Abstract: A method for freezing a liquid located in a container, in particular a liquid drug, includes exposing the container to a cooling element such as cold gas in order to freeze the liquid. The cold gas preferably flows around the container, and/or the liquid is cooled in another way in order to freeze the liquid. The container is insulated at a surface of at least one first volume portion of the container, and the container is cooled nearly immediately at a surface of a second volume portion of the container by the cold gas such that the liquid freezes through later in the at least one first volume portion than in the second volume portion.

Abstract: A crucible includes an outer element and an inner element. The outer element includes a first portion that is horizontal at a bottom end of the crucible and a second portion that ascends radially outwardly from the bottom end of the crucible to a top end of the crucible at a first acute angle to a vertical axis. The inner element includes a conus with a cylinder at a base of the conus. The conus descends radially outwardly from the top end of the crucible to the bottom end of the crucible at a second acute angle to the vertical axis. The inner element includes a base portion of the cylinder attached to the first portion of the outer element using a sealant to form a hollow mold between an inner portion of the outer element and an outer portion of the inner element.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for making a three-dimensionally curved object, said apparatus comprising a membrane having a moulding surface, which is configurable into a predetermined shape by individually adjusting an array of actuators acting on the surface opposite the moulding surface of said membrane, wherein the membrane is a ferromagnetic membrane and the actuators are provided with magnetic joints at the distal ends of said actuators.

Abstract: A cast mould for manufacturing a contact lens or an intraocular lens, wherein the cast mould is provided with a central part and a bearing ring and a flexible connection between the central part and the bearing ring. Further, an injection mould is provided for manufacturing such a cast mould and a method for manufacturing such a cast mould. The injection mould is provided with a mould cavity with a plunger biased by spring means towards the mould cavity which serves for compensating shrinkage which occurs during the curing of the plastic injected into the injection mould. Also described is a method for manufacturing a contact lens or intraocular lens with the aid of the cast mould, as well as a contact lens or intraocular lens obtained with this method.

Abstract: An optical lens production device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an upper mold which has one or more upper cavity areas for forming an optical lens; a lower mold which has one or more lower cavity areas for forming the optical lens; and an elastic member which is formed between the upper mold and the lower mold.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material part using an integrated shape memory polymer (SMP) and caul tool comprises the steps of: placing a caul on a positive feature of a mold, deforming the SMP from a relaxed state such that the SMP integrates with the caul to form an integrated SMP and caul tool, placing composite material on the integrated SMP and caul tool, heating the composite material to cure the composite material to form a composite material part while the SMP remains deformed, and stimulating the SMP to return to the relaxed state such that the SMP separates from the caul and the composite material part.

Abstract: Curing cauls formed of a one-piece three-dimensional resiliently shape-retentive fiber-reinforced body are provided, whereby the body includes a fibrous sheet coated with at least one layer of a cured elastomeric resin. The fibrous sheet may be embedded within the cured elastomeric resin, with the body having a stiffened perimetrical edge region and a stiffened ridge region vertically spaced from the edge region.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure from a composite material. The external surface of the mandrel can at least partially correspond to the inner surface of the three-dimensional structure. The mandrel can include a plurality of expandable particles configured to increase responsive to a threshold condition. The mandrel can be configured to crack responsive to a triggering condition.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a casting cup assembly comprising frontcurve and basecurve molds which of which includes a ring that circumscribes the respective concave and convex mold surface. When the casting cup is assembled, the rings align and minimize de-centering and tilting of the concave and convex mold surfaces which, in turn, reduces edge defects.

Abstract: A plastic container for storing a hydrogel contact lens in a liquid, the container comprising: a cavity and a substantially flat flange that extends in a plane around the opening periphery of the cavity, and the flange having a sealing area round the circumference of the cavity. Furthermore, the sealing area has a micro-texture pattern. When sealing the container with a flexible cover sheet which is a laminate material having a metal foil layer and at least one polymer layer to form a storage package of the soft contact lens, the micro-texture pattern of the sealing area engages a laminate foil cover and displaces water beads present between the laminate foil cover and the plastic container in the sealing area around the cavity to form a heat seal.

