Abstract: This disclosure provides a monolithic mold including a plurality of lens forming features that can be used to simultaneously form a plurality of lenses with different sizes and shapes. The mold can be formed by disposing a polymeric material around a plurality of physical objects with different shapes and sized. A method of forming the mold includes providing a substrate that has a surface with regions of low and high wettability. Water is deposited on the surface such that water droplets are formed with different contact angles. The mold is formed around the droplets.

Abstract: A dual platen molding machine for constructing a plurality of pre-insulated structural panels is disclosed that includes multiple safety features. The molding machine produces one or more panels that may include one or more c-channels or profiles embedded in expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam to provide structural integrity to the panels, and resulting wall. A chase may be formed horizontally in the panels to provide a wiring conduit through the panel. The molding machine is electrically operated to control the movement of a movable molding portion when closed upon a stationary molding portion. Steam may be controlled to fuse insulating material such as expandable polystyrene (EPS) in cavities formed between the movable mold and the stationary mold. No hydraulics is required to operate the dual platen molding machine, thus improving operating and maintenance costs. Moreover, steam hoses may be avoided, thereby improving overall safety.

Abstract: A system includes one or more compacting wall retraction mechanisms for retracting one or more compacting walls of a compactable lightweight concrete block mold having at least two compacting walls. The compacting wall retraction mechanism(s) facilitate release of a compacted lightweight concrete block from the compactable lightweight concrete block mold. The system can include a mold feed conveyor, and a table for receiving the compactable lightweight concrete block mold from the mold feed conveyor. The system can include one or more tube extraction and re-insertion mechanisms for extracting or inserting tubes of a compactable mold. The system can include one or more end wall lock release mechanisms for releasing end walls to remove a molded block from the mold. Mold assembly and disassembly can be controlled by an electronic or computerized controller.

Abstract: A compactable mold comprises a main mold frame structure and plural wall structures including two end wall structures and two side wall structures. The plural wall structures define a mold cavity for forming a block from a mixture introduced into the mold cavity. At least two of the plural wall structures are movable wall structures for compacting the mixture. A described compactable mold has end walls and side walls that are shaped for forming tongue and groove features on a compacted block, and the end walls and side walls are movable such that a formed block can be released easily from the mold. A described compactable mold comprises at least one tube attached to at least one of the compacting wall structures. The compacting wall structures are operable to compact the mixture by moving toward the center of the mold cavity while the at least one tube remains stationary.

Abstract: A casting mold including a first form having a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls defining a first casting space. The casting mold further including a second form having a base and a wall extending from the base to define a second casting space. The second form is stackable on the first form portion such that the first and second casting spaces can be filled with a casting material when the second form is on the first form. The second form includes a port defining access into the first casting space such that the casting material can be disposed into the first casting space through the port.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for making soft cheese or fresh paste cheese comprising at least a first set of perforated cheese-moulds and at least a second set of perforated cheese-moulds arranged in a chamber. The invention is characterized in that said first and second sets of cheese-moulds are designed to be fitted one into the other.

Abstract: Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball are disclosed. The molding equipment includes the use of a mandrel with a spherical portion sized to fit within a molding chamber. The molding equipment and related processes are particularly useful when forming the various layers by reaction injection molding.

Abstract: A fully contoured three dimensional toy figure made of at least two figure parts, and a toy apparatus and a method for molding the toy figure are disclosed. The figure parts are molded in respective mold cavities with receptacles, e.g., holes, in a side thereof and selected parts are joined together with simple connectors inserted into aligned receptacles of adjacently positioned parts. The receptacles may simply be blind holes in one side of the figure parts, and the connectors may be simple rods, bars or tubes which may have structure that assists in engaging the walls of the holes. The invention allows small children to make fully-contoured toy figures easily without having to use adhesives or typical fasteners to attach the figure parts together. Child-safe plastic materials such as Plasti-Goop.RTM. may be used as the plastic molding material.

