Transfer Flow International, Inc.

Other

Chris R Peters

James E Young

James W Henderson

Processes for producing durable three-dimensional bowls such as water basins comprising plastics preferably acrylics heavily filled with alumina trihydrate, some embodiments including visible particles such as those sometimes used for simulating nature stone. A preferred process for manufacturing the bowls of such material includes defining a flat rigid blank such as from a larger rectangular bulk sheet in the approximate top outline shape of bowl to be formed, e.g., the blank being oval for an oval bowl and circular for a circular bowl. The blank is provided a smooth side which will be the concave finished and exposed side in use. The blank is heated to a point of softening and of uniform temperature throughout, located within a molding die such as a matched molding die having a female cavity of the desired bowl shape, indexed to the die, but left generally unrestrained so that the heated blank and un-clamped edges thereof are allowed to draw inward to reduce tension loads during forming. Force is applied relatively slowly to the blank, such as from a male portion of the die, to compress the blank into the female cavity and desired bowl shape. The bowl is cooled somewhat, removed from the die, the top edge trimmed to suitable evenness, a drain hole with surrounding bevel is cut in the bowl, an overflow hole is cut near the top edge for bathroom sinks, and sanding and polishing is applied on the exposed side(s).

Process for making bowls comprising acrylic plastics filled with alumina trihydrate

Processes for producing durable three-dimensional bowls such as water basins comprising acrylic plastics heavily filled with alumina trihydrate, some embodiments including colorants and visible particles such as those used for simulating stone such as granite. A preferred process for manufacturing the bowls of such material includes defining a flat rigid blank in the approximate top outline shape of bowl to be formed, e.g., the blank being a flat oval for an oval bowl and circular for a circular bowl. The flat blank is provided a smooth side or sides which will be the concave finished side in use. The blank is heated to a point of softening and of uniform temperature throughout, and located within a molding die such as a matched molding die having a female cavity of the desired bowl shape. The heated blank is indexed to the die, but left generally unrestrained so that the heated blank and edges thereof are un-clamped, thereby allowing the edges to be moved inward to help minimize tension loads during forming. Force is applied to the blank, such as from a male portion of the die, to compress the blank into the female cavity and desired bowl shape. The bowl is cooled, removed from the die, the top edge trimmed, a drain hole with surrounding bevel applied, and as-needed re-facing is applied on the exposed or finished side(s).

Bowls comprising acrylic plastics filled with alumina trihydrate, and

A modularly constructed countertop generally of plastic solid surfacing material and including connectable modular countertop panel sections including various lengths of straight sections, and corner sections having thickened finished front edges. Included is an error resistant arrangement of adhesively seaming one countertop panel section to another utilizing easily aligned edges having registration grooves for aligning the top surfaces of adjacent sections flush with each other during adhesive seaming. Included for clamping purposes during the adhesive seaming are rigid elongated strips each having transverse grooves located across a bottom surface. Top surfaces of the strips are glued to the bottom surface of the countertop panel sections adjacent and parallel the edges to be abutted and adhesively seamed. Linearly extendable and retractable springs with catches (rings) on the terminal ends thereof are placed within the transverse grooves spanning between two adjacent strips wherein the springs temporarily serve as continuous tension clamps against the seam while liquid adhesive within the seam cures.

Modular countertop

A backsplash structured to be cooperatively functional with a countertop structure. The backsplash is made of a plastic solid surfacing material, and possesses an integrally formed front bottom lengthwise edge extending outward from and beyond the front face of the backsplash to define a coved lip. The countertop comprises a normally elongated rectangular section of plastic solid surfacing material having an elongated dado. A bottom surface of the backsplash and coved lip is specifically sized and shaped for placement adjacent to and insertion into the dado of the countertop whereby a curved transition is defined between the top horizontal workspace surface of the countertop and the front face of the backsplash. The bottom surface of the backsplash and coved lip is affixed in place in the dado with the use of a color matching adhesive. Once the adhesive has set, the seam is finished with a light sanding with progressively finer abrasives. Once finished, the durable and easy to clean coved interface between the backsplash and the countertop bears virtually no visible signs of a seam to distract from the appearance of the countertop or to collect dirt.

Coved interface backsplash for a countertop

A backsplash structured to be cooperatively functional with a countertop structure. The backsplash is made of a plastic solid surfacing material, and possesses an integrally formed front bottom lengthwise edge extending outward from and beyond the front face of the backsplash to define a coved lip or flange. The countertop comprises a normally elongated rectangular section of plastic solid surfacing material having an elongated receiving recess. A bottom surface of the backsplash and coved lip is specifically sized and shaped for insertion into the receiving recess of the countertop whereby a curved transition is defined between the top horizontal workspace surface of the countertop and the front face of the backsplash. The bottom surface of the backsplash and coved lip is affixed in place in the receiving recess with the use of a color matching adhesive. Once the adhesive has set, the seam is finished with a light sanding with progressively finer abrasives. Once finished, the durable and easy to clean coved joint between the backsplash and the countertop bears virtually no visible signs of a seam to distract from the appearance of the countertop.

Coved backsplash for a countertop

A rigid, elongated bracket formed substantially 90 degrees to conform to the shape of an edge corner of a door panel. The elongated bracket has two permanently affixed and spaced apart rigid posts on a top surface thereof, and apertures to receive mounting screws on a side surface thereof. One surface of the bracket rests on an end edge of a cabinet door, with the posts extending outward into an L-shaped guide track attached to a cabinet. A side surface of the bracket extends over a portion of the back side of the door, and screws or other suitable fasteners are applied through the apertures of the bracket into the back surface of the door to retain the bracket in place. One 90 degree bracket with posts inserted into an L-shaped guide track is used at one end of the door, and a second 90 degree bracket with posts inserted into a second L-shaped guide track is used at the oppositely disposed end of the door. The guide track is additionally structured with a flange which provides a bearing surface which the bracket slides against in use.

Growing community of inventors

Chico, CA, United States of America

Chris R Peters