Infrared Radiation Patents (Class 264/492)
  • Publication number: 20110068513
    Abstract: A method for making a container is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a preform; applying heat or energy to at least a portion of the preform to bring the portion to an elevated temperature and so an inner surface of the preform is heated; and applying an air flow to the preform. In an embodiment an airflow of at least about 2,200 ft/min to maintain a temperature differential between the inner surface and the outside surface of the portion of the preform being heated to within about 20° F. The preform may subsequently be blow molded to form a container. In embodiments of the invention, polypropylene preforms may be used in connection with injection-stretch blow molding (ISBM) technologies for high-speed production of polypropylene containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 7901612
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for the plastic deformation of a polymer is provided, which is characterized in that the polymer is treated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range from 0.8 to 100 ?m with simultaneous action of pressure and shearing and thermal energy. By means of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to plastically deform polymers which have to date not been accessible to plastic deformation, such as chitin and in particular cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Schroeter, Florian Felix
  • Patent number: 7854877
    Abstract: An imprint lithography method is disclosed, which includes imprinting a plurality of patterns in an imprintable medium provided on a substrate, wherein the order in which the patterns are imprinted in the imprintable medium is such that, for the majority of the patterns, two consecutively imprinted patterns are not imprinted adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ivar Schram, Johan Frederik Dijksman, Sander Frederik Wuister, Yvonne Wendela Kruijt-Stegeman, Jeroen Herman Lammers, Richard Joseph Marinus Schroeders
  • Patent number: 7850890
    Abstract: A polymeric fuel tank having a first body joined to a second body is constructed having a substantially continuously barrier layer surrounding the tank. The first body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and a first mating surface adjacent the free edge. A first barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the first body. The second body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and has a second mating surface adjacent to the first mating surface and the free edge of the second body to define a fuel cavity. A second barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the second body. At least one weld joint joins the first mating surface to the second mating surface and the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer to provide the continuous barrier layer in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian W. Brandner, Vladimir Franjo, Masahiro Higashi
  • Publication number: 20100289189
    Abstract: In a method for producing a free-standing solid state layer, a solid state material is provided having at least one surface available for layer formation thereon and a layer of polymer is formed on the available surface. The solid state material and polymer layer are then exposed to a change in local temperature from a first temperature that is no greater than about 300° C. to a second temperature below about room temperature to cause the solid state material to fracture along a plane at a depth in the material, to produce at least one free-standing solid state layer from the solid state material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Lukas Lichtensteiger, Christian Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 7833000
    Abstract: There is provided an optical modeling apparatus that forms a model of a desired shape by sequentially forming hardened layers by irradiating a light-curable resin with light. The apparatus includes a first light source that emits a light beam for plotting on the resin, a scanning device that scans the light beam from the first light source over the resin, a second light source that emits light that irradiates one fixed region of the resin at a time, and a spatial light modulator that spatially modulates the light from the second light source to blanket-expose a specified region of the resin. The light beam from the scanning device and the light from the spatial light modulator form each hardened layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kihara, Masanobu Yamamoto, Kimihiro Saito, Yuichi Aki, Takeshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7829009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/S
    Inventor: Inger-Margrethe Procida
  • Publication number: 20100225029
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic receptacles includes a transport device which transports the receptacles along a predetermined transport path and at least one heating device for heating the plastic receptacles. The heating device includes at least one radiation source which directs radiation at the plastic receptacles and at least one first reflector element which reflects radiation emitted from the radiation source. The apparatus includes a proportional reflection device which transmits radiation emitted by the radiation source with wavelengths in a first predetermined wavelength range onto the receptacle and reflects radiation with wavelengths in a second predetermined wavelength range onto the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Konrad SENN
  • Patent number: 7758329
    Abstract: There is provided an optical modeling apparatus that forms a model of a desired shape by sequentially forming hardened layers by irradiating a light curable resin with light. The apparatus includes a first light source that emits a light beam for plotting on the resin, a scanning device that scans the light beam from the first light source over the resin, a second light source that emits light that irradiates one fixed region of the resin at a time, a spatial light modulator that spatially modulates the light from the second light source and blanket-exposes a specified region of the resin, and an exposure position adjuster that moves, in at least one direction, the light from the spatial light modulator. The light beam from the scanning device and the light from the spatial light modulator form each hardened layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kihara, Masanobu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100148070
    Abstract: A method of performing dissolution analysis on a tablet, the method comprising: irradiating a tablet with radiation having at least one frequency in the range from 40 GHz to 100 THz; detecting radiation which has been transmitted through or reflected by the tablet; determining a parameter from the detected radiation indicative of the density of a coating layer of the tablet; and determining information about the dissolution characteristics of the tablet from said parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Louise Ho, Yaochun Shen, Phillip F. Taday, Thomas Rades
  • Publication number: 20100127435
    Abstract: Method of heating a plastic preform (1) for the manufacture of a container by forming it from the preform (1), this method comprising: a step of transporting the preform (1) along a predetermined path with rotation of the preform (1) about its axis (A); and a step of heating the preform (1) along said path by means of infrared radiation sources (11), wherein the intensity of the emitted radiation is regulated along the path so as to heat selectively at least one angular section (7, 7a, 7b) of the preform (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Guy Feuilloley
  • Publication number: 20100096782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating of preforms formed of plastic with infrared radiation, whereby the preform is struck by cooling air at its neck finish and on its body. Furthermore, the infrared radiators are struck by cooling air at their ends. The invention relates to a heating device in which the three cooling air streams may be controlled or regulated independently from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Christian STOIBER, Wolfgang Schönberger
  • Patent number: 7684683
    Abstract: A welding apparatus is provided with a lamp unit having a light source such as a halogen lamp and a multiple reflection surface. The light source applies incoherent electromagnetic waves that belong to a visible region and a near-infrared region in which a wavelength is 500 nm (nanometer) or more. The multiple reflection surface reflects and collects the light from the light source in the shape of a desired dot or line. The housing and the transparent cover are superimposed, and the light from the light source is collected by the multiple-reflection surface on the portion where the housing is superimposed on the transparent cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Haruo Otani, Fujihiko Sugiyama, Michihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7670542
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for creating a triple layer like golf ball core out of a single material. A thermoset material is cured for only a partial period of time in a compression mold, therein creating a short-cured core wherein the innermost region of the core is substantially softer than the outer region. Subsequently, the short-cured core is heated with infrared radiation to create a cure gradient in the skin of the core. This results in a relatively hard skin, which is at least 2 Shore D points harder than the rest of the core. The hardness gradients created in the skin are in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.040 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Matthew F. Hogge, Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Peter L. Serdahl
  • Publication number: 20100040837
    Abstract: Stretch film is treated by passing a web of tackifier-containing, unbloomed thin polymer film through a heater so that the web is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause tackifier bloom prior to the web reaching a next stage in an in-line process. Also, a pattern can be applied to a thin polymer film. An oriented web of thin polymer film is passed across at least one heated roller having the pattern engraved thereon to define face regions and relief regions collectively conforming to the pattern. As the web contacts each roller surface, portions of the web positioned over the relief regions receive less heat than portions of the web positioned over the face regions, thereby causing the respective portions of the web to undergo differential, heat-induced shrinkage which imparts the pattern to the thin polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: MACRO ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Miroslav Planeta
  • Publication number: 20100007063
    Abstract: A process for stripping chemically bonded spinning solvent from a solution-spun nonwoven web comprising the steps of providing a nonwoven web comprising solvent-laden polymeric fibers having average fiber diameters of less than about 1 micrometer, and transporting the nonwoven web through at least one infrared solvent stripping station wherein infrared radiation irradiates the nonwoven web in the absence of a solvent stripping fluid impinging on the nonwoven web in order to reduce the solvent concentration of the fibers to less than about 10,000 ppmw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Christel Berta Laxton, B. Lynne Wiseman, Christopher William Newton, Simon Frisk
  • Publication number: 20100007061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method or producing a container from a thermoplastic blank (2), comprising: a step in which the blank (2) is heated using at least one beam (22) of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the bank (2) thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation (1) which is used to produce containers (2) and which comprises a unit (16) for heating the blanks (2) in order to form containers from the blanks (2) thus heated. The inventive installation (1) defines a path (23) along which the blanks (2) travel inside the heating unit (16). In addition, the heating unit (16) comprises at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source (26) which is directed towards a zone (25) that is located on the aforementioned path (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Guy FEUILLOLEY, Luc DESOUTTER
  • Patent number: 7641826
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for non-invasive measuring of binder mix loading of glass fibers for monitoring production of construction insulation product, such as roofing and wall insulation. The process utilizes visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy; and, is particularly advantageous when utilized in an on-line production processing following binder mix loading of glass fibers and prior to curing treatment of the binder mix loaded glass fibers. Such spectroscopic analyses can be carried out on a static or moving support substrate. The blend is then conveyed to and through curing treatment to form insulation product. The blend is exposed to VIS-NIR radiant energy, and a radiant energy sensor collects resulting data as to absorption following penetration of the VIS-NIR radiant energy. The spectroscopic instrumentation is calibrated to determine to facilitate accuracy; and, can be used to verify load following curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Reginald A. Mbachu
  • Patent number: 7608216
    Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership
    Inventors: Edward H. Park, Francis Joseph Walker
  • Publication number: 20090250130
    Abstract: Method for producing a microfluidic device comprising a step in which a stamp made of elastomeric material is used for printing a photo-curable and/or heat-curable liquid disposed on a support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Vincent Studer, Denis Bartolo, Guillaume Degre
  • Publication number: 20090130350
    Abstract: In the present invention, a manufacturing process is provided in which a complete multi-component synthetic closure is achieved which incorporates printed indicia formed thereon, in a continuous, in-line manufacturing operation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core member of the synthetic closure is formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indica on the outer surface of central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Eduardo Lauer, Marco Josef Otto Kirch
  • Publication number: 20090042307
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrophilic polymer microparticle which shows reduced swelling in an aqueous medium and has an excellent dispersibility in an aqueous medium, a filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography which can effectively suppress non-specific adsorption of protein and the like, a method for analyzing glycosylated hemoglobin using the filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography, a method for production of a filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography that can maintain suppressive effects on swelling, non-specific adsorption and the like for a long period of time, a filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography produced by the method for production of a filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography, and a filler for ion-exchange liquid chromatography for glycosylated hemoglobin analysis. The present is a hydrophilic polymer microparticle, which has a DW/DA ratio of 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Takuya Yotani, Makoto Takahara
  • Patent number: 7468155
    Abstract: Calibrating visual (VIS) and near infra red (NIR) spectroscopic instrumentation for quantitative measurement of resin-loading of prepared wood materials, as moving in an assembly-forming line, for subsequent pressing under heat and pressure for manufacture of engineered-composite wood product. Feedback of measured data of resin-loading, during in-line assembly operations, enables maintaining consistent resin-loading and optimizes resin usage. Calibration of VIS/NIR spectroscopic instrumentation can be carried out on equipment simulating in-line movement of pre-established reference-source test-samples; or, can be carried out during on-line movement of wood-material test samples. The developed calibration method removes absorptive effects at wavelengths for constituents other than resin, such as the moisture content of the wood-materials and of the resin, while maintaining accurate and prompt VIS/NIR spectroscopic measurements of resin-loading in a continuous assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Patent number: 7465368
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to package flip chip molded matrix array package. An ultraviolet (UV) curable tape is laminated on die backside of a strip of array of flip chips. The UV curable tape has an adhesive strength. The strip of flip chip arrays is molded with a mold film. The molded strip of flip chip array is irradiated using UV radiation. In another embodiment, a double functional tape is mounted to backside of a wafer. The double functional tape includes a binding tape and a ultraviolet (UV) curable tape having an adhesive strength. The wafer is singulated into die. The die is attached to a substrate strip to form a strip of array of flip chips. The strip is molded with a mold film. The molded strip is irradiated using UV radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Szu Shing Lim, Sheou Hooi Lim, Yew Wee Cheong
  • Publication number: 20080251973
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foil decorated molding includes steps of: providing an injection molding device, the injection molding device comprising a male mold and a female mold, the male mold having a projecting part, the female mold defining a cavity; transporting the foil into the injection molding device and between the male and female molds; locking the foil to the female mold to form an airproof space together with the cavity of the female; vacuuming the airproof space to suck the foil toward the female mold; clamping the male and female molds to form a molding space; inputting thermal medium into the molding space to press the foil to cling to an inner surface of the cavity of the female mold; injecting molten resin into the molding space; and cooling and opening the injection molding device, the molten resin cooled forming a molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUN-YUAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080251972
