Temperature Control Patents (Class 425/143)
  • Publication number: 20030211189
    Abstract: The invention is an extruder temperature controller for an extruder barrel. The extruder temperature controller includes means for determining an actual screw speed and has means for storing a plurality of screw speeds. Each member of the plurality of stored screw speeds has a corresponding stored temperature reset value. The extruder temperature controller has a means for comparing and selecting that compares the actual screw speed to each of the plurality of stored screw speeds and selectes a default screw speed. The default screw speed has a smaller deviation from the actual screw speed than any other member of the compared, stored screw speeds. The controller further includes a means for generating a control output driver signal to the heat exchange means. The control output driver signal is the corresponding stored temperature reset value for the default screw speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Saulius Tomas Eiva
  • Publication number: 20030211190
    Abstract: An injection molding machine using a linear motor, has a linear motor serving as a linear drive mechanism; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a coil of said linear motor or an ambient temperature thereof; an input unit configured to input a signal of the temperature detected by said temperature sensor; a data converting unit configured to convert the detected temperature signal into temperature data; a storage unit, including a temperature data setting unit configured to preset an allowable temperature, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Nishizawa, Katsuhito Ogura, Katsuyoshi Kido, Harumichi Tokuyama, Hiroyuki Onuma
  • Publication number: 20030197298
    Abstract: The decurl apparatus comprising: heating means for subjecting an image recording carrier web to a heating treatment at a constant temperature exceeding the glass transition temperature of a support for a constant time period; and cooling means for cooling the image recording carrier web after heated, to the glass transition temperature or lower, while keeping it in a predetermined shape. The heating means includes: a heating roller to be induction-heated; and holding rollers to be arranged at arbitrary angular positions with respect to the outer circumference of the heating roller. As a result, the image recording carrier web can be reliably decurled with the simple construction but without being influenced by the transfer velocity or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Hegishi, Takayoshi Oyamada
  • Publication number: 20030197297
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that uses an empirically-derived thermal transfer function for an ignition coil taken with respect to an ambient temperature and responsive internal temperatures. The system combines the transfer function with a minimum cure-induced stress profile, in order to obtain a time-temperature profile for minimizing cure-induced residual stress in an epoxy resin impregnated ignition coil. An accelerated minimal-stress profile is obtained by increasing an initial gel isotherm temperature of the above-mentioned time-temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Carleton L. Berk, John D. Phillips, Diane E. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20030197296
    Abstract: A molding station has a housing support and a housing. The housing has a generally horizontal axis, a plurality of mold cavity enclosures and a plurality of sides. The housing is rotatably mounted to the housing support about the generally horizontal axis. The mold cavity enclosures are circumferentially positioned about the axis in at least some of the sides. Each mold cavity enclosure defines at least one mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Global Total Office
    Inventor: Valery Krassilnikov
  • Publication number: 20030183960
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6620352
    Abstract: A method for inspecting the material distribution of a sequence of stretch blow molded containers or other articles in a continuous production process, by providing injection molded parisons, each parison having at least one indicator, typically two or more indicators, for detecting material distribution at a predetermined position along the axial extent of the parison. Each of the parisons is subjected to a heating stage in the continuous production process, generally by exposure to infrared heating. Each heated parison is then subjected to a blow molding process, which can be a stretch blow molding process, so that each material distribution indicator is transformed to a corresponding position along the axial extent of the blow molded article. A detector is positioned to detect the location of each indicator on each blow molded article from a given mold in the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Davis, Spencer Minton, Eddy Roberts
  • Patent number: 6613253
    Abstract: A decurl apparatus includes a heating device to heat an image recording carrier web at a constant temperature, which exceeds the glass transition temperature of a support for a constant time period; and a cooling device for subsequent cooling of the image recording carrier web to a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature, while the image recording carrier web maintains a predetermined shape. The heating device includes an induction-heated heating roller and holding rollers arranged at arbitrary angular positions with respect to the outer circumference of the heating roller. As a result, the image recording carrier web is reliably decurled by a simple construction without being influenced by a transfer velocity or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Negishi, Takayoshi Oyamada
  • Publication number: 20030147984
    Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a plurality of input and output units, a plurality of actuators, a plurality of sensors, and at least one computing unit, wherein a functional assignment of the input and output units, actuators and sensors is established via the computing unit and changeable online. As a result, it can be freely ascertained which input unit communicates with which output unit, in the presence of a plurality of input and output units, and changes in the configuration can easily be taken into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: KRAUSS-MAFFEI KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH,
    Inventor: Michael Zufle
  • Patent number: 6602063
    Abstract: The invention provides a blowing agent delivery system and method for introducing a blowing agent into a polymeric foam processing system. The delivery system is designed to introduce blowing agent into polymeric material within an extruder when polymeric material is being plasticated, for example, during the plastication period of an injection molding cycle. The rate of introduction of blowing agent into polymeric material may be coupled to the flow rate of polymeric material in the extruder to ensure precise control over blowing agent percentage in the resulting mixture of polymeric material and blowing agent. The delivery system is also designed to prevent the introduction of blowing agent into the polymeric material when polymeric material is not being plasticated, for example, during the injection period of an injection molding cycle. The delivery system may be used in conjunction with discontinuous systems including injection molding or blow molding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Trexel, Inc.
