Reshaping Means Utilizing Fluid Pressure Directly Contacting Work Patents (Class 425/503)
  • Publication number: 20100308514
    Abstract: A correcting apparatus of a seamless belt includes a bottomed cylindrical main body that has an inner peripheral surface formed of mirror surface and that accommodates a seamless belt at a distance from the inner peripheral surface, a lid body detachably attached to the main body, a fixing unit that fixes an upper end and a lower end of the seamless belt to the mirror surface, a pressing unit that presses the seamless belt accommodated in the main body against the mirror surface, and a heating unit that heats the mirror surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsunori Hashimoto, Yoshiyuki Mizumo
  • Publication number: 20100255234
    Abstract: A pressure tank blank made of a thermoplastic, having a body, which merges via a shoulder into a neck and a mouth, which is implemented for screwing in a valve, is usable for gases under high pressure, if the blank has a metal insert enveloped by the plastic on the interior to reinforce at least the shoulder of the blank. This pressure tank blank may be produced in an extrusion blow-molding method. For this purpose, with open blow mold, a metal insert having the inner contour of at least the shoulder of the blank is introduced into the corresponding area of the cavity of the blow mold and the tube, enclosing this metal insert, is extruded into the blow mold, before it is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: KUNSTSTOFFVERARBEITUNG KOETKE GMBH
    Inventor: Claus-Dieter Koetke
  • Patent number: 7806158
    Abstract: A security and/or tracking information and graphic image fusion system to be used with verification equipment to provide a tamper proof labeled article having security and/or tracking information thereon. The label comprises a printable sheet having at least one RFID device thereon, and an outer layer thereon. The RFID device provides security and/or tracking information for the labeled article. The label may further include at least one visible image printed thereon. To provide additional layers of security, at least one invisible IR or UV image, or both, may also be printed on the printable sheet to provide security and/or tracking information. The visible image provides the graphic image. The label is permanently fused by an in-mold molding process to an article made of plastic, rubber or the combination thereof to render it tamper proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Standard Register Company
    Inventor: Robert Frank Freund
  • Publication number: 20100163178
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fiber reinforced resin composite component by a resin transfer infusion (RTI) process in which a preform is laid up on a hard base tool and a bagging blanket is applied as a flexible upper tooling. Edge and/or other regions of the preform are superimposed by localized control plates which, together with spacer pins passing through the preform, serve to determine localized dimensional accuracy in the component without the need for hard upper tooling throughout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: William James Trevor Millar
  • Publication number: 20100127427
    Abstract: A method for making a preform includes creating a pressure differential between an inside and an outside of a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape. The pressure differential is such that pressure outside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel is greater than pressure inside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The perforated shape memory polymer mandrel has i) a predetermined preform shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined preform shape. The method further includes depositing, as the pressure differential is maintained, at least one material onto a surface of the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The at least one material is set in the predetermined preform shape, thereby forming the preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hamid G. Kia, Ingrid A. Rousseau, Elisabeth J. Berger, John N. Owens
  • Patent number: 7722791
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having a plugged portion, wherein a mask is applied to the honeycomb structure, a plugging material is supplied on the mask or on the same plane as a surface of the mask, and a pressurizing apparatus disposed at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the mask and having a pressurizing face for pressurizing the plugging material is moved to fill the plugging material into the cells of the honeycomb structure. The pressurizing apparatus is moved on the mask with a part of the region of the pressurizing face being brought into surface contact with the mask via the plugging material to pressurize the plugging material toward the cell side and to push out an extra plugging material in the direction of movement to further pressurize and fill the material into the cells with forming the region of the surface contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kimura, Takuya Nunome, Ryuichi Shoji, Yoshimasa Kondo, Hiroyuki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7699594
