Including Forming A Hollow Article Patents (Class 264/515)
  • Patent number: 6328925
    Abstract: A laminate balloon comprising at least two layers of separately oriented thermoplastic polymer material, which are coextensive over the body of the balloon. The two layers may be made of different polymer materials, including an underlying layer made of a low compliant, high strength polymer, such as PET, and an overlying layer of a softer and more flexible polymer material relative to the first polymer material, such as a polyester-polyether block copolymer. The balloon structures have an additive burst pressure, meaning that they are stronger than a single-layer reference balloon corresponding to the underlying polymer layer. The balloons are characterized by a combination of flexibility and surface softness which allows catheters to track down into lesions relatively easily, puncture resistance, abrasion resistance and refoldability, in addition to low compliance and high burst strength. The balloons may be prepared with generally linear or with stepped compliance profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiao Wang, Jianhua Chen, Nao Lee
  • Patent number: 6325962
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blow-molded hinge assembly includes blow-molding a first member having a first body. The first body is made from two layers of plastic parison that are molded to form a generally solid plastic T-shaped tongue portion having barrel protrusions. A second member having a second body is also blow-molded. The second body has a recessed portion integrally formed therein. The recessed portion has opposed keyways receiving the barrel protrusions. The recessed portion has slots receiving the T-shaped tongue portion. The second member is formed by blow-molding the recessed portion around a T-shaped slide. The slide has a rounded portion that forms the keyways and a flat portion that forms the slots. After blow-molding the second member, the slide is removed from the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kmiecik, Dave Pariseau, Lisa Kay Dusseau
  • Publication number: 20010042947
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a hollow plastic product is provided. In accordance with one aspect, into a mold half having a tubular groove portion and a projecting groove portion which projects outwardly from the tubular groove section is supplied a parison into the tubular groove portion and a clump of molding material into the projecting groove portion, and when blow molding is carried out by introducing a pressurized gas into the parison, the clump becomes integrated with the parison thereby providing a plastic product of unitary structure. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a parison extrusion nozzle is provided with at least two passages each of which is connected, preferably through a valve, to a corresponding dispensing unit for dispensing a desired molding material. A control unit is provided as connected to each of the dispensing units to control the supply of molding material so that there is obtained a parison having regions of different molding materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: TATSUYA NAKAGAWA, YASUO EZAKI
  • Patent number: 6319574
    Abstract: A multi-layer plastic preform 14 with an inner layer 28 that is extrusion blow molded from a resin having an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.90, and an outer layer 44 that is injection molded around the inner layer from a resin having an intrinsic viscosity that is at least 0.10 less than the intrinsic viscosity of the inner layer. The inner layer 28 is no greater than 20% (preferably no greater than 15%) by weight of the total weight of the preform and the outer layer 44 is at least 80% (preferably at least 85%) by weight of the total weight of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Slat
  • Patent number: 6319454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a hollow plastic product is provided. In accordance with one aspect, into a mold half having a tubular groove portion and a projecting groove portion which projects outwardly from the tubular groove section is supplied a parison into the tubular groove portion and a clump of molding material into the projecting groove portion, and when blow molding is carried out by introducing a pressurized gas into the parison, the clump becomes integrated with the parison thereby providing a plastic product of unitary structure. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a parison extrusion nozzle is provided with at least two passages each of which is connected, preferably through a valve, to a corresponding dispensing unit for dispensing a desired molding material. A control unit is provided as connected to each of the dispensing units to control the supply of molding material so that there is obtained a parison having regions of different molding materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Excell Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nakagawa, Yasuo Ezaki
  • Publication number: 20010038158
    Abstract: A process for producing multi-layer game ball products includes the steps of extruding an inner layer precursor as a parison in a partial melt state, forming an outer layer, introducing the inner and outer layers into a mold and expanding the parison within the mold to form the multilayer game ball product. The outer layer may take the form of pre-cut panels vacuum supported in the mold and an intermediate layer may be provided for dimensional stability in the product. Subsequent to expanding the parison a filler such as foam may be injected into the center space for forming a core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: SPALDING SPORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20010032853
