Henkel Corporation

Other

Essex Composite Systems

Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien

Mpa Diversified Products, Inc.

Essex Specialty Products Inc.

The Detroit Edison Company

Novamax Technologies Holdings Inc.

Novamax Technologies Corporation

Mpa Diversified Products Co.

Joseph S Wycech

George F Didlake

Hasan M Zaidi

An example starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component includes a mixture of a starch and an expansion additive. The starch has an amylose content of less than about 70% by weight. The expansion additive enhances the expansion and physical properties of the starch. A method of preparing a starch-based material is also disclosed and an alternate starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component is also disclosed.

Pellet based tooling and process for biodegradable component

An example method of forming a biodegradable component includes extruding the biodegradable material through a die. The extruded biodegradable material is divided to form a plurality of biodegradable pellets. A binding agent is applied onto the biodegradable pellets. The plurality of biodegradable pellets with the binding agent are compressed in a mold to form a biodegradable component corresponding to the geometry of the mold.

Pellet based tooling and process for biodegradeable component

An example tooling system for processing a workpiece includes a base, disposed about an axis. A press is axially aligned with the base. The press defines a pressing surface. A mandrel extends along the axis from the base toward the press. The mandrel is disposed at least partially in a first cavity defined by one of the base or the press. The first cavity defines a profile different from the workpiece and is arranged to receive the workpiece. The mandrel is arranged to be inserted into at least one pocket in the workpiece.

Biodegradable component, tooling and process

A method of applying a flexible, biodegradable sheet of starch-based material to mask a surface to be coated is described. The sheet is a solid, flexible, expanded, close-celled foam. The sheet is dispersible in water.

Method of masking a surface

A methodologywhich produces a reception assemblywhich is biodegradable and which is adapted to selectively receive and support an item, such as a vehicular hood.

Method for making a reception assembly and an reception assembly

A method for creating a tangible item (such as an 'A' pillar garnishment) which increases the capacity of the item to absorb energy by the incorporation and/or addition of a plurality of adhesive-covered beads, and which utilizes the method and/or type of energy used to normally form the item to incorporate and/or add the adhesive-covered beads, thereby increasing efficiency while reducing cost. A new and novel tangible item, such as 'A' pillar garnishment, having programmed energy absorption characteristics is also disclosed.

Method for forming a tangible item and a tangible item which is made by a method which allows the created tangible item to efficiently absorb energy

A methodto selectively produce an article of manufacturehaving desirable properties and which may replace many 'ceramic based' articles. Particularly, the article of manufactureis made by selectively combining an epoxy structural foam materialwith a catalystand a drying agent. The mixed material is then selectively dispensed within a moldand allowed to harden in order to form the article of manufacture. Alternate formulations may be utilized. Other various non-limiting embodiment of the invention are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for forming an article of manufacture and an article of manufacture made by a new and novel process

A tote for carrying electric meters includes a lid section having a hinged connection to a base section for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, and a latching system releasably securing the lid and base sections together. Each of the sections is provided with a plurality of cavities. When the lid section is closed, the cavities in the lid section confront the cavities in the base section to provide a plurality of pockets. Each pocket is adapted to receive and locate one of the meters. The sections may be separable from one another. The hinged connection permits the lid section to be raised to clear the meters prior to being pivoted open. The cavities in the two sections may be formed by panel inserts which are removable for replacement by other panel inserts adapted to accommodate larger or smaller meters.

Electric meter tote

A tri-laminate body panel stiffener includes two polymer layers with or without a backing. One of the layers is a compliant foam layer mounted against a substrate while the other layer is a rigid foam layer mounted against the compliant foam layer. In another aspect of the invention the laminate comprises a backing member having an expandable foam mounted thereto with two or more opposing edges of the laminate being of non-straight construction such as being wavy or saw tooth. A pattern of holes may be formed through the foam and backing layers.

Reinforcement laminate

An energy absorberwhich is made by a new and novel process and which includes beads, such as beads, andwhich are selectively coupled together and reside upon an elastomeric surface. The beads, such as beadsandare formed, in one non-limiting embodiment, from a ceramic material and provide enhanced energy absorption characteristics which allows the created energy absorberto be selectively 'programmed' to be operatively deployed in a wide range of environments.

Energy absorber, a method for making an energy absorber, and several items which include such an energy absorber

A structural member having at least two non-coplanar surfaces is reinforced by providing a drop in insert between the surfaces. The insert is a carrier having an expandable structural foam intimately bonded to the carrier. When the foam is expanded, the foam becomes intimately bonded to the surfaces of the structural member to reinforce the structural member.

Method of making composite laminate automotive structures

A reinforced structural assembly comprises a structural member and a reinforcing member disposed adjacent to a wall of the structural member. The reinforcing member is an insert having a carrier portion and an expandable portion in the form of a one-part epoxy system having an outer surface disposed toward the wall of the structural member. The epoxy system contains in weight percent about 30% to about 70% epoxy resin and contains a filler in the form of hollow glass microspheres. The epoxy system is in the form of a high-viscosity dough so that in its uncured state it does not significantly flow from and remain supported by the carrier portion of the insert whereby the insert may be placed near the wall before the epoxy dough is cured to bond the dough to the wall when the dough is cured and expands into intimate contact with the wall.

Composite structural reinforcement member

A stiffener is provided for reinforcing a hollow structure having a pair of spaced walls with a pin extending across the walls. The stiffener includes a carrier member with a layer of expandable polymer which creates a structural foam when the polymer is later expanded. The stiffener could comprise a horseshoe shaped laminate shaped to fit over the pin of the hollow structure so that when the polymer is expanded it forms a structural foam intimately bonded to the pair of spaced walls.

Reinforced structural assembly

A reinforced wall comprises a stiff substrate having a reinforcing laminate bonded to its inner surface. The reinforcing laminate includes an outer foil support and an expandable polymer foam material bonded to the foil support or backing. The polymer foam is disposed against the inner surface of the substrate and becomes intimately bonded to the inner surface upon activation and expansion of the foam material.

Foil backed laminate reinforcement

A laminate for reinforcing a structural member having a plurality of side walls comprises a carrier having at least one inclined support surface. Each support surface has an outer edge disposed toward a respective side wall. A layer of extruded uncured structural foam is on each support surface and terminates inwardly of the outer edge. The foam expands when cured and tumbles down the inclined support surface of the carrier to become bonded to the side wall as well as the carrier. By being spaced from the outer edge of the support surface, the tendency for the foam to wipe against the side wall is minimized as is the tendency for a worker to touch the foam when the worker places the carrier into the structural member.

Growing community of inventors

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, United States of America

Joseph S Wycech