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for supplying a label to a pseudo-core with the label held in the right position that can reduce the rate of producing defective molded products. They also can delivery a label with reduced suction force for drawing the label so as to downsize the apparatus and reduce the cost. A label 25 that is sucked and held at least at a longitudinal central part thereof is introduced into a pseudo metal mold 23 having a hollow section 23a whose inner surface shows a profile substantially agreeing with the outer profile of a corresponding pseudo-core and an aperture section 23b communicating with the hollow section 23a by way of pseudo metal mold 23 so as to extend along the inner surface of the hollow section 23a, while it is being resiliently deformed. Subsequently, the label 25 is supplied to the pseudo-core 21 coming into the hollow section 23a of the pseudo metal mold 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Star Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatunari Ito
  • Patent number: 7690914
    Abstract: A mold assembly includes a collapsible mount for releasably holding an insert within a mold cavity of the assembly in order to integrally form the insert with a molded article such as a tank liner. The collapsible mount includes a number of fingers secured to the mount and capable of being inserted through and expanded to engage the insert. The fingers are expanded after insertion through the insert by a core engageable with the fingers in order to securely hold the insert in position on the fingers of the mount and within the mold cavity. After formation of the article around the insert, the core can be disengaged from the fingers, which then move to a collapsed position such that the mount can be quickly withdrawn from within the insert and the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Clack
  • Patent number: 7670133
    Abstract: A method and a plant for twin-sheet thermoforming of fuel tanks; first and second sheets (SA, SB) of thermoformable plastic material, are separately fed along respective processing lines (10A, 10B). The sheets (SA, SB) are heated and gripped along their peripheral edges by a pneumatically actuate suction and vacuum holding device (15A, 15B), for supporting the heated sheets (SA, SB) in a substantially flat condition while they are moved towards a respective thermoforming station (16A, 16B). Both the molds (17A, 17B) are disposed side by side with their open cavity facing upwards. After thermoforming of the plastic sheets (SA, SB), one of the molds (17B) is turned upside down onto the other mold (17A), to overlap and weld superimposed sealing areas of the two thermoformed shells (GA, GB). Cooling of the molds and thermoformed tank may be performed on a side of the processing lines (10A, 10B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Canon S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gabriele Binda, Francesco Fiorentini, Davide Mariani, Loredano Sbrana, Carlo Ortenzi
  • Patent number: 7648359
    Abstract: A mold-conveying device for an plastic blow-molding machines includes a machine base and an auxiliary mold base. The machine base is located under a main mold base for positioning the lower mold of a shaping mold thereon, provided with plural correcting rods fitted in correcting rod holes in the bottom base of the auxiliary mold base. Further, a power member is provided under the auxiliary mold base for raising or lowering the auxiliary mold base, and the auxiliary mold base is provided with a transmitting device having a transmitting member to match with a rack provided in the machine base for shifting the auxiliary mold base rightward and leftward in accordance with the blow-molding movements of the plastic blow-molding machines for carrying out mold conveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Supreme Technic Package Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huang Sheng-Chang
  • Patent number: 7625622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a compacted powder slug coated with a film. The powder, e.g. of a medicament, is compacted and enrobed to produce compacted powder slugs by preferably mechanically compacting a powder and forming a film of a material, preferably hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, by vacuum or pressure differential, about the surface of the powder thus compacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Bioprogress Technology Limited
    Inventors: Jason Teckoe, Colin Merwood, Michael Dann, Stephen Ronald Kessel, Ian Povey, Martin Good
  • Patent number: 7524181
    Abstract: A blowing assembly is connected to a body of a blowing mechanism and has a bracket, a driving device, a mold assembly and a peripheral-supplying device. The bracket is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism and has a frame, an actuating device and a transmitting device. The frame is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism and has multiple mounting shafts, a mounting board, a second moving board and a primary moving board. The driving device is mounted on the second moving board and has a motor, a driven device and a threaded rod. The mold assembly is connected to the bracket and has a primary mold and two second molds. The peripheral-supplying device is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism over the bracket and has two mounts located at two sides of the second moving board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Fu-Chuan Chiang
  • Patent number: 7524182
