Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – Direct application of electrical or wave energy to work – Producing or treating porous product
Reexamination Certificate
2006-05-09
2006-05-09
Kuhns, Allan R. (Department: 1732)
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
Direct application of electrical or wave energy to work
Producing or treating porous product
C264S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07041248
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for making a dome-shaped sealing element for a vaginal speculum from an annular workpiece of closed cell polyethylene foam sheet material is described. The apparatus comprises a mould defining an open ended cavity having a circular cross-sectional shape smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the workpiece, a loading station wherein said workpiece may be applied to the mould to rest on the mould to cover a mouth of said cavity, an insertion station wherein a plunger with a convex head forces the workpiece into said cavity so as to cause the workpiece to adopt a domed shape with a concave side directed towards the mouth of the cavity, a heating station wherein a radiant heating arrangement heats the concave side of the workpiece in the mould cavity to soften a surface layer thereof, a cooling station wherein the said surface layer is allowed to cool in the mould cavity, and an unloading station wherein a plunger with a concave head pushes the shaped workpiece from the cavity, a conveyor arrangement to shift the mould from station to station, and a control arrangement to effect coordinated operation of the conveyor arrangement and the respective plungers and radiant heating arrangement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3244346 (1966-04-01), Tijunelis
patent: 3562859 (1971-02-01), McIntyre
patent: 4327049 (1982-04-01), Miller
patent: 4555378 (1985-11-01), Martin et al.
patent: 4740342 (1988-04-01), Menard et al.
patent: 5007976 (1991-04-01), Satterfield et al.
patent: 5116275 (1992-05-01), Sassak
patent: 5562873 (1996-10-01), Tornero
patent: 5643517 (1997-07-01), Wu
patent: 5824255 (1998-10-01), Ross et al.
patent: 5939009 (1999-08-01), Raley, Jr. et al.
patent: 1514369 (1978-06-01), None
patent: 03274144 (1991-12-01), None
patent: 1006479 (1999-01-01), None
PCT International Search Report, Australian Patent Office, International Ser. No. PCT/AU01/00584 filed May 21, 2001, Jul. 4, 2001, 3 pages.
BioLayer Corporation Limited
Kuhns Allan R.
LandOfFree
Manufacture of dome-shaped articles from thermoplastic foam... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Manufacture of dome-shaped articles from thermoplastic foam..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Manufacture of dome-shaped articles from thermoplastic foam... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3579524