Including Application Of Vacuum To Hold, Support, Or Sustain A Preform Against Which Material Is Molded Patents (Class 264/511)
  • Patent number: 7758800
    Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides a system and method for improved infusion of a fiber containing preform with a resin. The system comprises a mould base portion adapted to support the preform and a mould closure portion adapted to overlie the mould base portion in sealable relation to define a mould chamber containing the preform. One or more sensors are attached to the mould base portion and/or to the mould closure portion for monitoring flow characteristics of the resin within the mould chamber. A control means responsive to the sensing means is operatively connected to a resin pump and to a vacuum pump for varying the flow of resin within the mould chamber by varying either or both of the volumetric flow rate of the resin and the level of vacuum within the mould chamber to control infusion of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Comtek Advanced Structures Limited
    Inventors: Dennis Cicci, Alistair Davie, Michael Singleton
  • Patent number: 7749423
    Abstract: A method of producing an orthotic brace or prosthetic device comprising the steps of creating an anatomical mold or cast of that portion of the patient's anatomy upon which the orthotic brace or prosthetic device is to be applied, applying at least one layer of epoxy resin over at least a portion of the anatomical mold, applying at least one layer of carbon graphite fabric on at least a portion of the layer of epoxy resin, placing the anatomical mold with the epoxy resin and carbon graphite fabric in an enclosure having an interior, heating the interior of the enclosure to melt the epoxy resin and reducing the pressure in the interior of the enclosure causing the melted epoxy resin to impregnate the carbon graphite fabric, and allowing the melted epoxy resin to harden in the carbon graphite fabric forming the orthotic brace or prosthetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Wade Bader
  • Patent number: 7740784
    Abstract: An apparatus for in-mold-decoration includes a male mold, a female mold comprising a surface facing the male mold, a foil, a press member, and a supporting member. The surface of the female mold defines a cavity. The foil is applied to the surface of the female mold. The press member is positioned between the male mold and the female mold, and capable of hermetically pressing the foil on the surface of the female mold. The supporting member is movably mounted to the surface of the female mold to prop up the foil toward the male mold before the press member presses the foil on the surface of the female mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Chi Tseng
  • Patent number: 7736567
    Abstract: The present invention provides a die with a first die member, a second die member and a holder device between the first die member and the second die member. A film is sent to the die between the holder device and the second die member. And then, operating the holder device toward the second die member to press the film on the second die member, and softening and molding the film in the second die member. Next, moving the first die member toward the second die member to close the die, and then performing an injection molding process to inject a molten material into the die. The molten material is combined with the film to form a product with the film on a surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Snyang Yu Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Wen Yu
  • Publication number: 20100139857
    Abstract: A mandrel for composite fabrication includes an open cell foam carrier and at least one vacuum bag enclosing the open cell foam carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Doan D. Pham, Mark W. Tollan, John D. Morris
  • Patent number: 7727631
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-resin composite article is provided. The method comprises providing at least one fiber preform in a mold; injecting a plurality of resins into the at least one fiber preform at a plurality of locations on the at least one fiber preform; and forming at least one transition region along a mutual contact surface between the resins. Each of the at least one transition regions is defined by a gradual transition in composition from one of the resins to another of the resins. A multi-resin composite article is also provided. The article comprises: at least one fiber preform; a plurality of resins, wherein the at least one fiber preform is infused with the resins; and at least one transition region extending along a mutual contact surface between respective ones of the resins. A system for manufacturing such a multi-resin composite article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaomei Fang, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Ming Xie, Scott Roger Finn
  • Patent number: 7727448
    Abstract: A fiber structure for forming the reinforcement of a part to be made is placed in a mold (22) having at least one wall formed by a flexible membrane, and then a resin composition is injected into the mold, the composition having a volatile material content of less than 25% by weight and being at a temperature of a value such that its viscosity lies in the range 0.1 Pa·s to 0.3 Pa·s. The resin is polymerized in the mold placed in an enclosure (20) with temperature being raised progressively and with polymerization including at least a final stage of polymerization under pressure in order to obtain a composite material part presenting residual porosity of less than 11% by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Brigitte Boutefeu, Martine Dauchier, Marie-Laure Fages, Jean-Pierre Cauchois
  • Patent number: 7704439
    Abstract: A method for forming air-laid fibrous articles. The method includes the steps of providing a stream of loose air-entrained fibers, providing a core pocket assembly comprising a central foraminous forming surface and an edge foraminous forming surface, applying a first pressure to the central foraminous forming surface, applying a second pressure to the edge foraminous forming surface wherein the second pressure applied to the edge foraminous forming surface differs from the first pressure applied to the central foraminous forming surface, depositing a portion of the stream of loose air-entrained fibers on the central foraminous forming surface, and depositing a portion of the stream of loose air-entrained fibers on the edge foraminous forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Claudio Antonio Matos, Curtis Hunter Van Valkenburgh, Karen Juliana Fegelman