    Abstract: A blowing mechanism has a body, a moving device and a supplying device. The body has an annular track, a mold assembly and a mounting frame. The moving device is connected to the body and has a mounting bracket, an upper rail device, a lower rail device and a transmitting device. The mounting bracket is connected to the body. The upper rail device is connected movably to the mounting bracket and has a rail, a connecting board, a belt and two rail seats. The lower rail device is connected to the upper rail device and has an inner rail and a bottom board. The transmitting device is connected to the mounting bracket and the lower rail device and has an upper rack, a lower rack and a turning gear. The supplying device is mounted on the body and has a case, a supplying guide and a supplying arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Fu-Chuan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090025854
    Abstract: In a method and device for mounting an elongated member inside an elongated, elastic, flexible tubing, initially having an inside cross-sectional dimension that is approximately equal to or less than the outside cross-sectional dimension of the elongated member, the inner cross-sectional dimension of the flexible tubing is expanded by applying a pressurized fluid to the inner bore of the tubing, and inserting the elongated member into the tubing while the pressurized fluid is being applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Armin Barlov, Kent Soderman
  • Publication number: 20080203622
    Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay- up being accommodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD
    Inventor: Neil Graham
  • Patent number: 7147455
    Abstract: Methods and devices for molding a desired configuration into an endovascular graft section that is made of a plurality of layers of fusible material. Layers of fusible material are disposed on a shape forming mandrel with seams in the layers that may be configured to produce inflatable channels. The graft section and shape forming mandrel can be placed in a mold which constrains an outer layer or layers of fusible material while the inflatable channels are being expanded and the fusible material of the graft section fixed. In some embodiments, the fusible material of the graft section may be fixed by a sintering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Santa Rosa Corp.
    Inventors: Michael V. Chobotov, Patrick Stephens
  • Patent number: 7014453
    Abstract: A mold and molding machine having a sensor and a control circuit for monitoring operation of the molding machine during a molding operation. The molding machine may be a blow molding machine that is used in an insert molding operation wherein a preformed insert is placed in the mold and the sensor is used to detect the condition within the mold such as the location of the insert. The insert sensor may be a microswitch, proximity sensor, or ultrasonic sensor. Other sensors such as temperature sensors or pressure sensors may also be incorporated in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Moran, Michael P. Schoemann, Les A. Gilewski, William L. Manto, John L. Fox
  • Patent number: 6984119
    Abstract: A dual-chamber container is formed in an injection blow molding process. Two preforms are injection molded around respective core rods. The preforms and core rods are then moved to a blow mold, in which the preforms are molded to the confines of the mold. The blow mold has partial walls between the two cavities, which provide directional control over the preforms as the preform wall portions are blown against and contact welded to each other. The outer walls of the preforms, which must travel and stretch a greater amount than the inner walls, are formed thicker in the preform molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Health Care Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Randall A. Hickman, Daniel G. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6969246
    Abstract: A forming station for a thermoformer in which the lower platen is lowered and moved laterally on linear bearings on the machine frame after two sheets are formed in side by side mold-plug assist tool sets so as to align the respective molds and formed sheets. The formed sheets are squeezed together with flanges on the formed sheets thereby fused together by a draw mechanism including a series of hydraulic cylinders which are connected to coupled elements carried by the upper and lower platens so as create the squeezing movement when the cylinders are pressurized. A precision control is exercised over the operation of each of the cylinders using a position sensing device associated with each cylinder to insure equal movement of the output member of each cylinder. The lower platen vertical drive is activated in correspondence with the travel produced by the hydraulic cylinders to reduce the load on a brake holding the upper platen stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Brown Machine, LLC
    Inventors: James Kundinger, Stephen Keeley
  • Patent number: 6966767
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) comprises: first clamp means (30) for indexing sheet material (6, 10) through its own forming means (24, 26, 28), further clamp means (52; 54) for advancing said sheet material (6; 10) towards said first clamp means (30) synchronously; the first clamp means (30) and/or the further clamp means (52; 54) are coupled to electronic control means and are mechanically disconnected to each other; a method comprises: indexing sheet material (6, 10) through its own forming means (24, 26, 28) by acting on a region of said sheet material (6; 10), controlling said advancing by acting on a further region of said sheet material (6, 10) disposed upstream said region; said advancing and said controlling take place by using electronic auxiliary means; a container comprises first and second wall means connected to each other along a peripheral sealing (130) in order to define an internal space (132) and regions (104, 110) positioned in a pre-established manner on faces (106, 112) of said wall means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventors: Alessandro Bianchini, Sal DiGrande