    Abstract: A process for the production of a container (1) comprising an outer container (2), an inner bag (3) disposed therein and a pressure equalization opening (10) disposed in the outer container (2), and also a container (1) produced according to this process, is described, wherein firstly a pre-molding, comprising two coaxial tubes, is first produced by co-extrusion with the help of a blow mold and with an outwardly-projecting base seam (5) being formed. The process is to form a pressure equalization opening (10) in the outer container (2) of the container (1) without endangering the integrity of the container (1), wherein a lower wastage rate and higher productivity are to be achieved. This is attained by a process wherein the base seam (5) is partially cut off and a force which acts in the direction of the seam is introduced into the pre-molding, which still has a temperature of 40° C. to 70° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Torsten Kuehn, Burkhard Peter Metzger
  • Patent number: 6294127
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a container body formed of a thermoplastic material having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one corner having a reinforcement molded to the outer surface of the corner. The reinforcement has a peripheral edge, which is partially embedded in the outer surface of the container body. A method of making a container assembly comprises the step of molding a container body over a portion of a reinforcement. A reinforcement having a peripheral edge is disposed in a mold. A fluid thermoplastic material is disposed into the mold. The thermoplastic material is then molded over the inner surface of the mold and the peripheral edge of the reinforcement thereby forming the container body. The thermoplastic material contacts the peripheral edge and melts or softens the edge. A peripheral edge is then brought into engagement with the container body to provide a secure seal between the reinforcement and the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Moore Company
    Inventor: O. C. Huse
  • Patent number: 6294268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer laminate comprising at least two layers of an oriented ultra-high molecular polyolefin layer and a thermoplastic resin layer. The multi-layer laminate exhibits excellent abrasion resistance, tensile strength, shock resistance, heat-sealing property, uniformity in the film thickness, and can be efficiently produced. The invention is further concerned with a process and an apparatus for producing the multi-layer laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoji Muraoka, Iwatoshi Suzuki, Toshimasa Takata
  • Patent number: 6287506
    Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding dilatation balloons for angioplasty catheters having a significantly reduced cone thickness without sacrifice in burst strength is achieved by utilizing a mold whose cavity includes arcuate walls defining the balloon's end cones and a predetermined minimal distance from the side edges of the mold to the points where the arcuate walls intersect with a smaller diameter balloon stem portion. Utilizing this mold and providing for three longitudinal stretching sequences, one prior to, one during and one following radial expansion of the heated plastic parison, results in an improved balloon exhibiting reduced cone stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider (USA) Inc.
    Inventors: R. Garryl Hudgins, Robert C. Farnan
  • Publication number: 20010019186
    Abstract: A molding system has an extruder for concentrically extruding an outer tubular strand having an inner diameter and an inner tubular strand having an outer diameter from respective annular nozzle openings defined between respective inner and outer nozzle walls. The outer strand at least is are of a resin that swells transversely as it issue from the respective nozzle opening. The nozzle walls are positioned such that the outer diameter of the inner strand is substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the outer strand and the inner strand is separated by a space from the outer strand as the strands issue from the respective nozzle openings. An outer wall of the inner strand engages an inner wall of the outer strand at a spacing from the nozzle openings after substantially all swelling of the strands has taken place. A closeable mold has a passage for drawing the strands through the passage by applying suction to a downstream end of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: FISCHER-W. MULLER BLASFORMTECHNIK GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Dieter Hilgers, Frank Schuller
  • Patent number: 6280679
    Abstract: The multilayer plastic container comprises a neck portion, a body portion, adjacent the neck portion, forming a cylindrical wall, and a bottom portion adjacent the body portion and opposite the neck portion. The cylindrical wall comprises a first layer of PET, a layer of EVOH adjacent the first layer of PET and a second layer of PET adjacent the layer of EVOH the EVOH has an average thickness which is greater near the neck portion of the container than near the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Pechiney Emballage Flexible Europe
    Inventors: A. B. M. Bazlur Rashid, Kevin James Curie, Patrick Carl Bushman, Michael Lewis Wampler
  • Publication number: 20010015513