  • Patent number: 7695670
    Abstract: An in-die cover forming method for integrally forming a cover member with a surface of a base member in a die is provided. The die including an upper die half and a lower die half. The upper die halves are movable relative to each other. The base member is set on the lower die half such that its back is opposed to the lower die half. Using position determining mechanisms located between the lower die half and the back of the base member, the position of the surface of the base member in relation to the lower die half in the die moving direction is determined. The cover member is placed between the base member and the upper die half. The cover member is integrated with the surface of the base member by closing the upper die half with respect to the lower die half while pressing the cover member against the base member through vacuuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Furuta, Tokimasa Ito, Hiroshi Mukai, Kazumichi Shigeno
  • Patent number: 7691222
    Abstract: A molding apparatus comprises an upper molding box, a lower mold box, an upper flexible membrane covering an opening of the upper mold box, a lower flexible membrane covering an opening of the lower mold box, a heating system located in the upper mold box, a set of ports located between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane capable of being used to draw a vacuum between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane, and a displacement system located in the lower mold box under the lower flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Kuntz, Mark L. Younie
  • Patent number: 7691313
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and a system of expelling a gas positioned between a substrate and a mold, the substrate and the mold further having a liquid positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung-Jin Choi, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Ian M. McMackin, Pankaj B. Lad
  • Publication number: 20100072677
    Abstract: A vacuum-induced injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool surface having an injection port extending therethrough. A flexible film extends over and is sealingly coupled to the tool surface. The flexible film comprises an outer surface and an inner surface such that the flexible film inner surface and the tool surface define a volume. A vacuum chamber is sealingly coupled to the outer surface of the flexible film. A vacuum port is in fluid communication with the volume. A method of injection molding a polymer matrix composite is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Justin B. Alms, James L. Glancey, Suresh G. Advani
  • Publication number: 20100062198
    Abstract: A method for producing a hollow body produced by shaping at least two thermoplastic resin sheets, comprising: a supplying step including supplying the at least two thermoplastic resin sheets to between a pair of mold members with the thermoplastic resin sheets superimposed one on another; a heating step including heating the thermoplastic resin sheets; a mold closing step including moving the mold members relatively toward each other to press the heated thermoplastic resin sheets together between the flanges of the mold members, thereby joining the sheets at a part of each of the sheets, the part being pressed with the flanges of the mold members; and a shaping step including sucking air out through the molding surfaces and simultaneously blowing air into the space(s) formed between the thermoplastic resin sheets, thereby making thermoplastic resin sheets facing the molding surfaces conform with the molding surfaces to shape the sheets into predetermined shapes, wherein the thermoplastic resin sheets are foam
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicants: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED, Sumika Plastech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ohmura, Akira Uotani, Tomoo Hirota
  • Patent number: 7662333
    Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick L. Coan, Luis Brizuela
  • Patent number: 7655178
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20100007065
    Abstract: For manufacture of fiber-reinforced components, a positionable base frame is used on which a controllable holding device is provided for gripping and holding at least one reinforced fiber layer. A draping device is provided on the base frame, using which the reinforced fiber layer may be draped onto a mould core via the application of a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Raphael Reinhold, Stefan Juergens
  • Patent number: 7641840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of expelling a gas positioned between a substrate and a mold, the substrate and the mold further having a liquid positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung-Jin Choi, Mahadevan GanapathiSubramanian, Yeong-jun Choi, Mario J. Meissl
  • Patent number: 7641845
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 7638011
    Abstract: Laminated glazing for automotive use in which a thermoplastic functional film is thermoformed and then cooled by forced draught, prior to the introduction between the glass sheets of the laminated glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Pilkington Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Litterio Bolognese
  • Patent number: 7638084
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to hollow fiber reinforced composite material parts having one or more selectively positioned core, structural insert, or veneer pieces integrally associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Frankel
  • Publication number: 20090309268