    Abstract: A method for elongating a foil, comprising steps of: providing an injection molding device, the injection molding device comprising a male mold having a projecting part protruding and a female mold defining a cavity; transmitting the foil into the injection molding device and between the male and female molds; clamping the male and female molds to form a molding space, the molding space being separated into a first airproof space adjacent to the female mold and a second airproof space adjacent to the male mold by the foil; vacuuming the first airproof space to suck the foil toward the first airproof space; and inputting thermal medium into the second airproof space to press the foil to cling to the inner surface of the cavity of the female mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUN-YUAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080157439
    Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Edward Hosung Park, Francis Joseph Walker
  • Patent number: 7374706
    Abstract: A method produces adhesive closure parts, where a partial segment of the surface of a support element (10) is provided with adhesive closure elements (3) which stand out from its plane by applying a plastic material that forms adhesive closure elements on the support element (1). The adhesive closure elements (3) are formed without any forming tools, at least in a given area, by depositing the plastic material in successively delivered droplets using an applicator (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Axel Schulte
  • Patent number: 7374714
    Abstract: A process for shaping a body with elongate structures on its surface, bodies produced using the process, and to apparatuses having these bodies are provided. For this purpose, a preform is provided, at the surface, with structures which are elongate along one direction, the preform is heated at least in one region and the preform is drawn in the heated state until at least part of the preform has adopted a cross section which substantially corresponds to the desired cross-sectional shape or final cross-sectional shape. The preform is heated by means of radiation which has a spectral distribution which is such that at most half of the radiation power is absorbed during a single pass through the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Frank Büllesfeld, Paul Kissl, Sabine Lehnicke, Martin Zimmermann, Christian Kunert, Bernd Hoppe, Volker Plapper
  • Patent number: 7374707
    Abstract: A method forms adhesive closing parts from a plastic material. To produce at least one adhesive closing element (3) without a form tool in at least one partial area, the plastic material is deposited in the form of drops. The drops are successively delivered by at least one application device (9). The locations of the deposition of the drops are selected in a three-dimensional manner in view of the form of the adhesive closing elements (3) to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Axel Schulte
  • Patent number: 7318718
    Abstract: An optical stereolithographic apparatus performs optical stereolithography by preparing a mask on a light-transmissible member (31) on the basis of data for one layer with respect to optical stereolithography, exposing an unhardened resin layer (96) of photohardenable resin to light through the mask, and repeating an exposure operation. The optical stereolithographic apparatus has an optical system in which the light-transmissible member (31) and the unhardened resin layer (96) are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance, and the unhardened resin layer (96) of the photohardenable resin is subjected to a projection exposure through the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takakuni Ueno
  • Patent number: 7264458
    Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Holman, Nam H. Hoang, Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Richard Dunn, Scott Schewe, Kevin Silberg, David Parsons, Ken Xiao Kang Zhang, Afsar Ali
  • Patent number: 7238307
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for pre-conditioning inserts for improved replication during injection molding. The pre-conditioned inserts provide improved bonding with the injection-material and improved replication of complex molding surfaces. The pre-conditioning of the inserts comprises placing the insert in position against the molding surface, followed by heat-soaking the insert. Heat-soaking can be accomplished using infrared energy, preferably broadband infrared energy or energy that is preferentially absorbed by the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Younger Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Jotinderpal S. Sidhu, Andrew J. McKenzie, Ahmad A. Barzak, Nancy L. S. Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7141193
    Abstract: Method for spectroscopically monitoring resin applied to a planar surface of veneer-wood sheets during travel in an assembly line. Spectroscopic instrumentation for monitoring applied resin is calibrated by measurements of predetermined resin applications to reference-test-samples, so as to provide a pre-determined relationship enabling monitoring of applied resin, during commercial production of a veneer-wood product using the visible light spectrum and near infrared extending to 2500 nm. Monitoring of selected radiation absorbance by the applied resin is carried out by spectroscopic measurement of non-absorbed electromagnetic radiation, as reflected back by the wood-veneer matrix; selected wavelengths are utilized for determining average resin-weight per designated surface area of a sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dynea Chemicals Oy
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Patent number: 7128867
