Abstract:
A composting container is disclosed which contain a container body (2) which has a closure lid (13) and sidewalls (3) which define an internal space (7) for receiving material to be composted. An aerator (18) is located in the container for supplying of air into the composting material and a leachate chamber (16) is provided in the bottom of the container (2). The lid (13) has a domed configuration and a periphery which is arranged outwardly of the inner periphery of the container (2) so that condensate which collects on the underside of lid (13) drains to a position outside of the bin (7) and is not returned onto the composting material to form a gas impervious layer on the composting material. The prevention of the gas impervious layer by moisture which drips onto the composting material (50) may also be prevented by a water pervious blanket layer (52) which enables condensate which drips back into the composting material to flow into the composting material (50) without forming a layer on the composting material (50). Thus, air is able to flow and pass up through the composting material (50) to cause aerobic decomposition of the composting material.
Abstract:
Hydraulically settable mixtures are extruded through auger extruder (20) into a variety of objects which are form-stable in the green state. High green strength is achieved by increasing yield stress of the mixture while maintaining adequate extrudability through first and second auger screws (26, 32) in first and second interior chambers (24, 30). Optimizing particle packing density while including a deficiency of water yields a hydraulically settable mixture which flows under pressures typically associated with extrusion of clay or plastic. A rheology-modifying agent can be added to increase yield stress while not significantly increasing viscosity of the mixture extruded through die head (34). Desired strength properties and other performance criteria of the final hardened extruded product having width and thickness dimensions generally corresponding to die width (38) and die thickness (39) of transverse slit (36), are controlled by adding aggregates, fibers, and other admixtures.
Abstract:
A hinge for use in inorganically filled composite materials is provided. The hinge has an inorganically filled structural matrix comprising a water-dispersable organic polymer binder, an aggregate material, and a fibrous material. The hinge allows inorganically filled materials to be bent along a line without breakage of the material. The hinge is preferably formed by scoring a formed sheet of inorganically filled material (50). The hinge is particularly useful in containers that require bending of various container parts, such as in food containers and boxes made from inorganically filled materials.
Abstract:
Containers incorporating a hydraulically settable structural matrix including a hydraulically settable binder such as cement for use in the storing, dispensing, and/or packaging of food and beverage products are disclosed. The disposable and nondisposable food and beverage articles of manufacture have high tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths, and are lightweight, insulative (if desired), inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used. These disposable containers and cups are particularly useful for dispensing hot and cold food and beverages in the fast food restaurant environment. The structural matrix of the food and beverage containers includes a hydraulic cement paste (formed from the reaction of water with, e.g., a portland-type cement) preferably in combination with a rheology-modifying plasticizer, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, various aggregate materials, and fibrous materials, which provide desired properties at a cost which is economical.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of fabricating tank wrap of desired thickness having fibers oriented generally in the thickness direction from lengths of insulation material (12) having fibers oriented generally in the length direction. The method comprises several sequential steps. The first step is positioning the lengths of insulation material (12) lengthwise along a first movable track conveyor (20), such that the fibers are oriented generally parallel to the direction of conveyance as the lengths progress downstream in a longitudinal direcion along the conveyor. Second step is severing the insulation material (12) completely across the length, at intervals equal to the desired thickness of the tank wrap to be fabricated. Next the cut lengths of insulation material are positioned lengthwise across a second movable track conveyor (70) such that the fibers are now oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of conveyance, and in an abutting relationship. Finally, a continuous length of backing material (33) is affixed to the abutted severed lengths to form a continuous length of tank wrap having fibers generally oriented in the thickness direction.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method of forming shiplap grooves (21, 23, 25, 26 and 28) in a duct board (12) utilizing a square (35) and measuring indicia (39). The apparatus comprises shiplap groove cutting tools (22 and 24) and an angle square (35) comprising a guide leg (37) and a base leg (36) having indicia (30) indicative of the desired dimensions for a resulting shiplap duct. The shiplap groove cutting tools have sleds (57, 67, 58 and 56) which are placed against the guide leg (37) to be guided by the same to produce shiplap grooves (23, 25 and 26). The length of the spacing between the grooves is equal to the indicated indicia (39) for the narrow sleds (57 and 68) or the indicated indicia plus the thickness of the board for the wide sleds (58 and 67). The duct may be formed from the left or right side using the same apparatus.
Abstract:
A method for forming a shell type body (100) of self-reinforced composite thermoplastic polymer material from a plate-like element (10, 60), with a central region (11) and a peripheral region (12) surrounding said central region (11), comprises: providing a press (1) including a first and a second die portion (3, 4) which can be moved between a forming configuration, wherein they are pressed against one another, and a release configuration (Y), wherein they are spaced apart; at least one from the first and/or the second die portion (3, 4) being provided with ribs (5) on an operating face (3A, 4A) thereof intended to abut the plate-like element (10); arranging the plate-like element (10) on the press so that the central region (11) abuts on the operating face (4a) of the second die portion (4), retaining the plate-like element (10) at the peripheral region (12), moving the first (3) and/or the second die portion (4) towards the forming configuration until the first die portion (3) abuts the plate-like element (10) continuing to retain the plate-like element (10) at the peripheral region (12), a forming step in which the first (3) and the second die portion (4) are kept in the forming configuration for a predefined time, and the plate-like element (10) is kept between the first (3) and the second die portion (4) at a forming temperature of the material such as to generate the at least partial fusion of a matrix of the material without causing the substantial fusion of the fibers so as to form by means of the ribs (5) a plurality of recesses (20) defining on the central region (11) a plurality of lateral panels (15) mutually connected to a central panel (14) by means of at least one corresponding recess (20A), moving the first (3) and/or the second die portion (4) into the release configuration (Y) and extracting the plate-like element (10), subsequently folding the lateral panels (15) with respect to the central panel (14) at the recesses (20A, 20B) so as to form the shell type body (100).
Abstract:
A corrugated plastic box and a method for manufacturing a corrugated plastic box from a blank are provided. The method includes the steps of forming rounded edge seals on the perimeter edges of the blank, pre-sealing portions of the blank to form a plurality of areas in which major and minor flap slots and a glue tab are desired, ultrasonically scoring the blank to form a plurality of flap score lines, and cutting the blank through the plurality of pre-sealed flap slots and glue tab, leaving a sealed edge.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the sector of building and cladding materials. More in detail, the invention relates to a process for producing composite finishing panels (1) comprising the steps of: - providing a stainless steel sheet (2) having at least the face intended to face the outside of the panel with a surface finishing suitable for the use; - performing mechanical machining operations (3, 4, 5) on said sheet; - providing a sheet of core material (6); - bonding, by gluing, said stainless steel sheet (2) to said sheet of core material (6); - performing mechanical machining operations (3, 4, 5, 7) on said sheet of core material (6); - bonding, by gluing, a counterbalancing metal sheet (8) to said sheet of core material (6), without involving the perimeter edge (6') thereof; - bending the perimeter edges (2', 6') of said stainless steel sheet (2) bonded to said sheet of core material (6) around said counterbalancing sheet (8) to define a box structure of the panel.
Abstract:
A reusable plastic container (10) is provided. The container includes a plastic container body (12) having opposing side panels (18, 20) and opposing end panels (18, 20). The container body also includes top side panel flaps (38) attached to a top portion of each side panel, and bottom side panel flaps attached to a bottom portion of each side panel. The container body has top end panel flaps (34) attached to a top portion of each end panel, and bottom end panel flaps (30) attached to a bottom portion of each end panel. The top and bottom side panel flaps are each defined with respect to the side panels by a fold line. The fold lines including at least one scored portion (74) and at least one welded portion (72).