  • Patent number: 6966763
    Abstract: The two belt parts (2a, 2b) of a belt (2) made of plasticatable material are produced with the aid of a first station (6) and a second station (8). The first station (6) includes a rotatable mold drum (14) and a continuous mold belt (18). The mold belt (18) is brought together with the mold drum (14) along a peripheral section via an upper pressure roller (20), a lower pressure roller (22) and a tensioning roller (24) in such a manner that a hollow mold space (26) is formed between the mold drum (14) and the mold belt (18). An extruder (10) is mounted forward of the hollow mold space (26). Furthermore, the first station (6) includes a filament feed (28) for forming a reinforcement layer (4) in the first belt part (2a). For a simplified manufacture of the belt (2), the second station (8) includes only a direction-changing roller (30) in addition to the extruder (12) and a mold drum (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Göser, Thomas Winkler, André Kucharczyk
  • Patent number: 6899842
    Abstract: A process and plant for laying a pipe in a trench comprising placing a flattened tubular preform in the trench, the perform having a reinforcement surrounding an inner seal, the reinforcement being impregnated with a resin, and inflating the perform in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, James Leighton, Jean-Louis Saltel
  • Publication number: 20040224049
    Abstract: An internally label-sticking mold includes an outer mold and an inner mold. The outer mold has an interior hollow for containing a shaped material and the inner mold, and the inner mold has an interior hollow for containing a label therein. Thus, when the outer mold with the shaped material placed in its interior hollow is combined with the inner mold with the label placed in its interior hollow for blowing and molding a plastic product, the shaped material becomes a finished plastic product stuck with a label integral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Huang Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 6708728
    Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The absorbent material is saturated with a thermoset resin and pulled into the existing conduit. A flexible inflation bladder is passed through a gland mounted on an eversion apparatus and everted into the collapsed liner. The gland is pressurized to isolate the eversion bladder. As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder. Steam is then introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and is exhausted through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
  • Publication number: 20040036202
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting a flexible liner 2 including a layer 3 of composite material comprising thermoplastics material and reinforcing fibres, into a structural member within a duct 1, has a front portion 6 for insertion in the liner 2, a central portion 7 for heating one side of the layer 3 and a rear portion 20 which forces the heated layer 3 against the duct 1 for consolidation and cooling under pressure. The central portion 7 has heating means 8 producing hot gas which is forced under pressure through the layer 3 of composite material to heat the layer 3, and provides an air gap 14 on the opposite side of the layer 3 while heating takes place. This ensures uniform heating of the layer 3, to melt the thermoplastics material which then mixes intimately with the reinforcing fibres, and is consolidated and cooled to form the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas Leo Weatherby, Matthew Richard Turner
  • Publication number: 20040022890
    Abstract: The two belt parts (2a, 2b) of a belt (2) made of plasticatable material are produced with the aid of a first station (6) and a second station (8). The first station (6) includes a rotatable mold drum (14) and a continuous mold belt (18). The mold belt (18) is brought together with the mold drum (14) along a peripheral section via an upper pressure roller (20), a lower pressure roller (22) and a tensioning roller (24) in such a manner that a hollow mold space (26) is formed between the mold drum (14) and the mold belt (18). An extruder (10) is mounted forward of the hollow mold space (26). Furthermore, the first station (6) includes a filament feed (28) for forming a reinforcement layer (4) in the first belt part (2a). For a simplified manufacture of the belt (2), the second station (8) includes only a direction-changing roller (30) in addition to the extruder (12) and a mold drum (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Hubert Goser, Thomas Winkler, Andre Kucharczyk
  • Patent number: 6659750
    Abstract: A mold is provided for forming molded parts having flash seams which are moved to inconspicuous locations. The mold, which is typically used to make blow molded parts, includes two or more mold blocks and removable inserts which allow relocation of flash seams and at the same time allow removal of the finished part from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Omnimold, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn L. Overmyer, Martin Cass
  • Patent number: 6649120