    Inventor: Juan C. Cardona
  • Patent number: 6592786
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extruded film tube and supplying said tube to a collapsing and roller assembly includes a die for extruding a molten material in the form of a tube which is in a molten state below a frost line and in a solid state above the frost line. A blower system supplies and exhausts cooling air to and from an interior portion of the tube, and is regulated by a valve. At least two sensors are provided, one below the frost line for sensing the position of said tube, and one located proximate the tube in a position above said frost line. The upper sensor is used for sensing the position of the tube prior to collapsing and flattening it. A controller receives feedback signals from both sensors and controls operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel R. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20030116875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and installation for integrally applying a relief decoration to the surface of solid elongate members. The installation comprises a pre-heater (43) with pre-heater control means (69), a press (51), and a camber measurement system (67). The pre-heater (43) is adapted for differently heating the surface of two opposing faces of an elongate member previous to feeding it to the press (51) for applying the relief decoration. The camber measurement system (67) measures possible camber of the elongate member coming out of the press (51) and generates camber measurement signals which are fed back to the pre-heater control means (69) for controlling the heating of the pre-heater (43). The aim of the installation of the present invention is to eliminate the camber of following elongate members to which a relief decoration is to be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Guy Taillieu
  • Publication number: 20030113394
    Abstract: In the production of a spunbond web by aerodynamically stretching thermoplastic filaments from a spinneret, the stretching nozzle is formed by two nozzle-forming units each of which has a temperature control device, especially a heater, to minimize deformation at the stretching nozzle defining wall. The result is a reduction in the tolerance of the basis weight of the spunbond web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans Georg Geus, Hans Jurgen Hofemeister, Falk Rosner, Detlef Frey, Karsten Sievers, Udo Schomer
  • Patent number: 6572798
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for spinning a synthetic yarn, wherein a heated polymeric melt is extruded through a spinneret and the resulting filaments are combined and wound to a package by means of a take-up device located downstream of the spinneret. A cooling tube for the filaments is positioned below the spinneret, and an inlet cylinder which has a gas permeable wall is positioned between the inlet cylinder and the cooling tube. The cooling tube connects to an air stream generator in such a manner that an air stream develops in the cooling tube in the direction of the advancing yarn. The air stream is formed by a quantity of air that enters the cooling tube via the inlet cylinder, and the inlet cylinder is subdivided in the direction of the advancing yarn into several zones, each with a different gas permeability, for controlling the quantity of air entering the inlet cylinder. It is thereby possible to influence with advantage the precooling of the yarn and the formation of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Roland Nitschke, Hansjörg Meise, Hans-Gerhard Hutter, Ulrich Enders, Peter Senge, Detlev Schulz, Dieter Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20030085484
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for preserving the potency of a tableted heat sensitive ingredient. The process includes the steps of forming the ingredient into a tablet and cooling the tablet for a sufficient time and at a sufficiently low temperature to decrease the heat degradation of the ingredient. The process may be carried out in any number of tablet cooling apparatus, including a conduit forming a passageway for receiving tablets from the tablet press. A coolant inlet is connected to the conduit for supplying coolant into the passageway and into contact with the tablets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Nutraceutix, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Turner, Steven K. Kazemi, Tanya M. Borek, Jeffrey S. White
  • Publication number: 20030077348
    Abstract: Injection-moulding machine with at least one handling device, with an electronic stored-program control (SPC) for the injection-moulding machine and an electronic stored-program control for the handling device, characterized in that the stored-program control (SPC IMM, 17) for the injection-moulding machine (IMM) and the stored-program control (SPC R, 29) for the handling device (10) are realized on one and the same, common digital computer (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Rupert Morwald, Engelbert Kastner
  • Patent number: 6547502
    Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Spiel Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Norton Spiel
  • Patent number: 6544023