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite material part having a so-called non-strippable shape includes producing mold components, or cores, which are to be extracted from the part after the composite material has been cured. In a first step a core is produced from an elastomeric bladder the granular solid material and the bladder is depressurized. In a second step, after setting the core and the composite material the volume of the core is modified in a controlled manner for example by selecting the solid granular material based on its thermal expansion properties or by acting on the pressure in the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: EADS FRANCE
    Inventors: Frederick Cavaliere, Maurice Guitton, Severine Guitton
  • Publication number: 20090302509
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite article having a decal occurs in a mold. The mold includes a surface that defines a mold cavity. A decal is introduced to the surface of the mold. A polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric layer over the decal. The composite article including the elastomeric layer and the decal may then be demolded from the mold. Alternatively, a paint composition is applied into the mold cavity to form a paint layer over the decal. The polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric backing layer over the paint layer. The composite article including the paint layer, the decal, and the elastomeric backing layer may then be demolded from the mold. The composite article may be a seat for an all-terrain vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: David Debiasi, Jon P. Pavlinac
  • Patent number: 7604765
    Abstract: A casing of an electronic key transmitting and receiving apparatus is formed to seal entire bodies of circuit parts, a mounting face of a printed board, on which the circuit parts are mounted, and parts of terminals while the other parts of the terminals are exposed. A rear face of the printed board opposite from the mounting face provides a part of an outer surface of the casing. When the printed board is provided in the casing through an insert molding process, the printed board is held in a cavity of a molding die such that the rear face of the printed board closely contacts an inner face of the cavity. Accordingly, deformation of the printed board due to pressure caused when the resin is poured or when the resin hardens is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Sugimoto, Mitsuru Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20090257881
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade in which the blade is formed as a laminated structure by laying a composite material of fibre reinforcement material and/or core material in a mould defining the shape of the blade; evacuating the mould after laying the composite material; introducing a liquid polymer into the evacuated mould and wetting the composite material; curing the liquid polymer after the composite material has been wetted; and removing the mould after curing the liquid. At least one lightning conductor is integrated into the composite material before wetting it with the liquid polymer. Moreover, a wind turbine rotor blade made from a single laminated structure is provided with at least one lightning conductor is integrated into the laminated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Jens Jorgen Ostergaard Kristensen, Kaj Olsen
  • Publication number: 20090255625
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cushioning members, methods of making and methods of using, particularly to cushioning members comprising a plurality of spaced apart pillars comprising a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Polyworks, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard B. Fox, Daniel M. Wyner, Jack Waksman, James E. Gaudet
  • Publication number: 20090250846
    Abstract: A process for producing, by molding. a hollow plastic body with a multilayer structure including a liquid barrier layer. In the process: a) a parison including at least one part to be welded is inserted into an open mold including at least two impressions provided with a weld zone to position the part to be welded in the weld zone; b) the mold is closed, juxtaposing its impressions to clamp that part of the parison to be welded and to carry out welding; c) a pressurized fluid is injected into the mold and/or a vacuum is pulled behind the mold impressions to press the parison against the mold impressions and to mold the hollow body; and d) the mold is opened and the hollow body extracted During a) to d), the mold impressions are cooled, exception at the weld zone, which is heated at least during a) and b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: INERGY AUTO. SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Herve Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20090250847
    Abstract: A mould and method for vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding of a fibre reinforced laminated structure are provided. The mould includes a first mould part and a second mould part. The first mould part defines a negative impression of the laminated structure, being structurally stable and forming a support for fibre reinforcement layers of the laminated structure. The second mould part connectable to the first mould part for closing the mould and defines together with the first mould part an enclosed space which can be evacuated. The mould further includes a flow duct for guiding a liquid polymer which is formed as a recess in the first mould part and/or a recess in the second mould part that is open towards the enclosed space and extends along a section of the periphery of the first mould part and/or the second mould part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Claus Burchardt, Allan Hurup, Michael Norlem, Bendt Olesen, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20090237215
    Abstract: A method for making a container including a radio frequency identification label is provide. In an embodiment the method includes placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) label into a mold; positioning the RFID label so that an outer portion of the label is substantially flush with the mold surface; and molding a container such that the outer portion of the RFID label is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the container. An article, which may be formed using the foregoing method, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, William A. Slat
  • Publication number: 20090212468
