And Casting Patents (Class 29/527.3)
  • Patent number: 7219409
    Abstract: A method of remodeling a subsisting countertop by casting a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound thereupon has some of the following steps. Given a subsisting countertop, without altering it, temporarily attaching edging forms or flow checks around all the free edges of the subsisting countertop, both of which forms and flow checks operate to check the flow of the casting compound at least to the height of a given rise. Following that, pouring a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound over the countertop to the height of the given rise and as checked within the edging forms and flow checks. The final step involves optionally removing the forms before the lapse of a full day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew X. Jecker
  • Patent number: 7207105
    Abstract: A substrate for mounting an electronic component, includes a baseplate having a main surface formed with or without a recess. A ceramic substrate is provided on the main surface of the baseplate and has a smaller size than the baseplate. A metal layer is provided to cover both of the baseplate and the ceramic substrate. The metal layer has a surface remote from the baseplate and the ceramic substrate is made flat, the baseplate is made of a metal-ceramic composite of a metallic material and a ceramic material, and the metallic material in the composite and the metal layer have different compositions. Thus, an integral ceramic circuit board, which is resistant to repeated thermal stress and is superior in reliability can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Miyai, Yukihiko Nakajima, Hideki Hirotsuru, Ryozo Nonogaki, Takuya Okada, Masahiro Ibukiyama
  • Patent number: 7143498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-shot, non-shut-off method of manufacturing a 100% grained trim component for a vehicle. The method includes actuating a tool insert between a mold cavity and a secondary void to form a molded trim component having a groove. A first shot of material is injected to form a first trim element having a grained class-A side. During the first shot, flash enters the secondary void to provide a non-shut-off condition. The tool insert is retracted to define a ditch in the first trim element. A second shot of material is injected to form a second trim element having a grained class-A side, during which time a portion of the second shot enters the ditch to provide a non-shut-off condition. The trim elements are then bonded where a portion the second trim element bonded to the first trim element within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Schoemann, John Youngs, Thomas W. Spanos, William J. Noble, David Turczynski
  • Patent number: 7076857
    Abstract: A method for making foamed products includes the steps of: (a) foaming a foamable blank at an elevated temperature; (b) forming a plurality of blind holes in the blank which has been foamed, by using a mold having a plurality of protrusions, the protrusions pressing the blank to form the blind holes and to create densified depths respectively in the blind holes; (c) cross-cutting the blank along a plane which extends across the blind holes so that the blank is divided into a first foam sheet having a plurality of through holes and a second foam sheet having a plurality of blind bores with the densified depths; and (d) heating the second foam sheet to expand and to form the densified depths into projections protruding from the second foam sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 6983540
    Abstract: A liquid mixture containing a liquid polymeric material and a granular filler is injected into a mold (11) for centrifugal molding and subjected to centrifugal molding, thereby preparing a cylindrical body including a homogeneous dispersion layer (2) having the filler homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric material and a high-density packed bed (1), formed on the outer peripheral surface side or on the inner peripheral surface side of the homogeneous dispersion layer (2), containing the aforementioned polymeric material more densely filled with the aforementioned filler. The high-density packed bed (1) is removed for exposing the surface of the homogeneous dispersion layer (2). According to this structure, the yield of the elastic cylindrical body can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Yamauchi Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kato, Mitsuru Tsunokawa, Atsuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6957489
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to produce a light-alloy bearing bush with a rough external surface. To achieve this, particles, which are subsequently surrounded in part by the molten metal, are applied to the surface of the casting mould. When the bearing bush is released from the mould, the particles remain in said bush and are subsequently removed from the bearing bush preform either mechanically or by being dissolved in liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mahle GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Bing, Martin Rühle, Fritz Warth, Frank Winger
  • Patent number: 6915570
