Electrical Heating (e.g., Resistance Heat, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/404)
  • Patent number: 5637836
    Abstract: A constant-rate feeding device can weigh out, with high accuracy and at a high rate, a powdery material containing fibrous substances and thus having a high entangling tendency, such as a material for a friction member. A powdery material A supplied from a belt feeder (17) is divided into a plurality of masses by a first vane wheel (3) and dropped onto a damper provided under the vane wheel. The powdery material deposited on the damper is divided into small masses and discharged by moving vanes (5a) of a second vane wheel (5) through openings (4a) of the damper. Thus, the material can be fed and weighed out with high accuracy. The damper (4) is moved out of the feed path of the material except during the final stage of weighing operation for increased weighing speed. The damper (4) may comprise a plurality of movable comb teeth. By moving or turning the comb teeth relative to one another, it is possible to adjust the area of the opening of the damper and thus the feed rate of the material with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Nakagawa, Hatsuo Murakami, Keisuke Fujiki, Toshikazu Kogetsu
  • Patent number: 5614135
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for the moulding of a product formed from the mixing of a plurality of different feedstocks where different ratios of the feedstock materials are required in different areas or sections of a mould to produce a product with different properties in the different areas or sections of the final moulded product. A plurality of streams of the different feedstocks, each from separate feedstock supply vessels, are combined to form a mixed feedstock in a delivery head or heads prior to delivery to the mould. Separate pumps are provided to deliver, at constant speed of operation, a predetermined volume of each feedstock at a predetermined flow rate to the mould during a moulding cycle, driven by an electric motor operating at constant speed under constant load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Henderson's Industries Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wojciech Maleczek
  • Patent number: 5605656
    Abstract: A liquid filling method and in particular a lens material liquid filling method suitable for manufacturing a plastic lens. A thermal sensing portion (2a) of a temperature sensor (2) is set and kept to a temperature different from that of a liquid (3). The liquid (3) is poured into a vessel (8), a change of an output from the temperature sensor (2) is detected when the surface of the liquid (3) comes into contact with the thermal sensing portion (2a) by temperature detecting means (5), and control means (6) determines that the liquid surface has reached a desired level and sends a pouring stop command to a pouring mechanism (7) to complete the filling of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Sasano
  • Patent number: 5595704
    Abstract: A shaping mold for the production of ultra-thin shaped rubber articles, has a main body which is dipped into a latex liquid so as to make the latex adhered to the surface of the main body. The adhered latex is heat-dried to form an ultra-thin shaped rubber article over the surface. The mold is such that at least the surface of its main body is made of an amorphous carbon and that its bottom part is fitted with electrifying electrodes and has therebetween a heating area to be heated by resistance heating due to its electrification. The same shaping mold can be used from its dipping step through the inspecting step of inspecting the shaped article as adhered to the surface of the mold. In the heat-drying step of the method, the shaped article as adhered to the surface of the shaping mold is heated and dried from the inside of the mold with preventing as much as possible formation of pin holes in the shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Sohzohkagaku Co., Ltd., Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hayashi, Yoshiaki Tatsumi, Kinya Miyashita
  • Patent number: 5589203
    Abstract: A vacuum kneading and extruding method includes the steps of separately and continuously measuring plural types of material and continuously feeding the material into a kneading and degassing tank; kneading the plural types of material fed, and degassing the material by decompressing a material accommodating space into a vacuum; kneading and transporting the material in a decompressed condition through a multi-stage kneading mechanism; and forming and extruding kneaded material in a predetermined shape. An apparatus for use in executing this method is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Sato Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 5585054
    Abstract: A process for producing composite cellulose fiber reinforced polyolefin. The process includes preparing and mixing a blend of molten polyolefin, a coloring concentrate and a coupling agent in a kneading extruder, preheating cellulose fibers in an enclosed cram feed and mixing the blend of polyolefin, preheated cellulose fibers and ozone gas in a ozone chamber to form a polyolefin and fiber matrix. The polyolefin and fiber matrix is then fed to a twin screw extruder where it is further heated, mixed and then conveyed to a die to extrude in a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel W. Evans
  • Patent number: 5582783
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for controlling a flowing suspension of shredded cellulose in a liquid, aqueous tertiary amine-oxide and is characterized by the combination of measures that (A) the suspension is introduced into a vessel having an inlet for the suspension, (B) the suspension introduced into the vessel is transported through the vessel and (C) the suspension transported throught the vessel is discharged from the vessel by means of an outlet, (D) the weight of the vessel being measured and the introduction and discharging of the suspension being controlled by means of deviations from a predetermined set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Ulrich Moderl, Friedrich Ecker, Franz Schwenninger
