Bending Or Twisting Of Work Patents (Class 264/339)
  • Patent number: 5585049
    Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including attaching a fixation member to an optic to form an IOL assembly with a length of the fixation member between a location on a peripheral surface of the optic and a distal end of the fixation member being elongated and substantially straight. The substantially straight length of the fixation member is permanently deformed into a curved configuration suitable for implantation in an eye of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Allergan
    Inventors: Bernard F. Grisoni, Christopher E. Doyle
  • Patent number: 5576081
    Abstract: An elongated structural element includes an external tubular casing (11) with the hollow interior space filled with a polymer binder (12) containing a plurality of elongated parallel continuous strands of fiber reinforcement material (13) extending lengthwise of the element. A method for preparing such an element is provided by filling a preformed tubular casing (11) with a polymer binder (12) in liquid form in which is dispersed the fiber reinforcement material (13) and allowing the polymer binder to solidify. The element may be initially shaped prior to solidification or reheated into another shape such as a helical coil or spring. An internal casing (29) can also be used where the fiber reinforcement strands (13) are between the external and internal casings (11) and (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Hartley Sandt
  • Patent number: 5573716
    Abstract: A method, process and apparatus for generating complex shapes without the use of dies, molds, or other fixed tooling. A continuous length or flow of a malleable or fluent material is provided to a forming apparatus which shapes the material, producing a contiguous series of smoothly blended, properly contoured portions of the desired shape. The formation of a shape relies on continuous control of shape-determining variables: the instantaneous cross-section of the shape in a virtual transition surface between the formable and formed material, the rate-of-change of cross-sectional dimensions between sequential cross-sections, the instantaneous angle of movement of the material at any point on the cross-section in the transition surface, and the rate of movement away from the transition surface of the just-stabilized portion of the shape. The material is stabilized as these shape-determining variables achieve the proper values in each portion of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Continuous Molding, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore L. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 5562875
    Abstract: An assembly and method for processing extrudate material containing curves or angles into a predetermined overall configuration, including having a die assembly for an extruder which assembly controls the cross-sectional shape or profile of the extrudate and selectively varies the path of the extrudate as it leaves the die assembly. A support member is provided which has a predetermined overall configuration and profile to receive the extrudate and maintain its configuration. A driving apparatus is also provided for continuously driving either the support member or the die assembly relative to the other while the extrudate is being received in the support member, and until the entire predetermined overall configuration has been completed. The path of the extrudate is variably directed by the die assembly as it leaves the extruder in coordination with the relative speeds involved to conform the extrudate configuration to the predetermined overall configuration of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Miller, James F. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5558831
    Abstract: A method to locally heat a thermoplastic hinge and fold its semicylindrical members together so as to form a film cartridge. The cooled integrated hinge is locally heated in a manner whereby the semicylindrical members remain cool. When the thermoplastic hinge is ductile from the heat, the semicylindrical members are folded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Merz, Edward B. Richter, Robert W. Sanford, Jack Magliocco
  • Patent number: 5549862
    Abstract: A method for forming a coved backsplash system, comprising two adjacent perpendicular wall sections joined by a curved corner joint. In particular, a designed relief, or groove, is formed on the rear surface of the material at a predetermined depth. The grooved material is placed on a shaped mandrel having the capacity of maintaining controlled heating, limited to the area being formed on the material. The grooved area is also heated by a device in conjunction with the surface area being heated by the mandrel. The solid surface material is brought to a thermoforming temperature by conductivity of the heat generated in the mandrel and heating devices. A wiping arm is used to form the solid surface material to the mandrel, the solid surface material being brought in contact with a flat work surface by the wiping arm. The non-grooved, flat surface areas of the material are then held in place by the wiping arm while the solid surface material begins the cooling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Donald R. Vail
  • Patent number: 5536459
    Abstract: An extrusion molded article is extrusion molded through an extrusion opening of a die. Then, in a vulcanizing bath, the cross-sectional configuration of the extrusion molded article is modified by utilizing shaping means during the process from the start of vulcanization of the extrusion molded article to a semi-vulcanization thereof, and subsequently, vulcanization of the extrusion molded article is completed. In this way, a long elastic member having required elasticity and having a cross-sectional configuration changed to a required one can be easily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 5523046
    Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5520870