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing hollow plastic bodies, especially motor-vehicle fuel tanks, from an extruded parison of closed cross section, in which at least one cut is made in the parison which is then formed by molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Yannick Gerard, Stephane Leonard, Serge Dupont, Joel Op De Beeck
  • Publication number: 20010010411
    Abstract: A novel composition is disclosed comprising about 80 to about 99 weight percent based on the composition, of a linear ultra low density polyethylene (LULDPE) and about 1 to about 20 weight percent of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based on the propylene polymer, the propylene polymer having a Brookfield Thermosel viscosity of about 1 to about 30,000 mpa·s at 190° C. and a needle penetration of about 5 to about 300 dmm at 23° C. Also disclosed are films produced from the composition, both blown and cast, and both monolayer and multilayer. Also disclosed are processes for stretch wrapping and forming blown and cast film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Marc Stacey Somers
  • Patent number: 6268026
    Abstract: Multilayer laminates including films, sheets, preforms, containers and other articles having at least one wholly aromatic, amorphous, stretchable liquid crystalline polymer layer with at least one non-liquid crystalline thermoplastic polyester layer are provided as well as methods for producing and stretching the multilayer articles. The laminates are suitable for thermoforming and stretch blow molding applications and may be stretched to at least 100 percent elongation at temperatures below 200° C. and at high total draw ratios without fractures or tears. Containers suitable for food or beverage products may be produced from the laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventors: Randy D. Jester, Arnold E. Wolf, Robert M. Kimmel, Dominick Cangiano, John A. Penoyer
  • Publication number: 20010009703
    Abstract: A blow molded article comprises a hollow body having a substantially enclosed hollow space therein, the hollow space accommodating a reinforcement for structurally reinforcing a strength of the blow molded article, with the reinforcement being tightly attached and fixed to at least a part of an internal wall defining the hollow space. A molding machine for this blow molded article comprises a pair of mold halves which can freely move to and away from each other in horizontal directions, and a parison feeder for supplying a parison downwardly between the mold halves. The parison feeder is arranged to supply a bottomless parison. Below the mold halves, the molding machine is provided with a support device which holds a reinforcement such that the reinforcement is positioned inside a hollow space in the blow molded article, and also provided with elevating means for freely raising and lowering the support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIKAWA PLASTIC
    Inventor: Akira Toshikawa
  • Patent number: 6261400
    Abstract: A process for producing multi-layer game ball products includes the steps of extruding an inner layer precursor as a parison in a partial melt state, forming an outer layer, introducing the inner and outer layers into a mold and expanding the parison within the mold to form the multi-layer game ball product. The outer layer may take the form of pre-cut panels vacuum supported in the mold and an intermediate layer may be provided for dimensional stability in the product. Subsequent to expanding the parison a filler such as foam may be injected into the center space for forming a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 6217959
    Abstract: A multi-layer preform, includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, comprised of a cylindrical walled body, which may or may not include a tapered annular shoulder portion, and a cylindrical walled neck portion extending upwardly from the body, and (b) a molded outer layer. Prior to the outer layer being molded over the plastic inner liner, at least a portion of the liner is crystallized by a heat treatment process. The molded outer layer may include a means to receive a closure device. When the preform is at an acceptable temperature range for orientation, the multi-layer preform can be blow-molded to form a multi-layer container having improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Slat
  • Patent number: 6214281
    Abstract: A multi-layer preform, includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, comprised of a cylindrical walled body, which may or may not include a tapered annular shoulder portion, and a cylindrical walled neck portion extending upwardly from the body, and (b) a molded outer layer. Prior to the outer layer being molded over the plastic inner liner, at least a portion of the liner is crystallized by a heat treatment process. The molded outer layer may include a means to receive a closure device. When the preform is at an acceptable temperature range for orientation, the multi-layer preform can be blow-molded to form a multi-layer container having improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Slat
  • Patent number: 6174470