Abstract: The invention describes a regulating device that adapts to the aerodynamic profile of a mold bed made of composite material offsetting the geometrical deviations occurring in the mold bed. The device comprises some stiffening ribs (20) supported on a surface of the bed (10) of the mold and is equipped with actuators (21) that modify the curvature of the bed (10) of the mold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for potting an electronic device. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an enclosure having a first inner volume with the electronic device disposed therein; placing a fill control element within the enclosure such that a second inner volume of the fill control element is fluidly coupled to the first inner volume; and filling a remaining portion of the first inner volume, the remaining portion not occupied by the electronic device or the fill control element, with a sealant such that air is trapped within at least a first portion of the second inner volume.

Abstract: The article and corresponding method include a casting fixture for a part of a skin formulation applicator which is otherwise difficult to cast. The casting fixture includes a central cup section and two opposing tear-away sections. A rigid base portion of an applicator tip assembly is mounted into an upper rim of the cup section and liquid silicone material is poured into the volume defined in the cup section portion beneath the base portion. The silicone cures and bonds to extending elements from the base portion, providing a firm connection between the cast tip portion and the base portion. When the combined part is ready for use, the tear-away sections are removed by the user, which results in an easy ejection of the part, which can then be installed by the user in the formulation applicator.

Abstract: A molding die and a method for molding a molded article including a foam layer made up of faces extended in a plurality of directions are provided, by which all of the faces can grow up to a predetermined expansion ratio or more. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a stationary die including a main die 2 and a slide die 3 movable relative to the main die 2, and a movable die 4. The slide die 3 partially faces a cavity C and can move in a direction (Y direction) different from a die clamping/die opening direction (X direction). When a foam layer a2 made up of a face a21 orthogonal to the die clamping/die opening direction and a face a22 other than the face a21 grows in the cavity C, at least the slide die 3 moves in Y direction, whereby both of the faces a21 and a22 of the foam layer a2 can grow to satisfy a predetermined expansion ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for forming a composite part are provided. A method for forming a composite part may include placing initial composite material on a base tool, placing a tooling mandrel on the composite material, placing additional composite material over the tooling mandrel, covering at least a portion of the composite material that overlays the tooling mandrel with a composite forming tool, heating the composite material to at least partially cure the composite material, and permitting a first portion of the composite forming tool to change size during the heating of the composite material to a greater degree than a second portion of the composite forming tool. In this regard, the second portion of the composite forming tool is closer to the base tool than the first portion of the composite forming tool. A composite forming tool is also provided that permits differential expansion of different portions of the tool.

Abstract: Tensioning installation for the frameworks of pre-tensioned architectural elements designed for the two-way pre-tensioning of concrete or mortar plates, or the like, comprising a molding assembly made up of a flat molding plate (3) delimited on the perimeter by adjustably positioning side walls (4). The assembly rests on an oversized support platform (1)on which the molding assembly is surrounded by a perimeter area (10) of support platform (1) proper, in which perimeter area (10) hydraulic tensioning devices (7) are provided, which are integral to support platform (1) and are arranged in juxtaposition forming opposite facing pairs according to rectilinear alignments forming a grid. Said hydraulic tensioning devices (7) are all connected together serially forming a hydraulic circuit (8) which, in turn, is connected to a hydraulic pressure connection point (9).

Abstract: A mould for the continuous casting of blooms, slabs or billets is provided with a mould tube (2) and a supporting shell (4) surrounding said mould tube. The mould tube (2) is supported by support profiles (15) on the supporting shell (4) extending in its longitudinal direction and distributed over the periphery and is positively connected thereto via connecting profiles (20) extending in the longitudinal direction. The connecting profiles (20) are respectively configured as profile strips (21, 22) outwardly projecting from the outer periphery of the mould tube (2) and inwardly projecting from the inner periphery of the supporting shell (4), which engage in one another such that in the peripheral direction of the mould a clearance is present. As a result, the stresses, permanent deformation and fatigue cracks produced by the thermal expansion in the mould tube are substantially avoided.

Abstract: The method includes the use of a closed mold consisting of two shells (2,3) and an annular joint (4), the joint having a hole (19) for filling the mold cavity with a polymerizable material, the introduction of the material occurring after a stage in which an external mechanical effort is exerted in order to bring the shells (2,3) together and before a stage in which the effort is relaxed. In the joint (4), the filling hole (19) includes two sections. A first section extends from the molding cavity to the second section which is wider. The device includes elements (34-40) for exerting an external effort in order to bring the shells (2,3) together and elements for introducing the polymerizable material into the molding cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold 10 for forming cast rods including: a segment assembly 12 including a plurality of segments 14 being placed side by side, and a plurality of cavities 26 extending along a longitudinal direction 16; and clamping means (18 to 21) for clamping the segment assembly 12 in directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 16. The mold 10 has one or more cavity-forming portions 28 each forming a part of one of the peripheral surfaces of the cavities 26. Each cavity 26 is formed by a combination of two or more segments 14, and at least one of the plurality of segments 14 has two or more cavity-forming portions 28.

