Plasma (e.g., Corona, Glow Discharge, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/469)
  • Patent number: 5573723
    Abstract: A process for producing a biaxially oriented, transparent, multilayered film having a base layer comprising a mixture of a propylene polymer and a resin having a softening point of about 130.degree. to about 180.degree. C., and at least one additional layer comprising a material which can be readily subjected to corona treatment, comprising the steps of (i) coextruding through a slot die the layers of the film so as to produce a multilayer film, (ii) solidifying the multilayer film by chilling, and (iii) orienting the multilayer film by stretching in the longitudinal and transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Peiffer, Ursula Murschall, Gunter Schloegl
  • Patent number: 5571472
    Abstract: A nitrogen-containing compound of the following general formula (1) is kneaded into a resin molding material, the kneaded mixture is molded, and the surface of the resulting article is subjected to corona discharge treatment. Then, an electrostatically charged coating is sprayed on the article. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group of 6-22 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms; n represents 2-3. In accordance with this invention, a shaped resin article with remarkably improved electrical conductivity can be obtained from a resin of low electrical conductivity substantially without affecting the physical properties and color of the resin and with high productivity. Furthermore, a resin article with high surface resistivity can be electrostatically coated with high coating efficiency and improved results in appearance and productivity substantially without affecting the physical properties of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 5571462
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electric wire insulated with a foamed plastic. The method includes steps of introducing a foaming agent into a fluororesin in a molten state to allow the foaming agent to dispersed in the molten resin, and extruding the molten resin having the foaming agent dispersed therein onto a conductor wire to allow foaming. A fluorine-based foaming agent contains as a main component at least one kind of a fluorocarbon having a molecular weight of about 338 to 488 is used as a foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Hashimoto, Shoji Yamamoto, Zensuke Iwata
  • Patent number: 5560885
    Abstract: A process for the production of a biaxially-oriented multilayer polypropylene film having a silk-matt finish includes coextruding melts corresponding to the individual layers of the film through a flat-film die; taking off the coextruded film over a take-off roll having a temperature between about 40 and about 100.degree. C.; biaxially stretching the film; thermofixing, and optionally corona-treating, the biaxially-stretched film; and winding up the thermofixed and optionally corona-treated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ursula Murschall, Angela Speith, Gunter Schloegl
  • Patent number: 5552011
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a process of manufacturing polyproylene (PP) synthetic paper and the product thereof, and particularly to a process of manufacturing synthetic paper by means of 3-layer co-extrusion wherein PP resin composite and resin composite are respectively extruded as an extrudate co-flow by one primary extruder and two secondary extruders and by same one T-type die to be a paper sheet with a paper surface layer, an intermediate layer and a paper surface layer, and through cooling/shaping, biaxial orientation, corona discharge treatment and laminating/rolling to be a synthetic paper depending on the required thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Nanya Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Allen F. Lin
  • Patent number: 5536458
    Abstract: It is object of the present invention to provide a method by which a variable property component, such as two-color parts, having the interior covered with a thin film of the surface area is molded from polyurethanes by RIM, eliminating the need for separately applying a mold release agent or colorants to the cavity surface. Greater latitude in design due to varying physical characteristics is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Kawakita, Shogo Sugiyama, Naohisa Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 5529731
    Abstract: An elongate composite structural member and method of making the same which is particularly useful for forming the handle of hand-held striking and prying tools or implements. The elongate structure member comprises a foamed in place molded resin composition core and outer skin layer which is reinforced with intermediate layer of structurally strong, unidirectional oriented fibers. The expanded foam resin, intermediate fiber layer and the expanded foam resin outer skin are bound together by the cured foamed resin composition formed during the molding process to form a strong, integral composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Caine Corporation
    Inventors: Harry J. Bendick, Bret M. Kraner
  • Patent number: 5510067
    Abstract: A method of producing a plastic pin, including a bowling pin, having a cellular and/or porous core that is surrounded by a solid-walled, noncellular and nonporous shell. The shell is initially produced as a whole body in a mold. While the material of the shell is not yet hardened and is still deformable, an insert is introduced into the narrowed neck portion of the shell, in a direction axial relative thereto, in such a way that the insert displaces an inner layer of the shell, dividing the hollow interior of the shell into an upper and a lower chamber and producing a fixed connection with the material of the shell. Material for the core, with such material being provided with an expanding agent, is then introduced into the shell, and after the shell and the core have set, the mold is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventors: Arnold Jager, Andreas Jager, Sebastian Jager