    Abstract: A method for forming an automotive instrument panel having a concealed door comprising a series of steps. A plastic parison is extruded to form the substrate layer of the instrument panel. The parison has first and second walls. The parison is placed within a mold and the first wall is contacted with the second wall to form a hinge. The area of contact forms a bond between the first and second walls. A different portion of the first and second walls are contacted to form an opening path. The opening path intersects the hinge. The opening path usually has a thickness much less than the thickness of the first and second walls to form an easily fracturable area. The door swings on the hinge to open. A elongated section of material on the second wall, enables the second wall to wrap along the hinge when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Richard Plymale, Christopher Alan Myers, Gerald Arthur Heath, Jeffrey Hampton Helms, Lisandro Trevino, Sorin Stancu
  • Patent number: 6171423
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) preforming (e.g., by winding fiber and at least one thermoplastic substance onto a thermoplastic liner) a thermoplastic shell which has at least one opening for access to the interior; B) extruding a circular cross section of a fluid parison of thermoplastic material (which preferably is chosen to have a melting point lower than that of the thermoplastic shell) into the interior of the thermoplastic shell through the opening; C) in a mold, applying at least one force (such as gas under pressure) which tends to urge the fluid parison toward the interior walls of the thermoplastic shell (which may be preheated prior to introduction into the mold) such that the fluid parison imparts heat to the thermoplastic shell; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic shell and the fluid parison consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the vessel until it is solidified; and F) removing the vessel from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Murphy, Gerald S. Boyce, Erik Coeckelbergs
  • Patent number: 6136259
    Abstract: A method for joining carpet and plastic. The method includes positioning the carpet between a pair of mold halves, extruding a hollow, substantially tubular plastic between the mold halves, blowing air into an open end of the tubular plastic, bringing the mold halves toward each other, and blowing air through needle holes in one of the mold halves to force the plastic against the mold and the carpet. An apparatus for practicing this method, and a product made by the method, are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Puffenberger, Arthur C. Hagen
  • Patent number: 6136258
    Abstract: A method of forming a balloon for medical purposes including co-extruding in a tubular shape a base structural layer of polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters and copolymers thereof and a heat sealable layer of polyethylene and copolymers thereof. The tubular member is then biaxially oriented by inflating the tube with a gas to a predetermined central diameter greater then the initial diameter of the tube and simultaneously heating the inflated tube to a temperature sufficient to biaxially orient the base structural layer. The member is then cooled the inflated tubular member and then elevated in temperature for a second time to the biaxially orienting temperature. The twice-heated tube is allowed to cool and the gas is withdrawn whereby the tubular member will assume a generally tubular shape and the main structural layer will remain biaxially orientated and the heat sealable layer will not be biaxially orientated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Wang, John Abele, George T. Roberts, Brian A. Pederson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6124007
    Abstract: A laminate balloon comprising at least two layers of separately oriented thermoplastic polymer material, which are coextensive over the body of the balloon. The two layers may be made of different polymer materials, including an underlying layer made of a low compliant, high strength polymer, such as PET, and an overlying layer of a softer and more flexible polymer material relative to the first polymer material, such as a polyester-polyether block copolymer. The balloon structures have an additive burst pressure, meaning that they are stronger than a single-layer reference balloon corresponding to the underlying polymer layer. The balloons are characterized by a combination of flexibility and surface softness which allows catheters to track down into lesions relatively easily, puncture resistance, abrasion resistance and refoldability, in addition to low compliance and high burst strength. The balloons may be prepared with generally linear or with stepped compliance profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Lixiao Wang, Jianhua Chen, Nao Lee
  • Patent number: 6117506
    Abstract: A bottle for protecting its contents from degradation due to light has an integrally molded wall with three layers of the same synthetic resin. Each of the layers includes a colorant, the colorant of the intermediate layer providing a generally black opaque coloration and the colorant of the inner and outer layers providing a generally white opaque coloration to mask the black coloration of the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Graboski, James A. Desnoyers
  • Patent number: 6110412
    Abstract: A ported tubular air duct and a method for manufacturing a side-ported tubular air duct. The air duct has a side port located substantially ninety degrees (90.degree.) to the part line of a mold in which the air duct is manufactured. The mold has two portions which are separated when the mold is opened to permit the positioning a preheated polypropylene tubular port insert member into an opening in one of the mold portions. A parison of rubber modified polypropylene is injected into the mold between the portions at approximately 410.degree. F., and the mold is closed to seal the ends of the parison. The interior of the parison is pressurized to a level in the range of approximately 90 to 100 psi to force the parison outward against the inner sides of the mold cavity and against one end of the port member. At this juncture, the parison has a thickness in the range of 0.060 to 0.090 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Steere Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6099788