    Abstract: Process for calibration of spectroscopic instrumentation for non-invasive monitoring of resin-loading of furnish-type wood materials, such as particles or fibers for particleboard or medium density fiberboard, respectively. Selection of ranges of wavelengths within a 350 nm to 2500 nm region by providing selection of spectrometers and sensors for wavelength ranges of 350–1000 nm, 1000 to 1800 nm, 1000 to 2500 nm, and 400 to 2200 nm, for use by engineered-wood manufacturing installations. Resin-loaded wood material is exposed to selected VIS/NIR energy and monitored as it moves on-line in relation to calibrated spectroscopic instrumentation; a sensor collects non-absorbed radiation energy reflected by the wood materials. Measurements are processed, in relation to pre-established calibration data, to determine whether the resin-loading is within manufacturing objectives; monitoring and feedback are used to maintain desired specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Dynea Chemicals Oy
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Patent number: 7097805
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing slippery-proof foam materials having protruded threads, which comprises the steps of foaming Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) or EVA pellets into a foam material plate, attaching a high heat resisting mesh cloth onto the surface of the plate, heating the plate by a heating device to soften the material to an extent of being suitable for a plastic formation, rolling and pressing the plate by a rolling mold or a piece of mold having an even surface and a plurality of tiny grooves thereon, so that the section of the plate receiving a larger rolling and pressing force moves towards the section receiving a smaller rolling and pressing force, and then passes through the meshes of the high heat resisting mesh cloth under the condition of being held up by the high heat resisting mesh cloth to form evenly protruded threads on the surface thereof after being cooled immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microcell Composite Company
    Inventor: Ruey-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 7063183
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided forming a sound attenuating laminate that has a decoupler fiber layer and a mass layer in opposing relationship with each other. The decoupler fiber layer and mass layer of the laminate are heated to the selected temperature in substantially the same amount of time via a hot air source and a heated platen, respectively. The heated laminate is conveyed to a mold and formed into a predetermined three-dimensional configuration via the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Allison, Carroll Owenby, Bill Griffin
  • Patent number: 6974557
    Abstract: Optical windows for intracorporeal devices, intracorporeal devices comprising a window and a method for forming a window for an intracorporeal device are provided. The method comprises placing within a mold an assembly comprising a mandrel located within a pair of parts separated by a collar of window material, heating the window preform effective to cause the window material to soften, and applying force to urge together the pair of parts to deform the window material so as to form a window. The intracorporeal devices, such as imaging devices, include guidewires, catheters, endoscopes. In addition, the method is suitable for joining plastic parts to other parts, such as metal and ceramic parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovasculer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Webler, Michael D. Whitt, Marc M. Jalisi, Andrej M. Chudy, Kevin M. Phillips, Marc L. Speck
  • Patent number: 6969485
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing plastic containers from thermoplastic sheets where the thermoplastic sheets are processed in parallel to form a low permeation plastic container. A plurality of thermoplastic sheets are progressively heated to a first temperature in a pre-conditioning stage. A group of the thermoplastic sheets are selected from the plurality of thermoplastic sheets and rapidly heated to a second temperature in a final heat stage. The group of thermoplastic sheets are then processed in a forming stage to form the low permeation plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erich James Vorenkamp, Barbara Krell, Lawrence Eugene Vaughn, III, Larry Dean Land
  • Patent number: 6949217
    Abstract: The invention is a method of a sheet (134) of thermoplastic material between upper and lower molds (102, 104), heating the sheet to a plastic state using electromagnetic radiation and molding the sheet. The molds (102, 104) are preferably formed of silicon and infrared radiation is preferably used to heat the sheet (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6942826
    Abstract: Method for spectroscopically monitoring resin applied to a planar surface of veneer-wood sheets during travel in an assembly line. Spectroscopic instrumentation for monitoring applied resin is calibrated by measurements of predetermined resin applications to reference-test-samples, so as to provide a pre-determined relationship enabling monitoring of applied resin, during commercial production of a veneer-wood product using the visible light spectrum and near infrared extending to 2500 nm. Monitoring of selected radiation absorbance by the applied resin is carried out by spectroscopic measurement of non-absorbed electromagnetic radiation, as reflected back by the wood-veneer matrix; selected wavelengths are utilized for determining average resin-weight per designated surface area of a sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: DYNEA Chemicals Oy
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Patent number: 6908576
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a plastic optical fiber by heating and drawing either one end portion of a transparent plastic rod, a plastic optical fiber having a cross sectional form approximately similar to the cross sectional form of the transparent plastic rod, the transparent plastic rod is heated by exposing near infrared ray which is radiated from a near infrared ray source. This can prevent the plastic optical fiber from causing to blow many bubbles on the surface and heat degradation to allow the plastic optical fiber to be obtained with a high quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katashi Saito, Osamu Shinji
  • Patent number: 6893586
    Abstract: A plastic optical element producing method produces a plastic optical element by an injection molding, and includes the step of cooling the optical element to a room temperature to cool an optical surface of the plastic optical element with priority over other surfaces of the plastic optical element in a state where a temperature of the plastic optical element is within a predetermined temperature range which is less than or equal to a glass transition temperature of the resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Jun Watanabe, Kiyotaka Sawada
  • Patent number: 6852254
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing tinted contact lenses in which diffusion of monomer into the colorant is aided by heating of the molds. The invention provides a method, and lenses produced by that method, that reduces the residual, unbound polymer on the lens surface and lens surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. Spaulding, Keith B. Herrin
  • Patent number: 6846447
    Abstract: Process for calibration of spectroscopic instrumentation for non-invasive monitoring of resin-loading of furnish-type wood materials, such as particles or fibers for particleboard or medium density fiberboard, respectively. Selection of ranges of wavelengths within a 350 nm to 2500 nm region by providing selection of spectrometers and sensors for wavelength ranges of 350-1000 nm, 1000 to 1800 nm, 1000 to 2500 nm, and 400 to 2200 nm, for use by engineered-wood manufacturing installations. Resin-loaded wood material is exposed to selected VIS/NIR energy and monitored as it moves on-line in relation to calibrated spectroscopic instrumentation; a sensor collects non-absorbed radiation energy reflected by the wood materials. Measurements are processed, in relation to pre-established calibration data, to determine whether the resin-loading is within manufacturing objectives; monitoring and feedback are used to maintain desired specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Dynea Chemicals Oy
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Patent number: 6846446
    Abstract: Calibrating near infra red (NIR) spectroscopic instrumentation for quantitative measurement of resin-loading of prepared wood materials, as moving in an assembly-forming line, for subsequent pressing under heat and pressure for manufacture of engineered-composite wood product. Feedback of measured data of resin-loading, during in-line assembly operations, enables maintaining consistent resin-loading and optimizes resin usage. Calibration of NIR spectroscopic instrumentation can be carried out on equipment simulating in-line movement of pre-established reference-source test-samples; or, can be carried out during on-line movement of wood-material test samples. The developed calibration method removes absorptive effects at wavelengths for constituents other than resin, such as the moisture content of the wood-materials and of the resin, while maintaining accurate and prompt NIR spectroscopic measurements of resin-loading in a continuous assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Dynea Chemical Oy
    Inventors: Reginald A. Mbachu, Tyler G. Congleton
  • Publication number: 20040262791
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for pre-conditioning inserts for improved replication during injection molding. The pre-conditioned inserts provide improved bonding with the injection-material and improved replication of complex molding surfaces. The pre-conditioning of the inserts comprises placing the insert in position against the molding surface, followed by heat-soaking the insert. Heat-soaking can be accomplished using infrared energy, preferably broadband infrared energy or energy that is preferentially absorbed by the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Jotinderpal S. Sidhu, Andrew J. McKenzie, Ahmad A. Barzak, Nancy L. S. Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20040191525
    Abstract: A process for producing unmelted fibrous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from which multi-directional planar oriented structures such as sheets and planar shapes can be readily fabricated. Unfilled forms as well as filled and reinforced products are achievable. Novel composite-plied structures or unsintered sheets can be built by layering two (2) or more sheets containing functional fillers or reinforcements and then sintering said layers to provide a homogenous bond between all layered sheets. True reinforcement of formed fluoropolymer structures can be produced with tensile properties, which exceed the strength of virgin products. Microporous asymmetric membranes, which have decreasing pore size in a series of plies can be readily fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Roberts
  • Patent number: 6797741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in connection with processing polymer or elastomer material, wherein additive is added to the polymer or elastomer material, and the additive is subjected to the desired chemical reaction. To minimize energy consumption, infrared radiation is led to the polymer or elastomer material, the wavelength of the radiation being so chosen that the radiation penetrates optimally the polymer or elastomer material, but absorbs in the additive, producing the desired reaction in the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Maillefer S.A.
    Inventor: Aarne Heino
  • Patent number: 6753073
    Abstract: A decomposable product fabrication method includes the steps of a) preparing a plant powder obtained by crushing plant fibers and a viscous fluid additive containing a bonding agent, (b) mixing the prepared materials into a viscous mixture, c) drying the viscous mixture by baking, d) using a compression molding machine to mold the viscous mixture into a green ware and discharging steamy air out of the mold during compression molding, e) covering the green ware with a layer of waterproof coating, and f) baking the semi-finished product thus obtained from step e) to a dry status, so as to obtain a finished product after cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jung-Hsiang Lin