to manipulate the layer of biocompatible material simultaneously at several distinct points along an axis of the prosthesis so that a set of alterations is formed in the biocompatible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Pletzer, Scott Merrill
  • Publication number: 20040119201
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing molded products with an EMI/RFI/ESD shield. The apparatus includes shaping apparatus for automatically shaping a mesh blank into a mesh insert on a fixture, and a robot for removing the insert from the fixture and placing it in a molding machine in preparation for molding the insert into a molded product. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing molded products involving the steps of automatically forming the blank into a mesh insert and automatically transferring the insert to a molding machine using a robot. A holding tool may be provided for the robot to use in transferring the insert to the molding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Siegel-Robert, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Burton, William M. Matich
  • Patent number: 6746501
    Abstract: A collar for a vacuum cleaner bag having a user operated closure, the collar being formed from a blank of relatively rigid material and folded to define first and second full outer panels and a partial inner panel, the partial inner panel being adhesively secured to the first and second full outer panels and having an occlusion element attached by weak retention bands of collar blank material and the occlusion element further contains a detachable pivot and a partial aperture cut-out, and the first and second full panels contain apertures which are aligned with the partial aperture of the occlusion element, such that the occlusion element pivots on the detachable pivot from an open position to a closed position, occluding the apertures on the first and second outer panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Wildwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent A. Wilder, Dennis Boehmer
  • Publication number: 20040104512
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming catheters and catheter curves using ferromagnetic materials exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Heat is generated in the exposed ferromagnetic material. The temperature of the ferromagnetic material is allowed to reach a desired temperature, preferably the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material containing portion. The heat generated is transferred to a catheter, wherein the catheter can be selectively formed or assembled and bonded at the desired elevated temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Eidenschink
  • Patent number: 6726974
    Abstract: A thermoplastic folded honeycomb structure and method for the production thereof A strip of material is plastically deformed perpendicular to the plane of the material and folded in the direction of conveyance until the cell walls meet and are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: K.U. Leuven Research & Development
    Inventors: Jochen Pflug, Ignace Verpoest
  • Publication number: 20040065044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing bar for mineral building materials, particularly for cement. The inventive reinforcing bar (10) is made of a bar of plastic material reinforced by fibre, which has a central, elongate core (12) and several ribs (14) which extend along the length of the core, which are disposed at an angular distance from each other, which form a cross or a star in the cross section thereof and which are twisted around the core axis (16) in a helical manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander Bleibler
  • Patent number: 6716382
    Abstract: A method for preparing a hollow tube of shrinkable polymeric material by providing a hollow tube in an expanded state and partially contracting a portion of the length of the hollow tube. A first length in the expanded state is folded over a second length in the partially contracted state. A body such as a length of electrical cable is inserted into the hollow tube, and the first length is unfolded so that it no longer overlies the second length. The first length and the second length are contracted to the fully contracted state over the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Roy P. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20040061259
    Abstract: An apparatus for rerounding plastic pipe includes a housing having a pipe passage extending therethrough. The housing has a moveable outer frame top positionable between an open position and a closed position to enclose a pipe to be rerounded. A pair of opposing jaws are positioned within the housing and on opposite sides of the pipe passage and have a generally symmetrical configuration with respect to one another. A drive mechanism is connected with respect to at least one of the jaws for compressing the jaws with respect to each other resulting in compression of the pipe to be rerounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: William F. Rush, Stephen Reyes, Bruce K. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6709615
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an improved comb for a disk wound transformer. The method comprises the steps of providing a web of cellulose material; removing a portion of the cellulose material to create a plurality of longitudinal slits along the length of the web, wherein the longitudinal slits have a fixed length and width; and folding the web along a line proximate the midpoint of the length of each of the longitudinal slits such that the cellulose material adjacent the longitudinal slits defines a plurality of tooth members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Noah David Hay
  • Publication number: 20040041302
    Abstract: A pipe section formed of a polymeric material which has a substantially constant thickness throughout, the terminal edge of the female connection having a reinforcement structure which rigidifies the end of the female connection and prevents deformation, the pipe section preferably having a flared end, and the reinforcement structure preferably being a semicircular channel formed at the end of the pipe section by a mandrel after initial extrusion of the pipe section; along with a method and apparatus for forming the pipe section, a pipe assembly including such pipe section, and a method of forming the pipe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Roger Lee Siferd, Matthew C. Ankrom, Larry E. Porter
  • Publication number: 20040026825
    Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for preforming sheets to form preforms for forming ducts. The preforms can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape of the duct. For example, rollers, rods, tubes, or a funnel can be used to bend the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan K. Bergsma, Joseph P. Canavan, Thomas J. Courrier, Walter Forrest Frantz, Harvey T. Jones, Denis J. Klein, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
  • Publication number: 20040026826
    Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan Bergsma, Tom Courrier, W. Forrest Frantz, John Hennessy
  • Patent number: 6685753
    Abstract: A method for placing an edge piece on a battery plate includes bending a thin strip of bendable plastic material into an open top, U-shaped channel. The channel is then cut into an edge piece having a length which is substantially equal to the edge of the battery plate which is to be covered. The edge piece is supported with this open top oriented towards a battery plate that is transported toward it in a manner such that the battery plate edge will be inserted into it. Once the edge of the battery plate has been inserted into the edge piece the edge piece is released so that the battery plate can be carried out of the apparatus. An apparatus for accomplishing this includes a feed mechanism which transports the strip of bendable plastic material. A bending mechanism forms this strip into the open top, U-shaped channel. The channel is then fully inserted into an assembly station where a first sensor stops the feed mechanism and a cutter cuts the channel into the proper-sized edge piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Tekmax, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, Peter E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6682686
    Abstract: There is provided a container closure that can easily be manufactured, has improved drop strength and is convenient for opening operation. The present invention provides a container closure comprises, a substrate having adequate property for retaining an object which is enclosed in a container, a peripheral section formed on the periphery area of the container closure on the opposite side of a side where the substrate is attached to a container body, a panel section covering an area of the substrate surrounding by the peripheral section on the same side where the peripheral section is provided, and a score section formed between the peripheral portion and the panel section to provide a weakened region, the peripheral section and the panel section is a plastic layer formed with the same heat-fusible plastic on the substrate. Substantial area of the score section is constructed of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Iwasaki, Akira Morita, Hirotsugu Mori
  • Patent number: 6652477
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tampon applicator, having a specific insertion tip structure with overlapping petals, connected to a tube. The petals are preferably curved such that one edge of a petal has an angle with the top edge of the tube of 40° to 60°. The petals are at least partially closed over the tampon and easily openable in use, which provides an improved, safer and more hygienic insertion of the tampon into the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nancy Karapasha, Clare Jessamyn Dibble, Jennifer Ann Kraynak Orriss, Michael Sean Farrell
  • Publication number: 20030209835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Iksoo Chun, Mark B. Roller, David Christopher Majercak
  • Patent number: 6613258
    Abstract: A process is proposed for the fabrication of parts with large dimensions formed of a skin (10) and stiffeners (12, 16) such as aircraft fuselage segments made of a composite material with a thermoplastic matrix. After stiffeners have been made separately by lay-up, consolidation and shaping, these stiffeners are placed on a tooling (23) and the skin (10) is simultaneously fabricated and assembled to the stiffeners (12, 16) by diffusion welding. More precisely, the skin (10) is laid up and continuously consolidated by the lay-up head (36) such that the required part is obtained directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Serge Maison, Serge Meunier, Cédric Thibout, Luc Mouton, Hervé Payen, Philippe Vautey, Carole Coiffier-Colas, Joël Delbez
  • Patent number: 6592795
    Abstract: A continuous forming method and device for an H-shaped FRP member for forming semi-hardened preimpregnated members produced by impregnating thermosetting resin to carbon fiber or glass fiber and the like into a predetermined H-shape. The forming device comprises of a device for mounting a plural number of bobbins having strip-shaped preimpregnated material spooled thereto, providing tension when pulling the impregnated material out from the bobbin. The device the shapes the preimpregnated material to a predetermined H-shape that feeds release films from four sides of upper, lower, left and right. The device then provides heat and pressure to the preimpregnated material from said four sides with a heating furnace for after-curing the preimpregnated material. The device then hauls and holds the preimpregnated material for cutting the cured product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kasai, Kazumi Asari
  • Publication number: 20030113491
    Abstract: A method of preventing delamination of multiple layers of an oriented polymer container having an opening defined by the multiple layers comprising a bi-axially oriented multilayer polymer container having an opening defined by a perimeter at which the multiple layers are exposed; heating the perimeter until workable; providing a curling die; feeding the multilayer perimeter into the curling die to curl the perimeter sufficiently to inhibit delamination of the layers and a container when so made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, George F. Rollend
  • Patent number: 6568932
    Abstract: A device and method for forming tableware from biodegradable vegetable fibers includes a device for punching a sheet of vegetable fibers into a preset shape and forming final products from the vegetable fibers. The device and method include a humidifier for humidifying the vegetable fibers, a bender for bend-drawing the vegetable fiber into an intermediate article, a warm-air dryer for keeping and drying the intermediate article, a cool-air dryer for further drying and cooling the intermediate article into a finished article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignees: Open Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiichi Murai
  • Patent number: 6548008