    Abstract: A resin roller (10) is produced by disposing a core body (21) in a forming metal mold (1) having a cylindrical metal mold (13) and core supporting members (14) furnished at both edge parts of the cylindrical metal mold (13) as well as causing the core supporting members (14) to hold the both edge parts, and pouring a forming resin into the metal mold and solidifying it. The resin roller (10) has the core body (21) of the same outer diameter over a full length and a cylindrical resin-formed body (12), sealing members (24, 26) are furnished around the core body (21) in the vicinity of both edge parts of the resin-formed body (12), and the core body is disposed such that the sealing members (24, 26) contact edge faces (14a) at sides of a roller forming space of the core supporting members (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohgoshi, Toshiyuki Komatsu, Koji Sezaki, Hidenari Tsunemi, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6877334
    Abstract: A cooling unit adapted for use in a freezing mechanism, which is composed a metallic cylindrical evaporator housing and a metallic freezing pipe helically wound on an outer periphery of the evaporator housing for thermal contact with the evaporator housing, wherein the freezing pipe is embedded in a metal layer formed by slip casting of a low melting point alloy such as aluminum alloy, tin alloy or magnesium alloy on the outer periphery of the evaporator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 6842979
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a cylinder in a two-cycle engine. The cylinder bore is first machined as a preparation for the provision of a coating. The thereby resulting window edges that surround an inlet window are then at least partially chamfered. The cylinder bore is consequently provided with the coating, which at least partially overlaps the chamfered window edge. There thereby results in the region of the window edge a location of least spacing relative to the axis of the transfer channel. The piston liner or gliding surface is finally machined to a finished dimension such that in the region of the chamfered and coated window edge or corner there is formed a coating edge having a wall spacing relative to the location of least spacing, which such wall spacing having a maximum value of 0.7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co
    Inventors: Igor Klaric, Ralf Blechschmidt, Andreas Bähner, Matthias Hehnke, Christian Brüning, Konrad Knaus, Jörg Schlossarczyk, Peter Pretzsch, Rolf Sattelmaier, Jörg Jacubzig
  • Patent number: 6836952
    Abstract: A mouse pad fabrication method utilizing bark sourced from the cork tree. After the purging and cleaning of surface foreign matter, the tree bark is pulverized into appropriately minute particles. These are then blended with a natural resin glue and after becoming mixed evenly, the mixture is press formed under high temperature and high pressure and then trimmed to a required thickness. High temperature water misting is utilized for the rough edge removal task to soften and flatten the rough edges. As such, the finished mouse pad so fabricated has a more perfect, planar surface and provides for comfortable, non-injurious user contact. Since the finished product is constructed of cork, countless minute air holes are present in its corpus and junctions, which not only traps debris, but prolongs the usable service life of a mouse and, furthermore, enables smooth mouse operation during utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Bob Hsu
  • Patent number: 6818162
    Abstract: There are provided methods for fabricating baby bottle nipples which mimic the function of the human breast nipple. In the human breast nipple, milk is delivered to the baby through 15-25 fluid-delivery capillaries called lactiferous ducts. These ducts are 2-4 centimeters in length and 500-900 microns in diameter. Baby bottle nipples fabricated in accordance with the methods of this invention have the common feature of at least one hydrophilic fluid delivery passage. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microtube. In another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microchannel. In yet another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage comprises a porous reticulated foam with interconnected pores. In each of these embodiments, the fluid delivery passage has at least one dimension in the range of 1-2000 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Wesley P. Hoffman, Alexander Pechenik, Phillip G. Wapner
  • Patent number: 6813821
    Abstract: A method to manufacture a golf club head includes the steps of casting a head shell and welding a face plate on the head shell, polishing the golf club head, making transversal channels on the face plate, clamping the head on a vise, drilling, discharging sweeps and waste liquid from the golf club head, installing a shaft tube, polishing welded portions around the shaft tube, removing ears, and painting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6796030
    Abstract: To adopt die casts product as parts of a vehicle body frame. A vehicle body frame is provide with an alumite treating, showing that brightness and appearance of pivot plates which are die cast products differ from those of non-die cast products, head pipes, longitudinal pipes and cross pipe. By carrying out a local coating treatment on the pivot plates, the pivot plates are provided with a color the same as that of the pipe, the longitudinal pipes and the cross pipe. By making die cast products portion of constituent parts, the fabrication cost of the vehicle body frame can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Mochizuki, Masahiko Nakagawa, Eitarou Koya