  • Patent number: 5489405
    Abstract: A pair of concrete coated pipe joints welded together end to end with a gap between the concrete coatings, the gap being filled with a fast setting elastomeric polymeric infill material, either solid or foamed, and a particulate filler material, and a method for molding the infill material with the mold being filled with filler material before the polymer components are injected, and with a membrane lining the mold to prevent the polymer from adhering to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Foam Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Holbert, David C. Dressel, James H. McBrien, Richard L. Wyke
  • Patent number: 5474721
    Abstract: Process using low to medium temperature thermoset epoxy composite materials and an expandable epoxy matrix material to efficiently form high strength composite parts of divers shapes in a single-one-step process. The composite material is placed within the periphery of a mold and expandable epoxy matrix material is placed between the layers of the composite material either before or after closing the mold and, then, subjecting the mold and its contents to heat which activates the epoxy resins in both the composite material and the matrix material causing the matrix material to expand thereby compressing the composite material in order to produce a competent composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Robert B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5470515
    Abstract: For insulating pipes by application of at least one insulating layer and at least one outer surface layer by rotational molding, a rigid polyurethane foam is used as the insulating layer while a solid polyurethane is used as the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grimm, Norbert Eisen, Hans-Dieter Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 5460762
    Abstract: Tubes or pipes are engaged on an insert and are fixed thereon in sealed manner by molding a plastics material at least over those zones of said tubes or pipes that co-operate with the insert. The plastics material is molded so as to form a cellular material whose expansion is performed so as to give rise to compression forces on said tubes or pipes that ensure that said tubes or pipes are fixed or sealed onto the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventor: Maxime Andre
  • Patent number: 5425907
    Abstract: A cylindrical polymer fiber filter cartridge for liquid filtration is formed by applying an acrylic latex binder, diluted with water, to a batt of thermoplastic polymer fibers and winding the batt onto a core to form a hollow fibrous cylinder while applying compression with a compression roll to an outer surface of the fibrous cylinder. After the batt is fully wound onto the core, the cylindrical cartridge is rotated at a speed sufficient to cause the acrylic latex binder to foam in-situ thereby fluidizing the cartridge to allow the polymer fibers in the cartridge to reorient to form a smooth outer surface on the cartridge and to evenly distribute the acrylic binder throughout the cartridge. The binder in the cartridge is then cured to bond the fibers together at their points of intersection and annular grooves are cut in the outer surface of the cartridge to increase the surface area of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Schuller International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Gross, Jeff K. Woodring
  • Patent number: 5391335
    Abstract: In producing a foam insulated electric wire having an insulating layer made of a polyolefin foam, a foaming agent is employed, which is a liquid mixture of at least two kinds of compounds selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, ketones and saturated hydrocarbons having boiling points of 100.degree. C. or below, or a liquid mixture of at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, ketones and saturated hydrocarbons having boiling points of 100.degree. C. or below and at least one kind of liquid compound selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, ketones, saturated hydrocarbons and alcohols having boiling points higher than 100.degree. C. but not exceeding 150.degree. C. Thus, a foam insulating layer having a high cell content and a low deformation ratio become available. Since the foam insulating layer has a high cell content and a low deformation ratio, the foam insulating layer, if reduced in diameter, is hardly squeezed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Sakamoto, Masanobu Sugimura
  • Patent number: 5328648
    Abstract: A pair of concrete coated pipe joints welded together end to end with a gap between the concrete coatings, the gap being filled with a fast setting elastomeric polymeric infill material, either solid or foamed, and a particulate filler material, and a method for molding the infill material with the mold being filled with filler material before the polymer components are injected, and with a membrane lining the mold to prevent the polymer from adhering to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Foam Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. McBrien, Richard L. Wyke, David C. Dressel
  • Patent number: 5292464
    Abstract: The storage tank portion of a water heater has an outwardly projecting threaded pipe coupling fitting and is disposed within a jacket structure that forms an enclosed insulation space around the storage tank, the outer end of the pipe coupling fitting being spaced inwardly apart from a pipe connection opening in the jacket structure. A generally tubular foam stop member having a convexly curved side portion is positioned within the insulation space before the space is filled by an injection process with a liquid foam insulation material. The foam stop member receives the pipe coupling, is axially pressed between the storage tank and the jacket structure, and forms a seal around the pipe coupling fitting and around the jacket structure pipe connection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David M. Hanning, Gordon W. Stretch
  • Patent number: 5238620
    Abstract: A grip sleeve is manufactured by sleeving a tubular nylon fabric lining on a cylindrical mandrel of appropriate length. The mandrel is then provided on a lower mold half which is formed as an elongated shell that is semi-circular in cross-section. The lower mold half has an inner surface which is formed with a pair of spaced and curved radial projections that support the mandrel. An upper mold half is provided on top of the lower mold half and matches with the lower mold half. The upper and lower mold halves cooperate with the mandrel to define an enclosed annular receiving space. One of the upper and lower mold halves is formed with an inlet to access the receiving space. A molding composition of elastomeric foam is introduced into the receiving space via the inlet so as to fill the receiving space. The molding composition solidifies to form an elastic and perspiration holding layer on the fabric lining, thereby producing the grip sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventors: Ching-Fa Wu, Long-Wen Jou
  • Patent number: 5229048
    Abstract: A water heater construction and method includes arranging the inner water tank and the surrounding outer shell in an inverted orientation and positioning the outer shell into a cover which is arranged with clearance openings for the plumbing connections extending from the top of the tank to extend therethrough. With the tank, shell and cover in an inverted and assembled condition, the annular clearance space defined between the tank and shell is filled, at least the majority, with liquid, foam-in-place insulation. By inverting the water heater and injecting liquid foam insulation material, the clearance space above the inner water tank is foamed first thereby assuring that the foam material at this location will have greater uniformity in foam density and cell structure than at the lower portion of the annular space so as to provide enhanced thermal efficiency at the most critical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Soltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5213728
    Abstract: The method of the present invention is for foam insulating a water heater where the water heater has an outer shell and an inner tank with tank fittings, the outer shell having tank fitting openings and the inner tank and outer shell being separated by an insulation space. The method comprises locating foam flow barriers between the inner tank and the outer shell around the periphery of each of the tank fitting openings and then spraying foam forming material into the insulation space with the foam barriers preventing the foam from escaping outwardly through the tank fitting openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: GSW Inc.
    Inventor: Michael O. Hickman
  • Patent number: 5180531
    Abstract: As structural plastic pipe has an outer diameter of at least 10 inches and is suitable for use as a plastic piling. The pipe is at least 10 feet long and comprises an inner pipe core of no more than 6 inches in diameter. There is an outer, extruded, continuous, substantially homogeneous plastic layer at least two inches thick on substantially the entire length of the steel core. The plastic layer comprises low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, foaming agent, and antioxidant, as well as a synergist for the antioxidant. The plastic layer is extruded directly onto the pipe core in a single extruding operation. A die head can be used for imparting rotational motion to an extruded plastic composition before it is introduced into a mold used for forming the plastic pipe to make certain that the entire mold is filled with the plastic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: Vartkes Borzakian
  • Patent number: 5171346
    Abstract: A composite insulator is formed having evacuated hollow plastic enclosures arranged in a closely packed configuration with a foamed plastic resin filling the interstice between the plastic enclosures. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, hollow evacuated spheres are embedded into a matrix of polyurethane foam. The composite insulator can be formed directly within an insulating cavity of an appliance or can be formed into customized panels which can be inserted into an appliance. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing the composite insulator by forming a seamless continuous plastic wall on a molding chamber that has been at least partially evacuated, incorporating the resulting hollow plastic enclosure into a plastic resin which is capable of being foamed in place, introducing the composite into an enclosed cavity that is to be filled with insulation, and causing the plastic resin to foam in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Frederick H. Hallett
  • Patent number: 5164129
    Abstract: A self-deploying structural element formed of a core or temperature sensitive expanding foam, a load carrying component of advanced composite material, and an outer retaining jacket. A heat generating means such as resistance heating wires is included to initiate deployment of the structure. The heating of the structure causes the foam core to expand, unrolling or unfolding the structure. The heat also cures the advanced composite material to a rigid form. The retaining jacket is preferably a heat shrink jacket which contracts around the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: University of Lowell
    Inventor: Craig Douglas