    Abstract: Si material, which has been considered to be very brittle, and hard to bend, is heated to at least its brittle-ductile transition temperature. A bending moment is applied to a heated portion of the Si material so that a slip deformation is generated. Whereby it is possible to perform bending, and to greatly improve a degree of freedom for machining the Si material. The Si material has a brittle-ductile transition temperature which transfers from a brittle to a ductile state at its brittle-ductile transition temperature. At the transition temperature or more, the Si material is in a state that a slip can to be generated between its crystals in response to a bending torque applied thereto. Thus, when a bending moment is applied to the heated portion of the Si material which is heated to the transition temperature or more, a slip is generated between lattices or between crystal grains in the heated portion, so that the Si material is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuriyama, Takayuki Furukoshi
  • Patent number: 6540498
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermosetting thermoplastic tubes in a predefined shape having at least one bend. The apparatus includes an oven with an interior chamber which is heated to a temperature approaching that at which the tube thermally deforms. An elongated former has a channel dimensioned to receive the tube, and this channel has the predefined shape. A thermally absorbent coating is disposed only on a surface of the former adjacent to and extending across each bend of the former. This thermally absorbent coating locally adds the thermal energy required to reset the memory of the tube at the bend location. A conveyor extends through the oven chamber from an inlet end and to an outlet end of the oven, and the former is attached to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Riggs, David John Gabbey, Patrick L. Marion
  • Patent number: 6540500
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming a bend in a linear section of thermoplastic pipe. The apparatus comprises an anvil having a concave working surface which defines an arc of at least the bend angle of the bend to be formed in the pipe section. The anvil further includes a collar for retaining an end of the pipe section adjacent to the working surface. The apparatus also includes a flexible mandrel of substantially the same internal diameter as the pipe, with the mandrel being inserted into the pipe prior to the bending operation. A method is also disclosed using the apparatus to bend a section of thermoplastic pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Ranald John Pery-Johnston
  • Patent number: 6537476
    Abstract: A method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. The first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed; the tube is cooled and released from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Polymer Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hargreaves
  • Publication number: 20030042655
    Abstract: A forming track forms flexible plastic tubing which carries fuel from a fuel tank to an engine into a desired shape. The forming track includes a curved channel to receive a round tubing and a pair of opposing flanges to secure the tubing in the forming track. The tubing slightly deforms between the pair of opposing flanges as the plastic tubing is positioned in the channel. After the tubing is inserted, the opposing flanges secure the tubing in the forming track. While positioned in the forming track, the tubing is set by heating and rapid cooling, thermosetting the tube into the shape of the forming track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Noman F. Kane
  • Patent number: 6485660
    Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Marshall Industries Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Kaiser, Issam Faza, Brice Marshall Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020171175
    Abstract: A method of forming a curved hose and a mandrel for forming a curved hose is disclosed. A hose length is inserted onto a multi-legged mandrel to form a curved hose. The mandrel has at least two legs and the opposing ends of the hose are placed on the mandrel legs such that a portion of the hose is unsupported by an internal mandrel. The unsupported portion of the hose may be straight or may be looped to form a more complexly curved hose. The unsupported portion of the hose may also be held in position by an external mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Carol Lynn Ainsworth, Robert John Kozak
  • Patent number: 6464916
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a curved hose. The method is comprised of the steps of forming a hose pre-assembly, partially curing the hose on a linear mandrel, and then completing the curing of the hose pre-assembly on a curved mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Garth Alan Tyson
  • Patent number: 6461560
    Abstract: A limited pour neck finish bottle wherein a plurality of radially inwardly extending flexible fingers are integral with the peripheral edge portion of the open end of the neck of a bottle and extend across the open end of the neck to restrict or interfere with the flow of liquid from the bottle if an attempt is made to pour the liquid from the bottle rather than employing an exact dose dispensing device. The bottle is made by molding a plurality of axially extending flexible fingers on the peripheral edge portion at the open end of the neck simultaneously with the molding of the bottle, and then bending the fingers downwardly to the radially inwardly extending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Comar, Inc
    Inventor: John D. Buehler
  • Publication number: 20020140125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a substantially regular cylindrical body that consists of a deformable material, especially a sintered metal blank (10). Said blank is provided with an interior helical recess (12). The blank is first produced with a substantially linear course of the interior recess (12), for example by extrusion. The body (10) is cut to a defined length and is subjected to a rolling movement by means of a friction surface (18) while being supported across its entire length on a support (16). The speed of said rolling movement changes in a linear and continuous manner across the length of the body (10), thereby regularly twisting the body (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Arno Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20020130438
    Abstract: A method for bending a largely plate-shaped, thermoplastic workpiece, e.g., a sandwich panel, the bending region of the workpiece, heated at least up to plasticization, being bent about a bending element acting upon the workpiece. The bending element is pushed into the workpiece up to the apex of the desired bending, and the bending is performed about the front end, viewed in the insertion direction, of the inserted bending element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Arno Jambor, Michael Bechtold, Erwin Fauser