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus (10) including four molds (21, 22, 23, 24) that move into a common parison receiving position (26) from directions different from the directions that the molds move out of the parison receiving position (26). When in the parison receiving position (26), each mold receives, encloses and severs a length of parison then shapes the parison during blow molding. Two molds (21, 22) alternately move in respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) from the parison receiving position (26) to respective first and second outer positions (38, 39), to a common article take-out position (45) and then back to the parison receiving position (26) from a third radial direction (96). The third radial direction is angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: R&B Machine Tool Company
    Inventor: David M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030146549
    Abstract: An in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including a first cam mechanism (58) and a second cam mechanism (64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, Edward L. Sanford, David M. Amirault
  • Publication number: 20030116889
    Abstract: A molding machine for molding a hollow article which has at least two laminated layers. The molding machine comprises: a pair of molds 1, 2 capable of opening and closing; a core pin 3 which is disposed between the molds 1, 2 and which allows a bottom layer material 51 to fit on a peripheral surface of the core pin 3; a parison transfer device 4 which supplies a parison 42, as a top layer material, between the bottom layer material 51 and the molds 1, 2; and a pair of slide members 13 disposed in at least one of the molds 1, 2 and movable to and away from the core pin 3. The molds 1, 2, the slide members 13 and the core pin 3 are arranged to define a space which corresponds to the hollow article, when the molds are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Akira Toshikawa
  • Patent number: 6554601
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Ampulski, Vladimir Vitenberg, Larry L. Huston
  • Patent number: 6530773
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a fibrous material to a plastic substrate involves positioning a fibrous material over a surface of a plastic substrate, directing a stream of heated air through the fibrous material to melt the surface of the plastic substrate, compressing the fibrous material against the melted surface of the plastic substrate, and allowing the melted surface of the plastic substrate to cool and resolidify, whereby fibers of the fibrous material become embedded in the resolidified plastic. The apparatus comprises a fixture for supporting the plastic substrate and a fibrous material over a surface of the plastic substrate, a tool supported adjacent the fixture for directing heated, pressurized air toward the plastic substrate and for compressing the fibrous material against the plastic substrate, and an actuator for reciprocating the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: J. R. Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bearman, Bret A. Hoeksema
  • Publication number: 20030039780
    Abstract: In the process and machine of the invention, two strips (A and B) of heat weldable material are supplied, reciprocally facing one another, in an advancement direction (F). The strips are welded at predetermined welding zones and give rise to cells (4) each having at least one opening (5). A part of the welding zone which surrounds the cell (4) is cut, folded and inserted, together with the cell (4), in a forming cavity (71). A forming fluid is injected into the opening to expand the cell internally of the forming cavity. The invention enables plastic containers to be made which are free of projections in the welding zone and which have a low risk of container leakage through the welding seams on the lateral walls and on the bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Primo Finetti
  • Publication number: 20030006536
    Abstract: A plastic blow molding system (20) and a method for blow molding utilize an in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including first and second cam mechanisms (58, 64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling. Label transfer apparatus (160) provides high speed labeling of the dispensing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, Edward L. Sanford, David M. Amirault
  • Patent number: 6478569
    Abstract: A hybrid injection molding machine that has the capability to draw an decorative or other sheet into a mold cavity prior to injection into the mold has opposing male and female mold parts. One of the mold parts has an insert formed from a porous metal so that a vacuum may be drawn through the insert in order to draw a decorative sheet into all aspects of the insert cavity. The decorative sheet is held in place with a retention mechanism that is selectively attachable to either of the two mold blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Slipmate Company
    Inventors: Vincent Masterson, Steven Matecki, Daniel Darby, Gregory Peterson
  • Patent number: 6474976
    Abstract: To provide a film holding apparatus for an injection mold which is capable of surely holding a protective film on a specific position of a mold surface of the injection mold. The film holding apparatus for holding an inner film on the mold surface of the injection molds consisting of two coupled molds having substantially-vertical coupled surfaces thereof includes two positioning pins that can hang an upper edge side of the inner film on an upper edge portion of the mold surface of the mold, and upper and lower vacuum opening portions for film adsorption disposed so as to interpose the positioning pins therebetween from the upper and lower sides. The upper vacuum opening portion is formed in a line, which extends along an upper edge of the mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kotaro Oami, Masaaki Suzumura