  • Patent number: 6772502
    Abstract: A cast end shield includes an opening extending therethrough and an insert at least partially embedded within the end shield at the opening. The end shield also includes a plurality of slots extending to the insert. In one embodiment, the insert is a substantially circular steel insert ring concentric with the opening and oriented such that an inner diameter of the insert ring is exposed from the end shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James M. Scott
  • Patent number: 6757960
    Abstract: A pressure detecting apparatus is composed of a first case insert-molded with connector pins, and a second case made of metal. The first case and the second case are assembled together to form a pressure detection chamber hermetically sealed with an O-shaped ring sandwiched between seal surfaces of the two cases. The first case is formed by using a molding die that has a gate for injecting resin approximately in parallel with a seal correspondence surface for forming the seal surface of the first case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiku, Seiichirou Ootake
  • Publication number: 20040111865
    Abstract: A method of forming a chanter (100) suitable for use with a bagpipe is provided. The method includes applying a first material (132) about an outer surface (130) of a mold (102) and attaching a first fitting (134) to the first material. The method further includes attaching a second fitting (152) to the first material at a selected separation distance from the first fitting to form a unitary body (166) and removing of the unitary body from the mold. A mold (102) used in forming a chanter (100) of a bagpipe is also provided. The mold includes a first tapered portion (104) having an outer surface and a second tapered portion (106) having an outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surfaces of the first and second tapered portions collectively form at least a portion of a shape of an inner longitudinally oriented air passageway of a chanter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jay Craig
  • Publication number: 20040034986
    Abstract: A golf club head has a metal base, face and tubular neck and a carbon-fiber cover. The face extends up vertically from one edge of the base. The tubular neck is integrally connected to the base and the face. The cover is made of a carbon-fiber material and is securely attached to the base and the face. Because the carbon-fiber material is lighter than metal, the area of the face is enlarged. In addition, the shock absorbing effect of the golf head club is also improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernard Cheng, Hsiao-Kun Chen, Jen-Hung Chiu
  • Patent number: 6671958
    Abstract: A roll for a paper or board machine is produced by forming a tubular roll blank by bending out of a planar sheet or by means of centrifugal casting. The roll blank is first coated with a material having a modulus of elasticity and a density lower than those of steel and the coated roll blank is turned on a lathe to a desired shape and to a desired surface quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Eero Savolainen, Jorma Snellman
  • Publication number: 20030214154
    Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module (10) is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle (32) and integrally molded reinforcement ribs (28) that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer. A partially assembly vehicle body (12) is provided that has partially unattached body panels that are secured to the frame (14). Unattached body panels are secured to the integrated front end module (10). The preassembly is then immersed in an electro-coat bath, painted and then baked in a paint oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Sasan Tarahomi
  • Patent number: 6626468
    Abstract: A pipe joint is made by filling resin in at least an inside of a hole passed through the substrate and opened at the substrate's surface. A resin die is formed projected out of the surface of the substrate. A layer-form member is formed integrally at the surface of the substrate and side surface of the resin die. The resin forming the resin die is removed so as to integrally form the hollow projection communicating with the hole at the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6613106
    Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark K. Debe, James M. Larson, William V. Balsimo, Andrew J. Steinbach, Raymond J. Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20030107144
    Abstract: The cabinetry of the present invention facilitates lower manufacturing costs, lighter products that are easier to maneuver and less costly to transport, and simpler product assembly by reducing the number parts to be assembled, while maintaining the structural integrity of the cabinetry. The PTV cabinetry of the present invention utilizes molded plastic foam parts formed from expanded polystyrene or phenolic foam. The foam parts are preferably functionally designed to replace the equivalent parts presently being made by wood fabrication or other molded plastic techniques. In a preferred embodiment, a PTV cabinet may be assembled from thee matching molded foam parts. The foam parts in accordance with the present invention may be uniquely located with respect to one another via locating features molded into the foam parts. Once assembled, an external cabinet or cosmetic fascia part may be placed over the foam parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Bailey Lowe
