Means Responsive To Abnormal Condition Completely Stop Operation Of Machine Patents (Class 425/136)
  • Patent number: 6592355
    Abstract: A part-forming machine having an in-mold integrated vision system and method therefor for verifying the presence, absence and quality of molded parts therein. The image of the mold and/or part is acquired at a substantially parallel angle relative to the image-capturing source thereby allowing the imaging of the mold while the mold is opening thus increasing the resolution, speed and accuracy of part-forming machine imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ovalon Vision Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Edward F. Kachnic
  • Patent number: 6582632
    Abstract: An injection molding machine for plastic materials, the operation of which is governed by continuous monitoring of at least one measurement parameter, wherein there is provided a control which outputs a signal upon failure of a sensor which detects the measurement parameter, wherein at least two sensors (3, 3′) are associated with one and the same measurement parameters and the control records the failure of a sensor (3, 3′) without causing stoppage of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Otto Urbanek
  • Patent number: 6520761
    Abstract: A protection apparatus for an injection molding machine includes an overrun detection mechanism and a control section. The overrun detection mechanism includes an element to be detected which is attached to one of a movable member of a movable mechanism and a stationary member facing the movable member, and a detection unit attached to the other of the movable member and the stationary member. The detection unit detects the element when the movable member has moved to an overrun position. The control section forcedly stops operation of a drive unit which moves the movable member, when the detection unit detects the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Arai, Syuichi Hokino
  • Publication number: 20030003177
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus is used in an injection molding machine in order to drive and control a servomotor for moving a movable member. Among a plurality of functional sections which constitute a servo circuit connected to the servomotor, at least one functional section (e.g., a safety circuit section, etc.) selected as a functional section having a higher degree of importance is constituted by a hardware circuit section realized without use of software; and the remaining functional section or sections are constituted by a software circuit section realized by making use of software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Mivahara, Tsuyoshi Arai, Takashi Magario
  • Publication number: 20020153628
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering elastomeric media, the system consisting of a gear pump (1), a filter (20) and a screw-type extruder (10) which, viewed in the delivery direction (6) of the pumping medium, is arranged in front of the gear pump (1) and which consists of a screw (11) and of a screw casing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Joerg Giesler, Hans Sonder, Heinrich Holzer, Hans-Dieter Wagner, Frank Brinken, Michael Heinen
  • Patent number: 6398536
    Abstract: A torque waveform of an ejecting device when a molded product is normally ejected is memorized in a memory device 12 as a normal waveform. A sampling device 11 samples a torque waveform of the ejecting device at predetermined time intervals to produce a detected waveform when the molded product is ejected. Threshold levels are set in a controlling device 13 at arbitrary time intervals by a first setting device 14 and set operations for specifying the operations of an injection molding machine are also set in the controlling device 13 at the threshold levels by a second setting device 15. The controlling device 13 compares a normal waveform with the detected waveform to judge whether a comparative result is above or below the threshold level, and if the comparative result is above the threshold level, the controlling device 13 controls the injection molding machine based on the set operation set according to the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Onishi
  • Patent number: 6379140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Frank Craig, Michael J. King
  • Publication number: 20010048185
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Frank Craig, Michael J. King
  • Patent number: 6296466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Frank Craig, Michael J. King
  • Patent number: 6287104
    Abstract: A mechanical safety cover interlock for an injection-molding unit has a protective device that covers the mold clamping area. As soon as the protective device is moved from its protecting position, a sensor for an auxiliary circuit emits an electrical signal. As a result of the electrical signal, a control element uses the force of elastic means to steer blocking mechanisms into a blocking position with a blocking section of a locking rod, which hinders the movement of the movable mold carrier when in the blocking position. The position of the control element is monitored with the aid of a position monitoring arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 6276916
    Abstract: A failsafe device, or pressure relief mechanism, for a shooting pot actuator in an injection molding machine. The shooting pot actuator has a multiple pusher rods mounted on one, or more, plates. Moving the plate holding the pusher rods depresses the shooting pot injection pistons and injects molten material into a number of mold cavities. To avoid damage to the machine from the pusher rods if an injection piston seizes, a failsafe device is used to mount the pusher rods to the plates. A shearing member is interposed, or sandwiched, between first and second apertures. Typically, the shearing member is a plate that, in normal operating conditions, blocks rearward movement of the pusher rod. However, when a predetermined shear force is applied to the shear plate, the shearing member shears and the pusher rod retracts within the channel, thereby alleviating the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert D. Schad, Robert Sicilia, Ronald Ing, Bruce Catoen, Robert Domodossola
  • Patent number: 6268005
    Abstract: An improved sheeter wire device providing constant tension on a feeder spool even during wire breakage. A constant speed motor draws wire across the face of the sheeter while a drag motor maintains constant tension on the wire. A pair of pinch rollers prohibits unwinding of the feeder spool in the event of wire breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Vincent Brewer
  • Patent number: 6200122
    Abstract: A thermoformer apparatus having a press driving upper and lower platens by respective pairs of servo motors, each pair driving four toggle linkages to stabilize the platen against the forming pressures. Linear bearings are provided on four corner posts for precision guiding of the platen motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Brown Machine, LLC.
    Inventors: Victor L. Chun, Albert W. Arends, Andrew Richard
  • Patent number: 6183234
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Frank Craig, Michael J. King
  • Patent number: 6164947
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a vertical injection molding machine. The safety apparatus includes an abnormality detection section for detecting an abnormal condition of a transmission belt, and a stopper mechanism including an engagement rod having a plurality of engagement portions along a moving direction of a movable mold and an engagement member adapted to engage the engagement portion when moved to an engagement position. The engagement rod is provided on one of a side where the movable mold is attached and a side where a stationary mold is attached. The stopper mechanism further comprises a drive control section adapted to move the engagement member to the engagement position for engagement with the engagement portion, when an abnormal condition of the transmission belt is detected by the abnormality detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6062843
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for an injection molding machine has a control function section for stopping a drive motor; i.e., a servomotor in order to stop a movable member, upon reception of an open signal indicating that a safety door is opened. The motor control apparatus further includes an additional control function section for performing position control for the servomotor, upon reception of the open signal, so as to stop the movable member at a predetermined position. Therefore, when the safety door is opened and thus the open signal is supplied to the additional control function section, the additional control function section performs position control for the servomotor such that the movable member stops at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamaura
  • Patent number: 5985187
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Frank Craig, Michael J. King
  • Patent number: 5975872
    Abstract: A rotary injection molding apparatus includes a stationary frame and a rotatable platform disposed on the frame. The apparatus includes a drive assembly for rotatably driving the platform. The drive assembly includes an indexing motor having a rotating portion that is directly and rigidly operably connected to the platform to define a one-to-one relation between rotation of the motor rotating portion and the platform. The apparatus includes a plurality of mold blocks located on the platform and injection means disposed above the platform for injecting a moldable material into the mold blocks. The apparatus includes a lift portion operably connected to the indexing motor and actuatable to raise and lower the rotatable platform relative to the injection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Precision Corp.
    Inventors: Richard T. Raines, Michael J. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5958467
    Abstract: A exit chute for a pharmaceutical tablet press machine comprising a first exit chute portion having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is adapted to be secured to the tablet press for receiving tablets formed thereby. A second exit chute portion is provided that has a first end and a second end and the first end is adapted to be removably secured to the second end of the first exit chute portion to form an extended tablet pathway, and the second chute portion includes an aperture therein whereby rejected tablets can be diverted to pass therethrough and accepted tablets will be allowed to pass through the second exit chute portion and out of the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert Dale Coble, Robin Cary Maples, Ross Vincent Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5932155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making plastic articles utilizing a plurality of tools, each of which is moved by cams and includes a nitrogen cylinder wherein provision is made for catastrophic overload prevention. For catastrophic overload prevention, one of the cams is supplied by a top plate and held in normal fixed position by a plurality of nitrogen cylinders. Abnormal movement of the top plate is detected and the machine is stopped. For predictive overload protection, a load cell is positioned at the off load position of one of the cams and any excessive load provides a signal for an alarm, interrupting the feeding of plastic charges and stopping the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Keith W. Ingram
  • Patent number: 5902527
    Abstract: A blow moulding apparatus includes a blowpin 1 and a dedicated air control system for optimizing the blow moulding operation. The air control system comprises an air supply vessel 2 for holding typically 10 liters of air at a pressure of at least 8 bar. Pressurized air is delivered through a control valve 6 to the blowpin 1. A pressure sensing valve 8 senses the air pressure in the vessel 2 and if the pressure falls below a preset value a signal is outputted to a controller 9 which disables operation of the blow moulding station. The temperature of the air is also controlled to be about 8.degree. C. by a temperature sensor 10 which also provides a signal to the controller 9. Air may be exhausted into an exhaust vessel 15 maintained at a negative pressure before exhaust to atmosphere. Cycle time is reduced and product quality is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Menza Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerard Flood
  • Patent number: 5876766
    Abstract: A molding machine including: a loader assembly for receiving a frame; a press assembly for receiving the frame from the loader assembly and molding the frame; an unloader assembly for receiving the frame from the press assembly and outputting the frame after molding. Besides the molding machine further comprises: frame-supply means for transferring the frame to the loader assembly; tablet-supply means for transferring a tablet to the loader assembly; a distribution shuttle for receiving and sending the frame and the tablet to the press assembly; a first sensor positioned near the distribution shuttle for detecting the frame in a first direction; a second sensor positioned near the distribution shuttle for detecting the frame in a second direction; and a logic circuit for determining positioning of the frame and generating a signal when the frame is mispositioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Shin-Hai Chou
  • Patent number: 5853773
    Abstract: A system and process for controlling mold activity of a molding machine is disclosed and includes a clamping device for positioning a movable mold platen on a carrier device and relative another platen, for forcefully engaging the movable mold platen with the another platen and on the carrier device, for sustaining forceful engagement of the movable mold platen with the another platen and the carrier device, and for breaking the movable platen from the another platen and the carrying device. The movable mold platen includes a movable mold half and the another platen includes another mold half. The system also includes a manner for determining an adjustable starting position of the clamping device and movable mold platen. A manner for adjusting the adjustable starting position for achieving greater accuracy of the adjustable starting position for the clamping device and the movable platen is provided. The manner for adjusting includes a mechanism for actuating the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher W. M. Choi
  • Patent number: 5800750
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mold protection of motor-driven clamping unit is provided. The method and apparatus is based on high response characteristics of the motor and a new control method. A continuously variable restrictive motor output scheme is used in conjunction with the mechanics characteristics of the toggle mechanism to maintain a substantially constant mold protective force at all positions. Further, the mold protective force can be adaptively adjusted with respect to different types of molds and motional conditions so that the mold can be adequately protected whenever abnormal condition occurs during mold closing action. The motor output will thus not unduly increased to a great level that would damage the mold, the machine, or even the operators. The drawbacks of the prior art are thus eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Muh-Wang Laing, Shui-Bin Horng, Chin-Yu Chao, Han-Chieh Chang, Chung-Hsih Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5662945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming plastic hollow articles such as containers which includes a turret that includes an upper head and a lower head, each of which supports circumferentially spaced sets of core rods. The heads are rotated about a vertical axis and also are moved upwardly and downwardly about the vertical axis for positioning the core rods within the cavities of upper injection mold and upper blow mold and a lower set of injection and a lower set of blow molds. Each mold has an upper half and a lower half. The lower half of the upper mold is mounted in fixed position and the upper half of the lower mold is mounted in fixed position. The upper half of the upper mold and the lower half of the lower mold are movable axially vertically toward and away from their respective fixed mold halves to close about parisons on the core rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Konefal