  • Patent number: 6471907
    Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder or a blow head for substantially continuously emitting a thermoplastic material in tubular or parison form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves downwardly with respect to the extruder or blow head to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the emitted thermoplastic. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the emitted thermoplastic length therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set that is permitted to return and engage an other finite length of the thermoplastic material. The second mold set follows the first mold set in a path of travel traced by the first mold set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Michael J. Lonsway
  • Patent number: 6444160
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising first fluid supplying means for supplying inflating fluid to between opposite portions of thermoformable material, first and second parts for receiving said portions between them, one of the parts being in the form of a shell defining a recess having a surface against which said inflating fluid presses one of said opposite portions driving means operable to bring the shell into a closed conditions relative to the other part and to maintain the shell in said closed condition, and second fluid supplying means arranged to supply operating fluid to said driving means, wherein the driving means and the second fluid supplying means are pneumatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Unfill International A/G
    Inventor: Andrea Bartoli
  • Patent number: 6386856
    Abstract: A mold assembly has an upper positioning seat, an upper panel disposed in the upper positioning seat, a lower positioning seat, a lower panel disposed in the lower positioning seat, a first air cylinder disposed on a side of the lower positioning seat, a second air cylinder disposed on a bottom of the lower positioning seat, a third air cylinder disposed on a side of the upper positioning seat, and a fourth air cylinder disposed on a top portion of the upper positioning seat. A lower plate is disposed on a bottom of the upper panel. An upper plate is disposed on the lower panel. The lower plate engages with the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventors: Ming-Dong Chern, Cheng-Ju Ho
  • Patent number: 6379606
    Abstract: A twin sheet thermoforming method and apparatus of a type using a rotary wheel to carry each of a series of clamping frames for releasably holding sheets to be formed through successive processing stations. The clamping frames can be shuttled on the wheel to be alternatively located for alignment with one of two forming tooling sets at a forming station, and to be shiftable at an unload-load station so that unloading and loading do not occur at the same location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Brown Machine, LLC.
    Inventors: Victor L. Chun, Roderick P. Schulte
  • Publication number: 20020033553
    Abstract: An improved, economical, high speed method and apparatus for attaching a fibrous material to a plastic substrate involves positioning a fibrous material over a surface of a plastic substrate, directing a stream of heated air through the fibrous material and at the surface of the plastic substrate to melt the surface of the plastic substrate, compressing the fibrous material against the melted surface of the plastic substrate, and allowing the melted surface of the plastic substrate to cool and resolidify, whereby fibers of the fibrous material become embedded in the resolidified plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: J.R. Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bearman , Bret A. Hoeksema
  • Publication number: 20020017745
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing plastic containers from thermoplastic sheets where the thermoplastic sheets are processed in parallel to form a low permeation plastic container. A plurality of thermoplastic sheets are progressively heated to a first temperature in a pre-conditioning stage. A group of the thermoplastic sheets are selected from the plurality of thermoplastic sheets and rapidly heated to a second temperature in a final heat stage. The group of thermoplastic sheets are then processed in a forming stage to form the low permeation plastic container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Erich James Vorenkamp, Barbara Krell, Lawrence Eugene Vaughn, Larry Dean Land
  • Publication number: 20010038171
    Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer blow molded container (10), the multi-layer preform (10′) from which the container is blow molded, and the apparatus (53) for making a liner (24) of the preform utilizes thermoforming of a heated sheet (34) of resin. A vacuum is drawn within a vacuum enclosure (54) at a first surface of the heated sheet of resin (34) and a male vacuum mold (56) engages the other surface of the heated sheet of resin which has a concave shape to provide the forming in a manner that prevents crystallinity of the lower freestanding base of the multi-layer container that is ultimately blow molded from the preform (10′) made with the thermoformed liner (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr
  • Publication number: 20010033877
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping thermoplastic materials or for laminating backing parts has a turntable (3) which can be rotated by means of a rotary drive (2) and comprises rests (26, 27) for receiving supporting devices (28) for molds and or backing parts (15). The turntable has a plurality of receiving places which are able to enter alternately into a preliminary blowing box (9), where the shaping of the moulded part to be produced takes place in conjunction with a mold arranged on an upper table (6). For sealing the opening (11) in the front wall (10), facing the rotary drive (2), of the preliminary blowing box (9), the turntable has a separating wall (12) which grips with flanges (21, 22) on both sides over a wall indentation (20), which surrounds the rotary drive and consequently bounds the preliminary blowing box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Paul Kiefel GmbH
    Inventors: Gernold Stammler, Kurt Rosenmayer, Reiner Huber
  • Patent number: 6306237
    Abstract: A lamination process for orienting and conforming a film or sheet material to a substrate surface having a surface feature such that the film or sheet material reflects the surface feature includes interposing an adhesive between the film or sheet material and the substrate surface and opposing the film or sheet material and the substrate surface; providing at least two manifolds, where each manifold provides a plurality of flow streams of a pressurized liquid, each flow stream being oriented to effectuate a clear but minimally overlapped resulting flow stream from each manifold; and directing the resulting flow streams onto the film or sheet material to coincide at a contact nip line with at a force effective to conform the film or sheet material to the surface feature of the substrate surface. The resulting flow streams are maintained for sufficient time to adhere the film or sheet material to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Roy D. Wemyss
  • Patent number: 6264876
    Abstract: In-mold-labeling method and apparatus for labeling a plurality of cylindrical bottles simultaneously by withdrawing the end label from each of a plurality of spaced apart lanes of a label magazine, moving the transfer mechanism supporting such labels to a position aligned with the recesses of a mold and inserting a label in each of said recesses. The support mechanism with vacuum heads carrying adjacent labels causes adjacent vacuum heads to be moved to a position closer together when aligned with the mold recesses than when aligned with the respective lanes of the label magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas P. Ballay
  • Patent number: 6244846
    Abstract: A pressure containment device enables the installation of an everting liner without requiring a shipping container that can be pressurized. A pressure housing provides an inlet for receiving the liner and an outlet for installing the liner into the borehole. First and second movable belts have first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, for receiving the liner at the inlet of the pressure housing, and first and second interior surfaces for urging the first and second sealing surfaces against the liner when the pressure housing is pressurized. First rollers support the first and second movable belts within the pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6193925
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for inserting labels into blow-molded hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four multi-cavity molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding workstations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each workstation, and at a label-insertion station, one time during each carrousel revolution. An in-mold labeler inserts a label into each mold at the label-insertion station. The in-mold labeler includes four picker heads supported on a carriage that shuttles the heads between label dispensing magazines and the mold station path. Each magazine includes a label stack receptacle in which labels rest edgewise, by gravitational force on a pair of label guide surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: UNOVA-R & B Machines Tool Co.
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Weber, David M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6186767
    Abstract: A dispensing head (36) for an in-mold labeling system includes a lever assembly (106) rotatively driven by a rotary drive member (74) and having a pair of levers (108) that are adjustable with respect to the rotary drive member independently of each other. Each lever (108) has a cam and follower connection (112) to an associated label carrier (38) such that rotation of the rotary drive member (74) provides movement of the label carriers (38) between retracted and label transfer positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, Edward L. Sanford, David M. Amirault
  • Patent number: 6183238
    Abstract: An in-mold labeling system for use with a rotary blow molding machine (10) includes first and second electrical servomotors (46, 64) and first and second cam mechanisms (48, 66) respectively driven by the servomotors to move a dispensing head (36) between supply and delivery locations and to move a label carrier (38) on the dispensing head between retracted and label transfer positions independently of each other. A sensor (92) of the system senses rotation of a rotary wheel (12) of the machine to operate first and second electrical controllers (84,86) that respectively operate the first and second electrical servomotors (46,64) in coordination with the machine operation but independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, Edward L. Sanford, David M. Amirault