  • Patent number: 5123659
    Abstract: A game ball is made by rotationally molding a hollow spherical shell from a blend of foamed ionomer resins (Surlyn 9450 and Surlyn 8528) and low density polyethylene resin. The center of the hollow spherical core may be filled with foamed polyurethane, and the spherical core may be covered by a leather cover. If desired, hollow ceramic microspheres or beads can be added to the resins before molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventor: Donald E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5052346
    Abstract: A water heater is made by shielding the space between a tank and a jacket, which space is intended to include a control apparatus accessible from outside the jacket, by making and installing an insulating dam provided of flexible, deformable insulating material, removing corner position from the dam, slitting the block lengthwise with a slit which is surrounded by the block, thereby forming connected body portions, moving the body portions apart from each other, thereby forming an open frame, turning the resulting open frame inside out to form a foam dam, inserting the resulting foam dam around the control apparatus, placing the jacket over the dam and introducing liquid foam forming material into the space between the tank and the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Bradford-White Corporation
    Inventor: David Beck
  • Patent number: 5023031
    Abstract: A method of insulating a water heater with an expandable foam insulating material is provided. The expandable foam insulating material has an initial viscosity of<300 cps, a flow index.gtoreq.about 0.7, a gel index.gtoreq.about 0.8 and generates a maximum pressure of.ltoreq.about 1.0 psig. The foam is injected into the annular space between the water tank and the outer jacket. Preferably, the foam is injected into a sleeve, which acts to confine the foam during its most liquid state, positioned within this space. The foam is preferably injected into the annular space between the tank and the jacket while the top cover is removed. In this way, the injected foam can be distributed more evenly around the circumference of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Bradford-White Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene L. West, Robert J. Marcinkewicz
  • Patent number: 5004572
    Abstract: A method of preparing an annular skin tube for a foam product. Tubular skins are joined together end to end, at opposite ends thereof except at least one set of unjoined ends of at least one selected pair of the adjacent tubular skins, so as to prepare an intermediate skin tube such that a nominal outside of the intermediate skin tube is exposed. An unjoined portion is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate skin tube, adjacent to the unjoined ends. The unjoined ends are joined, while end portions including the unjoined ends are superposed on each other and are passed through the unjoined portion outwardly of the intermediate skin tube such that one of the end portions is turned inside out. The above-indicated one end portion is turned over to expose its nominal outside. Thus, the intermediate skin tube is formed into the annular skin tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Tokai Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 5002709
    Abstract: A method of producing a foam insulated vessel, such as a water heater. The water heater includes a tank to contain water to be heated and a jacket is spaced outwardly of the tank to provide a cavity therebetween. A band of self-supporting, gas entrained, foamable resin is applied to either the outer surface of the lower end portion of the tank, or to the inner surface of the jacket. The band of foamable resin expands radially to form a closure or dam that divides the cavity into a pair of isolated spaces. A liquid foamable resin composition is then introduced into one of the spaces and expands to fill the space and provide an insulating layer between the tank and the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Chevalier, John D. Pfeffer, Thomas F. Brownell
  • Patent number: 5000893
    Abstract: A water heater including a water tank having a jacket surrounding the tank and providing an insulation space therebetween. A plurality of serial foam injections are introduced into the space to fill the space between the tank and the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Bradford-White Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene L. West, Robert J. Marcinkewicz
  • Patent number: 4992223
    Abstract: A water heater construction and method includes arranging the inner water tank and the surrounding outer shell in an inverted orientation and positioning the outer shell into a cover which is arranged with clearance openings for the plumbing connections extending from the top of the tank to extend therethrough. With the tank, shell and cover in an inverted and assembled condition, the annular clearance space defined between the tank and shell is filled, at least the majority, with liquid, foam-in-place insulation. By inverting the water heater and injecting liquid foam insulation material, the clearance space above the inner water tank is foamed first thereby assuring that the foam material at this location will have greater uniformity in foam density and cell structure than at the lower portion of the annular space so as to provide enhanced thermal efficiency at the most critical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Soltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4963083