    Abstract: A blow molded product which is generally tubular having a first and second open ends, a bellows section intermediate said first and second ends so that the product is flexible, and a skirt adjacent the second end, the skirt having an outer cylindrical outer surface and a lobed inner surface is provided. The bellows section is formed in a blow molding operation and the skirt is formed by injection molding. The final product is formed by thermally fusing the two portions together thereby forming a product with a substantially cylindrical external surface and a non-cylindrical internal surface which has lobes or other internal projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Changize Sadr, Jamie White
  • Patent number: 6090337
    Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer plastic preform 14 with an inner layer 28 that is extrusion blow molded from a resin having an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.90, and an outer layer 44 that is injection molded around the inner layer from a resin having an intrinsic viscosity that is at least 0.10 less than the intrinsic viscosity of the inner layer. The inner layer 28 is no greater than 200 (preferably no greater than 15%) by weight of the total weight of the preform and the outer layer 44 is at least 80% (preferably at least 85%) by weight of the total weight of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Slat
  • Patent number: 6090338
    Abstract: A method and devices for coating a carrier part make it possible to coat the carrier part formed of a less expensive material with a higher-quality and thus more-expensive material in only a defined region. As a result, novel properties attainable by the coating, such as improving hardness or resistance or varying color or appearance, finally exist only in the region where it is actually needed. Therefore, the coating material is fed in through one or more associated feeding devices, below a distributor head, in a preliminary tube that is already provided with the carrier material, in one or more angular regions relative to the horizontal axis of the preliminary tube. At least one distributor element that has adjustable segments is disposed below the rotatably disposed distributor head. The segments are provided with profiled sections for providing different wall thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Moeller Plast GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Wrobbel, Jochen Vermehr
  • Patent number: 6083450
    Abstract: A multilayer container including an outer relatively rigid plastic layer having a body portion, a finish defining an opening and a base having an atmospheric vent opening therethrough. The container includes an inner flexible plastic layer of relative thin flexible material throughout which does not adhere to the outer plastic layer. The inner flexible layer has a closed bottom portion engaging the inner surface of the finish of the outer plastic layer and a radially extending flange portion of the inner layer overlying the finish of the outer layer. The outer layer preferably comprises an olefin and the inner layer preferably comprises amorphous nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Safian
  • Patent number: 6071370
    Abstract: A fuel tank having an integrally molded heat shield. An insulating material is secured to one surface of a pad made from foamed high density polyethylene (PE). The heat shield is placed within a blow-molding apparatus. A hot pliable HDPE parison is extruded adjacent a second surface of the pad. The parison contacts the second surface and causes the second surface to heat and partially melt. The parison is urged against the pad. HDPE material from the pad and parison intermingle and fuse. Pressure from the blow molding process aids in intermingling the molten surfaces together to form a strong integral attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest D. Stiles
  • Patent number: 6071576
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laminated packaging material (10) comprising a core layer (11) of paper or paperboard and a layer (12) of polyvinyl alcohol serving as oxygen gas barrier on one side of the core layer. In order to avoid excessively large quantities of polyvinyl alcohol on application of the oxygen gas barrier layer (12), a layer (13) is applied which serves as a binder and consists of a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and a gel-forming substance, for example agar, between the polyvinyl alcohol layer (12) and the core layer (11), with the aid of which excessive penetration of polyvinyl A alcohol into the core layer (11) is effectively counteracted, at the same time as the applied binder layer (13) smoothes and evens out the coarse surface structure of the core layer (11) and forms a smooth substrate for the polyvinyl alcohol layer (12). The quantity of gel-forming substance in the binder layer (13) may amount to between 1 and 20 per cent of the total weight of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Mats Bentmar, Mikael Berlin
  • Patent number: 6068900