Abstract: This invention is related to a method and a moulding device (100) for making a cast of a surface. The moulding device comprises a first moulding chamber part (30), which is adapted to be placed adjacent the surface and to form a moulding chamber (16) together with the surface. Moulding material can be introduced into the moulding chamber via an inlet (9), and one or more outlets (20, 21) serves to drain the moulding chamber from any entrapped liquid or gas. Further, at least one test piece (17) with surface defects, having well-known characteristics is provided in the moulding device for making at least one imprint on said cast surface. Hereby, a quality test of said cast can be performed.

Abstract: The present provides deformable molds and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses using deformable molds. The molds of the invention may be used in the custom manufacture of ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixture device for maintaining fabrication of precise elastomeric microdevices. The fixture may be used to maintain dimensional stability of elastomeric devices during temperature cycling. Furthermore, the fixture may be used to control geometry during temperature cycling due to thermal curing. The fixture may be loaded into equipment for precise alignment and assembly of elastomeric devices. The fixture is particularly useful for building precise microdevices from polymeric or elastomeric materials.

Abstract: The object of this invention is the method of manufacture of a symmetric element of a round ring and cone-shaped ring applicable in serial production. The application area of the invention is particularly the prefabrication of ceramic coating elements, which match together and which are assembled in straight walls, a surface coating containing cylinder rings and cone-shaped rings. Good application objects are for example the cyclones and the ducts of circulating bed boilers, carburetor plants, etc. various combustion chambers and high temperature devices. The concerned elements have special conditions concerning their tightness, so that their seam surfaces must be shaped so that they are profile surfaces differing from plane surfaces, profile surfaces having the capacity to resist to leakage through seam better than straight surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a mold assembly and molding an optical lens using the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for holding a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly includes a front mold, a back mold and a strip wrapping around the edges of the front mold and back mold to form a sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base. The second portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base.

Abstract: The present provides deformable molds and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses using deformable molds. The molds of the invention may be used in the custom manufacture of ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: The mold comprises two dies mounted in a sheath to slide along the axis of the sheath and each presenting a forming face facing the other. The two dies and the sheath are provided with intrinsic heat transfer means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a mold for casting optical lens. Two molding shells and a closure member form a mold with a molding cavity. To fill the mold a fluid lens-forming material is introduced into the molding cavity through a casting opening formed in the closure member. Air is venting out during the filling process through a venting opening also formed in the closure member. Both the casting opening and the venting opening are located in the upper portion of the molding cavity but spaced apart from each other at an acute angle.

Abstract: A collapsible mould for preforming produce in a frozen state includes top, bottom and side surfaces and biasing means for yielding against expansive pressure of the produce encountered during freezing, which surfaces are self-supporting against the forces of expansion during the freezing process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bakery pan including a base plate (17) provided with a plurality of slots associated with a plurality of peripheral walls (1-9) defining cells each closed by a base and open along a through aperture (10) corresponding to one slot. In each cell, an intermediate mobile wall (12) moves along the cell median axis (I-I), and is integral with an adjusting rod (13) sliding in a guiding passage. A removable support plate (19) is associated with the base plate (17) from which it is spaced by an interchangeable spacer (20). A closure plate can cover the base plate (17) for closing the through apertures (10). This bakery pan structure greatly facilitates garnishing, and makes it possible to mould a food product such as pastry to give it a shape defined by the cells.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a hollow molded article of high quality can be produced by conducting the following steps of: providing a small-sized molding machine comprising a mold having a pair of mold halves wherein at least one of the mold halves comprises a body and a slidable block; supplying a resin in an unsolidified state between the mold halves to fill a mold cavity having a first clearance with the resin; supplying a pressured fluid into the resin lying between the mold surfaces; moving the slidable block from a first position to a second position; opening the mold until a cavity clearance becomes a second clearance which is larger than the first clearance; and opening the mold to take out the hollow molded article.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin hollow molded article is disclosed. The process takes place in a molding machine including first and second mold halves having respective mold surfaces defining a mold cavity. At least one of the mold halves is movable relative to the other mold half to permit the mold surfaces to be moved both towards and away from each other between closed state and unclosed states. At least the first mold half has incorporated therein at least one slidable block defining a portion of the mold surface of the first mold half. According to the process, thermoplastic resin is supplied in a molten state between the mold surfaces while the mold halves are in the unclosed state, and at least one of the mold halves is moved relative to the other mold half to press and spread the thermoplastic resin so that the cavity is filled with the thermoplastic resin. During the process, compressed gas is supplied into the thermoplastic resin located in the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting lens without using a gasket that can be used to form all powers and geometric shapes of lenses. An elastomeric strip is used to wrap around the edges of two molds to form a sleeve-like structure, which in turn cooperates with the molds to form a molding cavity. Moreover, this sleeve-like structure does not crumple or shrink during the lens polymerization process. Instead, it allows the molds to slide axially within it to compensate for any shrinkage that occurs during the lens polymerization process.