  • Publication number: 20030041435
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a friction member used for a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration member, a contact member which is brought into frictional contact with the vibration member and relatively moved by vibrations produced in the vibration member, and the friction member formed on one of friction portions of the vibration member and contact member, a molded member is formed by compression molding of a fluoroplastic powder and an additive, a sintered member is formed by sintering the molded member, a sheet is formed by cutting the sintered member in the form of a sheet, and a modified layer formed by cutting is removed from the friction surface of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: SATORU KITAJIMA, YUTAKA MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20020179449
    Abstract: A sacrificial plastic mold having an electroplatable backing is provided as are methods of making such a mold via the infusion of a castable liquid formulation through a porous metal substrate (sheet, screen, mesh or foam) and into the features of a micro-scale master mold. Upon casting and demolding, the porous metal substrate is embedded within the cast formulation and projects a plastic structure with features determined by the mold tool. The plastic structure provides a sacrificial plastic mold mechanically bonded to the porous metal substrate, which provides a conducting support suitable for electroplating either contiguous or non-contiguous metal replicates. After electroplating and lapping, the sacrificial plastic can be dissolved, leaving the desired metal structure bonded to the porous metal substrate. Optionally, the electroplated structures may be debonded from the porous substrate by selective dissolution of the porous substrate or a coating thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Linda A. Domeier, Alfredo M. Morales, Marcela G. Gonzales, Patrick N. Keifer
  • Patent number: 6438841
    Abstract: There is described a method for manufacturing fixing rollers and a roller body holding device utilized for manufacturing fixing rollers. The method includes steps of press-fitting flanges into a roller body, shaped in a hollow cylinder, from each of both end openings of the roller body with putting an elastic material between each of the flanges and the roller body; installing the roller body in a shaping mold so that the roller body is supported by the flanges and the elastic material at a predetermined position in the shaping mold; injecting a melted rubber into a space between the roller body and the shaping mold from an injection opening; and curing the melted rubber injected into the space. The roller body holding device for holding a roller body is shaped in a hollow cylinder and includes a flange, which is press-fitted into the roller body from each of end openings of the roller body; and an elastic material disposed between the flange and the roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fuma, Shuta Hamada, Masahiro Onodera
  • Patent number: 6434811
    Abstract: A golf club head has a weight compartment within a hollow interior, and a weight member that is injected into the weight compartment subsequent to formation of the body of the golf club head. The preferred weight member is bismuth. The golf club head has a body that has a volume between 140 cubic centimeters and 350 cubic centimeters. The body of the golf club head weighs between 140 grams and 215 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Helmstetter, Roger C. Cleveland, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway
  • Patent number: 6412825
    Abstract: An assembly of an end-fitting and a flexible pressure pipe which is of a non-bonded structure and comprises a number of layers including at least one layer (5) having a number of helically wound flat metallic tensile armour wires with end parts which, in the assembled condition, are embedded in an anchor consisting of a casting material such as epoxy which is injected into a cavity formed in the end-fitting. The flat wire end parts have at least one twist turning generally around the centerline of the wire. Said twists lock the tensile armor wires firmly in the anchor and therefore provide a greater resistance to axial tensile loads acting on the assembly than has been known before. Furthermore the joint is a simple and cheap structure and can be made in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/S
    Inventor: Krystyna Izabella Langkjaer
  • Patent number: 6378208
    Abstract: A process for producing a motor vehicle body part, especially a motor vehicle roof, which is built in a sandwich construction having layers including an outside shell (10) made of a foam material having an outside skin, and an inside shell (11) that is a prefabricated component. Initially, the foam material is placed into a first mold half (16) of a mold tool, the foam material being applied to the shaped outer skin which is placed in the second mold half (17) of the mold tool. Next, the two mold halves (16, 17) are closed and the foam material is allowed to cure at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kölbl, Francois De Gaillard
  • Publication number: 20020023611
    Abstract: Metal products are taught that comprise integrally formed resin seals. The fastening strength of a rubber or synthetic resin seal is increased because the resin seal is formed during a casting operation. For example, an unvulcanized rubber or unhardened resin seal member (9′) may be temporarily secured to a metal mold (A1) and heat from the molten metal vulcanizes or hardens the seal member (9′), thereby integrally forming a rubber or synthetic resin seal and a metal molded body. Resin seals can be integrally formed on metal products having a variety of shapes, because the resin seal will melt and integrally form with the metal product during the die casting operation. That is, the resin seal is adhered to the metal product by a diffusion or seamless bond. In one representative embodiment, an engine head cover is die cast and a plurality of bolts protrude from the engine head cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kouichi Hara, Kiyofumi Kumagai, Kazuo Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 6345439
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder for an internal combustion engine, which is manufactured by a process wherein a raw cylinder body having an insert core left remained therein is obtained using an insert core comprising a cylindrical body having almost the same outer diameter as the diameter of bore of the cylinder, and a scavenging port-forming portion projecting radially outward from the cylindrical body and having almost the same cross-sectional configuration as that of the scavenging port, the cylinder bore of the raw cylinder body thus obtained is then subjected to a boring to remove the cylindrical portion of the insert core, and the scavenging port-forming portion of the insert core which is left remained in the raw cylinder body is removed by making use of a press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kioritz Corp.
    Inventors: Fujihiro Matuura, Motoshige Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 6321434
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing sealing tool comprising a socket (3) and a head (4) at one end and the other end of a linear element (2) respectively and a protrusion (11) for locking the head (4) in a head-insertion hole (10) of the socket (3), which comprises the steps in the mentioned sequence of fixing a core ball (13) and either the socket (3) or the head (4) to the linear element (2), cutting the linear element (2) at a point close to the core ball (13), pulling the linear element (2) to bring the core ball (13) to be set in a cavity (27) and filing a synthetic resin in the cavity (27) in a manner such that the core ball (13) and the socket (3) engageable with the head (4) are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Toska Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Kubota
  • Publication number: 20010031376
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy composition having an unusually high iron and silicon content, which is particularly improved by manganese additions contains preferably 0.5 to 1.1% wt Fe, preferably 0.3 to 0.7% wt Si, between 0.005 to 0.03% wt Ti, with the iron to silicon ratio maintained between 1.8 and 2.2:1. Most preferably, the alloy contains 0.10 to 0.8% wt manganese. A nominal alloy composition is as follows: 0.8% Fe, 0.4% Si, 0.015% Ti, and 0.4% Mn. The alloy is cast between a pair of cooling molds to produce a cast ingot, the ingot is hot rolled and subsequently cold rolled to thickness reductions of at least 25% and at most 70%, blanks are punched from the cold rolled sheet and the blanks are annealed at temperatures exceeding 350° C. but less than 525° C. and are subsequently deformed by impact extrusion to form long-necked cans which are stoved at temperatures as high as 275° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Clarence W. Fulton, Delwyn L. Forrest
  • Publication number: 20010009227
    Abstract: A kit and method for creating an article display includes a frame having two openings. The completed display includes a clay tablet having an impression formed therein located within one of the frame openings and a picture located in the other frame opening. The invention is suitable for making impressions of baby's hands or feet and displaying a picture of the baby along with the tablet carrying the impressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Mark J. Parini
  • Patent number: 6253442
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a plurality of laminae for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective cube corner articles. Each lamina has opposing first and second major surfaces defining therebetween a first reference plane. Each lamina further includes a working surface connecting the first and second major surfaces. The working surface defines a second reference plane substantially parallel to the working surface and perpendicular to the first reference plane and a third reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane and the second reference plane. The method includes orienting a plurality of laminae to have their respective first reference planes parallel to each other and disposed at a first angle relative to a fixed reference axis. At least two groove sets are formed in the working surface. Each groove set includes at least two parallel adjacent V-shaped grooves in the working surface of the laminae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gerald M. Benson, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6209185