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial data transmission system for the registering of process parameters in a periodic bus cycle with a fixed time frame, a synchronizing signal within each cycle having the effect in each case that a multiplicity of process parameters are simultaneously registered and recorded and, in a subsequent data exchange phase, are transmitted to the open-loop and/or closed-loop process control system. In this system, all the time-critical process input and output parameters are registered simultaneously. In a subsequent open-loop and/or closed-loop process control phase, a processing of the high-priority process data takes place. These data are used in particular for plastics injection-molding machines for detecting the changeover point. Furthermore, use is made of a machine production cycle with bus subeycles, which may respectively have a synchronizing signal and different information contents and/or lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6537471
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing extruded polymer products such as hollow extrusions and conductor coatings having wall thicknesses of 0.002 inches or less. The apparatus may comprise more than one of the following: an external heat source; temperature measurement and heater control; video monitoring equipment to allow magnified observation of the extrudate, thereby providing opportunity to observe any deficiency in the extrudate; and a die holder and die allowing for more expedient die adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: MicroHelix, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Swanson, Lucien M. Rucker
  • Publication number: 20030047828
    Abstract: Heat-up characteristics are obtained individually for a plurality of heat zones of an injection molding machine. A heat-up time is obtained from the heat-up characteristic of each heat zone and the difference between a preset temperature and an actual temperature. A heat zone that requires the longest heat-up time is specified. Heat-up of each heat zone is controlled in accordance with the longest heat-up time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Koyama, Takatoshi Kawamura, Hiromasa Otake
  • Publication number: 20030038391
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing dope for the manufacture of microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different pore sizes from a single master dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating a single master batch of dope preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane casting operation to produce phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes. The master dope batch is controllably formulated in a vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mark T. Meyering, William R. Kelly, Joseph G. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20030030167
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermostatically controlling mold temperatures. The molding apparatus includes at least two die sections and a thermostatic control valve. At least one of the die sections has a cooling channel extending through portions of the die section. The cooling channel has an inlet end connected to a source of cooling fluid and an outlet end connected to an exhaust line. The thermostatic control valve is interposed in the exhaust line and has closed and open conditions. In the closed condition, the flow rate of fluid through the cooling channel is restricted causing the temperature of the die section to increase. In the open condition, the flow rate of fluid through the cooling channel is increased causing the temperature of the die section to decrease. The thermostatic control valve automatically moves between the open and closed conditions responding to the temperature of fluid through the cooling channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Phillip J. Dunk
  • Patent number: 6511618
    Abstract: A method for operating actuators, such as pneumatic valves, in an injection molding machine especially for CD or DVD discs, or other molded articles. The timing of auxiliary processes (such as blowing air into the mold cavity or applying suction to the molded article in the cavity) is set as a function of the instant of completion of a process in the main sequence of operations (especially, cooling the molded article prior to ejection from the mold). In a set and display section the user sets a preferred time tn for each actuator to operate after, or before, a set completion time T of the main-sequence process (e.g., cooling). The time tn can be negative or positive, so that the various actuators turn on before or after the set completion time. A CPU calculates a starting time T±tn, and keeps the actuators on during a following interval tp. The starting time T±tn may be input to a memory, and output to the respective actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mitsunori Seki
  • Patent number: 6511616
    Abstract: A system and method cure a combination of a top and a bottom substrate with a resin disposed in-between. A cure platform includes a chuck on which the combination rests. A cure device cures the resin. An actuation assembly separates the chuck from the platform to thermally isolate the chuck during a curing operation performed by the cure device. A post cooling assembly may be provided to cool the chuck and the combination after a curing operation is performed by the cure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Steag HamaTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Parent, Thomas M. Thibault, Donald G. Parent
  • Publication number: 20030001299
    Abstract: A non-intrusive method of determining temperature and for controlling the Electroconsolidation process is described which is based on the change with temperature of the velocity of sound as it passes through a material. Ultrasonic transducers located outside of the die, but positioned to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal, are used to determine an average temperature in the line of sight of the transmitted signal. A single-loop feedback system may be used to control the temperature based upon a comparison of the measured temperature to the desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Nachappa Gopalsami, Hual-Te Chien
