Joseph G Augustine

US Patent:

7744805, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

Apr 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/102675

Inventors:

Joseph G. Augustine - Tucson AZ, US
Tulsie P. Sumeer - Tucson AZ, US
Randy L. Prior - Oro Valley AZ, US

Assignee:

Engineering & Research Associates, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B29C 35/08
B29C 35/16

US Classification:

264486, 264320, 264322, 264347, 264348

Abstract:

A mold for forming, molding or welding thermoplastic tubing extends through the aperture of an apertured spool supporting an RF energized coil to inductively heat a center section of the mold. A source of air is channeled through a manifold to flow about the center section of the mold and through the space between the mold and the aperture in the spool to rapidly cool the mold. Thermal chokes on each side of the center section of the mold impede heat transfer and a heat sink connected to each thermal choke serves to dissipate any heat build up. The spool may be translated along the center section of the mold to a predetermined location commensurate with a predetermined heat profile. The mold includes a passageway extending therethrough for receiving the tubing; by appropriate dimensioning, the passageway will accommodate the use of a mandrel to support the tubing to be formed, molded or welded. The mold may be split to permit separation within the confines of the aperture in the spool and subsequent withdrawal of the formed, molded or welded tubing.

US Patent:

8029712, Oct 4, 2011

Filed:

Jul 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/502620

Inventors:

Joseph G. Augustine - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Engineering & Research Associates, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B29C 57/00
B29C 37/02

US Classification:

264161, 264163, 264320, 264296, 264322

Abstract:

Mandrel supported IV tubing is inserted within a mold of a mold assembly to heat the IV tubing and form a tapered end of the tubing. The tip of the tubing extending beyond the tapered end of the tubing is severed by the mandrel bearing against the mold to lodge the tip in an outlet of the mold. Cooling air is introduced to the mold assembly to cool the mold and to create a flow of turbulent air about the outlet of the mold to extract the severed tips. The turbulent air is exhausted through a channel, pipe and fitting into a collection chamber and causes translation of the severed tip to and into the collection chamber. Sensors may be incorporated to sense the translation of the severed tips.

US Patent:

8469688, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Feb 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/702180

Inventors:

Stephen C. Minney - Tucson AZ, US
Tulsie P. Sumeer - Tucson AZ, US
Yee Chin Wong - Canton MA, US
Joseph G. Augustine - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Engineering & Research Associates, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B32B 37/04

US Classification:

425135, 425150, 700201

Abstract:

Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

US Patent:

8469690, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Nov 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/939451

Inventors:

Joseph G. Augustine - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Engineering & Research Associates, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B29C 57/00

US Classification:

425215, 425292, 425298, 425392, 425393

Abstract:

Mandrel supported IV tubing is inserted within a mold of a mold assembly to heat the IV tubing and form a tapered end of the tubing. The tip of the tubing extending beyond the tapered end of the tubing is severed by the mandrel bearing against the mold to lodge the tip in an outlet of the mold. Cooling air is introduced to the mold assembly to cool the mold and to create a flow of turbulent air about the outlet of the mold to extract the severed tips. The turbulent air is exhausted through a channel, pipe and fitting into a collection chamber and causes translation of the severed tip to and into the collection chamber. Sensors may be incorporated to sense the translation of the severed tips.

US Patent:

20070256791, Nov 8, 2007

Filed:

Oct 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/555172

Inventors:

Joseph Augustine - Tucson AZ, US
Tulsie Sumeer - Tucson AZ, US
Randy Prior - Oro Valley AZ, US

Assignee:

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. - TUCSON AZ

International Classification:

B29C 65/00
B29C 35/00
H05B 6/10

US Classification:

156498000, 219643000, 425144000

Abstract:

A mold for forming, molding or welding thermoplastic tubing extends through the aperture of an apertured spool supporting an RF energized coil to inductively heat a center section of the mold. A source of air is channeled through a manifold to flow about the center section of the mold and through the space between the mold and the aperture in the spool to rapidly cool the mold. Thermal chokes on each side of the center section of the mold impede heat transfer and a heat sink connected to each thermal choke serves to dissipate any heat build up. The spool may be translated along the center section of the mold to a predetermined location commensurate with a predetermined heat profile. The mold includes a passageway extending therethrough for receiving the tubing; by appropriate dimensioning, the passageway will accommodate the use of a mandrel to support the tubing to be formed, molded or welded. The mold may be split to permit separation within the confines of the aperture in the spool and subsequent withdrawal of the formed, molded or welded tubing.

US Patent:

20130206317, Aug 15, 2013

Filed:

Feb 20, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/771589

Inventors:

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. - , US
Tulsie P. SUMEER - Tucson AZ, US
Yee Chin WONG - Highland Ranch CO, US
Joseph G. AUGUSTINE - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B29C 33/06

US Classification:

156 64

Abstract:

Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

US Patent:

20150343184, Dec 3, 2015

Filed:

May 28, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/288783

Inventors:

- Flagstaff AZ, US
Tulsie P. Sumeer - Tucson AZ, US
Caitlyn McErlane Henderson - Tucson AZ, US
Joseph Gregory Augustine - Denver CO, US
Thomas J. Motsenbocker - Flagstaff AZ, US
Daniel Kasprzyk - Flagstaff AZ, US
Jake W. Davis - Flagstaff AZ, US

Assignee:

Machine Solutions, Inc. - Flagstaff AZ

International Classification:

A61M 25/10
B32B 38/00
B32B 37/14
B32B 37/00
B32B 37/06

Abstract:

A segmental crimper comprises at least three crimper segments and an actuator. The crimper segments are arranged circumferentially about a crimper axis that defines axial and radial directions. The crimper segments are movable relative to each other in a manner such that the crimper segments collectively define a variable size aperture that is aligned with the crimper axis. Each of the crimper segments comprises a radio frequency heating element. The actuator is operatively connected to the crimper segments in a manner such that movement of the actuator causes all of the crimper segments to simultaneously move relative to each other and alters the size of the aperture.