    Abstract: An improved composite metal-elastomer styled automotive-type wheel with a three-dimensionally contoured ornamental outboard face formed by a plastic overlay body permanently adhered or affixed to the outboard face, and an improved molding apparatus and method for constructing such a wheel. A plastic overlay body has an annular row of outboard pockets disposed in radially offset, axially overlapping relation with a annular row of inboard pockets which in turn register with vent openings in the disc to thereby provide air passages through the wheel for brake ventilation. The outboard pockets preferably are disposed radially remote from the center of the wheel close to the wheel rim, and a relatively thin cross-section of plastic material is molded so as to overlie the outboard rim flange to provide a full-face appearance to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Stalter, Sr., Albert H. Prueter
  • Patent number: 4948541
    Abstract: A method of making a particular type of arm rest for a chair, which arm rest is made from a foamed material. Embedded in the arm rest is a flexible tube for containing a control mechanism for the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen Beck
  • Patent number: 4925508
    Abstract: Moldless process for manufacturing foamed articles is disclosed wherein a trim cover is first prepared as having a composite structure of an outer facing material such as fabric and an inner backing material of low melting point such as a thin foam of polystyrene and having a shape substantially corresponding to a final contour of the finished article; the trim cover is heated and forced to form a pre-shaped cover conforming to the final contour of the finished article preferably by means of a restraining frame such as basket or plastic cage configured to the final contour of the finished article; highly reactive polyurethane composition foamable at low internal pressure is poured inside the pre-shaped cover and allowed to foam and expand to fill substantially an entire volume within the pre-shaped cover; and then the pre-shaped cover is externally heated to around the melting temperature of the backing material so as to significantly shrink and virtually dissipate the backing material interposed between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Namba Press Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Goto, Taro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4925605
    Abstract: A unitary removable and reuseable jacket for the thermal insulation of pipe accounterments. The fully-formed generally-rectangular jacket is composed of three layers: a heat and water resistant outer fabric layer, a hardened rigid-cell polyurethane middle layer, and a thin flexible heat-shrinkable plastic inner layer. The inner and outer layers are joined together by perimeter seams and a transverse center seam which form two pockets adapted to contain the polyurethane foam middle layer. The inner and outer layers are formed at time of manufacture while the middle layer is formed during the application process. During the application process, an exothermic chemical reaction is generated by the combination of the chemicals polyol and isocyanate which are inserted between the inner and outer layers through holes contained in the outer layer, to form a rapidly expanding and hardening rigid cell polyurethane foam middle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Field Foam Incorporated
    Inventor: Dennis A. Petronko
  • Patent number: 4923537
    Abstract: A resin coating of a wire harness is shaped in the following manner. A laminated sheet formed by integrally laminating an outer skin sheet made of semi-hard resin and an unfoamed foamable sheet made of foamable resin material, is placed along a cavity wall surface of a shaping mold with the foamable sheet directed to the inside, a bundle of wires having terminals, connectors or the like attached to their opposite ends are disposed within a space defined by the laminated sheet, and by heating the shaping mold the foamable sheet is heated and foamed. A protective coating layer made of foamed resin and protective coating layer made of an outer skin sheet can be simultaneously shaped by the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzo Matsushima
  • Patent number: 4913588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for insulating a pipeline (1) which is more or less submerged in the sea bottom consists in that the insulation (3) is made directly at the pipeline (1): the substances for production of the insulating overing are transported to a mixing chamber (7) at the production site and are foamed around the pipeline (1). For this purpose may be used a flexible sheet (4) of material such as foil which is anchored to the sea bottom (2). Through the production of the insulation (3) in situ, the gas pressure in the insulating material (3) can be adapted to the outer pressure and thereby a compression of the material with loss of insulating effect can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Dag Vilnes
  • Patent number: 4909972
    Abstract: A method of making a solid core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim, includes introducing a foamable composition into a mould cavity having a substantially inflexible mould surface. The cavity is suitably shaped so that a core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim can be moulded therein. The composition is allowed to foam, thereby to fill the mould cavity. Air and excess composition is allowed to vent from the cavity via an elongate vent slit extending along a major portion of the cavity. The foamed core thus moulded in the cavity is removed from the cavity on the composition having set at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Johannes H. Britz
  • Patent number: 4908170