  • Patent number: 5547357
    Abstract: An apparatus for hot-briquetting iron sponge includes a gravity feeder which has a feed shaft and a regulating tongue which supplies material in a dosed quantity to a moulding gap of a roller press, in such a way that the apparatus can also be used for pressing hot iron sponge at temperatures of up to 1000.degree. C. for obtaining high-density briquettes of good quality. The regulating tongue is provided with a heat-reducing insulating layer and cooling system. The feed shaft and a feed hopper also may have a heat-insulation layer and a cooling system. A flow-rate control is provided for gravity feeders where bulk material or flowable material is supplied by at least one regulator through a feed shaft to a moulding gap formed between at least two rolls and is processed by the rolls. At least one of the rolls is motor-driven. The material is supplied to the moulding gap by the regulating tongue in response to a driven roll torque sensed by a torque detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Koppern GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Georg Bergendahl
  • Patent number: 5543105
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding. The injection molding machine includes a mold formed by a fixed mold half and a movable mold half cooperating with the fixed mold half for defining a mold cavity of the mold and a gate channel leading to the mold cavity. An injection piston is operatively associated with the mold cavity for pressing a melt via the gate channel into the mold cavity. A sensor device detects a melt front of the melt rising upstream of the mold cavity in a conveying direction of the melt at a predetermined detection height. The sensor device includes walls defining a measurement gap disposed at the detection height and extending transversely to the conveying direction of the melt. The measurement gap is at least partially penetrated by a fraction of the melt from the melt front when the melt front rises toward the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Mueller-Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Stummer, Rolf Frey
  • Patent number: 5520859
    Abstract: A material processing apparatus and method for flash flow processing by melt spinning. The invention includes a feed rate controller in combination with a spinner head assembly including a spinner head with a continuous perimeter for providing heat and centrifugal force to a material being processed. The spinner head assembly also includes a spinner drive connected to the spinner head for generating the centrifugal force. The material processing apparatus can also include support for supporting the spinner head assembly, where the feed rate controller is electrically connected to the support. The feed rate controller determines a detected load of material in the spinner head from data provided by the support, compares it to a preselected load for the material being processed and generates a feed rate control signal indicative of a difference between the detected and preselected loads. A feeder assembly supplies the feedstock material to the spinner head at a feed rate defined by the feed control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Beuford A. Bogue, John A. Hrubec
  • Patent number: 5500166
    Abstract: In an injection and compression molding process wherein molten material is fed by a screw, incorporating a counterflow preventing valve (CPV), through a flow control valve (FCV) into a mold cavity, the injection volume is controlled by:with the FCV closed, feeding a predetermined quantity of material through the CPV into a chamber between the CPV and the FCV,then advancing the screw with the FCV maintained closed to cause the CPV to close, thereby raising the pressure of the material in the chamber,determining when the pressure of the material in the chamber reaches a predetermined pressure,determining whether the movable die is at a predetermined distance from the stationary die,opening the FCV after the pressure of the material in the chamber has reached said predetermined pressure and the movable die is at the predetermined distance from the stationary die,setting as an original point of a determination of the injection volume either (a) a position of the screw at the opening of the FCV or (b) a time at th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yosuke Sasaki, Hideaki Okubo
  • Patent number: 5480597
    Abstract: The objectives of the present invention are achieved by preparing a foamable composition comprising a viscous liquid and a gas homogeneously dispersed in the liquid. The compositions are prepared by blending a pressurized gas with the viscous liquid in a mixing chamber. In accordance with the present method the flow rate of the pressurized gas into the mixing chamber is controlled as a function of the flow rate of at least one high viscosity liquid into said chamber. The apparatus includes a means for controlling the flow rate of the pressurized gas as a function of either the difference in the feed pressures of said gas and said liquid or a predetermined ratio of the volumes of liquid and gas present in said mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ishida, Teruyuki Nakagawa, Takehiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5470514
    Abstract: A non-return valve (10) primarily for use with an injection molding machine utilizes a frame (12) which surrounds a first bore (34) and a second bore (32). The second bore (32) is accessed by inlets (30). Outlet passages (40) are located downstream of said inlet (30) and connect second bore (32) with an accumulation area (6). A piston (60) is dimensioned to slidably fit within the first bore (34) and extend into the second bore (32). In a downstream position, the piston (60) allows positive flow of material from the inlet (30) to the outlet (40). In an upstream position, the piston (60) positively blocks flow of material from the inlet (30) to the outlet (40). The piston (60) can be forced to its upstream position at the beginning of the injection step or can be preclosed by eliminating rearward movement prior to injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Robert F. Dray