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel, means for transferring a core element on the first mat-forming wheel onto a core element on the second mat-forming wheel while the latter core element still is maintained in its mould. The apparatus has means for applying a protective layer to the bottom of each mould of the second mat-forming wheel, means for applying a web of casing material on the peripheral surface of the first mat-forming wheel, means for guiding said web of casing material onto the periphery of the second mat-forming wheel, and means for changing the synchronization of the mat-forming wheels in order to control the time at which the leading edge of a mould on one of the mat-forming wheels passes the nip. A method of producing cores with different sizes without change of moulds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Gunnar Edvardsson, Henrik Carlen
  • Patent number: 7572411
    Abstract: A method for assembling a multiwell plate assembly, and a multiwell plate assembly prepared thereby, are provided. The method includes providing a lid for a multiwell plate body having at least one channel being formed therethrough; positioning the lid in proximity to a gasket member; applying sufficient negative pressure to the channel to draw the gasket member towards the lid; positioning the lid above a multiwell plate body, while continuing to apply negative pressure to the channel; emplacing the lid on the multiwell plate body; and, releasing the negative pressure from the channel. Advantageously, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various gasket members can be used in conjunction with the subject method, without altering the method. In this manner, gaskets can be selected based on their suitability for use with various biological and/or chemical samples which may be used in the bioassays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: John P. Hall
  • Publication number: 20090189320
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a composite material. The present invention further provides methods of improving the fiber volume fraction and/or the dimensional thickness of a composite panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Ronnie L. Bolick, Ajit D. Kelkar
  • Publication number: 20090165487
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a receptacle (4) which is used for evaporating condensed liquid on a small coolant compressor, allows the heat generated by the small coolant compressor to be utilized in an optimal way, and is easy and inexpensive to produce and mount on the compressor housing. The aim is achieved by embodying the receptacle (4) as a plastic part that is deep-drawn in a receiving device (6) directly on the compressor housing. The plastic part perfectly matches the shape of the receiving device (6) such that the air gap that is usually formed between the compressor housing and the receptacle (4) can be eliminated altogether or reduced to a minimum. A holding element (2) that is arranged on the outer circumference of the cover part (1) ensures optimum support for the receptacle (4), thus dispensing with the need for expensive anti-corrosive measures while the evaporator power and the coefficient of performance (COP) of the small coolant compressor are optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ACC AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Volker Stübler
  • Publication number: 20090152151
    Abstract: A pallet container includes a bottom pallet, a lattice frame, and a multilayer inner container made of thermoplastic material by a blow-molding technique and received in the lattice frame, for storing and transporting liquid fill material. The inner container has an exterior layer which is configured to be incapable of permanently retaining an electrostatic charge by allowing electric charges to be drained. The exterior layer contains an antistatic compound and has a layer thickness which does not or only insubstantially change a transparency or translucency of the exterior layer, allowing easy optical detection of a fill level of the liquid fill material in the container. The exterior layer includes a fusible, easily stretchable thermoplastic material (polymer). At least one of a center layer and an interior layer of the multilayer container includes a cold-impact-resistant HDPE material (High Density Polyethylene) with a high molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Mauser-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: REINHARD SCHUBBACH, Klaus Peter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7524449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an absorbent core assembly containing a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a laydown drum having a plurality of vacuum zones, a plurality of fence zones, and a plurality of blow-off zones. The vacuum zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass through and into the laydown drum. The fence zones may be substantially impermeable to inhibit air from passing through. The blow-off zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass out of and through said laydown drum. The apparatus may also include a deposition chute for depositing particulate material on a web of material in close proximity to the laydown drum. A shield may also be attached to the deposition chute in order to prevent the particles from bouncing off of the laydown drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bradley Edward Walsh, Horst Blessing, Darrell Ian Brown, John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Joseph Allen Eckstein, Volker Maier
  • Publication number: 20090029122
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the bonding of a fibre-reinforced material to an injection-moulding material. The invention further relates to an article produced according to the process. It is an object of the invention to improve the bond between a fibre-reinforced starting material and a material applied by injection. To achieve the object, a fibre-reinforced plastics material is heated locally, and further plastics material is applied by injection. This produces a particularly good coherent bond between the further plastics material and the fibre-reinforced plastics material. Ease of handling is also provided. The invention relates to a component produced according to the process and also to an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: LANXESS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Krause
