Abstract: A cooking device suitable for cooking an associated food item includes a body including an upper portion, a lower portion, and an aperture between the upper and lower portions. Each of the upper and lower portions is configured to receive the associated food item and the aperture adapted to allow the associated food item to travel from the upper portion to the lower portion. The lower portion has at least one opening arranged to allow an associated cooking fluid to flow into the lower portion allowing the lower portion in use to become at least partially submerged in the associated cooking fluid.

Abstract: A waterproof axial flow fan includes: a rotor having a rotating shaft pivotally supported by a bearing in a rotatable manner, an impeller provided to a tip of the rotating shaft and a rotor cover; a stator having a winding and a circuit board, a surface of which is coated with an electrically insulating synthetic resin; and at least one ring collection groove part formed in a resin surface opposing to the rotor cover at an apex of the stator so as to surround a tip of a bearing holding part for holding the bearing.

Abstract: Egg cooking apparatus comprises a cradle (13, 14) for the egg including resistance means (22), and control circuitry for heating the resistance means. The cradle comprises flexible sheet means wrappable round the egg, mounted in a pair of half-shell units (10, 11) mounted for opening and closing around the egg. The half-shell units are of a silicone elastomer with crimped resistance wire incorporated therein, and each backed by a set of resilient fingers. The control circuitry includes temperature sensing means adjacent to the resistance means, and means (15) for setting the desired temperature and cooking time.

Abstract: A method and a mould for manufacturing pellets of hot-melt ink are disclosed wherein use is made of a multiple mould containing at least three dies detachably attached to one another which define mold cavities and corresponding filling holes. In the moulding process, the cavities are overfilled such that after solidification ink protrudes in the filling openings formed in a single die and prior to removal of the pellets from the mould cavities, the die containing the protrusions is separated from the other dies whereby the ink pellets formed are substantially free of holes and/or protrusions hampering the free flow of such pellets when introduced in a dosing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molding material mixture for production of molded products for the foundry industry, comprising at least one fire-resistant base molding material and a polyurethane-based binder system comprising a polyisocyanate component and a polyol component. According to the invention, the polyurethane-based binder system comprises a portion of a carboxylic acid diester of a branched alkane diol, said portion being at least 3 weight-%, and a portion of aromatic solvent of less than 10 weight-% of the binder system. A preferable carboxylic acid diester is 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentandiol-diisobutyrate.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing simulated stone products is provided. The apparatus includes a mold having mold cavities. The mold cavities have a first section and a second section that intersect to form a cavity angle. A hopper is configured to introduce castable material into the mold. The hopper and the mold are moveable with respect to each other, enabling them to be selectively engaged with each other. The hopper includes a first funnel wall configured to contact the top of the first mold cavity and to introduce castable material into the top opening of the first section. The hopper has a second funnel wall configured to contact the second section and act as a barrier to close the top opening of the second section of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit (200) for producing a high quality sushi product with uniformity and at a high rate of production. The kit (200) includes a Nigiri Sushi mold (10, 110) and a California Sushi Roll apparatus (54, 154.) In a preferred embodiment, the kit (200) includes a traditional Japanese bento box (18,20) that houses both the Nigiri Sushi mold (10, 110) and California Sushi Roll (54, 154.) The Nigiri Sushi mold (10, 110) is made up of a mold (12, 112) having several indentations (28, 128) for supporting the preferred ingredients. The Nigiri mold (12, 112) is joined with the plate (14, 114) and is placed in the bottom half of the Japanese bento box (18) to form the lower portion of the Sushi kit (200) of the present invention. The apparatus (54, 154) used to form the California Rolls sits atop an inverted Nigiri mold (12, 112) with plate (14, 114) and includes a roller sheet (56, 156) that is flexibly attached to a base plate (64, 164.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming a molded piece that includes a positive impression of an object, the molded piece comprising a monolithic block that is larger than the object. The apparatus comprises a container in which a negative impression of the object is formed by casting it in a fast-setting flowable compound, and a mold extension that snaps on to the container and provides an additional mold volume that is contiguous with the negative impression. The invention further comprises a mixing apparatus for mixing fast-setting compounds. In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus comprises a cylindrical jar with a screw-on lid. A rod passes through an aperture in the lid and moves axially with respect to the jar. The end of the rod external to the jar is configured as a handle, and the end of the rod internal to the jar is connected to a circular mesh. The circular mesh is oriented parallel to the bottom of the jar and has an outer diameter which is slightly less than the smallest inner diameter of the jar.