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously extruding a product, and forming it into a bend by applying a force to it at a point of application downstream of where its surface becomes solid. The force has a transverse component relative to the die axis, and performs work upon the extruded material, extra to the work that has already been performed to extrude it. Non-contact members of applying the force are described, and various ram-type contacting members are illustrated. Alternative means of operation are described in which the point of application of the force to the extrudate during bending varies relative both to the extrudate and to the die, relative to the extrudate only, and relative to the die only. Means to alter the direction of bending are described, and to diminish the necessary bending force by creating a fluctuating melt pressure within the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: British Technology Group Limited
    Inventors: Peter S. Allan, Michael J. Bevis, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5516479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending plastic pipes in which a plastic pipe section is heated at the bending point. The feature of the invention is that the pipe section (4) is first heated in a water bath at about 80.degree. C. and then laid around one or more bending plates (3), depending on the desired shape, whereupon the bending plates are subjected to a heat source (5), for example a hot air blower, and partially heated, depending on the pipe material used, to a maximum of 160.degree. C. for 10 to 15 seconds, whereafter the pipe section is subjected to a first cooling process from inside of the pipe using cold compressed air for 10 to 15 seconds. The pipe section is then placed in a cold water bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Aeroquip Zweigniederlassung der Trinoza GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Schimmelpfennig, Olaf Lippenoo
  • Patent number: 5492667
    Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst element including fixing a ceramic sheet to a jig or mold having a predetermined configuration, and thereafter, impregnating the ceramic sheet with a catalyst solution, drying and calcining to allow a catalyst element to retain the predetermined configuration or the catalyst element to be fixed in the mold. The catalyst element may be produced by fixing the ceramic sheet to a metallic thin plate, followed by processing into a predetermined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao Numoto, Tetsuo Terashima
  • Patent number: 5489084
    Abstract: A method of bending a roll of carpet to reduce its length so that it may be transported by a single individual, which includes inserting a tube in each end of the roll, attaching a band to each tube, and then drawing the bands together to cause the carpet to fold at a location between its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventors: James M. Gilbert, Michael L. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5474732
    Abstract: A method for forming a surgical clip and fixture for use therein includes molding a polymeric clip body, the clip body having hinged legs, the polymer of the clip body being substantially amorphous. The clip body can then be moved to a desired configuration while being subjected to a temperature above the glass transition temperature. The molded clip body is then heated to a temperature within the crystallization range for a period of time sufficient to impart at least 20% crystallinity thereto to impart a spring back property. Also disclosed herein is a fixture for forming a surgical clip in accordance with this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert W. Korthoff, Daniel Shichman, Ross R. Muth, Charles E. Gorman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5470531
    Abstract: An exchanger for oxygenating blood includes a casing having walls and a cavity, sheet material with first and second ends covering distal edges of the walls, and a cover extending over the cavity to sandwich the first and second ends of the sheet material between the cover and the edges of the walls. The cover is melted into the sheet material and the distal edges of the walls. In another embodiment, a blood oxygenator includes a first compartment having a closed casing divided by a folded sheet of membrane material forming a first blood chamber and a first gas chamber. The casing has first and second manifolds in fluid communication with the first blood chamber. A second compartment is interconnected with the first compartment and has a closed casing divided by a folded sheet of membrane material forming a second blood chamber and a second gas chamber. The casing has third and fourth spaced apart manifolds in fluid communication with the second blood chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Sjogren, Gary Carson, Steve Estergreen, Timothy Taga, Rodger Stewart
  • Patent number: 5458830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of the eccentricity dimension which measures the eccentricity dimension .alpha. between optical fibers and a coating member of a fiber ribbon made up of optical fibers and a coating member having a rigidity relatively lower than the fibers and covering the outer surface of fibers. When taking up the fiber ribbon at a constant speed, the rotational speed .omega..sub.a of a first rotary drum made to contact one surface of the fiber ribbon and the rotational speed .omega..sub.b of a second rotary drum made to contact the other surface of the fiber ribbon are measured and the radii R of the rotary drums, the overall thickness t of the fiber ribbon, and the rotational speeds .omega..sub.a and .omega..sub.b of the rotary drums are substituted in the following equation to compute the eccentricity dimension .alpha.:.alpha.=(.omega..sub.b -.omega..sub.a) (R+t/2) / (.omega..sub.b +.omega..sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Shin, Nobuharu Suzuki, Takeyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5456591
    Abstract: An apparatus for preforming a main body of a racket frame from a softened fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composite tube includes an inner mold which has a base with a flat face that has an X axis and a Y axis perpendicular to the X axis. The inner mold further has a protrusion projecting from the flat face. The protrusion has an outer periphery which conforms with a contour of a racket frame and which confines a head-like portion and a shaft-like portion along the Y axis. A pressing unit for pressing the composite tube against the outer periphery includes a frame reciprocatable along the Y axis by means of a driving unit, two support members disposed opposite to each other and fixed respectively to the movable frame, two rolls mounted respectively to the support members, and a biasing unit for biasing each roll to press the composite tube against the outer periphery. An outer mold has two opposite halves disposed on two sides of the inner mold and movable along the X axis by means of a moving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Kun-Nan Lo
    Inventor: Kun-Nan Lo
  • Patent number: 5432991
    Abstract: A display and seat cushion for use at arenas, stadiums, and the like, has a generally hand-shaped foam polymer member having a plurality of finger portions thereon and a ductile frame extending through the foam polymer member plurality of finger portions so that the foam finger portions can be shaped as desired. A fabric covering covers the foam polymer member and a glove compartment is formed in the foam polymer member for hand holding the display. The foam polymer member is shaped and sized to act as a stadium cushion as well as a hand-held display having changeable, positionable finger portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Peter J. Godleski
  • Patent number: 5424015
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved rubber pipe is provided with a guide member (3) arranged concentrically with a mandrel (2, 402). A straight rubber semi-finished product (4) of an unvulcanized or semi-vulcanized rubber is inserted into the guide member (3). A die lubricant can be applied only to the inside of the rubber semi-finished product (4) over its whole length. The rubber semi-finished product (4) is fitted on the mandrel (2, 402) by pushing the product by a head (7) mounted on a leading end of an arm (6). One end of the curved rubber pipe (1) is gripped after vulcanizing by a gripping member (10) and is extracted from the mandrel (2, 402). By this method, it is possible to fit and smoothly extract the rubber semi-finished product (4). The method can also easily be automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuya Matsuda, Kohji Chida, Shigeki Toyoda, Hiroyuki Awaji, Tetsuo Hasegawa, Kenji Shimizu, Seishiroh Sugie
  • Patent number: 5424023
    Abstract: The present invention has several aspects: an extrusion apparatus, a method of making a curved extrusion, and a curved extrusion made by the method. In broadest terms, the apparatus of the present invention comprises: (1) an extruding means, typically an extruder, adapted to produce an extrudate having a cross-section; (2) a plurality of guide members arranged so as to form a curvilinear path through which the extrusion is passed, each of the guide members having an aperture having substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the extrusion, whereby the plurality of guide members are adapted to form the extrusion into a curved shape while maintaining the cross-section of the extrusion; and (3) mechanical means adapted to conduct the extrusion through said plurality of guide members, such as an extrusion puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bobby D. Riley, William Taylor
  • Patent number: 5422048
    Abstract: A method of producing a bent resin tube by heating a certain portion of a straight resin tube to be bent partially by a partial bending means, and bending the heated certain portion partially by a partial bending die, thereby rendering a desired bend shape to the tube. In this method, a large die for constraining the shape of the whose tube or a large oven is not required. Therefore, space for equipment can be reduced, and production efficiency is enhanced because the time required for bending operations is decreased remarkably. The heating may be done by high frequency induction heating, high frequency dielectric heating, or other conventional heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kodama, Kazuhiro Kato, Katsuaki Nagae
  • Patent number: 5417793
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a bonded subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5407613
    Abstract: A bending process including both preliminary and following steps takes place in one apparatus. A plastic pipe (6) is heated to a temperature in which it can be plastically deformed. The heated pipe is thereafter shoved into a pipe-shaped bending channel (27) of a bending tool, with the bending tool comprising two dies (9,10), each respectively defining a groove (14,13) which together form the bending channel. Finally, a cooling agent is allowed to flow through the bent pipe which is still in the bending tool. The thusly cooled pipe is removed from the bending tool after the dies are separated from one another. The apparatus to bend the plastic pipe comprises heating, bending, and cooling stations (1,2,3). The heating station comprises two heating fixtures, and the cooling station comprises a supply line (21,22) with a coupling joint (20) which can be coupled to an end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Franz Schulte
  • Patent number: 5405257
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a rolled tab on a roll of plastic film including a trunion roller-type conveyor apparatus and a traction device having a tractional surface wherein a roll of plastic film contacts the traction device such that the leading edge of the roll of plastic film is grabbed and rolled back to form a rolled tab for the roll of film when a roll of plastic film comes in rotational contact with the traction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventor: Terry B. Smith
  • Patent number: 5397411
    Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber bundle which, in one aspect, includes bending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a bend therein and then suspending the fibers over a suspension member; holding the fibers taut under tension; applying potting material to the fiber bends and curing it; and removing the fibers from the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Optex Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Costello, James R. Salter, Leslie A. Schlain, Nadhir B. Kosa, James R. Salter, Raghuvir Singh
  • Patent number: 5388978
    Abstract: For molding complex mechanical components from plastic material in sheets, any portions of the material projecting from the mold are folded about the respective edges of the mold. The sheets are transferred to the mold on a number of retractable bars moving in relation to at least one reference bar; and a finger is moved towards the mold by an articulated parallelogram mechanism, and is mounted on a supporting bar located between two adjacent retractable bars and adjustable for so orienting the finger as to fold the projecting portion of sheet material in either one of two opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Iveco Fiat S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Bellettato
  • Patent number: 5385699
    Abstract: A method for producing a honeycomb shaped ceramic having a predetermined shape made of a flat honeycomb molding formed from a composition containing a heat-resistant inorganic material is disclosed. This method comprises the steps of: forming a honeycomb molding from a composition containing heat-resistant inorganic materials, a binder which is gelled when coming in contact with hot water, and a plasticizer; providing the honeycomb molding with flexibility by immersing the honeycomb molding in hot water at a temperature high enough to gel the binder; and sintering the honeycomb molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao Numoto, Atsushi Nishino, Yukiyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 5368801
    Abstract: The method of mounting a disc-shaped septum within a connector includes a step of deforming a thin annular wall at the end of the connector into a curled over shape so as to secure the septum in place. Curling over of these wall occurs under heat energy which is applied only to the end of the connector without heating of the main body of the connector. Deformation of the thin end wall of the connector causes an outward bulging of a peripheral edge of the connector as well as bulging of the opposite ends of the connector into a domed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: VLV Associates
    Inventor: Michael Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 5360584
    Abstract: A method of forming a heat-recoverable article including the steps of profile extruding polymeric material into a predetermined shape, irradiating the polymeric material and then deforming the polymeric material into a generally planar configuration. Also disclosed is a heat-recoverable article including a generally planar layer of polymeric material which is in the heat unstable condition. Opposed surfaces of the polymeric material have a latent recovery stress, however opposite in sense, so that the article upon recovering towards a predetermined shape, exhibits substantially no residual stress. Further disclosed is a heat-recoverable article made by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Erling Hansen, Steve Wicht
  • Patent number: 5358583
    Abstract: A method of shaping elongated composite structures of a resin matrix reinforced with randomly broken fibers oriented in transverse and non-transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structure is implemented by a computer aided apparatus for forming the structure. The apparatus is provided with a heated fixed forming tool, a means for stretching the structure from each end and means associated with the forming tool for separately holding each formed component length of the structure in place against the forming tool. The formed structure is characterized by the particular orientation of the fibers in the transverse and non-transverse direction after the structure is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Edward Hatchadoorian, Steven J. Medwin
  • Patent number: 5356581
    Abstract: A device and method for producing pellets from film. A cradle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis of rotation to a main frame. An axle arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis holds one or more rolls of film. A plurality of drive rollers pull the film from the rolls while the rolls are rotated on the longitudinal axis twisting the film into a strand. An oven located between the rolls and drive rollers heats the strand to permanently set the twist therein. A pelletizer located aft of the drive rollers cuts the strand into individual pellets. In a modified version, glass roving is extended through the holder past the roll and wrapped with the film into a single strand. In an alternate embodiment, the roll of film is mounted to an axle having a longitudinal axis extending in the same direction as the axis of rotation. The film is pulled axially off the roll and twisted into a strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Replas Incorporated
    Inventor: James L. Stuart
  • Patent number: 5354533
    Abstract: To achieve the hot deformation of a work piece (2), for example by folding a piece of plastics material, the method includes exerting on the work piece (2), in the zone (2a) to be deformed, a controlled deforming pressure (P1) and, during at least the initial stage of the application of this pressure, heating the work piece in a controlled manner, at least in the zone (2a) to be deformed, whereby, under the combined effect of the pressure and the heat, the work piece is deformed into the desired final state when it has reached a temperature in relation to the mechanical deformation stress to which it is subjected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: La Tolerie Plastique
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Antoine
  • Patent number: 5348465