  • Patent number: 5641523
    Abstract: A protecting apparatus of an injection molding machine having an injection of cylinder 2r with a built-in double rod type piston, and a servo valve for driving and controlling the injection cylinder includes a power failure detecting circuit for detecting a power failure, and a power-failure-time signal outputting circuit Ub for outputting a neutral signal, by which the servo valve is controlled at a neutral signal, by which the servo valve is controlled at a neutral position, to an instruction signal input line for the servo valve, due to the detection of the power failure by the power failure detecting circuit. A power-failure-time shutting down circuit is connection to the oil transferring line for supplying pressurized oil to the injection cylinder. The power-failure-time shutting down circuit includes a control valve for opening the oil transferring at the time of the non-power failure, and for shutting down the oil transferring line at the time of the power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Shioiri, Tsuyoshi Arai, Toshiyasu Koda
  • Patent number: 5635117
    Abstract: An injection molded product including a plurality of internal cavities is produced by, after having injected a molten resin material into the molding cavity, injecting an inert gas with a gas pressure gradually increasing into the resin material through gas injection nozzles, which are in contact with the resin material to form the respective internal cavities inside the molten resin material. After removing the gas injection nozzles from the resin material for discharging of the inert gas directly from the resin material, any one of the gas injection nozzles, whose temperature during injection of the inert gas was lower than a predetermined temperature level, is judged to be clogged and the gas injection nozzle is cleaned by being blown out with high pressure gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fujioka, Nobutaka Tanaka, Yasuyuki Kan
  • Patent number: 5597521
    Abstract: An unloader-separator attached to a die casting machine which includes a swing arm having grippers to hold the gate having components thereon. The swing arm holding the gate is rotated to a second position. A punch platen pushes the components through openings in the window platen which corresponds with the components on the gate. The swing arm releases the gate remnants for recycling, rotates to the first position and the cycle repeats. A link arm connects the swing arm to a cam unit which controls the rotation of the swing arm to a cam unit which controls the rotation of the swing arm. The cam unit also provides overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: John L. Wickham
  • Patent number: 5542835
    Abstract: A leak detector for a plastics injection molding machine comprises a small diameter conduit (20) located adjacent to a potential leak site on or associated with the machine, through which a regulated supply of air is emitted. When the conduit outlet (26) is blocked with leaked molten plastics, a sensor (45) in the conduit instantly detects a change in air flow or back pressure and triggers an alarm (65), and optionally cuts off the machine automatically to avoid damage to machine components and with the object of reducing machine down time. Changes in incoming primary air supply pressure may be detected to provide a fail-safe system. Alternatively, air pressure in the conduit (20) may be below zero, i.e. a vacuum, so that air is sucked into the conduit at its outlet (26). Several potential leak sites may be monitored simulatneously from a single sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Teetotum Limited
    Inventors: Gerard P. Kennedy, John P. M. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 5531580
    Abstract: A non-hydraulic injection blow molding machine for making hollow plastic articles. The machine has a parison mold having top and bottom portions for injecting a parison onto each of a plurality of core rods, and a blow mold having top and bottom portions for blowing the parisons into hollow work pieces. The articles are removed from the core rods at an eject station. The core rods are mounted on a turret. The turret rotates to advance the core rods from the parison mold to the blow mold, and from the blow mold to the eject station. The machine has a rotating crank shaft. A translating mechanism translates the rotation of the crank shaft to a vertical reciprocating motion. A clamp beam is connected to the translating mechanism and is actuated by rotation of the crank shaft to move between raised and lowered positions which are separated by a fixed stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Wheaton Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Bonino, Philip Sieri, John F. Glowacki
  • Patent number: 5527174
    Abstract: An insert moulding system in which a movably mounted tool head loads inserts into the mould and unloads moulded articles from the mould. The tool head has sensors and an article position and retaining structure on a load face thereof for each of a number of insert pieces to be incorporated in the moulded articles. The operation is computer controlled and the sensors on the tool head sense at least one characteristic of each insert piece thereon, e.g. flatness and generate a signal in response to such characteristic being outside of specification which renders inoperative the moulding process until the offending insert piece is replaced by one meeting specification. Position locators have inter-engageable portions respectively on the tool head and the fixed in position mould positively to locate the movable head and fixed mould in a predetermined fixed relation relative to one another during cycle after cycle of operation providing precision injection moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Falcon Plastics Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond J. Godin, John Fawcett
  • Patent number: 5493961