Abstract: A mold for joining conductors such as stranded cable to each other and to other elements such as a ground rod is formed of two or more parts. The mold formed by the parts includes a weld chamber. Exothermic welding material in a crucible above forms molten metal which drops into the weld chamber through a tap hole. The mold includes sleeving passages extending upwardly at an angle from horizontal to exit the mold well above the level of molten metal forming the weld. The sleeving passages extending upwardly at an angle from the weld chamber, or as a V with two symmetrical passages, are preferably larger than normal passages and accordingly will accommodate a wide variety of cable sizes without interference with or abrasion of the sleeving passages. This enables one mold to accommodate more sizes, avoids the use of packing, adapter sleeves or shims, and maintains the weld chamber well vented.

Abstract: An ice sculpture mold having a bottom die half forming a cavity configured to produce a first half portion of a three-dimensional ice sculpture and a top die half with a cavity to produce the second half portion of the ice sculpture. In one embodiment straps are employed to hold the two die halves together during freezing. In another embodiment, a unique leak proof hinge is employed on one side and a latch on the opposite side.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises first and second mold blocks, each having a pair of matching mold half cavities and being adapted to be held in assembled relationship with the half cavities in abutting register, to define, a pair of full cavities. The apparatus further includes a sprue cutter plate pivotally mounted on the upper surface of one of the blocks. The sprue plate also has (i) a pair of orifice holes in a lower planar surface spaced so as to be aligned with the tops of the full cavities, (ii) a pair of spaced apart countersinks recessed into an upper planar surface and in respective connecting register with the pair of orifice holes, and (iii) a trough in the upper planar surface connecting the pair of countersinks.

Abstract: An exothermic welding apparatus and method uses a crucible which can be used with a variety of exothermic weld metal material volumes to produce welds of different sizes while maintaining the desired diameter to height ratio for each volume of exothermic material. In one embodiment, the crucible includes a double or two stage cavity. The crucible includes a somewhat smaller lower stage which reduces the diameter for smaller volumes. This lower stage may have two disk seats to isolate the two stages from the tap hole. A disk seat is provided for a larger disk between the two stages. The crucible may include a volume of exothermic material in the smaller lower chamber, the larger upper chamber, or a combination of both. In a triple stage embodiment, a wider variety of exothermic material volumes or masses may be accommodated, all while maintaining the desired diameter to height ratio for each charge. Although the desired ratio is approximately one, the ratio range should be maintained from about 0.5 to about 1.

Abstract: For a steel mold, one or more titanium melt inlet-forming members are provided for cooperating with the steel mold members to form an melt ingate that communicates to the mold cavity for supplying the melt thereto in a manner to avoid harmful iron contamination of the melt during casting. The mold body-to-mold cavity volume ratio is controlled between 10:1 to 0.5:1 to minimize casting surface defects and mold wear/damage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for protection against coastal erosion. The protection barrier is formed from a plurality of protection members which are secured together to form a mat of a desired configuration. Each protection member which is formed as a toroidal body, preferably from a discarded tire casing, is at least partially filled with concrete which is deposited about the circumference of the tire casing and occupies not more than one half of the interior chamber formed by the wall of the tire casing. To facilitate preparation of the protection member for use, a conical insert is provided. The tire casing is lowered down over the conical insert, moving towards the wided base of the insert until a lower bead of the casing rim frictionally contacts the wall of the insert. Concrete is then admitted onto the wall of the insert and moves by gravity into the interior chamber, partially filling it.