    Abstract: A device for producing pellets from film. A cradle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis of rotation to a main frame. All axle arranged perpendicular to tim longitudinal axis holds a roll of film within the cradle. A second roll of film is mounted outside of the cradle, is held by a second axle arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cradle, and is fed into the cradle to a position adjacent and parallel to film unwound from the first roll. A plurality of drive rollers pull the film from the rolls while the rolls are rotated about the longitudinal axes twisting the film into a strand. An oven located between the rolls and drive rollers heats the strand to permanently set the twist therein. A pelletizer located aft of the drive rollers cuts the strand into individual pellets. In a modified version, the second roll is split into multiple sheets prior to entering the cradle by one or more film splitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Replas Incorporated
    Inventor: James L. Stuart
  • 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: 5342570
    Abstract: A method producing deformed pipe liners from continuously extruded thermoplastic material by collapsing and bending deformable portions of the tube toward a back-up portion thereof and without elongation to maintain diameter and wall thickness, and apparatus to carry out said method and characterized by at least one back-up roller and at least one shaping roller folding the deformable portion along a line of symmetry and juxtaposing a fold of the tube to the back-up portion, all at raised temperature followed by reduced temperature on a rail conforming to the deformed tube configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Pipe Liners, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Ledoux, Luc R. Fourgaut
  • Patent number: 5332541
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a molding member, for instance for automobile front window plates, as well as a method of manufacturing such molding members. The molding member has a lip section in the form of a ridge which extends throughout the entire length. The lip section bears against the surface of the window plate along the upper portion to realize a flush outer surface between the upper edge of the window plate and the body panel, but is spaced therefrom along the side portions to define a weir. The weir can be formed by deforming a predetermined location of the ridge, and prevents flow of the rain water across the molding member to preserve the driver's or passenger's sight through an adjacent side window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Hashimoto Forming Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Tamura
  • Patent number: 5330776
    Abstract: Rolled products are prepared by transporting articles from an upstream end to a downstream end of an endless conveyor belt upper run having a complete spiral twist therein for shaping the articles so that rolled products emerge from the twist on the upper run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: John I. G. Wikstroem
  • Patent number: 5326524
    Abstract: In bending rods reinforced with continuous fibers, buckling or stretching of reinforcing fibers is reduced by conforming the continuous fibers to a helical configuration within the rods before or when the rods are bent. The helical configuration causes fibers near the surface of the rod to travel substantially the same distance when the rod is bent whether the fibers are on the inside radius or the outside radius of the bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Vergil H. Rhodes, Jr., John D. Winkel, Benedict R. Bonazza
  • Patent number: 5326249
    Abstract: A machine for bending reinforced thermoplastic workpieces includes a machine frame. First and second spaced rest plates are mounted to the frame, with the plates having a first planer orientation, which define a rest plane, for supporting a workpiece and a second angularly disposed orientation for bending the workpiece. A compression rest is disposed between the plates. A heated bending beam is in alignment with and spaced from the compression rest. A drive system is operably associated with the frame for causing relative movement between the beam and the plates and the rest, so that a workpiece supported by the plates and the rest in the first orientation may engage the beam. The plates are operably interconnected for therefore defining a common pivot axis. A system is provided for causing at least one of the plates to be pivoted about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Wegener GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Weissfloch
  • Patent number: 5290501
    Abstract: A method for forming a tampon applicator having a dome shape forward end, in which the stability of the petal tips to maintain their closure, is enhanced. During the manufacture of the tampon barrel, the petals which collectively form the dome shape tip are sprayed with a predetermined amount of moisture prior to their being presented to the heated tip forming die. It has been observed that the addition of moisture prior to petal tip formation counteracts the tendency of the petal tips to thereafter move towards their opened condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Playtex Family Products Corporation
    Inventor: Allan W. Klesius
  • Patent number: 5290166
    Abstract: The device includes a left arm (11) and a right arm (10) hingably connected about a protractor scale (12). A left clamp and a right clamp (13 and 13') are slidably attached to the arms such that the spacing between the clamps is adjustable. Locking knobs (24A, 24B, 24A', and 24B') hold the clamps at the desired locations. Left and right socket formers (29 and 29') are slidably attached to the left and right clamps, respectively. Left and right levers (34 and 34') are used to extend the socket formers into a heated pipe (37) placed between the clamps to form integral pipe connecting sockets in the ends of the pipe. (A flexible mandrel is placed inside the pipe to prevent it from collapsing). Bending the arms to a desired angle on the protractor will bend the pipe to the same angle. Locking knob (18) holds the arms in place while the pipe cools. After the pipe is cooled and hardened, the levers are used to retract the socket formers from the pipe to release the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Galen K. Heatherly
  • Patent number: 5268138
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for embossing a fold line onto a plastic sheet by first heating the plastic above its softening point and then embossing the material by passing it between a knurled flat roller and a cooperating embossing roller having a series of ridges suitable for embossing the fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignees: Gary W. Fetterhoff, James M. Park
    Inventors: Gary W. Fetterhoff, William R. Blake
  • Patent number: 5258153
    Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of stacked or wound type capacitors, made by the stacking and cutting out into unit blocks or by the winding of metallized polyethylene naphthalene films, at least after the stacking phase for the stacked type capacitors or the winding phase for the wound type capacitors, the capacitors are subjected to at least one annealing operation at a temperature of 240.degree. C. to 295.degree. C. for a period of at least one hour. The method can be applied notably to the making of chip capacitors for SMC mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne de Composants Electroniques LCC
    Inventors: Nicolas Chapas, Thierry Feral
  • Patent number: 5238641
    Abstract: A process for forming a rolled tab on a roll of plastic film including a traction member or device such as an elongated support member adapted to be inserted in a parallel position between roller members of a trunion-type conveyor apparatus, said support member having a tractional surface for grabbing and rolling the leading edge of a roll of plastic film such that a rolled tab for the roll of film is formed when a roll of plastic film comes in rotational contact with the traction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventor: Terry B. Smith
  • Patent number: 5236658
    Abstract: An apparatus 1 for use in the preheating and forming of a material object about at least one mold 12 or die thereon. The apparatus has a primary platform 4 for supporting a length or sheet of material 13 thereon, a heating station 2 having a mechanism 8 for heating the object 13 laid on the primary platform 4 a mechanism for isolating the heating mechanism 8 form the object 13. The apparatus 1 also converts the heating station 2 to a forming station 3 which has associated therewith the mold 12. The forming station may either have an envelope 11 for creation of a vacuum seal or a second mold 17 for the purpose of forming object 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Norford Industries Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Valda Ford
  • Patent number: 5234333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for twisting and/or postforming a plastic rod reinforced with continuous reinforcing fibers is described. A rod with continuous reinforcing fibers already in a helical configuration may be postformed by this method and apparatus with or without additional twist being imparted. A fiber reinforced rod with continuous longitudinally aligned unidirectional fibers may also be postformed by this method and apparatus by twisting and then postforming the rod. The reinforced plastic rod is more easily postformed if the reinforcing fibers are conformed to a helical configuration in which the number of helices in a given length of the rod is correlated to the diameter of the rod and to the degree of bend to be postformed in the rod. The method for this and the rod with the helical fibers is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Vergil H. Rhodes, Jr., John D. Winkel, Benedict R. Bonazza
  • Patent number: 5232645
    Abstract: Process for making coiled brake Tubing for truck/trailer rigs formed of a blend of polyolefin materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Phillip M. Ramos, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5229053
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for forming aquarium ornaments including the steps of providing a plastic sheet having a plurality of planar surfaces, cutting a strip from the plastic sheet of a predetermined width and having a plurality of lateral edges and a plurality of planar surfaces, roughening the lateral edges of the strip to form a pitted texture in the lateral edges, causing the strip to become pliable and bending the strip into a non-planar shape whereby an ornament is created having lateral edges with a pitted texture such that the edges refract and reflect ambient light to create a luminescent appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: William L. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 5229056
    Abstract: A method to produce a fabric reinforced hose product in which the reinforcing fabric therein has a stabilizing yarn therein extending in the longitudinal direction of the hose which is broken when the produced hose member has been flexed in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventors: Willy De Meyer, Marc P. Coehoorn
  • Patent number: 5223194
    Abstract: Flexible, creased material in sheet or web form for use in the manufacture of liquid-tight packing containers of good dimensional rigidity includes one or more base layers laminated to one another. The base layer is a mineral-filled thermoplastics material comprising between 50 and 80% calculated on the total weight of the mixture, of an inorganic, particulate mineral filler. The thermoplastic material is chosen among propylene-based polymers with a melt index of between 0.5 and 5 according to ASTM (2.16 kg, 230.degree. C.) and the base layer or base layers are provided with a pattern of crease lines which have been formed by plastic deformation in connection with or immediately after the extrusion of the base layer or base layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings S.A.
    Inventor: Ake Rosen
  • Patent number: 5219507
    Abstract: Method of making a tamper indicating package including a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. In one form the second portion includes a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. In another form, the second portion includes a second continuous flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Keith W. Ingram, Daniel J. Crowley, Jr.