    Abstract: A press for making pressed board has a plurality of longitudinally spaced rigid frames, a lower press plate extending longitudinally through and secured to the frames, and a normally planar upper press plate extending longitudinally above the lower plate through the frames and defining with the lower press plate a longitudinally throughgoing press gap. A plurality of vertically effective double-acting hydraulic cylinders carried on the frames above the upper plate each have a back compartment and a front compartment, are connected to the upper plate, and support the upper plate on the frames. Respective upper and lower endless belts have respective lower and upper stretches extending through the gap immediately below and above the respective upper and lower plates and respective upper and lower rollers advance the stretches longitudinally through the frames. Sensors connected to the lower plate produce an output corresponding to the size of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: G. Siempelkamp GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Gerhardt, Lothar Sebastian
  • Patent number: 5478226
    Abstract: An automatic plunger apparatus is disclosed for compressing molten plastic into a cavity for forming an encapsulated semiconductor device. A compressing device drives a plunger member in order to compress and direct molten plastic to flow in a forward direction into the cavity. An overload compensator is coupled to the plunger member for permitting the plunger member to withdraw in a reverse direction when the plunger member is prevented from compressing and directing the molten plastic to flow in the forward direction into the cavity. The overload compensator includes a first member retained within a second member for transferring the force from the compressing device into motion of the plunger member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Richard H. J. Fierkens
  • Patent number: 5445773
    Abstract: A method for detecting an abnormality of a hydraulic system in a molding machine which comprises a hydraulic cylinder for reciprocating a movable member of the molding machine, a valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid which is supplied into the hydraulic cylinder, and a pair of pressure sensors attached to the hydraulic cylinder, for detecting the pressures in a pair of pressure chambers of the hydraulic cylinder, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: holding the valve at a neutral position, and comparing the pressures in the pair of pressure chambers with a preset range of pressure on the basis of detecting signals from the pair of pressure sensors, when the movable member is inoperative; and outputting an abnormality signal when at least one of the pressures in the pair of pressure chambers is out of the preset range of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Arai
  • Patent number: 5417900
    Abstract: A curing press for tires or other curable articles, has a fluid inlet line for supplying curing fluid into an inflatable elastomeric bladder mounted within the press cavity for curing a green tire or article in the cavity. The spent curing fluid is removed from the bladder after a curing operation by a pump through an exhaust line. A venturi ejector in the exhaust line causes a vacuum to be created within the bladder as the fluid is being removed during an unload cycle. A vacuum sensor is connected to the exhaust line and if a predetermined vacuum strength is not reached within a predetermined time, which indicates that leak exists, appropriate control circuitry is actuated to prevent loading of the next green tire or article into the press. The invention also incorporates the method for detecting a leak by measuring the strength of the vacuum created upon removal of the spent curing fluid after each curing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney A. Martin, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5378133
    Abstract: A device for feeding dough is provided which has a hopper for receiving dough and directing the dough downwardly to a housing which contains a first rotatable member for engaging and urging the dough downwardly toward a pair of opposed second rotatable members. The second rotatable members have a gap therebetween to receive the dough therethrough and they rotate in opposite directions to urge the dough downwardly therebetween. Both the first and second rotatable members have a surface configuration which enhances engagement between the rollers and the dough. An orifice is provided in the housing below the second rotatable members for receiving the dough from the second rotatable rollers. The dough thus leaves the housing in the form of a continuous cylinder having a diameter of the same size as the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: AM Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold Atwood, Thomas A. Atwood
  • Patent number: 5350288
    Abstract: An injection molding unit has an injection molding machine 1 for injecting a molten resin plasticized in a screw cylinder 4 from a nozzle 9 fitted at the tip of the screw cylinder 4 by advancing a screw 3. An injection mold 31 forms a hollow 36 for forming an injection molded product 35 with a cavity mold 33 and a core mold 34. The injection molding unit further has a pressure relief valve 40 for releasing the resin out of a resin passage when a pressure greater than a predetermined value acts at any point on the resin passage, including the screw cylinder and ranging up to the terminal end of the hollow. The cavity mold 33 is of a split construction, in which a wall portion of the hollow is formed a plurality of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignees: Daiho Industrial Co., Ltd., Dainichi Mold Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kimoto, Isao Shihota
  • Patent number: 5328347
    Abstract: Device for injecting a plastic material into a mould cavity. In the device, the plastic is moved into the mould cavity by a plunger. The first part of the press stroke is used to transport the material and has to be carried out at relatively low pressure and over a relatively long transport path. The second part of the press stroke is used to fill the mould completely and takes place at relatively high pressure and virtually no stroke. According to the invention, the two movements are effected by different mechanisms which are specifically adapted to carry out these movements. In this arrangement, it becomes possible also to provide a safety coupling to prevent the device being overloaded while working at relatively low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: AMCO Hi-Tech B.V.
