Kenneth R Butcher

US Patent:

6592787, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/801044

Inventors:

Gary R. Pickrell - Blacksburg VA
Kenneth R. Butcher - Hendersonville NC
Chi Li Lin - Weaverville NC

Assignee:

Porvair Corporation - Hendersonville NC

International Classification:

B29C 6720

US Classification:

264 44, 264 86, 264638, 264645, 264651, 501 80, 501 81

Abstract:

An improved porous article and a method for forming such porous article are provided. A mixture of ceramic or metal particles and pliable organic hollow spheres is prepared in a liquid, typically as a suspension. The article is formed by pressing, slip casting, extruding or injection molding the mixture. The article is dried to remove the liquid, and then is fired so that the particles are bonded such as by sintering, and the organic spheres are eliminated, resulting in a strong porous article having uniformly spaced interconnected voids.

US Patent:

6773825, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

May 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/444714

Inventors:

Gary R. Pickrell - Blacksburg VA
Kenneth R. Butcher - Hendersonville NC
Chi Li Lin - Weaverville NC

Assignee:

Porvair Corporation - Hendersonville NC

International Classification:

B32B 326

US Classification:

428566, 428332, 4283066

Abstract:

An improved porous article and a method for forming such porous article are provided. A mixture of ceramic or articles and pliable organic hollow spheres is prepared in a liquid typically as a suspension. The article is formed by pressing, slip casting, extruding or injection molding the mixture. The article is dried to remove the liquid, and then is fired so that the particles are bonded such as by sintering, and the organic spheres are eliminated, resulting in a strong porous article having uniformly spaced interconnected voids.