Abstract: A water filling assembly for ice trays including a reservoir disposed in water delivering relation to each of a plurality of vertically stacked ice trays within a housing wherein the reservoir and trays are cooperatively structured to successively fill each of said trays from an uppermost one in the stacked array to a lower most one upon the selective passage of liquid from said reservoir to said trays.

Abstract: An improved composite metal-elastomer styled automotive-type wheel with a three-dimensionally contoured ornamental outboard face formed by a plastic overlay body permanently adhered or affixed to the outboard face, and an improved molding apparatus and method for constructing such a wheel. A plastic overlay body has an annular row of outboard pockets disposed in radially offset, axially overlapping relation with a annular row of inboard pockets which in turn register with vent openings in the disc to thereby provide air passages through the wheel for brake ventilation. The outboard pockets preferably are disposed radially remote from the center of the wheel close to the wheel rim, and a relatively thin cross-section of plastic material is molded so as to overlie the outboard rim flange to provide a full-face appearance to the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of building units from an afterhardening mixture containing cement and/or lime as binding material. The raw mixture is continuously fed and pressed by stamping into a die with CO.sub.2 gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric being passed through the raw mixture in the die space. Through an instantaneous reaction of carbonation, the material is hardened to a formed body. The CO.sub.2 gas is prevented from escaping by a gastight seal in the vicinity of the inlet port of the die. Further towards the outlet port, the pressure of the CO.sub.2 gas is decreased. In the vicinity of the outlet port only as much CO.sub.2 gas is fed as is necessary for the completing of the chemical reaction. Thus, any loss of gas will be minimized. The continuously discharged body is cut to size by using a saw.

Abstract: An ice mold apparatus is set forth wherein a plurality of separable halves including a plurality of securement straps with ends secured to the lower mold half formed with resilient sections to enable expansion of the mold and prevent damage thereto during ice expansion. An overlying funnel is provided with a flange positioned within a housing on the top surface of the upper mold including a self-sealing iris diaphragm wherein the funnel may be directed through the diaphragm to enable complete filling of the mold. The mold interfacing edges are provided with a continuous seal formed within a semi-circular channel in the lower mold and further provided with a series of alignment pins registrable with openings in the upper mold for precise alignment and sealing of the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composite styled wheel of the type including a metallic disc and rim and an ornamental plastic overlay permanently affixed to the disc. A disc and rim subassembly is placed in a mold. A retainer is formed as a separate part and releasable secured in the mold. A reactive plastic liquid mixture is injected into the mold cavity and the retainer is engulfed in the plastic material and permanently secured to the plastic overlay.

Abstract: An improved mold assembly which has a cavity mold part and a cover which form a space into which foam precursors are poured and the cover carries a mold insert which is bonded to the foam formed in the mold space; the cover carries a pour spout and a seal for preventing foam leakage from the space wherein the improvement comprises: means including a pour hole and a rotatable tube extending through said pour hole for defining a pour spout having an inboard end located within the space when the mold assembly is closed; seal means in surrounding sealing relationship with said inboard end of said rotatable tube; and means operative when the cover is closed and when the tube is located in the pour space for holding the insert within a desired variation of a designed location in said space and for holding the insert against said seal means to prevent foam leakage through the pour hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the waste neck area in a mold of vinyl cast articles such as automotive arm rests, head rests and parts of similar construction includes a powder box of gellable material having a supply spout with its exposed outer surface area covered by a liner of heat insulating material; a waste inlet neck on a heated, machined nickel mold is sealed by the liner when the powder box is joined to the mold. The powder box spout is at room temperature and shields the inlet neck to prevent gel build-up on the inlet neck to effect considerable cost by both a reduction in waste deposits of gel and a reduction in labor required to trim a waste area on the mold. To obtain the coating, the mold is coated with powdered vinyl (hereinafter gellable material) by casting from the powder box to the mold and the excess material is removed from the mold by dumping it from the mold into the powder box.