  • Patent number: 7482700
    Abstract: A technique of accurately recognizing a semiconductor device and of specifying a package type thereof. By forming, on the package surface, projections having a geometric pattern such as a circle pattern using an ejector pin and by judging only presence or absence of the circular projections using an image processor, it is possible to reduce a risk of recognition failure of the geometric pattern even if the pattern has some omission in the constitutive line thereof or has any addition of a new line. For example, when the circular projections are provided on the surface of a package, an image processor reads only presence or absence of the circular projections even if disconnection of the line or addition of a line should occur, and this allows the circular projections to be always read as being “present”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Norifumi Hori
  • Publication number: 20090008836
    Abstract: For producing a joined-together fiber composite component in which mutually adjacent regions (5, 6) are constructed in different ways but are cured in a joint thermal treatment, arranged between the regions is a transitional film (8), which has a composition that differs from the compositions of the matrices of the two adjacent regions (5, 6) and which spatially separates the two adjacent regions (5, 6) in the joint thermal treatment but enters into permanent bonds with the matrices of the two adjacent regions (5, 6). The fact that the transitional film (8) is vacuumtight means that one adjacent region (5) can first be formed independently from a preform (9) and enclosed with the transitional film (8), thereby bounding certain portions, and be evacuated and infiltrated with resin (22) on its own, and the other adjacent region (6) can be formed from a prepreg (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Kaps, Ing. Lars Herbeck
  • Publication number: 20080305340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-resin composite article is provided. The method comprises providing at least one fiber preform in a mold; injecting a plurality of resins into the at least one fiber preform at a plurality of locations on the at least one fiber preform; and forming at least one transition region along a mutual contact surface between the resins. Each of the at least one transition regions is defined by a gradual transition in composition from one of the resins to another of the resins. A multi-resin composite article is also provided. The article comprises: at least one fiber preform; a plurality of resins, wherein the at least one fiber preform is infused with the resins; and at least one transition region extending along a mutual contact surface between respective ones of the resins. A system for manufacturing such a multi-resin composite article is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaomei Fang, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Ming Xie, Scott Roger Finn
  • Publication number: 20080284065
    Abstract: A method for forming a covering for a motor vehicle interior is disposed wherein a kin is formed on a mold and non-visible surfaces of an item irremovably attached to the mold so that the skin is in the substantially same plane as a visible surface of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Denis Dutouquet
  • Patent number: 7452319
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing double-walled composite tubes, which have an outer wall with wave peaks and wave valleys and a smooth inner wall, includes two of rows first and second shaping-jaw halves which, along a common shaping section, form a shaping tunnel. The first shaping-jaw halves are located opposite each other in the shaping section and have an inner contour forming a tube socket portion. The second shaping-jaw halves, also located opposite each other, include transverse grooves alternating with transverse fins. A sizing mandrel, which defines narrow vacuum grooves spaced apart from one another in the axial direction on its outer lateral surface, projects into the shaping tunnel and forms the smooth inner wall of the composite tube. A vacuum control valve device provides for defined closure and reopening of the vacuum grooves when positioned in correspondence with the tube socket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unicor GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Neubauer
  • Publication number: 20080277955
    Abstract: A concave notch portion (104, 105) to which an interference body (110) is fitted is formed in an interference region with the interference body existing in an incorporated portion of at least one side edge portion of an interior trim member (100). A cushion body (25) made of an elastically deformable material is arranged in a periphery including the concave notch portion (104, 105), and a structure member (21) made of a material which is light and harder than the cushion body (25) is arranged in the other region than the arranged region of the cushion body (25) in the interior trim member (100). The skin member (10), the structure member (21) and the cushion body (25) are integrated by a molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd
    Inventor: Kan'ichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20080277838
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, lining an internal surface (13) of a conduit (15). The lining typically comprises a tube structure (17) which is applied to the internal surface (13) of the pipeline (15), the tube structure being impregnated with a resin which upon curing forms, together with the tube structure, a composite structure which provides the lining. The tube structure (17) is applied to the internal surface (13) of the pipeline (15) by way of an eversion process. The apparatus (10) comprises a body (24) having a portion (63) confronting the everting tube structure (17) to in combination with an everting portion (33) of the tube structure (17) define a space (68) within the pipeline (15) for receiving the resin. The body (24) incorporates a ring structure (120) presenting a contact surface (125) against which the everting portion (33) engages as it moves towards the internal surface (13) of the conduit (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Maxwell Hassen, Neil Deryck Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 7442542