  • Patent number: 5466404
    Abstract: A device for molding foam products comprising upper and lower portions cooperable to form a foam mold defining a mold cavity therein. The upper mold portion has at least one vent hole therein. A mechanism for providing the mold cavity with an expandable foam during a filling cycle is also provided. The expandable foam reactively expands when provided within the cavity so as to be molded into the shape of the cavity during a foaming cycle. The foam approaches the vent hole while expanding within the mold cavity during the foaming cycle. At least one vent hole provides a passage through which air and reaction product gases introduced into the cavity as a byproduct of the reactive expanding of the foam can escape to atmosphere from the cavity during the foaming cycle. A sensing and signal generating assembly detects the presence of the foam at a predetermined proximity to the at least one vent hole during the foaming cycle and generates a signal in response to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry D. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 5453149
    Abstract: An improved electromagnetic bonding process wherein the plastic parts or components to be bonded are configured to be positioned with respect to each other at the point of bonding under a frictional or interference fitting relationship embraced by the interpositioning of thermoplastic electromagnetic bonding material at the bonding point whereupon an electromagnetic field is generated to melt thermoplastic electromagnetic bonding material thereby fusing the plastic parts or components. In a particularly preferred embodiment a plastic container is formed having hemispherically-shaped top and bottom closures bonded to a cylindrically-shaped body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Ashland Oil Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 5453228
    Abstract: A load of plastic material is formed from two sheets cut successively from a roll of strip material. The first sheet is cut to a roughly constant length, weighed and loaded on to a conveyor. The second sheet is cut to the length calculated according to the weight of the first sheet and is loaded on to the conveyor in a predetermined position in relation to the first sheet. Each sheet is positioned by transferring it from the cutting station to a transfer structure moved in relation to a stop structure set each time to a given programmed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Iveco Fiat S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Bellettato
  • Patent number: 5409647
    Abstract: In that process for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding in which discontinuously extruded preforms are expanded in a blow molding mold, at least during that part of the filling phase which is typical of such a process, for an extrusion head, the distance covered by an ejection piston associated with a storage chamber and the speed at which the ejection piston is displaced within the storage chamber by the plasticised material are detected and compared by a central control and regulating device to the respective reference values. On the basis of the result of the comparison operation at least one operating parameter of the process, for example the delivery output of the extruder or the extent of the emptying strike movement of the ejection piston can then be adapted while still in the same working cycle in such a way that substantially the required preform volume is ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Krupp Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Kiefer, Peter Klusener
  • Patent number: 5395564
    Abstract: A rate control system to deliver a constant throughput for batt forming equipment that forms the batts by maintaining a pressure gradient across fibers deposited on a rotating condenser screen, the weight of a moving fiber batt is continuously measured as it passes over an inclined slide mounted on load cells. This measurement is converted electronically to a rate value which is then used with the pressure gradient signal to control the delivery of fiber to the condenser screen by adjusting the speed of the feed rolls used to feed the fiber to the condenser screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth L. Frisbie, Stephen E. Moore, Lyles H. Sowell
  • Patent number: 5393210
    Abstract: A motor-driven vertical type injection molding apparatus with stable screw back pressure is provided with a simple structure. A plurality of guide shafts extending in the perpendicular direction are integrally provided in a lower base of an injection unit. A screw holding member is supported on the plurality of guide shafts to be movable in the perpendicular direction. The screw holding member is moved in the perpendicular direction by an injection motor through a ball screw mechanism. A screw extension shaft is integrally connected to the upper end of a screw. The screw extension shaft is supported on the screw holding member to be movable in the axial direction and rotatable. The screw extension shaft and screw are rotated by a measuring motor. In a measuring step, the dead weight of the screw holding member automatically resists the reactive force (screw back pressure) of a molten resin at a screw tip end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shozo Kasai, Yozo Tohbo, Norio Nikaido, Hirofumi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5356576
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of plastic moldings with decorative coatings by injection molding, on an injection molding machine with an injection screw, which introduces the plastic into a cavity located in a mold clamping device, and an apparatus for the performance of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunther Fischbach
  • Patent number: 5354526