Abstract: A pressing device comprised of stackable moulds for cooking and shaping hams into an oval cross-section. Each mould comprises transverse sides, longitudinal sides, crosspieces extending between the longitudinal sides, and a plurality of fixed troughs extending between the transverse sides. Below each trough (3), there is suspended from the transverse sides, a cover which is formed by a longitudinal plate, two end plates and two longitudinal sides. The end plates of the cover can slide against the faces of the transverse sides, each end plate being furnished with longitudinal pins which are directed toward vertical slots positioned along the transverse sides. Finally, a spring is disposed and compressed between the cover and the base of the trough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moulding ice statues using a mould formed of a liquid impervious flexible material which defines a mould cavity having the shape of the statue to be formed and a pair of extending wall portions which are held in a juxtaposed attitude during the freezing process. For demolding, the wall portions are moved apart to increase the cross-sectional size of the mould to allow it to be released from the statue formed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming an aggregate product from particulate material, and in particular for making an aggregate coal product from coal particles. The method involves the steps of 1) loading the coal particles into a mold having an open end and an inner surface defining, in part, a pressurization chamber, the open end of the mold having an outwardly flaring inner peripheral end surface, 2) pressurizing the coal particles within the pressurization chamber such that the coal particles aggregate to form the coal log, and 3) pushing the coal log out of the mold past the flared end surface so that the coal log expands as it passes the end surface. The method may also include the step of maintaining back pressure on the coal log as it is pushed out of the mold. In addition to coal logs, the mold configuration of this invention may be used for making other aggregate products from particulate materials.

Abstract: An method and tooling concept for fabricating complex composite parts is provided. The method and tooling concept use various tooling configurations in order to produce varying magnitudes of thermal expansion at different areas within the tooling concept. The varying magnitudes of thermal expansion allow the tool concept to account for varying magnitudes of tool movement needed to debulk and consolidate varying thickness areas of the composite workpiece being cured. The tooling concept is formed of different materials having different thicknesses that allow the tooling concept to produce varying magnitudes of thermal expansion. The exterior surface of the tooling concept is covered by a compliant covering. The compliant covering helps to equalize the consolidation pressures produced by the tooling concept during curing. A composite wing box structure fabricated using the method and tooling concept is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mold especially adapted for forming precast, waffle-shaped concrete panels employs a one-piece mold body of flexible plastic sheet material to which rigid side rails are secured by tongue and groove longitudinal joints. The mold may be rapidly stripped and reset due to a hinge action provided by partial sides of the flexible body to which the rigid side rails are joined. The side rails and other structural features provide a simple mold structure that may be readily and efficiently employed for on-site production of panels. The configuration of the side rails and associated joints facilitates the replacement of a wornout mold body. A cover may be placed over the mold body while the concrete cures and automatically lifted therefrom after a predetermined time to allow the concrete to cool. Recess formers and connector covers for the panels are provided for appearance and security.

Abstract: In this method of making a mold for molding an optical lens an annular closure sleeve is fitted around two molding shells and cooperates with them to define the required molding cavity. The closure sleeve is made from a heat shrinkable synthetic material and is heated to shrink it onto the molding shells. Applications of the method include molds for molding ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: A mould for cast moulding a contact lens includes a first cup member having a male mould surface and a second cup member with a female mould surface. The two cup members form a piston and cylinder and are used in a pressure vessel so as to apply loading pressure to deflect the mould surfaces to maintain the surfaces in contact with a lens being cast. The mould is opened with the mould surface facing upwardly. Hydrating fluid is added to the first cup member and a cover sealed to the top of the first cup member.

