Crane Plastics Company LLC

Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership

The Crane Group Companies Limited

Matthew F Kollar

Jeffrey R Brandt

Burch E Zehner

Herbert L Hutchison

William G Taylor

Bryan K Buhrts

Robert W Heigel

Wayne E Hacker

Methods of manufacturing a composite lattice structure made of cellulosic, inorganic, and/or polymer materials are disclosed. The unique lattice is weather-resistant and low-maintenance and may be used for ornamental gardening trellises, overhead outdoor patio or deck coverings, window lattices, privacy fences, garden fences, ornamental skirting or fa&#xe7;ades such as around the bottom of an elevated deck or porch, and other suitable functions.

Methods of manufacturing a lattice having a distressed appearance

A component such as a siding panel comprised of a PVC/wood flour composite. Another embodiment is a component such as a siding panel that is made from a PVC/CPE/wood flour composite. The cellulosic composite may be extruded through a die and then bent into the shape of the component. Optionally, a reinforcement backer (e.g., an expanded polystyrene foam panel) may be adhered to the cellulosic composite siding.

Cellulosic composite component

The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by releasing a cooling fluid in a hollow portion of the extrudate. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Cooling of extruded and compression molded materials

The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to cool the hollows found in many extrudates. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight and/or processing time. A fluid below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Additionally, the exterior of the molded material may be subjected to the cooling fluid so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Cooling may be further augmented by conventional methods such as a water bath. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Cryogenic cooling of extruded and compression molded materials

The present invention is a system and process for drying and extruding a cellulosic compound. The compound materials are provided to a mixer in a desired ratio. The compound materials are then mixed together. Thereafter, the compound materials can be stored in a non-controlled environment until needed. When it is time to extrude the compound materials, the compound materials are transferred to a dryer at a location remote from the mixer. The dryer has a surface area enabling the compound materials to be sufficiently spread out for drying. The compound materials are substantially uniformly dried to a desired level in the dryer. The compound materials are then transferred to an extruder to be formed into a final net shape.

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Powell, OH, United States of America

Matthew F Kollar