    Abstract: A method of constructing an earth-boring bit provides a face seal assembly with a diamond layer having a face with recesses for enhanced lubrication. The earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cantilevered bearing shaft, including a base and a cylindrical journal bearing surface extending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body, and at least one cutter mounted for rotation on the cylindrical journal bearing surface of the bearing shaft. The seal assembly is disposed between the cylindrical journal bearing surface and the cutter proximally to the base of the cantilevered bearing shaft. The seal assembly includes at least one rigid seal ring having a seal face in contact with a second seal face. At least one of the seal faces is at least partially formed of a super-hard material having wear-resistance greater than, and a coefficient of sliding friction less than, that of the rigid seal ring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 6206597
    Abstract: A process for producing a stick-like implement, having a first sleeve, having a second sleeve with an insertion section for insertion into the first sleeve, it being possible for the two sleeves to be rotated with respect to one another in the inserted state, having an externally threaded element which is coupled to the second sleeve in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner and is designed to mesh with an internally threaded element which is coupled to the first sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner, with the result that rotation of the two sleeves with respect to one another results in axial displacement of the externally threaded element in relation to the sleeves, and having a filler element which, in the case of corresponding axial displacement of the externally threaded element on account of rotation of the two sleeves with respect to one another, is pushed out of a sleeve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Schwan Stabilo Cosmetics GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ulrich Griebel, Georg Roeder, Wolfgang Winkler
  • Patent number: 6195894
    Abstract: A crank arm for a bicycle includes a crank arm body having a pedal attachment hole on a first end thereof and a spindle attachment hole on a second end thereof. The crank arm body defines an elongated interior cavity surrounded by a shell, wherein the interior cavity is open to an exterior of the crank arm body. The opening can be used to access the cavity during and after manufacturing. The shape of the cavity may be varied to produce a lightweight yet strong structure. In the method used to form the crank arm body, a mold core formed by a shell containing a sand-like filler material is positioned into a casting mold so that a melt space is formed around the mold core, molten metal is poured into the casting mold, and the molten metal is solidified to form a crank billet. The filler material may be removed through an opening in the crank billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Mizobe, Yamanaka Masahiro
  • Patent number: 6171091
    Abstract: A replaceable mold cavity for use in the production of golf balls is disclosed herein. The mold cavity has a plastic insert with an inverse dimple pattern thereon that is formed from a plastic molding material, and a support cup in which the plastic insert is placed for the golf ball molding operation. The plastic insert may have a metal layer thereon that has an identical inverse dimple pattern. The entire replaceable mold cavity may also be composed of a plastic material. The use of plastic molding materials to form the plastic insert, or the entire mold cavity, allows for rapid production of golf balls having different dimple patterns which allows for expedited testing and introduction of new golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Alan C. Bettencourt
  • Patent number: RE38494
    Abstract: A method for combining three different means of constructing the concentric layers of the outer collecting wall for industrial size centrifuges, whereby treating the inward-facing elements of easily cast or stamped materials using processes such as Physical Vapor Deposition, Chemical Vapor Deposition or metal plating, transforms them into an innermost member with superior hardness and durability, and whereby said wear surface member or deposited layer is physically supported by a middle composition layer made up of one or more investment castings designed to optimally transfer centrifugally-induced compression loads from the innermost wear surface toward the outer surface of the composite wall, such castings being of ceramic, metals or other materials, and whereby the outer surface of said composite wall is comprised of a filament-wound hoop strength reinforcement layer, using aramid, graphic, carbon or such fibers mixed and embedded in resin, such that all highly desirable characteristics for a centrifuge ou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller