Including Both Heating And Cooling Means Patents (Class 425/384)
  • Patent number: 8333582
    Abstract: A method and machine for sealing at least one cut edge of a foam board is disclosed. The foam board has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one cut edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The cut edge is passed over a heated roller to soften the edge and then passed over a second roller having a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first roller which seals the edge. The cut edge may be milled to square the edge relative to the top and bottom of the board before the cut edge is passed over the heated roller. Additional pairs of rollers may be provided to seal the top surface and the bottom surface of the foam board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: AZEK Building Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander James Kidwell, Stephen Idziur, Thomas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8287270
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermoformed articles from pre-cut thermoformable billets are provided. The system may include a heating apparatus for heating the billets, a billet thermoformer for thermoforming the billet into an article, a discharge system for evacuated the formed articles from the thermoformer, and an inspection system for inspecting each of the formed articles for the presence of a defect. Conveyors and billet carriers are provided for transporting the billets between the various components of the system, and loaders are provided for loading the billets onto the conveyor and/or billet carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Printpack Illinois Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Henry Lee, Jean-Marc Henri Kirouac, Matthew Neil Piercy
  • Patent number: 8282384
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous curing of a plurality of extruded strands can include a rigid frame structure formed by interconnecting a plurality of rigid frame members. A rigid top plate member and a rigid bottom plate member are attached to the rigid frame structure. A plurality of upper spindle units is rotatably attached to the rigid top plate member and a plurality of lower spindle units is rotatably attached to the rigid bottom plate member. A pair of drive motors is attached to the rigid frame structure. A gear assembly attached to the rigid frame structure is operably engaged to the pair of drive motors and a chamber is supported on the rigid frame structure for curing the plurality of extruded strands. The pair of drive motors drives the gear assembly to continuously pass the plurality of extruded strands through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120226363
    Abstract: A device for regenerating biological tissues, particularly for regenerating tissues of the peripheral nervous system, the respective manufacturing method and the instrument used in the method, the regeneration device comprising a hollow tubular structure based on biocompatible material and having a structural porosity in which the pores are oriented substantially radially with respect to its longitudinal axis so as to minimize the formation of scar tissue around the damaged site and allow the growth of the biological tissue inside the pores and inside the duct defined by the hollow tubular structure and facilitate the transport of nutrients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Alessandro Sannino
  • Patent number: 8226393
    Abstract: The system for vacuum formation of a dental appliance is a fully automated vacuum formation machine for dental appliances, such as retainers and the like. The system includes a base having a perforated top vacuum plate in communication with a vacuum source. A heating unit is positioned above the perforated top vacuum plate, and a controller is in communication with the heating unit and the vacuum source for selective actuation thereof. A holder releasably receives a thermoplastic plate. The holder is selectively positionable vertically over the perforated top vacuum plate and a dental impression cast mounted thereon. The holder is positioned by a linear actuator or the like, in communication with the controller. A sensor is positioned adjacent the perforated top vacuum plate for measuring the thermoplastic plate's thickness as it is molded about the dental impression cast, and is communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Mitesh Patel
  • Patent number: 8215943
    Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly and an apparatus for applying heat-transfer labels. In a preferred embodiment, the heat-transfer label assembly includes a support. A plurality of labels are positioned over the support for transfer from the support to an article, each of the labels including an ink design. A plurality of spacers are positioned over the support but not over the label, the spacers not being transferable with the labels from the support to an article. The distance from the top of the spacers to the support exceeds the distance from the top of the labels to the support so that, when the assembly is wound into a roll, the labels do not come into contact with the bottom surface of an underlying portion of the support. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for applying heat-transfer labels includes a pad, a die-mark reduction device on the pad, a heated die positioned over the pad, and a motor for moving the heated die into and out of engagement with the die-mark reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Kuolih Tsai, Dong-Tsai Hseih, Yi-Hung Chiao, Alan Morgenthau, Roger Recupero, Julio Adalberto De La Cruz Escobar