    Inventor: Gerardus J. M. Ten Vaarwerk
  • Patent number: 5283018
    Abstract: A product acceptance/rejection judgment method which always ensures accurate judgment whether a product is acceptable or not even when an injection molding machine is operated in different operating environments is implemented by a processor (22) of a numerically controlled device (20). When the processor determines that it should perform, in addition to a normal product acceptance/rejection judgment based on molding process parameters, an auxiliary product acceptance/rejection judgment based on at least one operating parameter which directly indicates an injection molding machine operating environment characteristic involved in the acceptance/rejection judgment of the product, the processor reads output data from an A-D converter (11, 12 or 13) which data corresponds to the actual value of at least one operating parameter detected by an appropriate die temperature sensor (8), open air temperature sensor (9) or a wind velocity sensor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Inaba, Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko
  • Patent number: 5259857
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the manufacture of mineral fibers, in particular glass fibers, by use of a fiber-drawing process using internal centrifuging in a centrifuger. The peripheral strip is pierced by a large number of outlet orifices and the radiation emitted superficially by the peripheral strip is measured in order to determine the temperature of points of the peripheral strip and the vertical coordinate of each of the points measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Isover Saint-Gobain
    Inventors: Michel Pasquier, Daniel Guyot, Jean Battigelli
  • Patent number: 5246643
    Abstract: A discrimination method for maintenance timing for injection molding machines, detects the respective values of molding process parameters of a plurality of types, including injection time, maximum injection pressure, etc., for each of the injection molding machines (7-1 to 7-M). Up-to-date process parameter values for the molding machine are entered as a set of monitor data in a molding monitor unit (1) every time a predetermined number of molding cycles are executed in each molding machine. A plurality of monitor data values for each type are read, on a time-series basis, from a memory (4) loaded with a plurality of sets of up-to-date monitor data values associated with each molding machine, by means of a microprocessor (2), and dot-line data are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Inaba, Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko, Osamu Saito
  • Patent number: 5200126
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring the process stability of an injection molding machine having a reciprocating screw engaged in the plasticating of a moldable material in preparation to its being introduced into the mold cavity. The invention involves the measurement of the duration of the operation of the screw engaged in the plasticating of the moldable material and includes the analysis of this duration over a period of time thus providing the supervisor with the necessary information to determine whether the machine/process is meeting or deviating from the desired operating requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James J. Wenskus, Jr., Alan B. Miller
  • Patent number: 5153149
    Abstract: An injection apparatus of an injection-molding machine is described, including a servomotor for screw rotation including a pulse coder, the motor being driven in accordance with the difference between a command output from a control section of the injection-molding machine and an output from the pulse coder, thereby rotating a screw. During injection and pressure hold processes in which the motor is rendered nonoperative, the screw rotates as molten resin flows backward, if a check valve attached to the screw does not function normally, and this situation is detected as an abnormality of the check valve by a control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Naito, Masao Kamiguchi
  • Patent number: 5147491
    Abstract: A detection apparatus is provided in a form, fill and seal operation to detect the position of sealing jaws with respect to one another during the sealing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Roberts Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Thomas, Claude E. Monsees
  • Patent number: 5145690
    Abstract: The meat duct (6) is equipped with a gate (17) to cut the meat supply at intervals and with a plate (14) to regulate the passage of the meat (7). The sheet material paper rolls (9, 10) to wrap the hamburger have respective inertial brakes (26) and sensors (25) which, when the paper runs out, touch the core (23) of the roll and stop the machine. One of the paper strips bears a series of marks (20) which, as they pass through the cell (21), cause the pressing die mechanism (11) to operate. In addition, there is a rod (40) which separates the chopped meat end contiguous to the hamburger, and another rod (41) which, when it ascends due to an obstruction, touches a microswitch and stops the machine. The paper scraps left over are driven by a pneumatic system (35) to a container (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Industrias Gaser, S.L.