    Abstract: A plastic container has a high resistance to chemical attack and is made by a method including extruding and inflating a tube in a single operation by a coextrusion blow molding process to form a hollow plastic body. The tube consists of an outer layer made of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) and an inner layer made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or a mixture thereof. Selection of the foregoing materials and layers allows the plastic body for the container to be made in a single operation by coextrusion blow molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Wella AG
    Inventors: Udo Kohn, Franz Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 6054092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing resinous containers comprising: a preparing process in which segmental molding dies are prepared, the segmental molding dies comprising a first cavity for molding hollow bodies and a second cavity for molding auxiliary parts and a third cavity for holding the auxiliary part which communicates with the first cavity; a pre-molding process in which a resin parison is supplied between the segmental molding dies, the segmental molding dies are clamped, a compressed gas is blown into the resin parison to expand the resin parison within the first cavity and to fit the resin parison to the surface which forms an outline of the first cavity, of the segmental molding dies, the compressed gas is discharged from the resin parison, and the segmental molding dies are opened to take out a formed hollow body and a formed auxiliary part; and a main molding process in which the same process as the pre-molding process is implemented except that the formed auxiliary part i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishikawa, Takuji Hikosaka, Kouichi Jinno
  • Patent number: 6045647
    Abstract: A laminating blow molding method for making a hollow article includes steps of: laminating a resin sheet on an outer surface of a parison extruded from a path between a die head and a core; sandwiching the parison with the resin sheet between a pair of mold pieces constituting a mold while heating the mold to a temperature exceeding softening temperatures of the resin sheet and the parison, one of the mold pieces having shifting members at side portions thereof; closing the mold so that the parison with the resin sheet is held inside the mold, and moving the shifting members to the other of the mold pieces so that overhangs at both ends of the parison and resin sheet are pressed rearwardly to shift rearwardly burrs which are pressed out from the mold; and blowing the parison to perform blow molding. Thereafter, the mold is cooled and the molded article is taken out. In the method, a front side of the molded article is formed smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohisa Takikawa, Yoshiaki Kanoh
  • Patent number: 6001302
    Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5997586
    Abstract: A bag for the cleaning and containment of soiled fabric articles is provided which comprises a fastening system that, when fastened provides a vapor impermeable container and an interior surface releasably impregnated with an effective amount of a gelled liquid dry-cleaning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: James A. Smith, George W. Kellett
  • Patent number: 5993721
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for molding, in which a molten thermoplastic resin is firmly fitted onto a molding surface of a mold under a pressure lower than or equal to 100 kg/cm.sup.2 and is cured to obtain a molded product. The molding apparatus has a mold main body, and a mold body on which the molding surface is defined. The mold body is supported relative to the mold main body with maintaining a space on the back side of the molding surface in a heat insulative manner by a supporting member which includes at least a heat insulative supporting member having a thermal conductivity of 0.001 to 1 Kcal/mh.degree. C. and a longitudinal elastic modulus of 0.01 to 10 kg/cm.sup.2. In the space, a heating fluid for heating the molding surface from the back side to a temperature higher than or equal to Vicat softening temperature (T).degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Kurihara, Mitsuyoshi Kumamoto, Yasuhito Ito, Masanobu Nagano, Jun Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5989482
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer bottle by discharging an inner layer parison from a multi-layer die head and pinching a lower portion of the inner layer parison by a pinch apparatus; discharging an outer layer parison which is longer than the inner layer parison; pinching the lower portion of the outer layer parison by a molding mold; and blow molding the inner layer parison. In such a manner, the multi-layer bottle is manufactured. When the multi-layer bottle having an inner layer separating function is manufactured, the inner layer parison and the outer layer parison comprise different resins having no adhesivity to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sagawa
  • Patent number: 5975143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-layer corrugated pipe and to a corrugated pipe manufactured by the method and comprising an inner tube (2), a corrugated outer tube (5) and a plastic layer therebetween. Separate layers (3,6) of plastic are formed on the outer surface of the inner tube (2) and the inner surface of the outer tube (5), said separate layers of plastic being affixed to one another at least at the web portions (5a) of the corrugations of the outer tube (5) when the inner tube and outer tube are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Uponor B.V.
