Nomaco Inc.

Noel Group LLC

Randal Lee Henderson

Julian Thomas Young

Ivan Sobran

Stephen C Kokenes

Mark Stearley

Michael W Allman

Edouard Lauer

Eduardo Lauer

Andrew Costas Yiannaki

Jozsef Kertesz

Christopher Dean Page

Bangshu Cao

James Robert Richmond

Timothy Michael Witherell

Joseph Robert Secoura

Mark Stearly

Douglas M Stolpe

Jeremy Fetvedt

Insulation systems employing expansion features to insulate elongated containers subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, and related components and methods are disclosed. Elongated containers, such as pipes, tanks, vessels may have contents that need to be insulated to prevent heat exchange with the outside environment. Insulation systems are disposed along the perimeter of the elongated containers to prevent the heat exchange. In cases where the insulation systems are subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, components of the insulation may thermally expand and/or contract, and may form gaps between the components. Alternatively, damaging stresses may be formed as the thermal dimensional changes may be restricted as part of the installation. The insulation system comprises expansion features to better enable the gaps to be filled and relieve damaging stresses. In this manner, the elongated containers may be efficiently insulated even while subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Insulation systems employing expansion features to insulate elongated containers subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, and related components and methods

Mattress bed cushion

Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members.

Stepped-edge and side-support members, assemblies, systems, and related methods, particularly for bedding and seating

Motion isolation insulator pad

Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Unitary composite/hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a thermoplastic foam(s) and a thermoset material(s)

By providing a high speed welding system for fusing adjacent foam profiles in a continuous manufacturing operation, a unique, integrated, foam welding and profile manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product from foam extrusions without requiring the use of expensive molds or forming components, and which significantly reduces expensive scrap found in prior art construction systems. In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high-volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, foam profiles which previously were unattainable due to their structural configurations, are quickly and easily constructed in a mass production operation.

Foam welding and profile manufacturing system

By providing a unique product enhancing step which enables any desired section, portion, or element of a product being produced to be treated in a manner to provide desired enhanced physical, structural, and/or aesthetics characteristics, a new, fully integrated enhanced foam manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product, with each product incorporating any desired area or zone being formed with a particular physical, structural, and/or aesthetic property, characteristic, or enhancement. In addition, in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity, with a specific physical, structural, or aesthetic property incorporated therein.

Method for manufacturing enhanced foam thermoplastic products

In the present invention, hollow thermoplastic foam tubes of any desired diameter are easily achieved as well as large sheets or planks of thermoplastic foam material in any width and thickness desired by spirally wrapping and fusing a thermoplastic foam profile having a desired size and shape. By employing a thermoplastic foam extruder to produce a profile having a desired cross-sectional shape or configuration, and advancing the profile onto a rotating support member for being wrapped peripherally surrounding the rotating support and continuously bonding the abutting edges of the profile as the profile is spirally wound, a unique spiral forming and product manufacturing procedure and system is realized. By employing this unique spiral forming process, a hollow cylindrical thermoplastic foam tube is formed on a continuous basis, with the length thereof being controlled only by the needs of the customer. In addition, any desired diameter can be formed, by employing one or more cooperating rotating support members having a desired diameter, with the thickness of the tube being controlled by the thickness of the profile formed by the extrusion equipment.

Spiral formed products and method of manufacture

In the present invention, hollow thermoplastic foam tubes of any desired diameter are easily achieved as well as large sheets or planks of thermoplastic foam material in any width and thickness desired by spirally wrapping and fusing a thermoplastic foam profile having a desired size and shape. By employing a thermoplastic foam extruder to produce a profile having a desired cross-sectional shape or configuration, and advancing the profile onto a rotating support member for being wrapped peripherally surrounding the rotating support and continuously bonding the abutting edges of the profile as the profile is spirally wound, a unique spiral forming and product manufacturing procedure and system is realized. By employing this unique spiral forming process, a hollow cylindrical thermoplastic foam tube is formed on a continuous basis, with the length thereof being controlled only by the needs of the customer. In addition, any desired diameter can be formed, by employing a rotating support having the desired diameter, with the thickness of the tube being controlled by the thickness of the profile formed by the extrusion equipment.

Growing community of inventors

Zebulon, NC, United States of America

Randal Lee Henderson