    Abstract: To eliminate the fluctuations in the precision of the material distribution which could not be avoided when manufacturing pipes in the centrifugal moulding process with the prior art installations, a new process and an installation for carrying out the process is proposed. This has at least two cylindrical centrifugal drums (1) serving as moulds and an injection carriage (12) which is displaceable in two directions perpendicular to each other, with a feed arm (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Hobas Engineering AG
    Inventors: Ralf Jost, Reinhart Ratheiser
  • Patent number: 5352107
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing incomplete molding of an automold system in process for molding semiconductor packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Goldstar Electron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Young Oh
  • Patent number: 5350549
    Abstract: Cementitious compositions useful as lightweight aggregates are formed from a blend of spent bed material from fluidized bed combustion and fly ash. The proportions of the blend are chosen so that ensuing reactions eliminate undesirable constituents. The blend is then mixed with water and formed into a shaped article. The shaped article is preferably either a pellet or a "brick" shape that is later crushed. The shaped articles are cured at ambient temperature while saturated with water. It has been found that if used sufficiently, the resulting aggregate will exhibit minimal dimensional change over time. The aggregate can be certified by also forming standardized test shapes, e.g., cylinders while forming the shaped articles and measuring the properties of the test shapes using standardized techniques including X-ray diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Valley Forge Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Boyle
  • Patent number: 5350548
    Abstract: A method of making two-layer tablets or pellets in a twin rotor pressing machine, in which method during a normal manufacturing period powdery or particulate material is fed into die bores of a die rotor so as to form first layers, said first layers are compressed in a first step by plungers synchronously rotating with the die rotor so as to form first layer pressed articles, the two layers within the die bores are compressed in a second step by said plungers so as to obtain two-layer tablets or pellets, and said two-layer tablets or pellets are removed at a main discharge station, and in which method during an inspection period first layer pressed articles removed at an intermediate discharge station or two-layer tablets or pellets removed at said main discharge station are fed to an inspection station, characterized in that during the inspection period said first layers are compressed more than in said first step during the normal manufacturing period before samples thereof are withdrawn at said intermediat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Wilhelm Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Hinzpeter, Ingo Schmidt, Helmut Brommrowitz
  • Patent number: 5346377
    Abstract: A material processing apparatus for flash flow processing by melt spinning includes a feed rate controller in combination with a spinner head assembly including a spinner head with a continuous perimeter for providing heat and centrifugal force to a material being processed. The spinner head assembly also includes a spinner drive connected to the spinner head for generating the centrifugal force. The material processing apparatus can also include support for supporting the spinner head assembly, where the feed rate controller is electrically connected to the support. The feed rate controller determines a detected load of material in the spinner head from data provided by the support, compares it to a preselected load for the material being processed and generates a feed rate control signal indicative of a difference between the detected and preselected loads. A feeder assembly supplies the feedstock material to the spinner head at a feed rate defined by the feed control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Beuford A. Bogue, John A. Hrubec
  • Patent number: 5330595
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and process for the continuous fabrication of resin impregnated material webs in which low-solvent resin is extruded to form a film which is joined with the material web to form a layer formation, or the resin is spread on the material web. The layer formation is subsequently subjected to an area pressure. The apparatus including an extruder or a spreading device, and a continuously operating double band press exerting an area pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Kurt Held
  • Patent number: 5326511
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming compressible material into discrete solid blocks or briquettes in which the material is compressed in a compression chamber by a pre-press ram and a main ram. A control system is provided which includes sensors for generating signals that are a function of the density of the compressed and densified material within the compression chamber, and an arrangement which is responsive to the sensors is provided for varying the operation of the material feeding device to change the volumetric flow of material fed to the compression chamber in response to predetermined changes in the density of the material in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Pneumafil Corporation
    Inventors: Donnell Cooper, Bobby L. Starling
  • Patent number: 5266247
    Abstract: A molding cycle control method of an injection molder includes a flow passage opening and closing mechanism which prevents a flow of a plasticized synthetic resin to be injected, aiming at shortening the time required for each molding cycle and the stability of weight value of molded products. The above-mentioned control method includes the flow passage opening and closing mechanism being closed under the state that the plasticized synthetic resin is injected and filled into a cavity of a mold and is applied with dwelling pressure. Thus, a dwelling process is conducted by the residual dwelling pressure at the mold side and simultaneously a measuring process for a next molding cycle is carried out at the screw side, thereby enabling the time required for each molding cycle to be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yokota
  • Patent number: 5260010
    Abstract: A method of detecting the filling weight for an injection molder, or specifically to a method of detecting the weight of the plasticized synthetic resin injected from the injection molder cylinder to fill the cavity of a mold. The object is to ensure highly accurate detection of the filling weight on the injection molder side, in continuous molding production. The weight of the resin injected from the cylinder to fill in the cavity is detected through operations on the basis of the positional values of the screw and the pressure and temperature valves of the resin obtained before and after injection, with the resin pressure maintained at a specified value and with the block valve and check valve closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yokota
  • Patent number: 5258146
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A "winged" member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a "Trident" embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Almquist, Borzo Modrek, Paul F. Jacobs, Charles W. Lewis, Mark A. Lewis, Abraham Liran, Adam L. Cohen, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 5256346
    Abstract: Tubular bodies are extruded from thermoplastic material by forming a tubular preform at an exit of an extruder head die after which the tubular preform is then blown to the configuration of a cavity of a blow mold. The position of the preform relative to the blow mold is regulated and/or controlled, and waste portions produced in the blow mold are separated from the blown hollow body. The weight of the separated lower waste portions and/or the net weight of the hollow body when in accumulation head operation is measured in order to control and/or regulate the position of the preform and to change the die slit in the event of a weight deviation from a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Harald Feuerherm
  • Patent number: 5254300
    Abstract: By means of the process and by means of the apparatus, fused silicon is produced continuously, or in phases, and zonally cast into a mold in which it is caused to solidify zonally. The temperature conditions in the solidification zone are controlled with the aid of a movable heating zone, by means of which the crystallization front is adjusted to the rising level that fills up the mold, this level being in turn controlled by the fusion rate of the silicon. Polycrystalline silicon blocks can be obtained in which, because of the flat shape of the crystallization front, the columnar single-crystal domains within the blocks extend almost vertically and which represent an excellent solar cell base material having high diffusion lengths and lifetimes of the minority charge carriers, from which solar cells of correspondingly high efficiencies can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Wacker-Chemitronic Gesellschaft fur Elektronik-Grundstoffe mbH
    Inventors: Georg Priewasser, Lothar Huber, Gerhard Spatzier
  • Patent number: 5248459
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molded resin foam by charging pre-expanded resin pellets into a cavity of a mold and subjecting them to expansion molding. In order to minimize differences in weight of the foam from product to product, the method is characterized in that prior to charging, the apparent density of the pre-expanded resin pellets is measured and, upon charging, the cracking width of the mold is regulated, on the basis of the measurement result, to a definite value determined depending upon the apparent density, whereby the weight of the pellets charged in the mold cavity is made constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Fukasawa, Hisatoshi Fukui, Shiro Tojo
  • Patent number: 5238617
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a resin position intended to automatically display the relationship between the state of resin injected into the cavity and the screw position for monitoring. In the cavity, border sections where flow resistance of the injected changes are determined. Subsequently, a volume is found for each of the regions partitioned by the border, and the obtained volume is set into the control unit of the injection molding machine. The control unit displays the injection completion position when the amount of cushion Lc is inputted (200, 201). Moreover, the amount of a screw stroke Sj is determined on the basis of the volume determined for each of the positions having different flow resistance, and a screw diameter. Each amount of the screw stroke Sj is added to the amount of cushion Lc in sequence to find screw positions, which are to be displayed as injection speed changeover positions (203).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko
  • Patent number: 5236640
    Abstract: A calendar for the production of packing sheets has a heated cylinder of large diameter on which a packing sheet is progressively built-up of layers of rubber-fiber mixture during many revolutions and the cylinder and an unheated counter pressure cylinder of smaller diameter mounted in slidable bearings for rotation and for movement toward and away from the heated cylinder. As the packing sheet is progressively built-up on the heated cylinder, its thickness is continuously measured by feeler rollers pressed lightly against the surface of the packing sheet and associated inductive sensors. In a comparison circuit, the values of thickness-indicating signals received from the sensors are compared with the sum of an initial zero value recorded before rubber-fiber mixture is applied to the circumference of the heated cylinder, and a predetermined desired value. When the value of the thickness indicating signal equals the sum of the zero value and the desired value, the calender is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Ralf Heiderich, Hermann Siebert
  • Patent number: 5232714
    Abstract: An in-line screw type injection molding machine having a screw in a heating cylinder. The screw is driven and rotated by a motor to charge a feedstock resin into the cylinder, the screw simultaneously undergoing retracting movement to allow the molten resin to be stored in the cylinder, and is driven and advanced to inject the molten resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kohno, Mitso Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5232713
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for continuously dividing bread dough. The apparatus consists of a dough hopper, vertical conveyors mounted on the side walls of the hopper, a dough outlet provided at the bottom of the hopper located under the vertical conveyors, a divider having cutting knives for dividing the dough, a weighing conveyor provided under the divider for weighing the dough discharged through the weighing conveyor, and a control means for controlling the timing in the discharging operation of the weighing conveyor according to the weight of the dough. The weight of the divided dough is instantly and successively weighed, while the period to keep the outlet open is controlled so that a belt-like sheet of dough, with sections of a uniform weight, is continuously produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Morikawa, Koichi Hirabayashi, Torahiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5225210
    Abstract: A colored resin molder having a cylindrical input member, a resin material supply mechanism for storing a molding resin material having thermoplastic properties and supplying the stored resin material through the input member, a coloring agent supply device having a nozzle discharge end disposed in the input member for supplying a liquid coloring agent, a feeding mechanism for feeding the resin material from the resin material supply mechanism while mixing the coloring agent with the resin material for resin molding, a sensor device for detecting the status of the feeding by the feeding mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the coloring agent supply device according to the result of the detection by the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Sysko Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Shimoda
  • Patent number: 5223191
    Abstract: A data processing method of an injection molding machine detects predetermined physical amounts, for example, filling velocities V1, V2 and V3 relative to operations of a plurality of injection apparatuses successively when different materials to be molded are injected into a cavity of a single mold from a plurality of injection apparatuses to fill the cavity so that molding is performed, calculates a characteristic data concerning the sum total of the detected filling velocities V1, V2 and V3, and processes data on the basis of the characteristic data. The axis of abscissa of the characteristic data can take a time or a total capacity of the material successively filled into the mold. The data processing includes display processing for displaying the characteristic data with a graph and the displayed characteristic data is utilized for setting the molding condition and the data analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Nissei Jushi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michihiro Tatsuno, Takayoshi Shioiri
  • Patent number: 5217655
    Abstract: A process for preparing a composite product from an intake material incorporating commercial, municipal or industrial waste containing organic, plastic and fibrous material includes first granulating and sizing the material. The material is then heated in three consecutive phases, first at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 215.degree. to 250.degree. F., then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 250.degree. to 320.degree. F. and then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 320.degree. to 400.degree. F., wherein said material is continuously mixed during said heat phases. The material may then be co-extruded with a reinforcement structure and forced into vacuum profile dies to form a product or compression molded to form a product and cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Envirotrust Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Erick Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5217725
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus uses motors to effect measuring and kneading of a material to be molded and injection driving. The amount of movement of a rotary shaft or rectilinearly moving means connected to a screw is detected by a sensor, and the driving of the volume measuring motor and the injection motor is effected by the output of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryohei Inaba, Masaaki Kumamura, Shojiro Danmoto, Mitsuo Arai, Yozo Tobo, Hirofumi Sugawara, Tadanobu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5213724
    Abstract: A process of determining the rate at which plastic granules are received by an extruder form a feed container having an outlet which opens into the inlet of the extruder, in which process granules are continuously fed to a supply container and consecutive charges of granules are intermittently fed to the feed container, the feed container is weighed before or at the beginning of or after or at the end of its filling operation, the time is measured which between the filling operations is required to withdraw the material in the amount which has been determined by the weighing operations, and the flow rate of the material is calculated from the amounts of material which have been received from the feed container in the measured intervals of time. A uniform feeding of material into the extruder will be ensured if granules and marginal strip material are supplied to the cyclone like container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventor: Richard Saatkamp
  • Patent number: 5205969