Abstract: A method for making concrete cored bricks and capping bricks includes providing a mold having a row of mold cavities separated by cross members having core-bar holes formed therein, inserting a core bar through each cavity and into and filling a core-bar hole associated with rear cavity. Next, a rear core-bar hole is plugged and the cavities are filled with a concrete to form plural uncured bricks. The bricks are then compacted and an elongate, interconnecting pattern is pressed into a first surface of each brick. Next, the core bar is removed from the cavities and the bricks are ejected from the mold. Finally, plural wet layers of colored coatings are applied to the first surface of each brick after which the bricks are cured. Antiqued concrete capping brick including a top surface, four side surfaces, and a bottom surface having formed therein at least one recess are also formed. Additionally, a first side surface of the brick includes elongate, interconnected indentations that extend to the edges thereof.

Abstract: A moulding pallet for moulding building blocks with interlocking surfaces comprises a metal sheet bent to form parallel ridges and valleys, with transverse sheet metal channels inserted through openings in the ridge sides forming transverse secondary ridges.

Abstract: A gang form in which a single or a plurality of precast concrete beams will be molded at one time, the gang form comprising a first and two second vertical walls, the first wall being a straight wall, the two second walls spaced apart one from another extend transversely away from the first wall while having an end abutting the first wall, a tier or tiers of precast concrete beams being molded by placing fluid concrete into a mold compartment comprising the top surface of either a starter slab or a previously precast beam, a longitudinal segmental strip of a vertical surface of the first wall or the vertical surface of a previously constructed tier and an individual mold side member, which side member is restrained by restraint means placed exterior of said mold compartment, the restraint means allowing the individual mold side member to be adjusted vertically while also being adjusted horizontally at various distances apart from a face of the first wall, the precast concrete beams while molded in their mold

Abstract: Molding forms for precast concrete portal assemblies are described. The molding forms include adjustable form surfaces for precasting different shaped portal assemblies from the same basic mold. The molding forms herein are particularly designed for molding portal assemblies for use at either or both end of box culverts which provide passages extending under a longitudinal embankment at skew angles rather than transversely perpendicular to the embankment access.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding stick cosmetics, which comprises:closely fitting a molding block into a vertically extending annular member formed around a container charged with a liquid feed composition for solid cosmetics, said molding block having therethrough a plurality of longitudinal slots which are open at both ends;filling said liquid feed composition into said longitudinal slots; and, thereafter,solidifying and drying the thus filled liquid feed composition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing productivity when casting Vee configuration engine blocks in a given size, two-part refractory mold having a single parting plane.

Abstract: A concrete ramp is, in cross section, in the form of an inverted U and is made in sections. The form includes a base the upper surfaces of which are inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle wanted for tread surface of the ramp. A pair of inner and outer side walls are provided for each side of the base and then are shaped and dimensioned so that their upper edges are horizontal, the height of the inner walls less than that of the outer walls. The walls of each pair are hingedly connected to the base in a manner enabling the outer walls to swing outwardly and the inner walls to swing inwardly. Power operated devices supported by the base are operable to hold the inner walls vertically or to pull them inwardly. A plate is supported by the inner walls in a manner permitting it to be lowered or raised as the inner walls are swung into or out of their operative position.

Abstract: A concrete post molding device is disclosed for simultaneously forming a plurality of uniform, reinforced concrete posts. The device includes a housing containing an annular chamber defined by a fixed horizontal first plate having a central cylindrical pipe and a spaced concentrically arranged sleeve vertically supported thereon. A plurality of circumferentially spaced radial fin members are connected with the pipe for dividing the chamber into a plurality of circumferentially arranged vertical compartments, and the first plate contains a plurality of openings arranged opposite the compartments. The concrete post molding device is characterized by novel reinforcing rod suspension and tensioning apparatus. An annular ring is connected with the upper portion of the pipe and includes a plurality of first chucks for gripping the upper portions of the reinforcing rods. The lower portions of the rods are suspended in spaced relation in the compartments and extend vertically through the first plate openings.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for obtaining precisely registered, articulated castings of upper and lower dental impressions. The dental impressions are obtained through use of a dental tray having a non-porous, bite-deformable central septum. The impression material for the upper dental impression is contained in the upper portion of the tray. The impression material for the lower dental impression is contained in the lower portion of the tray and is supported by a bottom cover which is removed subsequent to placement of the tray in the mouth. As the patient bites, the impression material in the upper and lower portions of the dental tray is molded to the contour of the teeth and gums in their proper relationship with the teeth closed. After the material has set, the tray containing registered upper and lower impressions is removed from the mouth and placed into a mold.