Abstract: Guide and runner assemblies for uphill teeming comprise a refractory tube in a sheath with an optional body of particulate material between the inner tube and sheath. The sheath may be combustible.

Abstract: A method of recovering tin from tin dross consisting of positioning a barrel having an apertured bottom and charged with a supply of the tin dross upon a partitioned collecting tin mold, with the components thus arranged being placed into a furnace for subjecting the components and tin dross charge to a temperature approximating 700.degree. F. for a time duration approximating 5-6 hours and allowing the developed molten free tin to flow downwardly of the barrel and through the apertures thereof and into and between the partitions of the collecting tin mold, and withdrawing the collecting tin mold for cooling before removing the cast tin bars therefrom. The apparatus aspect relates to the design of the barrel and collecting tin mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for forming concrete buildings. A concrete building is presented utilizing wall form sections which are coupled with a roof form section. The roof form section comprises an elongated dome shaped section with transversely extending side sections on either side thereof. The roof form section is held in place by a hoist which is mounted on a movable trailer. By utilizing the aforedescribed form section, a concrete building may be formed utilizing a monolithic pour wherein the walls are poured followed immediately by the roof. A pivotal trough system located on top of the roof form section allows concrete to be distributed all around the roof with minimal labor.

Abstract: A rim shield is disclosed for use in conjunction with a porous mold in molding ceramic articles using a slip casting process. Use of the rim shield prevents the deposit of excess clay to the lip or rim of a molded article.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for use with a permanent mold in casting operations includes a cover plate having an upwardly and a downwardly facing surface. In place on the permanent mold, the downwardly facing surface defines the upper limit of the mold cavity. At least one pipe extends through an opening in the cover plate with its lower end in the plane of the downwardly facing surface of the cover plate. An annular recess located in one of the downwardly facing surface of the cover plate or the lower end of the pipe, encircles the lower end of the pipe radially outwardly from its opening. A breaking core can be incorporated as a part of the lower end of the pipe or it can be formed as a separate member. The pipe can be used only to feed additional molten metal into the mold as the poured metal starts to solidify or it can be used both to pour the molten metal into the mold cavity and then to provide the additional feed as the metal solidifies.

Abstract: An annular bronze bearing is bonded to a cylindrical inner surface of a metallic member by positioning the member in a fixture to define an annular chamber therein, communicating a charge of bronze alloy particles to the chamber via an open end thereof, melting the alloy and cooling the member and alloy to form the bearing. The apparatus comprises a pair of plates adapted to clamp the metallic member therebetween to define the annular chamber between the member and a cylindrical core. A ceramic funnel is secured on the upper one of the plates to communicate the melted bronze alloy particles to the annular chamber via the open end thereof.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and related apparatus for casting aluminum extrusion die blanks, both cored and uncored, of molten steel. A disc-like carbon or other suitable material mold having spaced side walls joined by a peripheral edge wall is filled through a sprue oriented tangentially on the peripheral edge wall of the mold. The center areas of the mold side walls are made thinner than the peripheral portions of the side wall and thinner than the peripheral edge wall such that the center of the mold cools more quickly from both sides thereof than the circumferential periphery of the mold. A core void can be made in the die blank by providing a non-permanent core shaped to basically the desired cross-section and adhered to an insert which fits into a receiving cavity in the inside of the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct casting of steel slabs for subsequent processing instead of casting ingots and then reducing them to slabs, blooms or billets. A flat elongated casting cavity is formed by an assembly of mold components to define a slab. Prior to casting, this mold is inclined at an angle of about 3.degree. to the horizontal with the bottom end of the casting cavity higher than the pouring end. The molten metal is poured through a sprue attached to the mold assembly adjacent the pouring end. The sprue provides a reservoir for molten metal at a level above the bottom end of the casting cavity so that the casting cavity is completely filled during pouring. When pouring is completed, the mold assembly is promptly tilted to an upright position with the pouring end and sprue at the top.