    Abstract: Disposable units in current use for performing PCR are limited by their heat block ramping rates and by the thermal diffusion delay time through the plastic wall as well as by the sample itself. This limitation has been overcome by forming a disposable plastic chip using a simple deformation process wherein one or more plastic sheets are caused, through hydrostatic pressure, to conform to the surface of a suitable mold. After a given disposable chip has been filled with liquid samples, it is brought into close contact with an array of heating blocks that seals each sample within its own chamber, allowing each sample to then be heat treated as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignees: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Yubo Miao, Yu Chen, Tit Meng Lim, Chew Kiat Heng
  • Patent number: 7438781
    Abstract: A system and method for vacuum bag assembly fabrication via the vacuum bag method which reduces the amount of trapped air. The inventive system includes a chamber adapted to contain a vacuum bag and first and second evacuating mechanisms. The first evacuating mechanism serves to evacuate the bag and vent to atmosphere. The second evacuating mechanism serves to evacuate and vent the chamber to atmosphere. Thus, generally, the inventive method includes the steps of placing a vacuum bag lay up in an air tight chamber; and evacuating the vacuum bag lay up and the air tight chamber at the same time. In practice, the assembly would consist of at least two components and a heat curable composition. The components can be parts to be bonded together or layers of cloth to be made into a laminate. In this case, the heat curable composition would be a catalyzed adhesive or resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David F. Ciambrone, Kirk E. Johnson, Hossien Ahmad
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7419627
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a co-cured vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding manufacturing method includes providing a tool base, disposing a prepreg skin panel outwardly from the tool base, disposing one or more tooling details outwardly from the prepreg skin panel, and disposing one or more preforms proximate the one or more tooling details. The one or more preforms are either dry or binderized. The method further includes disposing a high permeability medium between the one or more tooling details and the one or more preforms, enclosing the prepreg skin panel, the one or more tooling details, the one or more preforms, and the high permeability medium with at least one vacuum bag, pulling a vacuum on the vacuum bag, infusing the one or more preforms with a resin, and curing the one or more preforms and the prepreg skin panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Chi Hsien Sheu, Denise M. Shimazu, David Michael Kane
  • Patent number: 7419565
    Abstract: A method for encapsulating an area on a substrate comprising the steps of a) providing a substrate having an area on a surface thereof which is to be encapsulated, b) providing an assembly fixture which has features formed into the surface of the fixture, and vacuum orifices associated with the features of the fixture, c) positioning a substantially flat formable sheet onto the assembly fixture, and forming the sheet to the features of the assembly fixture by applying a negative pressure through the vacuum orifices, wherein corresponding features are formed in the sheet, d) patterning an adhesive onto the sheet or onto the substrate, the adhesive pattern corresponding to the perimeter of the area on the substrate to be encapsulated, e) clamping together the substrate and the sheet, causing the patterned adhesive to flow between the substrate and sheet in the area of compression, wherein the patterned adhesive is proximate to the features formed in the sheet, and f) curing the adhesive to form a perimeter seal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Timothy F. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7413698
    Abstract: Load-bearing articles are manufactured from shape defining compressible cores and thermoplastic shells. The manufacture of these articles requires specific methods and tools. Articles that can be manufactured using these methods include relatively lightweight pallets with high load-bearing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Novo Foam Products LLC
    Inventors: Ed Bearse, Thomas Bohan, David Hedley, Alan Lewis
  • Patent number: 7413694
    Abstract: The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present invention provides a low cost method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement, and autoclave curing. Double bagging provides vacuum integrity, controls bag relaxation while flow media controls the flow front to allow high quality aerospace-grade products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John C. Waldrop, III, Bruce Harshman, William R. Burkett, Alan F. Tegeler, Carmine John Sesti, Wes P. Weinman
  • Publication number: 20080188948
    Abstract: A prosthetic limb socket liner system is provided. A compressible foam insert has a substantially cylindrical hollow interior which is defined by an interior insert surface and an opening. The opening and the hollow interior are configured to accept a substantial portion of a residual limb. A laminar pocket substantially covers the insert. The laminar pocket includes an elastomeric fabric layer which defines a concave interior, another elastomeric fabric layer which defines an exterior of the laminar pocket, and a flexible polymer layer between the two elastomeric fabric layers and bonded to the elastomeric fabric layers. The pocket has an open proximal end, a closed distal end. The open end and the concave interior are configured to accept a substantial portion of the compressible foam insert. The exterior of the laminar pocket is configured to fit into a socket of a prosthetic limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Terry J. Flatt