    Inventors: Jyri Jarvenkyla, Bjorn Olsson, Dieter Scharwachter, Lennart gren
  • Patent number: 5891385
    Abstract: A process for securing a component inside a hollow body essentially made of thermoplastic material includes positioning the component in the hollow body during its manufacture by means of a support. The component is secured by being hot-plated between two opposed faces of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Lionel Cerbelle, Serge Percebois, Charles Cuvelliez, Xavier Jacquet
  • Patent number: 5885515
    Abstract: A process which combines the technologies of extrusion blow molding to form a shaped article and subsequently forming and attaching a textile to the contoured outer surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick E. Hudkins
  • Patent number: 5871468
    Abstract: A balloon for use in a catheter, wherein the balloon is formed from an aromatic polyester, preferably a blend of a major component comprising an aromatic polyester, and a minor component comprising a compatible secondary thermoplastic semicrystalline polymer having a crystallinity less than that of the aromatic polyester of the major component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans W. Kramer, Show-Mean Wu, Ziyun Chen, Mauricio L. Fugoso
  • Patent number: 5869155
    Abstract: A hollow plastic container having a finish which has a diameter less than the diameter of the body portion of the container which is made by forming a parison with a neck portion for defining the finish and a body portion and thereafter expanding the body portion to a cross section greater than the cross section of the neck portion. The neck is then trimmed by removing plastic material from the outside of the neck and from the top of the neck to form the finish to the final dimensions. In one form, the parison is a multi-layer parison in order to form a multi-layer plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5863488
    Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5855926
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laminated-parison extrusion-molding apparatus which includes a head body; a multi-ring structure having a spider provided in the head body; a head core provided inside the multi-ring structure; an outer cylinder member provided surrounding a lower outer periphery of the multi-ring structure, the outer cylinder member constituting a lower portion of the head body; and an annular member provided inside the outer cylinder member, wherein an outer main material is supplied to a flow passage provided between the outer cylinder member and the annular member so as to achieve an outer main material layer having a uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiji Yoshida, Toshio Kagitani, Sohei Masaki
  • Patent number: 5851477
    Abstract: The invention comprises a plasticating machine for the working and forcing of plastic material into a mold, said machine including an elongated housing having a first or proximal end and a second or distal end and an elongated screw shaft with a screw flight therearound, the screw shaft being rotatably supported in the elongated housing, for the working of plastic between the screw shaft and the elongated housing. At least one pair of coaxial spaced apart delivery conduits are generally longitudinally arranged through the screw shaft, from a proximal end to a distal tip end thereof. A tubular mesh generating apparatus is arranged at the distal end of the coaxially conduits to generate/weave and feed a tubular reinforcement mesh along the length of the annular delivery channel to a plastic melt at its distalmost end. A movable forming tool is supported adjacent the distal end of the innermost conduit of the coaxial conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventors: Donald N. Halgren, Desider G. Csongor
  • Patent number: 5849224
    Abstract: A multilayered container and a process for forming the same are disclosed. The container includes a support wall formed from a plastic having an undesirable substance therein and polymerized to a level less than that necessary to prevent the undesirable substance from migrating from the plastic into the contents when the contents are in contact with the support wall. A protective wall is provided adjacent the support wall and adapted to be positioned between the support wall and the contents. The protective wall is formed from a material which limits the migration of undesirable substance from the support wall into the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: The Elizabeth and Sandor Valyi Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5827469
    Abstract: Molding methods for disposing a functional film on a hollow inner surface or undulated surface. A blow molding process for manufacturing a molded product having a hollow part and a pressure forming process for manufacturing a molded product having an undulated part, and the products produced there from. Before the parison or forming material is cooled and solidified, a compressed fluid containing a material for forming a film is supplied into a die, thereby forming a film simultaneously when molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Shimizu, Kazuhiko Kodama
  • Patent number: 5804127
    Abstract: A laminating blow molding method for making a hollow article includes the steps of forming 1 to 500 fine, holes per an area of 100 cm.sup.2 in a resin sheet by punching to thereby form projections as burrs on one side of the resin sheet, the diameter of the holes being between 0.1 mm and 1 mm; disposing the resin sheet between an outer surface of a parison extruded from a die and a mold so that the one side with the projections faces a cavity face of the mold; closing the mold so that the resin sheet is held between the cavity face of the mold and the outer surface of the parison; and heating the mold to a temperature exceeding a softening temperature of the resin sheet and simultaneously blowing the parison to perform blow molding. Thereafter, the mold is cooled and a molded article is taken out. In the method, the molded article with smooth outer surface can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takatori, Toyoyuki Miyazaki