Abstract: A food loaf shaping and texturizing rack is provided which transforms a generally cylindrical large food loaf, stick or chub into a shape which approximates that of a natural food product, such as whole muscle meat when sliced. The rack also includes a lattice network which forms irregularities in the surface of the finished product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a utensil for molding sushi rice for use in preparing nigiri-zushi, the molding utensil having a split mold having a mold member, and an outer frame for the split mold to removably fit in, the molding utensil being characterized in that the utensil is provided with a pair of vertically split side mold members forwardly movable toward each other within the outer frame, each of the side mold members is provided on each of their opposite end walls with one of pairing elements provided by an angular cam and a pin for advancing the side mold member by about 5 mm, the other pairing element is provided on a wall of the upper mold member to be opposed to the end wall, the outer frame has such a depth that molding cavities having their contours defined by the lower mold member inserted into the outer frame to its bottom, the upper mold member pushed into the outer frame and fitted to the inserted lower mold member and the side mold members in a forwardly moved position within the outer frame have a combin

Abstract: A mold assembly includes first and second mold sections having respective first and second mold cavity defining surfaces, the first mold cavity defining surface terminating in an encircling peripheral rim and the second mold cavity defining surface terminating in a deformable peripheral annulus disposed at a diameter corresponding to the rim, and cooperating tapers depending from each of the first and second molds for relatively centering the molds.

Abstract: An ice cube tray consisting of an inner tray divided lengthwise and breadthwise into a plurality of pockets with open tops, and an outer tray divided into a configuration that fits the shape of the inner tray forming a space between the outer bottom of the inner tray and the inner bottom of the outer tray, with openings provided on the bottom of the inner tray so as to make transparent ice in the pockets, and additionally providing slightly curved protruding points on the bottom of the outer tray to allow for expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die for ceramic tiles. The die includes two semi-dies between which the material to be compacted is pressed. One of the half-dies is connected to an elastic wall. An external face of the elastic wall has the imprint of one of the faces of the tile to be manufactured. The elastic wall is positioned over and in contact with a cavity that is filled with an incompressible liquid. The cavity is divided into portions by a lattice.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for molding the front and rear surfaces of a contact lens in one step is disclosed. Two mold halves matable to form a contact-lens-shaped cavity and a cavity for excess lens forming material surrounding the cavity are provided. The improvement comprises providing the cavity for excess lens forming material with at least two openings and producing differential gas pressure across the openings to remove excess lens forming material.

Abstract: A molding mechanism including one pair of molding devices oppositely disposed in a body and each having a casing, and a number of pin elements arranged in matrix form in the casing, a board engaged in one side of the casing, and a bolt threaded through the casing for forcing the board toward the pin elements in order to fix the pin elements in place, whereby, a mold cavity is formed among the pin elements when the molding devices are moved toward an object disposed between the molding devices.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for moulding a polymeric foam into a bun in a longitudinally-extending, channel shaped mould by a mobile vessel and fall plate which are progressively transported from one end to the other of the mould to lay down partially-expanded foam over the bottom of the mould. The apparatus includes a mould for receiving a polymeric foam and including a longitudinally-extending, channel-shaped enclosed mould through which a mobile vessel and fall plate are progressively transported from one end to the other of the mould to lay down partially-expanded foam over the bottom of the mould while the mould is in a moulding position. Gas is vented from the interior of the mould and the mould is moved from the moulding position to a curing position remote from the moulding position where the bun cures in the mould.

Abstract: A mold assembly includes first and second mold sections having respective first and second mold cavity defining surfaces, the first mold cavity defining surface terminating in an encircling peripheral rim and the second mold cavity defining surface terminating in a deformable peripheral annulus disposed at a diameter corresponding to the rim, and cooperating tapers depending from each of the first and second molds for relatively centering the molds.

Abstract: Dies for posteriors and anterior curves. A spherical surface is formed in the end of a body member, the side walls of which are compressed to change the spherical surface geometry to toric shape. The side wall is cylindrical and provided with two elongated slots which define two opposite ribs. A bolt passing through the ribs is tightened to provide the compressive forces.

Abstract: A mold for a shaped laminate having a rigid member which includes a cavity through which plastic layers are drawn in forming the laminate, such cavity comprising a deformable wall portion having a shape-sustaining configuration matching the surface contour of a rigid member of the laminate, such deformable wall portion being reshapable to another shape-sustaining configuration matching the surface contour of an alternative shape of rigid member of a different shaped laminate.