    Inventor: Narcis G. Riubrugent
  • Patent number: 5063008
    Abstract: An improved technique for use with a molding apparatus having a pair of separable mold elements and forming a mold cavity therebetween which includes a means for opening and closing the mold elements and a means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity has been developed. The technique involves measuring the separating distance of the mold elements while the moldable material is being introduced into the cavity and integrating the separation distance as a function of time. When the integral value reaches a preselected value, the mold injection pressure is changed and the moldable material is allowed to cure within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James J. Wenskus, Jr., Alan B. Miller
  • Patent number: 5062053
    Abstract: A full automatic operation system for an injection molding machine which is capable of smoothly and automatically starting the purge and start-up operations and then beginning to produce the completely molded products after the barrel, mold and hydraulic fluid are heated to their optimum temperatures, respectively, automatically stopping the molding operation in case that continuous production of incomplete molded products or an abnormal condition in the molding machine occurs during the automatic operation and automatically restarting the operation after the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Shirai, Hideo Tanaka, Hideo Banzai, Tsutomu Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5044913
    Abstract: A loading elevator for a multi-platen press is provided with a pusher which simultaneously transfers a number of transport plates loaded with stampings to the press. After press operations are completed, the plates are unloaded by an extractor to an unloading elevator. The pushing and the unloading of the plates are automatic, with sensors provided to halt the loading and unloading in the event of excessive resistance to the movement of any one of the plates. A plurality of sensors are provided in the pusher and in the extractor, one sensor there for each of the plates. Each sensor is connected to halt the operation on recognition by the sensor that an express resistance exists and if desired to provide a signal that the halting has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Swanboard Masonite AB
    Inventor: Carl-Olof Ostman
  • Patent number: 5034168
    Abstract: A method of controlling an injection molding machine wherein a purging operation for changing a raw material resin, a warming up operation for warming up the machine until a condition at which a mass producing operation can be started are preset, and metal mold temperatures corresponding to successive operations and metal mold temperatures corresponding to successive purging and warming up operations are preset so as to successively perform the purging and warming up operations and then begin the mass producing operation, characterized in that at the time of restarting the injection molding machine, after removal a trouble which caused a temporal pause of the operation of the machine, a pause time and the metal mold temperature are detected from the warming up operation corresponding to the set mold temperature, the restarting being commenced in accordance with the set metal mold temperatures which vary depending upon a length of the pause time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsunori Matsumoto, Katsuhiro Inaba, Tsutomu Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5007817
    Abstract: A press that includes a pair of die sections and a ram for propelling one of the die sections against the other to form a workpiece positioned therebetween. A die cushion is coupled to one of the die sections for cushioning force of engagement of the die sections, and includes at least one gas cylinder and a manifold for feeding gas under pressure to the cylinder. A pressure monitor includes a pressure sensor coupled to the manifold for supplying an electrical pressure signal as a function of gas pressure in the manifold. The pressure signal as compared to a predetermined threshold for supplying an alarm signal when gas pressure in the manifold is less than such threshold, and ram operation is stopped when the manifold gas pressure is less than the preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Bernard J. Wallis