  • Patent number: 6500368
    Abstract: Objects of the invention is to provide a practical, novel foam molding apparatus wherein mold surfaces are devoid of air orifices, and to provide an in-mold foam molding apparatus and method for the reduction of cooling time for molded articles. A mold cavity 4 is filled with prefoamed beads comprising a polyolefin synthetic resin; these are heated and fused with steam; and the molded article is cooled, during which cooling process the pressure of the foamed resin against the molds 2, 3 as it is cooled is successively measured by means of a bearing pressure sensor, and when the pressure of the foamed resin against the molds has reached a pressure predetermined for the particular molded article, cooling of the molded article is terminated, the molded article is released from the mold, and the molded article is then set in a fixture to stabilize the shape of the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sameshima, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Kenji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6475415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Witold Neter, Faisal Oueslati, Tiemo Brand, Gordon Elliott, Richard Unterlander, Gheorghe Olaru
  • Publication number: 20020160069
    Abstract: A crystallization machine for a mouth on a bottle blank provides different heat sources to heat up the mouth of the bottle blank. The crystallization machine also provides an automatically controlled system to precisely control the dimension of the crystallized mouth of the bottle blank. Hence, the crystallization machine can be performed to increase the productivity, save energy, reduce the production cost, and enhance the competitiveness for the maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Kuang-Tse Chin
  • Patent number: 6463999
    Abstract: A multiloop temperature-control system has a hydraulic bus connected to a plurality of loops for the temperature-control medium and respective hydraulic modules connected to the hydraulic bus, and through the hydraulic bus, to these loops. Plug connectors join each hydraulic module with an electrical supply and control module and the supply and control modules in turn are connected by plug and jack connectors to an electrical bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: GWK Gesellschaft Warme Kaltetechnik mbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Jung
  • Patent number: 6464484
    Abstract: A lens forming apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a first lens curing unit, a second lens curing unit and a conveyor system for moving mold assemblies between the two units. The apparatus may also include an anneal unit configured to apply heat to a substantially polymerized lens. The apparatus may be used to form an eyeglass lens from a lens forming composition that may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen R. Powers, John T. Foreman, Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel, John T. Triplett, Loren C. Lossman
  • Publication number: 20020140120
    Abstract: A method of treating a disc plate. has the following operations of: molding a mold disc plate through an injection molding; and spinning the mold disc plate at a high spin speed. The spinning operation has at least one of the following two sub-operations of: reducing a warp of the mold disc plate with a centrifugal force caused during the spinning operation, and reducing a temperature of the mold disc plate during the spinning operation. Moreover, an apparatus of treating a disc plate has: a conveyer for conveying a mold disc plate obtained through an injection molding; a disc bench for receiving the mold disc plate conveyed with the conveyer; and a spin driver for spinning the disc bench when a temperature of the mold disc plate is higher than 90° C., to thereby spin the mold disc plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Origin Electric Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Masahiro Nakamura, Hideo Kobayashi, Shinichi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6443721
    Abstract: A sheet of plastic to be thermoformed into an appliance liner is brought to a substantially uniform temperature, preferably to a temperature differential of less than 5° F. throughout, by directing a fluid medium upon opposing side surfaces of the sheet. In the most preferred form of the invention, the fluid medium is constituted by air which is heated, impinged upon the opposing surfaces and recirculated, with the temperature and flow rate of the air being controlled based on sensed operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Anderson, Xiaoyong Fu, Sheldon Wayne Mandel, Steven G. Tirrell
  • Patent number: 6416307
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. The lens forming unit may include an LCD filter disposed between activating light sources and a mold assembly. The mold assembly preferably includes two mold members held together by a gasket. The gasket preferably includes four protrusions spaced at 90 degree intervals about the gasket. A lens forming composition may include a first photochromic compound, a second photochromic compound and a light effector. The light effector may alter the color of a lens when exposed to photochromic activating light, when compared to a lens formed from a lens forming composition which does not include a light effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel, Galen R. Powers
  • Publication number: 20020084543
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling a mold flow process using inner (impinge) and/or edge temperature sensors, wherein articles processed in a constraining mold cavity, having a constant melt “shrink” quality, can be obtained even with fluctuations in resin “melt” properties (flowability). At least one temperature-dependent output or “trigger” signal is sampled, and the level of the signal (e.g., temperature) initiates at least one step in the molding cycle. Using a sampling circuit, thermal waveforms are obtained from thermal sensor array data such that if a sequence of melt temperature set-point trigger times fluctuates outside control limits, then the process melt-flow is judged as a hotter/faster melt-flow or cooler/slower melt-flow injection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Frederick J. Buja
  • Publication number: 20020086076
    Abstract: A mold device includes two mold pieces having a mold cavity for receiving a material to be treated, a heating member for heating the mold pieces, and a cooling casing selectively movable to engage with the mold pieces and to cool the material received in the mold pieces after the material has been heated and formed by the heating member. The heating of the mold pieces by the heating member thus will not be affected by the cooling casing. The heating member is received in one of the mold pieces piece. The casing has a conduit for receiving the cooling media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Shia Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 6413070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the manufacture of reinforced, three-zone, microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different possible pore sizes in any of the three zones from at least a single mother dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating at least a single mother batch of dope in a vessel preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane production operation to produce three-zone phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes in any or all of the three zones. The at least one mother dope batch is controllably formulated in at least one vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark T. Meyering, William R. Kelly, Jack H. Vining, C. Thomas Baddenhop, Joseph G. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6409946
    Abstract: A method and system for providing for the production of preforms of thermoplastic resin by filling a plurality of multiple-cavity molds with molten resin for forming the preforms, holding and cooling down the molten resin inside the molds, removing the molded preforms from the molds, subjecting the preforms to a subsequent temperature conditioning stage, and transferring the preforms to a blow-molding stage. Each of the multi-cavity molds includes a plurality of cavities defined in several distinct clusters and each cavities belonging to the same cluster is cooled in a distinct and differentiated manner with respect to the cavities belonging to other clusters provided in the same mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Sipa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ireneo De Nardi, Alberto Armellin, Luigi Rodighiero, Nicola Da Riol
  • Publication number: 20020076462
    Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boyd, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, G. David Lisch
  • Publication number: 20020070469
    Abstract: This invention comprises a method and apparatus for optimizing a rubber manufacturing process having multiple process steps, wherein the process steps can be adjusted during the manufacturing process to achieve a desired rubber product, the method comprising obtaining a rubber material sample during the manufacturing process; analyzing the rubber material sample to generate processability data; comparing the generated processability data with known processability data; determining any process adjustments required to achieve optimal processability of the rubber material sample; and means for implementing the process adjustments during the rubber manufacturing process to achieve a desired rubber product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Roger D. Hiatt, John A. Sezna
  • Publication number: 20020063355
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device and a method for controlling a temperature of an injection molding machine using a temperature controller, in which a temperature of feed water fed from a cooling tower to the injection molding machine is controlled by heat supplied from a heater, and then a temperature of the injection molding machine is controlled by opening or closing a plurality of opening and closing means to regulate feeding of the water from the cooling tower to the injection molding machine. By the present invention, a time required for controlling the temperature of the injection molding machine and a preheating time at an initial operation stage can be shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Young-Hee Yu
  • Patent number: 6386850
    Abstract: A machine for forming molded foam cushions, including an apparatus for enclosing a foamable composition in a flexible bag; a mold having a cavity and a closure mechanism and being movable between an open position and a closed position such that, when in the closed position, the closure mechanism and the cavity define an enclosed three-dimensional shape, the mold comprising a material capable of transferring sufficient heat to or from the cavity to maintain the cavity at a desired temperature; a device for controlling the temperature of the mold cavity; means for placing the bag in the mold cavity while the mold is in the open position, whereby, when the mold assumes the closed position, the foamable composition expands within the cavity to form a foam cushion that substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape; and means for pulling the foam cushion from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Mark H. Salerno, Michael J. Seckler
  • Patent number: 6382948
    Abstract: A temperature control device for a proximal portion of a heating cylinder of an injection molding machine capable of performing check and control of a flow rate of a heat medium easily, improving maintainability and also reducing a manufacturing cost. At least one pair of through holes for flowing the heat medium for temperature control are formed in a jacket to be attached to a proximal portion of a heating cylinder of an injection molding machine. In a passage by pipes connecting the through holes and forming the passage with the through holes, a flow-rate control mechanism and a flow-rate detection mechanism for the heat medium flowing in the passage are arranged. The heat medium is supplied to the passage to control temperature of the proximal portion of the heating cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Takatsugi, Wataru Shiraishi, Toshio Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 6372174
    Abstract: The invention concerns an improved method of heating or tempering foils and an associated device including an arrangement for measuring the temperature, based on the following features: a separate arrangement is provided for heating the foil edges; the foil edge heating arrangement comprises an infrared radiator device (21) and a hot air heating device (29); and the infrared radiator device (21) and the hot air heating device (29) can be controlled or set at different heating output values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Breil, Torsten Tomaschko, Johannes Sänze
  • Patent number: 6368093
    Abstract: Trim panels for motorvehicles are manufactured by: injection molding a panel base portion having missing parts of predetermined area and shape, said molding involving the coinjection of a surface material and of an inner core material; separately producing a plurality of portions of panel having area and shape substantially corresponding to the missing parts and fastening said separately produced portions to said panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Control, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Vecchiarino, Dante Siano
  • Publication number: 20020036747
    Abstract: A plastic optical element producing method produces a plastic optical element by an ejection molding, and includes the step of cooling an optical surface of the plastic optical element with priority in a state where a temperature of the plastic optical element is within a predetermined temperature range which is less than or equal to a glass transition temperature of the resin material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Jun Watanabe, Kiyotaka Sawada
  • Publication number: 20020014709
    Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a molding method and apparatus which increase the gas permeation speed in obtaining a foamed resin molded product by letting a gas permeate a molten resin material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Takashi Arai
  • Patent number: 6343920
    Abstract: A memory mounted on the same board as a temperature sense module stores a temperature correction value proper to this temperature sense module. On the basis of the temperature correction value read out of the memory, a temperature setting section controls power to a heater, thereby carrying out a temperature control of an injection molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Terasaki, Wataru Yamanashi, Yutaka Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20020011688
    Abstract: The present invention provides a molding extrusion machine comprising a pair of delivery rolls arranged forward continuously with a die attached to the end of an extruder by which a molten resin material is extruded through the die toward a rolling part between the delivery rolls and further extruded through a pair of the delivery rolls, wherein gas-sealing molds in intimate contact with both sides at least at the top of the die at the side of the discharge opening are provided to close openings in both sides of the rolling part so that supporting parts in both sides of a pair of the delivery rolls are formed into an air-tightness keeping part by said gas-sealing molds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Mitsunori Nodono, Ryuma Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6325607
    Abstract: A decoration sheet is fed on a mold and then is heated to a temperature above a heat distortion temperature thereof, is conformed to the surface of a cavity of the mold by vacuum drawing. Then the molds are clamped, and a resin is injected to adhere the decoration sheet to the resin. The decoration sheet is preheated to a temperature below the heat distortion temperature by sheet preheating means before fed onto the mold. The decoration sheet preheated by the sheet preheating means is fed to the mold by sheet feeding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atake
  • Patent number: 6309202
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Demarest, Timothy Lenihan