    Abstract: A method of producing an annular foam product having a foam filler covered by a tubular skin. A core embedded in the filler includes a connecting portion and a U-shaped portion which form an annular frame. Opposite edges of each of at least one skin member are joined together to form a U-shaped skin tube surrounding the U-shaped portion, such that the joined edges are located inside of the U-shaped skin tube. A skin sheet is jointed at opposite ends to corresponding opposite ends of the U-shaped skin tube so as to surround the connecting portion, while the end portions of the skin sheet are turned outside in. The end portions of the skin sheet are then turned over to expose its nominal outside outwardly, and opposite edges of the skin sheet along the connecting portion are joined together to form a connecting skin tube which surrounds the connecting portion of the annular frame. The U-shaped skin tube and the connecting skin tube constitute the tubular skin which encloses the annular frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Tokai Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 4904428
    Abstract: A method of insulating a water heater with an expandable foam insulating material. The expandable foam insulating material has an initial viscosity of <300 cps, a flow index.gtoreq.about 0.7, a gel index.gtoreq.about 0.8 and generates a maximum pressure of.ltoreq.about 1.0 psig. The foam is injected into the annular space between the water tank and the outer jacket. Preferably, the foam is injected into a sleeve, which acts to confine the foam during its most liquid state, positioned within this space. The foam is preferably injected into the annular space between the tank and the jacket while the top cover is removed. In this way, the injected foam can be distributed more evenly around the circumference of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Bradford-White Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene L. West, Robert J. Marcinkewicz
  • Patent number: 4883423
    Abstract: An infrared burner with an extremely low pressure drop is described. The burner comprises a corrosion resistant mesh screen having a thick porous coating of ceramic fibers deposited thereon. In addition to a low pressure drop the burner has structural integrity and ability to generate radiant energy at a high rate. The burner is produced by admixing alumina and ceramic fibers with a clathrate-forming halocarbon material which is removed upon drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alex Holowczenko
  • Patent number: 4878482
    Abstract: A hot water storage unit includes an outer decorative shell with a hardened foam insulation within a cavity therebetween. A prefabricated bottom wall is secured between the opposed sidewalls of the tank and shell. The bottom wall is secured just above the temperature sensing and drain connectors of the storage tank with the top connections protected by a fiberglass covers. A top shell cover includes an air foam insulation injection hole. The bottom wall is a stable supporting body member having an outer sealing portion which is integrally formed with the body member or which is a separate element affixed to the body member to form an extension of the body member. The outer sealing portion has sufficient compression or deflection to produce a seal in response to positioning the shell about the tank. The insulation is introduced as a liquid which expands to form the insulation, with the bottom wall preventing the liquid insulation from passing downwardly of the dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 4861968
    Abstract: A water heater comprising a water tank having a component intended to be kept substantially free from contact with an expandable foam insulating material, and a method of making same, is provided. The water heater has a jacket surrounding the tank and providing an insulating space therebetween. Positioned within this space is a pair of flexible sheets forming an apron. The sheets are joined to form a seal protecting the components from contact with the foam. The apron is positioned over a part of the tank surface so that the seal surrounds the component. The sheets of the apron are substantially unsealed along the top and a side. Foam is introduced between the sheets of the apron and flows out of the unsealed side of the apron to fill the space between the tank and the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene L. West
  • Patent number: 4811439
    Abstract: A method for producing a foamed innerspring unit using a foamable reaction mixture that will provide a flexible foam using diphenylmethane diisocyanate and at least one polyol is provided. The process comprises the steps of preparing the foamable reaction mixture, spraying the foamable reaction mixture into a tray, loading an innerspring unit into the foamable reaction mixture containing tray and permitting the foamable reaction mixture to rise to form a foam that is at least partially adhered to the unit. The process is especially well suited to be carried out on a continuous conveyor. A novel foamed innerspring unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventors: Edmond Siegel, Nolan D. Gamble
  • Patent number: 4808356
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of insulating a water heater that utilizes a foaming apron comprised of substantially parallel flexible sheets having an open end and open edges. One sheet is attached to the wall of a water tank and the space between the sheets is open to receive one or more charges of foam forming liquid. Preferably one pouring is performed in conjunction with an open centering template, thereby creating a uniform sealing insulatio layer around the water tank which protects the control mechanisms from the foam. After one charge has solidified sufficiently to maintain the jacket properly centered, the centering template may be removed and one or more further charges of foam forming liquids introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Bradford-White Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene L. West, Robert J. Marcinkewicz
  • Patent number: 4784811
    Abstract: A method of making optrodes is provided by which a pressure-sensitive volume is incorporated in the optrode by bubble transfer and/or gas entrapment in the manufacturing step sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Tomas B. Hirschfeld
  • Patent number: 4773450
    Abstract: Pipes or pipelines for transporting sewage, water, slurries, liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, and the like are interlined with flexible composite tubular lining material. The lining material is matched to the crosswise dimension of the pipe and is adapted to be insertable thereinto and to fit snugly against the inner wall thereof. The lining material comprises a flexible matrix member having a netlike open-meshed configuration, thereby being adapted to receive into its interstices foamable material adapted to expand outwardly upon foaming, into and about irregularities in the wall surface, and to solidify there. The matrix member preferably is extensible lengthwise, and thus reducible in size crosswise, when under axial tension. When released from axial tension, the matrix member recovers to its previous dimensions, except as it may be confined, as against an inside wall of a pipe or pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignees: Robert K. Stanley, Charles A. McClure
    Inventor: Robert K. Stanley
  • Patent number: 4768678
    Abstract: Method for obtaining a plastic water-heater body, wherein(1) a plastic shell is used which is intended to form the interior of the water heater and also serves as an internal molding wall, the said shell having at least one orifice,(2) the said shell is positioned inside a mold consisting of two parts, while providing a space between the outside of the shell and the inside of the mold, the mold having an opening,(3) water is introduced into the internal shell via the said orifice,(4) a liquid mixture consisting essentially of a polyester resin composition capable of foaming and polymerizing is cast via the said opening of the mold, by cooling the outside of the mold to a temperature of approximately 10.degree. to 15.degree. C. during casting of the resin, so as to obtain a skin effect on the surface of the foam which comes into contact with the mold during polymerization of the said foam, by controlling the temperature of the expanding and polymerizing resin so that it does not exceed approximately 40.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventors: Charles Nusbaumer, Paul-Joseph Eynard
  • Patent number: 4762584
    Abstract: A one-piece fishing rod handle is provided in which an integral handle portion is molded together with preformed rod handle components such as a reel seat is disclosed for use in through-rod-type construction wherein the rod blank extends axially through the entire length of the handle and foregrip. The individual preformed rod handle components are assembled onto either a mold core pin or fishing rod blank and properly registered in a mold cavity having the configuration of the finished rod handle. Molding resins such as polyurethane are then injected into the mold cavity and provide a handle portion which is bonded to the preformed reel seat. By the use of two differently dimensioned molds in conjunction with different density molding resins, dual composition one-piece fishing rod handles can also be molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Lew Childre & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Andreasen, Casey J. Childre, David B. Peed
  • Patent number: 4751031
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for waterproofing and gastightening a cable or tube passage (9) in a wall (11) or the like, using a foamable synthetic resin (8). A box-shaped or cover-shaped element, e.g. a cap (1, 2) is attached to one side of the wall, after which through an opening in cap (1, 2) the foamable resin (8) is supplied therein and the opening is stopped. The cap (1, 2) may consist of two parts (1, 2) and the two parts may be provided with rupturable closures or closable openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Chemische Industrie Filoform B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Baars
  • Patent number: 4749532
    Abstract: A hot water heater includes a storage tank and an outer decorative shell spaced from the tank. A foam insulation fills a cavity between the tank and the shell and a bottom wall in the form of preassembled fiberglass belt. The belt is wrapped and secured about to the tank by an encircling compressing and centrally located band. The outer ends of the belts flare outwardly to a diameter in excess of the inner diameter of the shell. A flat, flexible plastic sheet has a narrow portion draped over the top of the tank and sides extended down and overlap the opposite sides of the belt. The lower ends of the sheet essentially covers the belt. The flexible plastic sheet has a slight angle between the tank top and the belt. The outer shell which has a diameter somewhat less than that of the flared belt is telescoped downwardly over the tank and sheet folds the apron into a circular configuration, compressing the belt tightly between the storage tank and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 4746287
    Abstract: A fiber matrix burner and method of manufacture in which a shaped burner element is formed by accreting a slurry onto a foraminous support. The slurry is comprised of ceramic fibers, a binding agent, a vaporizable filler, and a powdered, normally non-flammable aluminum alloy having a melting point between 660.degree. C. and 1,000.degree. C. After the drying and firing, a porous matrix of the fibers is formed which flamelessly combusts a fuel-air mixture. During combustion, the aluminum alloy inhibits growth of alumina crystals on the fiber surface to prolong burner life and, in addition, protects the burner both from extreme temperature and flashback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: John J. Lannutti