  • Patent number: 8206633
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
  • Patent number: 8202077
    Abstract: A Styrofoam densification machine for melting used Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) products. It includes a hopper for holding the disposed Styrofoam and a hopper discharge area for melting the used Styrofoam. The Hopper discharge area contains a heated tray compartment which holds a receiving tray for collection of melted Styrofoam. The compartment shall have two or less access area doors for the retrieval of the collection tray. The discharge and compartment tray areas have silicone heating pads on the outside of the panels for heat. The hopper is surrounded by a paneled cabinet which includes up to two inches of installation. The machine is loaded by way of mechanical hopper lid(s) which includes up to two lid panels, high temperature seals, hinges and handles for ease of opening. The machine sits on up to four (4) casters along with anchoring plates. The machine operates on 120 volts, 208 volts and 240 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: William C. Major
  • Patent number: 8182257
    Abstract: A light guide plate mold is configured for manufacturing a light guide plate having a number of microstructures. The light guide plate mold includes a substrate and a number of heating members. The substrate defines a number of grooves therein. The heating members are respectively received in the grooves. Each heating member has a height less than a depth of the corresponding groove. The grooves and the heating members cooperatively define a number of receiving spaces for forming the microstructures of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Publication number: 20120085604
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing brake linings that comprises the stage of cold heating of the friction material and compaction by using a punch with a surface having sinuosity (10) that presses the friction material (100) forming undulations on the surface (110), and the stage of heat pre-molding of the friction material at a temperature lower than that of the resin polymerization for better shaping of the pre-mold, because the resin adheres in a form of a thin layer (film) onto the entire surface which defines a better shape of the pre-mold and, also, provides the material with the heat closer to that of polymerization, which ensures a better quality for the product, and then, the stage of heat molding of the pre-formed friction material and compaction by using a curve-like punch (20). Additionally, this invention discloses an obtained product that comprises friction material with bigger or smaller interspersed oriented density areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: DUROLINE S.A.
    Inventor: JACIR DALLEGRAVE
  • Publication number: 20120009294
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LP
    Inventors: Keith BARKER, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
  • Patent number: 8083514
    Abstract: In a uniform-pressure shaping apparatus and system, the system comprises a uniform-pressure shaping apparatus, a vacuum unit and a fluid circulation unit, and the apparatus comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, each including a sealed pressure chamber, a heat conduction film and a template. An object to be imprinted is put on a pattern-imprinting surface of the template. When the first and second cavities get close to each other, the vacuum unit vacuums the space between the pattern-imprinting surfaces of the two templates. Meanwhile, the fluid circulation unit drives a hot fluid to pass through the two sealed pressure chambers. With the iso-pressure characteristic of the hot fluid, the object to be imprinted is heated and pressed uniformly until a desired shape is formed, and then a cold fluid is driven to pass through the two sealed pressure chambers to cool the object to be imprinted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Chenming Mold Ind. Corp.
    Inventors: Yuan-Li Chuang, Ming-Tze Kao
  • Patent number: 8071213
    Abstract: A resin coated piston manufacturing apparatus for a shock absorber is provided with a means for pressing a piston raw material to a resin sheet until the resin sheet is locked to a resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material in such a manner as to be capable of reciprocating on a center axis of a set mold. The apparatus having an aligning guide mateable with an inner diameter of the piston raw material set to a piston set hole of the set mold. The aligning guide presses the piston raw material to the resin sheet so as to lock the resin sheet to the resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material, and can press the piston raw material to which the resin sheet is locked, to a heating and cooling cylinder apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiro Ikeyama, Takeya Fujita
  • Patent number: 8052901
    Abstract: A light guide plate mold is configured for manufacturing a light guide plate having a number of microstructures. The light guide plate mold includes a substrate and a number of heating members. The substrate defines a number of grooves therein. The heating members are respectively received in the grooves. Each heating member has a height less than a depth of the corresponding groove. The grooves and the heating members cooperatively define a number of receiving spaces for forming the microstructures of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 8025832
    Abstract: Processes and apparati for shaping sheet glass or thermoplastic materials use force from a layer of a flowing fluid, such as air, between the sheet and a mandrel at close to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic. The shape is preserved by cooling. The shape of the air bearing mandrel and the pressure distribution of the fluid contribute to the final shape. A process can be conducted on one or two surfaces such that the force from the air layer is on one or two surfaces of the sheet. The gap size between the sheet and mandrel determines the pressure profile in the gap, which also determines the final sheet shape. In general, smaller gaps lead to larger viscous forces. The pressure profile depends on the shape of the mandrel, the size of the fluid gap and the sheet and the fluid supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mireille K. Akilian, Mark L. Schattenburg
  • Patent number: 8021141
    Abstract: An imprint apparatus has a head unit with a fine structure. The head unit includes a fine imprint pattern layer including fine concavities and convexities, a resin layer on a face of the fine imprint pattern layer opposite to a face where the concavities and convexities are formed, a first pressurizing base member on a face of the resin layer opposite to a face contacting the fine imprint pattern layer, and a second pressurizing base member on a face of the first pressurizing base member opposite to a face contacting the resin layer. The resin layer has a modulus of elasticity smaller than that of the fine imprint pattern layer, and the first pressurizing base member has a modulus of elasticity smaller than that of the resin layer. A light source or a heat source may be further provided. The head unit may be light permeable. A replacement layer may be further provided for replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Miho Sasaki, Masahiko Ogino, Akihiro Miyauchi, Noritake Shizawa, Kyoichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7967591
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for co-curing a multiple material golf club head is disclosed herein. The club head preferably is composed of a metal face component and an aft-body composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Herbert Reyes, Robert S. Gonczi, Craig E. Abbott, James D. Marinez
  • Patent number: 7967595
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for shaping multiple expended thermoplastic containers, specifically plastic bottles into rock shapes by placing the expended plastic bottles into a partitioned tray which is placed onto the top surface of a lift table secured to a jack mounted on a four-wheel dolly and heating the plastic bottles to a malleable state. The lift table is then rolled into an open face shaping chamber that has angle irons secured on the interior sides near the top of the chamber to support and allow a removable tray to which real rocks of different shapes and sizes have been secured to be slid into the chamber with the rocks pointing downward from the tray into the chamber. The lift table with the heated malleable bottles is jacked upward toward and into the real rocks until the bottles take the shapes of the real rocks. Then the table is lowered and wheeled out of the shaping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: John Paul Schofield, Janet Ellen Schofield
  • Patent number: 7959429
    Abstract: An example system is described for the integrated manufacturing of sockets in oriented pipes, with the possibility of regulating and distributing at will the thicknesses of the socket and making it possible to reinforce the traditionally weaker zones, without increasing the manufacturing process time. The system includes a support body, a slide block sliding axially on the inside of the body with a conical inner end, a heater, and a slide rod for pushing the corresponding blank. The slide rod has an axial and central orifice for the introduction of expansion and cooling fluid, whilst the slide block has orifices for the intake of a lubricating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Molecor Tecnologia, S.L.
    Inventor: Ignacio Munoz De Juan
  • Publication number: 20110130012
    Abstract: A rapid thermal processing device and methods are provided for thermal processing of samples such as semiconductor wafers. The device has components including a stamp (35) having a stamping surface and a heater or cooler (40) to bring it to a selected processing temperature, a sample holder (20) for holding a sample (10) in position for intimate contact with the stamping surface; and positioning components (25) for moving the stamping surface and the stamp (35) in and away from intimate, substantially non-pressured contact. Methods for using and making such devices are also provided. These devices and methods allow inexpensive, efficient, easily controllable thermal processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC.
    Inventors: Pauls Stradins, Qi Wang
  • Patent number: 7950131
    Abstract: A robotic system for forming features in orthodontic aligners includes a control system, a platen for three-dimensional positioning of the aligner, a heating station for selectively heating a small region of the aligner, and a thermoforming station for manipulating the heated region to form a desired feature in the aligner. Optionally, a laser cutting and trimming station can also be included to trim excess material from the aligner or to cut features into the aligner. The control system can include a processor with CAD software to enable a user to design features for aligners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Keith Hilliard
  • Patent number: 7927089
    Abstract: A deformable mold includes a first surface at which an imprinting pattern is formed. The imprinting pattern (i) is used to imprint a pattern on a substrate and (ii) has a variable size, which varies based on an amount of deformation of the imprinting pattern. A second surface is located opposite from the first surface in a direction of thickness of the mold. A plurality of heat generating members that generate heat have a permeability to ultraviolet light and are disposed at one of (i) the second surface and (ii) between the first surface and the second surface, and the plurality of heat generating members directly contact the mold in order to control the amount of deformation of the imprinting pattern to vary the size of the imprinting pattern. A controller independently controls the plurality of heat generating members and the controller controls at least one of the heat generating members so as to effect anisotropic size correction of the mold in an in-plane direction of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Seki, Masao Majima, Nobuhito Suehira
  • Publication number: 20110068504
    Abstract: A release plate that is provided on a mold structure for use in an imprinting method in which a concavo-convex pattern is transferred to a resist layer composed of an imprint resist composition on a substrate, and that is used to separate the mold structure from the resist layer, the release plate including at least two metal layers which curve by heating and return to their original shape at normal temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Manabu TOBISE
  • Patent number: 7861345
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and a method for reshaping a footwear shell, the apparatus includes a support structure, a drive mechanism and external mold arrangement that drives the external mold toward or away from the shell being reshaped; and an internal mold assembly that includes an angled support arm having a first leg adapted to couple to one of a selection of couplings provided in the support structure and a second leg offset from the first leg at an angle ?. The internal mold assembly also includes an adapter that is rotatably fixed to the second leg of the angled support arm, and a static mold removably fixed to the adapter and coaxially aligned with a common axis extending through the external mold and static mold, the support arm angle ? provides an improved support shape that improves placement of the static mold within the footwear shell during reshaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Outside The Box Designs, Ltd
    Inventors: Paul J. Prutzman, Cullen L. Speakman
  • Patent number: 7841850
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing elongate variably shaped bodies at least partially comprising thermoplastic material a profile is extruded from an extrusion system head and engaged in a flexible conduit created by cavities formed inside a series of calibration plates attached flexibly together. The calibration plates slide freely over a rotating mold to adopt the shape of the mold's outer contour. The profile is driven through the flexible conduit and winded around the rotating mould like coils. In an embodiment of the apparatus and method, the profile is winded around a size-variable mould creating three-dimensional objects in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Soheyl Mottahedeh
  • Patent number: 7798803
    Abstract: An injection molding device includes a female mold defining a cavity, a male mold having a projecting part protruding toward the female mold corresponding to the cavity, a transport configured for transporting a foil into a position between the female mold and the male mold, a vacuum-pump, and a thermal medium source. A plurality of air discharging holes is defined in the female mold joining in the cavity. A channel is defined in the projecting part of the male mold. The vacuum-pump is connected to the air discharging holes of the female for vacuuming the cavity to suck the foil toward the female mold. The thermal medium source is connected to the channel of the male mold for inputting thermal medium into the mold via the channel to press the foil to cling to the female mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 7794226
    Abstract: An injection molding device configured for manufacturing a foil decorated molding, includes a channel defined in the mold, and a thermal medium source connected to the channel of the mold for inputting thermal medium into the mold via the channel to press the foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 7776248
    Abstract: A method of modifying compressive strains in formation of a pipe ring groove (16), in which a differential temperature profile is established across the pipe wall in a narrow bending locus (l3) corresponding to the ring groove position, and the material is bent to form the ring groove. The temperature differential creates a differential in elastic modulus between the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe material, modifying the strain induced in inner concave and outer convex surfaces of the ring groove during the bending step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Vinidex Pty Limited
    Inventors: George Macovaz, Peter Glanville Chapman, Joshua Stanley Gotham
  • Patent number: 7771187
    Abstract: An embossed carrier tape manufacturing apparatus includes features for integrating with other processing equipment so that other processes such as forming, filling, and sealing the tape can be performed sequentially in one integrated process. The apparatus includes retractable contact spot heaters for heating the tape prior to embossing, along with a unique heat shield arrangement that is interposable between the heaters and the tape so that the process may be paused. Also, a synchronizing apparatus is integrated so that the carrier tape embossing process may be automatically paused for adjusting to the input rate of other carrier tape processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Adaptsys Limited
    Inventors: Barry L. Gregerson, James E. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 7744362
    Abstract: A temperature control system (100) includes a heating system (1), a cooling system (2) and a control unit (3). The heating system has a heated fluid. The heated fluid is heated by a solar energy for increasing the mold temperature. The cooling system has a cooled fluid. The cooled fluid cools for decreasing the mold temperature. The control unit controls the heating system and the cooling system to be opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7726962
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding composite material with a selectable uniform predetermined temperature during most of the curing time. The mold apparatus has two cooperating and complementing mold bed assemblies hingedly mounted to each other and movable between two extreme positions, open and closed. A composite inner skin and outer skins sandwich a spacer in between. The spacer member includes interconnecting passages throughout. An outer perforated composite skin member covers the spacer member. A source for pressurized gas is applied to the mold assemblies when in the closed position. A predetermined cooperative temperature is selectably used to uniformly control the curing characteristics of the first and second skin members as the pressurized hot gas or air forced to pass through the outer skin and the spacer member adjacent to the inner skin thereby exposing the form being molded to a uniform temperature gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Joseba Aramburu, Sergio Velez
  • Patent number: 7713052
    Abstract: In a processing method of a fine structure according to the present invention, an opposed platen (211) is moved from a retreat position to a molding/processing position, so that a film (1) is pressed against a mold (5) and processed. Thereafter a second block (211b) is separated from a first block (211a). Thus, improvement of the cooling rate for the opposed platen (211) can be attained by reducing the total thermal capacity of the opposed platen (211) by reducing the volume of the opposed platen (211) in cooling and physically discharging heat stored in the opposed platen (211). Thus, cooling efficiency for the opposed platen (211) is improved, and the heat cycle of the opposed platen (211) can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yorita, Katsunari Mikage
  • Patent number: 7708539
    Abstract: A device is suggested for calibrating an extruded plastic profile (1) having a shaping extrusion die (3) and having a framework (6) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1) in relation to the extrusion die (3), which has a cooling tank (5) and, between the cooling tank (5) and the extrusion die (3), a dry calibration apparatus (4) which is replaceably attached to a carrier (12) and is connectable on one hand to supply lines for a coolant liquid feed and removal and on the other hand to a partial vacuum. To obtain advantageous mounting conditions, it is suggested that the carrier (12), which is adjustable in relation to the cooling tank (5) in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1), form a distributor, connected to the supply lines (16, 17), having line transitions (25) for the coolant liquid and the partial vacuum in the placement area of the dry calibration apparatus (4), which is provided with corresponding line transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Gruber & Co Group GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Gruber, Erwin Krumböck
  • Patent number: 7708932
    Abstract: A chilled air pressure box is provided for thermoforming a plastic sheet. The chilled air pressure box comprises a box, a box perimeter, an inlet valve, a compressed air source and a chilled air source. The box has an interior space within the box and defines an inlet opening. The box perimeter is for sealingly interfacing with a vacuum mold. The inlet valve is substantially disposed within the interior space, adjacent and aligned with the inlet opening such that when the inlet valve is closed the inlet opening is substantially sealed and when the inlet valve is opened the inlet opening is not sealed. The compressed air source is capable of pressurizing the interior space with compressed air and interfaces with the box. The chilled air source communicates with the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wykoff, Stanley Staniszewski, Kedzie Fernholz, Joshua Bosworth
  • Patent number: 7695267
    Abstract: A rib forming apparatus has an elongated support table, a supply of thermoplastic sheet material over the table, a transporting means having at least two transverse carriages mounted on the table to slide along longitudinal edges thereof, a thermal means mounted on one of the carriages for locally heating the sheet material in preparation of a molding press, and at least one press module mounted on another carriage and having a reciprocating press blade positioned at one flat side of the sheet material and a couple of swiveling press blades positioned at the opposite flat side of the sheet material and movable toward the reciprocating press blade to mold the heated section of the sheet material by closing the above three press blades toward each other, whereby a series of vertical rib folds are formed transversely of the sheet material and advanced by the transport means through the closed press blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Dynaflex International
    Inventor: Bill Dworzan
  • Patent number: 7682141
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making plastic molded articles generally having a double-skinned configuration with a foamed interior extending between the two skins. Such an article can be produced with a double beauty finish, and various inserts can be placed within the foamed interior between the two skins. The apparatus of the present invention includes the machinery used in order to make such a plastic article. The heated mold configurations can be made of inexpensive aluminum, compared to the traditional stainless steel production mold, and therefore will help the manufacture of large molded plastic articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3DM Worldwide PLC
    Inventors: Miguel A. Linares, Panfilo M. Dinello
  • Patent number: 7651326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a calibrating plate for an extrusion die for producing plastic profiles, comprising a substantially plate-shaped basic body (21), in which an opening (22) for guiding and calibrating the plastic profile (23) to be produced is provided, with at least one insert part (1) made of a material with high hardness being inserted into the basic body (21), which insert part comprises at least one holding section (2) and a shaping section (3), with both the holding section (2) as well as the shaping section (3) being formed partly as cylindrical surfaces with generatrices parallel to the extrusion axis (6), and with the insert part (1) being held in the axial direction in the plate-shaped basic body (21) by a delimiting stop (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Technoplast Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Dorninger, Uwe Schimmel
  • Publication number: 20090302511
    Abstract: Processes and apparati for shaping sheet glass or thermoplastic materials use force from a layer of a flowing fluid, such as air, between the sheet and a mandrel at close to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic. The shape is preserved by colling. The shape of the air bearing mandrel and the pressure distribution of the fluid contribute to the final shape. A process can be conducted on one or two surfaces such that the force from the air layer is on one or two surfaces of the sheet. The gap size between the sheet and mandrel determines the pressure profile in the gap, which also determines the final sheet shape. In general, smaller gaps lead to larger viscous forces. The pressure profile depends on the shape of the mandrel, the size of the fluid gap and the sheet and the fluid supply pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mireille K. Akilian, Mark L. Schattenburg
  • Patent number: 7625194
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus is provided for manufacturing a tubular resin film of high quality and little thickness variations, which is stretched and given an orientation, and suitable as retardation film or the like. It comprises a stretching section (6) for stretching the tubular resin film (20), and a maintaining section (7) for maintaining a shape of said tubular resin film (20) stretched. Further, said stretching section (6) is arranged to apply a stretching force to said tubular resin film for longitudinally and/or circumferentially stretching said tubular resin film (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshida, Seigou Akazawa, Keiko Akazawa, legal representative, Toyotaro Maruyama, Takeshi Takeuchi, Shigeyoshi Furuhara, Masanori Ikenaga, Toshio Nakao
  • Patent number: 7622061
    Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: James F. McGehee
  • Patent number: 7611660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cooling material during continuous vacuum forming. The apparatus includes one or more cooling regions positioned adjacent one or more vacuum regions. A rotatable support belt including perforations therein supports a flexible patterned belt. The flexible patterned belt includes apertures spaced along the length and width thereof. The one or more cooling regions provide a cooling fluid to be drawn through the apertures in the flexible patterned belt to form an area of cooling fluid on the flexible patterned belt which contacts a bottom surface of a hot material received on the flexible patterned belt in order to cool the bottom surface of the material and the flexible patterned belt. The vacuum regions are in fluid flow communication with the perforations of the support belt and the apertures of the flexible patterned belt for drawing the material onto the flexible patterned belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bosler Design Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Bosler
  • Patent number: 7604472
    Abstract: A method for forming a flare in the end of a flexible tube comprises heating the end of the flexible tube to a near-melted state, inserting the end of the flexible tube into a flare-forming die with a flare forming portion, and pressing a mandrel into the end of the flexible tube, thereby pressure forming a flare in the end of the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventors: Frank F. Hayes, Jr., Paul E. Crist
  • Publication number: 20090236773
    Abstract: A catheter inflatable member forming mold can include first and second frames that mate to define a mold cavity, the mold cavity defining a main cavity portion and a bulge cavity portion, the mold cavity being sized to receive an elongated tube member therein. The mold can also include a pin member with a head portion positioned in the mold cavity, the pin member extending into the mold cavity, the head portion of the pin member being moveable in a first direction to contact and move the tube member towards the bulge cavity portion of the mold cavity during molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: The Thomas Trin Tran, Richard A. Noddin
  • Patent number: 7572123
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LP
    Inventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
  • Patent number: 7572121
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing dental aligners. The system includes a workpiece introduction system having at least one workpiece preparation chamber. The system further has a mold manipulation system, having a mold introduction chamber, where a series of different molds may be introduced one after the other; a mold preparation chamber; a workpiece operation chamber; and a mold manipulator to move the mold between the mold introduction chamber, the mold preparation chamber, and the workpiece operation chamber; and a workpiece manipulator to move the workpiece between the workpiece preparation chamber and the workpiece operation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Wrosz, James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren
  • Publication number: 20090184446
    Abstract: In a polymer film stretching system, a tentering machine draws polymer film of cellulose acylate containing additive of triphenyl phosphate in a transverse direction while the polymer film is guided continuously and heated. A stretching chamber contains the tentering machine. A far infrared heater and heat roller heat the polymer film before entry to the stretching chamber to set temperature of the polymer film upon entry to the stretching chamber in a range equal to or higher than T+10 (deg. C.) and equal to or lower than T+80 (deg. C.), where T (deg. C.) is a condensation temperature of the additive evaporated in the stretching chamber. Furthermore, a film dispenser supplies the polymer film from a film roll to the tentering machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki KAWATA, Yasunori Iwasa, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shinsuke Aoshima
  • Patent number: 7556491
    Abstract: A heating apparatus or platen is provided with a heating surface adjacent a heat exchange fluid area defined by the heating surface attached by side walls and end plates to a retainer plate. A flow through system pumps heat exchange fluid through a platen with holes in end plates. Optional walls partition the heat exchange fluid area into flow channels in the platen. An alternative circulating flow system circulates heat exchange fluid in a closed platen with solid end plates. A u-shaped wall and at least one internal wall create a continuous fluid flow channel inside the closed platen. Flow systems pump a heat exchange fluid through heat exchange fluid area for heating by at least one internal heating element within the platen. The temperature of the heat exchange fluid remains relatively constant as it passes through the platen from heat conduction by the internal heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Apollo Hardwoods Company
    Inventors: Timothy Blankenship, Edward Constantine, Junius Himes, Brent Lillesand, James Todd
  • Patent number: 7549852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting machine comprising at least one moving type cutting table (1), in which the plastic material to be cut (2) is placed; a plurality of lower electromagnets (3) and a plurality of upper electromagnets (4) a ferromagnetic sphere (5); microwave emitting means (6); computer numerical control means (7). This machine is based on the use of a sphere (5) cutting plastic materials by means of thermal fusion, and which is controlled in space by magnetic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventors: Santos Ortiz Casar, Alfonso Martínez Conde
  • Patent number: 7547205
    Abstract: A microimprint/nanoimprint uniform pressing apparatus is used to provide uniform imprinting pressure to a molding material layer between a substrate and a mold. The uniform pressing apparatus includes a uniform pressing unit for being directly in contact with the mold or the substrate, so as to allow each point to have equal pressure during imprinting and utilize a simple structure to transmit uniform imprinting pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shou-Ren Chen, Chuan-Feng Chen, Yu-Lun Ho, Jen-Hua Wu, Wei-Han Wang, Lai-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7531025
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of controlling a turbulent flow of a fluid between a substrate and a template, and more specifically, controlling a turbulent flow of a fluid between droplets disposed on a substrate and a template. To that end, the method further comprises the ingression and egression of the fluid through a first and second aperture, and in a further embodiment, a plurality of apertures, to create such a turbulent flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignees: Molecular Imprints, Inc., Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ian M. McMackin, Nicholas A. Stacey, Daniel A. Babbs, Duane J. Voth, Mathew P. C. Watts, Van N. Truskett, Frank Y. Xu, Ronald D. Voisin, Pankaj B. Lad