    Abstract: A process for distributing wax or a similar substance in semi-solid form which uses a liquid wax supply system, a wax conditioning system including a heat exchanger which cools the wax to a semi-solid state and an accumulator for storing conditioned wax until needed, and a die press or similar work station which receives semi-solid wax from the accumulator in a continuous stream or flow. Such a system allows a lost wax die press to operate without need to manually open and reload the press with wax. An automated control system according to the invention allows die press reloading to occur automatically when needed, and operates the wax conditioning system as needed to maintain a supply of wax in the accumulator. Wax tunnelling problems are avoided by means of a piston disposed in the heat exchanger which is movably interposed between hot liquid wax entering the heat exchanger and cooler, semi-solid wax leaving the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Signicast Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Nett, Jr., Walter C. Schmitt, Jr., Walter S. Lutz, Jr., James A. Capadona
  • Patent number: 5194189
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing supported, solid, polymeric sheets from: (I) liquids containing components reactable to polymers; and (II) one or more indefinitely long, foraminous substrates. A more or less continuous sandwich is formed of such substrate(s) and, faced on each side of the substrates as a group, film extending beyond the lateral edges of the substrate(s), the plane of the sandwich deviating from vertical by not more than about 45 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore G. Papastavros, Samuel A. Alexander, Michael D. Benedict, Vincent Cioffi, Russell B. Hodgdon, Emery Richard, Winslow Tinkham
  • Patent number: 5188848
    Abstract: An apparatus for making earthen blocks and having a hopper, structure for loading the hopper with a compactible material, structure for verifying that the hopper is filled to a predetermined level, structure for moving the hopper to a mold cavity and emptying the contents into the mold cavity, a first press having a first punch to be forced into the mold cavity to compress the material therein and a second press having a second punch that is held in a fixed position until a predetermined force is exerted by the first press, whereupon the second punch follows movement of the first punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Virgile S. Taddei
  • Patent number: 5186956
    Abstract: A rotary powder compression machine with a horizontal turntable for compressing powder placed into a compression bore between an upper and a lower compression rods. An ultrasonic sensor monitors the amount of powder deposited upstream of the open feed shoe in the rotation direction of the turn-table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadatsugu Tanino, Yoshihiro Furuya, Toyohiko Takeda, Yoshiyuki Endo, Hayao Inoue
  • Patent number: 5185117
    Abstract: Multiple extruder apparatus for compounding thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers incorporates a resin extruder in which thermoplastic resin pellets are melted and a compounding extruder in which the molten thermoplastic resin is mixed in intimate contact with long reinforcing fibers of at least one inch in length. The melted thermoplastic resin is introduced into the compounding extruder at a point downstream of the inlet point for the reinforcing fibers, so that the fibers are mechanically worked and heated before coming into contact with heated, molten thermoplastic resin. The extrudate from the compounding extruder consists of a homogeneous, molten mass of thermoplastic resin having discrete lengths of fibers randomly dispersed therein. This hot mixture may be fed directly into preform-making equipment to produce a measured preform of desired size, weight, and shape. The preform may then be fed directly into a compression molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Composite Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Hawley
  • Patent number: 5178805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the injection speed selecting points of an injection molder, or more specifically to a method of controlling the injection speed selecting points of an injection molder injecting plasticized synthetic resin from the cylinder into a mold cavity at speed varied in multiple steps in each injection process. The objective is to control the injection molder so as to mold a product with constant surface quality in each injection process for continuous molding production. For this purpose, appropriate injection speed selecting points are determined for each injection process so as to ensure that a constant weight of plasticized synthetic resin is injected at each selected speed, and the injection speed selecting points of the injection molder is controlled accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yokota
  • Patent number: 5137663
    Abstract: A container for the high temperature, high pressure processing of workpieces is disclosed. Such container has a removable plug with a deformable seal permitting rapid access to the interior of the container following processing. The removable plug contains various access ports allowing continuous monitoring of the interior of the container, continuous evacuation of gases, and introduction of controlled processing gases as may be required for various workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Vital Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Conaway
  • Patent number: 5133910
    Abstract: The injection molding machine is designed to produce molded pieces in a predetermined shape by moving back and forth a screw inside a cylinder so as to inject a molten molding material in the cylinder into a metal mold. The evaluation of molding stability of this injection molding machine is carried out in the following steps. First, an injection pressure imparted to the molten molding material by the screw at each screw position is detected, every time a molded piece is produced, and the injection pressure so detected is then integrated so as to obtain the work done of the injection molding machine. Following this, a molded piece so produced is weighed. Thus, a correlation between work done and the weights of molded pieces is statistically obtained on the basis of a plurality of corresponding data in relation to work done and the weights of molded pieces so obtained. Molding stability is then evaluated from the correlation so obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Manabe, Yasuhiko Onishi