A method of making laminate foam material is provided. The laminate foam material includes a layer of non-foam material sandwiched between two layers of foam material. The non-foam material is bonded to the foam material, such as with a bonding agent and/or by heating respective surfaces of the foam material until the surface softens or melts. When a heating process is utilized, the non-foam material is pressed against the softened or melted foam material. As the foam material begins to cool, the non-foam material becomes bonded to the foam material. The non-foam material is narrower than the foam material and is positioned relative to the foam material such that the edges of the non-foam material are concealed by the foam material. Foam products, such as foam mats, can be formed from the laminate foam material by cutting across the width of the foam material.
B32B 37/06 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the heating method
B32B 5/18 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material
B32B 3/02 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions
B32B 37/10 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using direct action of vacuum or fluid pressure
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
B32B 37/04 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the partial melting of at least one layer
B29C 65/10 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using hot gases
B32B 37/20 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers with all layers existing as coherent layers before laminating involving the assembly of continuous webs only
B63B 34/50 - Body-supporting buoyant devices, e.g. bathing boats or water cycles
floats for recreational use, namely, foam floats, personal floats, lake pad floats; swimming floats; action skill games; floating game table; water toys
An apparatus and method for heating a material are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more magnetron assemblies positioned on each of opposing sides of a heating region. The magnetron assemblies positioned on one side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a first direction through the material, and the magnetron assemblies positioned on the other side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a second direction through the material. The overlapping microwaves provide a total wave voltage that is substantially constant across the material resulting in substantially even heating of the material.
An apparatus and method for heating a material are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more magnetron assemblies positioned on each of opposing sides of a heating region. The magnetron assemblies positioned on one side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a first direction through the material, and the magnetron assemblies positioned on the other side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a second direction through the material. The overlapping microwaves provide a total wave voltage that is substantially constant across the material resulting in substantially even heating of the material.
A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.
B60C 9/20 - Structure or arrangement of belts or breakers, crown-reinforcing or cushioning layers built-up from rubberised plies each having all cords arranged substantially parallel
B60C 3/04 - Tyres characterised by transverse section characterised by the relative dimensions of the section, e.g. low profile
13.
System and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles
A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.
The present invention is directed to a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric couples positioned between a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein each thermoelectric couple comprises n-type and p-type element assemblies electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. When the device is used for electrical power generation, the efficiency is increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient, increasing the distance between the n-type and p-type element assemblies, increasing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates, and/or using an insulation plate spaced from the top plate. When the device is used for heating/cooling, the coefficients of performance are increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient and/or optimizing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates.
H01L 35/28 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof operating with Peltier or Seebeck effect only
H01L 35/30 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof operating with Peltier or Seebeck effect only characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
H01L 35/32 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof operating with Peltier or Seebeck effect only characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
18.
ROTARY ENGINE HAVING TWO ROTORS WITH INTERSECTING PATHWAYS
An engine including a block that has first and second intersecting pathways, and first and second rotors positioned within the first and second pathways, respectively. The first and second rotors are moveable within the first and second pathways, respectively, between first and second combustion positions. A first combustion chamber is formed within the first pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the first combustion position, and a second combustion chamber is formed within the second pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the second combustion position. The pathways and rotors are preferably torus shaped, and the rotors preferably have concave leading and trailing ends. The engine block preferably has a single intake for both of the first and second combustion chambers. Recesses are preferably formed in the block to receive seals that engage the rotors.
A devulcanization apparatus for devulcanizing a plurality of cross-linked elastomer particles. The apparatus includes a first conveyor functioning as a high voltage electrode and a second conveyor functioning as a ground electrode. A generator is operable to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second conveyors. A devulcanization region is provided between the first and second conveyors in which the cross-linked elastomer particles are placed.
B01J 19/08 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor
C08J 11/10 - Recovery or working-up of waste materials of polymers by chemically breaking down the molecular chains of polymers or breaking of crosslinks, e.g. devulcanisation
A process for forming a vulcanized elastomer composition. An alternating electric field is applied to a first composition comprising vulcanized crosslinked elastomer particles while the composition is compressed to thereby devulcanize the crosslinked elastomer particles and form a second composition comprising devulcanized elastomer particles A crosslinking agent is added to the second composition comprising the devulcanized elastomer particles. The second composition having the crosslinking agent is then vulcanized to form the vulcanized elastomer composition.
A game ball, such as a soccer ball, having a cover comprised of one or more cover panel blanks and one or more reinforcement material blanks, is provided. The cover panel blanks and reinforcement material blanks are heat bonded together so that the free edges and interior panel boundaries of the cover panel blanks are aligned with the reinforcement material blanks.
A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating electric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles under compression. The alternating electric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V, and may be applied between an apparatus that continuously conveys the particles through the field.
A composite foam product comprising a foam core surrounded by a gas-impermeable film. The gas-impermeable film retains the gas formed from the blowing agent so that the pressure inside the foam core is above ambient pressures.
B29C 44/10 - Applying counter-pressure during expanding
B32B 5/18 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material
B32B 5/20 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material foamed in situ
B29C 44/56 - After-treatment of articles, e.g. for altering the shape
B29C 33/08 - Moulds or coresDetails thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means for dielectric heating
B29C 65/48 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor using adhesives
B32B 27/06 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer next to another layer of a specific substance
B32B 27/08 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer next to another layer of a specific substance of synthetic resin of a different kind
A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating radio frequency dielectric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles. The alternating radio frequency dielectric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V.
A method of forming a hardened skin on one or more surfaces of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that a first surface of the foam material is in contact with a first mold section and a second surface of the foam material is in contact with a second mold section. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the first and/or second surfaces of the foam material remain under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent and are not blown so as to form one or more thicknesses of hardened skin on the molded article.
A flow molding apparatus with multiple layers of molds and electrodes is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes top and bottom electrodes with an intermediate electrode positioned therebetween. A first mold is disposed between the top electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second mold is disposed between the bottom electrode and the intermediate electrode. Preferably, a plurality of metallic locking fixtures are attached to the top and bottom electrodes for securing the apparatus in a closed position. An electromagnetic energy source is operably connected to the electrodes such that the top and bottom electrodes are grounded and the intermediate electrode carries a high voltage. As such, an alternating electric field may be established across each of the first and second molds during a heating cycle.
B29C 43/04 - Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding materialApparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using movable moulds
