# US 10,478,012 B2 · Method of making a plurality of bonded blank assemblies

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- Number: US 10,478,012 B2
- Document ID: US10478012B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/860,701
- Filed: 2018-01-03
- Published: 2018-05-10
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
- Applicants: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
- Inventors: William A. Groll; John Watkins
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478012B2

## CPC

- A47J 36/02: Selection of specific materials, e.g. heavy bottoms with copper inlay or with insulating inlay
- A47J 27/022: with enlarged bottom
- A47J 37/10: Frying pans, e.g. frying pans with integrated lids or basting devices
- B23K 20/002: {specially adapted for particular articles or work (B23K20/129 takes precedence)}
- B23K 20/023: {Thermo-compression bonding}
- B23K 31/02: relating to soldering or welding
- B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12}
- B32B 15/012: {one layer being formed of an iron alloy or steel, another layer being formed of aluminium or an aluminium alloy}
- B23K 2101/12: Vessels
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

## Abstract

A method of making cookware containing a bonded composite comprising the steps of providing at least two layers of materials by pressurizing and heating wherein the first of the at least two layers of materials has a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles formed on its surface, defining a cooking surface of the cookware, and a second layer of two layers of material is bonded thereto, wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second material is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first and second layers of materials in areas intermediate the bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in the intermediate areas than in the bubbles. The method also includes providing a plurality of sets of bonding blank assemblies by solid state processing under pressure and heat.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a plurality of bonded composite blank assemblies for the manufacture of cookware, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing at least two blank assemblies for bonding, wherein each blank assembly comprises three discs of planar materials which are of stainless steel, aluminum and stainless steel, and a perforated template having a plurality of holes formed therein, said perforated template positioned on an outer surface of a stainless steel disc of each blank assembly;
(b) placing the at least two blank assemblies into a pressing fixture wherein each of the assemblies has a separation disc placed between adjacent assemblies to prevent bonding between adjacent assemblies;
(c) exerting an axial force on the assemblies by way of the pressing fixture;
(d) heating the assemblies while under pressure at a sufficient temperature and time to achieve a desired level of bonding between each of the discs in each of the blank assemblies;
(e) forming a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles along a surface of one of the stainless steel discs of each blank assembly during steps (c) and (d), wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second disc is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the stainless steel and aluminum in areas intermediate said bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in said intermediate areas than in said bubbles in each of the bonded blank assemblies;
(f) cooling the assemblies and removing each bonded assembly from the pressing fixture;
(g) separating each bonded blank assembly from an adjacent bonded blank assembly; and
(h) forming an item of cookware from each bonded blank assembly.

### Claim 2

A method of making a plurality of bonded composite blank assemblies for the manufacture of cookware, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing at least two blank assemblies for bonding, wherein each blank assembly comprises a first, second, and third disc of planar materials and a perforated template positioned on an outer surface of the first disc of each blank assembly;
(b) placing the at least two blank assemblies into a pressing fixture wherein each of the blank assemblies has a separation disc placed between adjacent assemblies to prevent bonding between adjacent assemblies;
(c) applying pressure in a normal direction on the blank assemblies by way of the pressing fixture;
(d) heating the blank assemblies while under pressure at a sufficient temperature and time to achieve a desired level of bonding between each of the discs in each of the blank assemblies;
(e) forming a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles along a surface of the first planar disc material of each blank assembly during steps (c) and (d), wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second disc is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first disc and second disc in areas intermediate said bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in said intermediate areas than in said bubbles in each of the bonded blank assemblies;
(f) cooling the assemblies and removing each bonded assembly from the pressing fixture;
(g) separating each bonded blank assembly from an adjacent bonded blank assembly; and
(h) forming an item of cookware from each bonded blank assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein the first disc of planar material is stainless steel, the second disc of planar material is aluminum, and the third disc of planar material is stainless steel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the first, second, and third discs of planar materials are in a round shape in plane view.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the perforated template has a perforated area occupied by about 25-75% by area of open holes therethrough located in a central portion thereof and wherein said template carries an unperforated outer border portion surrounding said central portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein the applying of pressure step (c) is in the range of 15,000 psi to 35,000 psi.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein the heating step (d) is in the range of 750° F. to 950° F.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 including in step (h) a hydroforming operation is performed to form the bonded composite of each blank assembly into a desired cookware shape.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein the cookware shape is a pan.

### Claim 10

A method of making a plurality of bonded composite blank assemblies for the manufacture of cookware, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing at least two blank assemblies for bonding, wherein each blank assembly comprises at least two discs of materials which are different metals and a perforated template having a plurality of holes formed and therein placed on a first disc of the at least two discs, where the discs are of a predetermined size suitable for forming into a desired shape of cookware;
(b) placing the at least two blank assemblies into a pressing fixture wherein each of the assemblies has a separation disc placed between adjacent assemblies to prevent bonding between adjacent assemblies;
(c) exerting an axial force on the assemblies by way of the pressing fixture;
(d) heating the assemblies while under pressure at a sufficient temperature and time to achieve a desired level of bonding between each of the discs in each of the assemblies;
(e) forming a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles along a surface of the first disc of each blank assembly during steps (c) and (d), wherein the bonding between the bubbles and a second disc of the at least two discs is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first disc and the second disc in areas intermediate said bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in said intermediate areas than in said bubbles in each of the bonded blank assemblies;
(f) cooling the assemblies and removing each bonded assembly from the pressing fixture;
(g) separating each bonded assembly from an adjacent bonded assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein one or more of the blank assemblies contain at least three discs of materials selected from one or more metals from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the method includes a step (h) of forming an item of cookware form each bonded blank assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein one or more of the blank assemblies comprises two stainless steel discs with an aluminum disc positioned therebetween.

### Claim 14

A method of making a plurality of bonded composite blank assemblies, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing at least two blank assemblies for bonding, wherein each blank assembly comprises two discs of materials which are of different metals and a perforated template having a plurality of holes formed therein and placed on a first of the two discs, where the discs are of a predetermined size suitable for forming into a desired shape;
(b) placing the at least two blank assemblies into a pressing fixture wherein each of the assemblies has a separation disc placed between adjacent assemblies to prevent bonding between adjacent assemblies;
(c) exerting an axial force on the assemblies by way of the pressing fixture;
(d) heating the assemblies while under pressure at a sufficient temperature and time to achieve a desired level of bonding between each of the discs in each of the assemblies;
(e) forming a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles along a surface of the first disc of each blank assembly during steps (c) and (d), wherein the bonding between the bubbles and a second of the two discs is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first disc and the second disc in areas intermediate said bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in said intermediate areas than in said bubbles in each of the bonded blank assemblies;
(f) cooling the assemblies and removing each bonded assembly from the pressing fixture; and
(g) separating each bonded assembly from an adjacent bonded assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein one or more of the blank assemblies contain at least three discs of materials selected from one or more metals from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium.