Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, an area of protection and a protective cover. The protective cover, when disposed at a protective position, shields the area of protection at least partially against access from outside the packaging machine. The protective cover may be fully removable from the machine frame as well as lockable on the latter at an access position. The protective cover, when occupying its access position, allows access to the area of protection of the packaging machine. The machine frame may have a locking lever arranged thereon, wherein the locking lever is configured for retaining the protective cover at the access position. The locking lever may extend through an opening in a wall of the protective cover when the protective cover is disposed at its access position.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processor wherein an initial operation of said food processor is configured to cut a food item in a first, generally vertical direction and a later operation of said food processor is configured to cut said food item in a second direction. The second direction is distinct from the vertical direction.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a die-height adjustment system. External screws formed individually on four tie-bars and die-height adjusting nuts threadedly engaged therewith are configured to be rotated independently with one another. In processes prior to mold clamping, the die-height adjusting nuts are rotated so that movable and stationary platen surfaces maintain a desired parallelism. During mold clamping, the die-height adjusting nuts are rotated so that clamping forces produced by the tie-bars are in a desired balance.

Abstract: A lock assembly for releasably coupling a platen to a tie bar of an injection molding machine includes first and second lock nut segments translatable in a transverse between locked and unlocked positions for respectively engaging and disengaging the tie bar, and a carrier assembly for coupling the lock nut segments to the platen. The carrier assembly provides a slide surface for slidably supporting the lock nut segments during the translation of the lock nut segments between the locked and unlocked positions, and the carrier assembly resiliently supports the slide surface for axial movement of the slide surface with the lock nut segments between an unloaded position in which the lock nut segments are spaced away from the platen by a clearance gap, and a loaded position in which the lock nut segments bear against the platen.

Abstract: A dough molder including a housing for at least one pair of rollers 1 having an access opening 5 to the at least one pair of rollers 1. The access opening 5 is provided with a guard arrangement 7 on which the operators arm rests during operation of the rollers. The dough molder further includes a detector 6 having means to interrupt operation of the molding rollers when the operator's hand is detected by light beams 18, 19 as extending beyond predetermined limits through the access opening 5 and moving to a position where the rollers 1 can be reached by the operator.

Abstract: An improved safety device for a blow molding apparatus is disclosed. The safety device allows the user to trigger or disarm the locking mechanism and return the locking pins to the safe position instead of leaving it in the loaded position. The safety device prevents potential damage to an individual that is accessing the blow molding apparatus.

Abstract: A plastics injection-molding machine is to be equipped with a more compact drive that undergoes less wear. For this purpose, it is envisaged to integrate the direct rotational drive into the direct linear drive. Accordingly, the electric linear motor has a pot-shaped external rotor (13), in the inner space of which the main part of a hollow-cylindrical stator (16) of the linear motor is arranged and which is firmly connected to the output shaft (10). The rotary drive has a stator (18), which is mounted on the inner wall of the hollow-cylindrical stator (16) of the linear motor, and a rotor, which is firmly coupled to the output shaft (10) within the stator (18) of the rotary electric motor. This direct drive produces a very compact type of construction and it is possible to dispense with easily wearing threaded spindles.

Abstract: An improved safety device for a blow molding apparatus is disclosed. The safety device allows the user to trigger or disarm the locking mechanism and return the locking pins to the safe position instead of leaving it in the loaded position. The safety device prevents potential damage to an individual that is accessing the blow molding apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical safety device for an injection molding machine is provided with a laterally openable safety door on the flank of a mold opening/closing portion between a movable platen and a stationary platen. A rod is secured to the stationary platen or a base, and a rail, which ascends and descends as the safety door is closed and opened, is assembled to the rod. The rod is formed with a plurality of engaging step portions and tapered surfaces arranged alternately. On the other hand, a ratchet is rotatably supported on the movable platen. The rail ascends or descends to push up or down the ratchet, thereby locating the ratchet in a position where it engages with the engaging step portions of the rod or a position where it is disengaged from the engaging step portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for electric clamping, which performs a clamping process in parallel with a core-drawing-in process, avoiding damages of molds and core mechanisms and enabling secure clamping.

Abstract: The mold access and storage structure comprises an elevated work platform of generally rectangular configuration which is supported at the comers thereof by columns which straddle a machine. The top of the platform includes a walkway and a plurality of spaced apart parallel oil and water containment reservoirs or pans for receiving and storing molds when not in use by the machine and for collecting any oil or lubricant draining from the mold. A vertical ladder permits a person to access the work platform for maintenance purposes. A railing enclosure is mounted around the top of the platform and extends around the outer periphery of the walkway and reservoirs. The railing enclosure includes a pair of slideable gates which, when open, prevents the machine from operating and permits a ladder to be pivoted and moved from the walkway, into the space between the open slideable gates, thereby permitting a maintenance worker to access the top of the machine.

Abstract: An injection moulding machine comprising a mould mounting plate movable by an electric motor (3) by means of a closing device (1). There is provided a guard grille (4) having a gate (5), the opening of which interrupts the power supply to the electric motor (3) by actuation of at least one safety switch (6, 7, 8). There is also provided a braking device (10). The braking device (10) is arranged between the electric motor (3) and the closing device (1) and is provided with a monitoring device (29).

Abstract: A dough press machine for flattening a quantity of dough. The dough press machine comprises a housing having lower and upper platens attached thereto. Releasably attached to the lower platen is a mold which defines a peripheral edge. The mold is sized relative to the lower platen such that the lower platen protrudes beyond the peripheral edge of the mold. The quantity of dough is placable onto the mold, with the movement of at least one of the lower and upper platens toward the other facilitating the compression of the quantity of dough between the upper platen and the mold and the movement of a portion of the quantity of dough over the peripheral edge of the mold into contact with the lower platen.

Abstract: Various steps in the operation of an insulated runner injection molding system are automated by computer generated responses to various sensing steps or other steps to thereby reduce the performance requirements of the system operator. In automatic response to a manual operation incident to closure of a machine gate after an end-of sequence signal, a computer causes mold-cavity-encasing mold parts to be engaged. In automatic response to sensing such engagement of the mold-cavity-encasing mold parts, the computer causes the molding system to be adjusted to enable disengagement of insulated-runner-channel-encasing mold parts. In automatic response to sensing such adjustment of the molding system, the computer causes channel-encasing mold parts to be disengaged, whereupon a sprue is automatically removed therefrom in response to relative movement of the channel-encasing mold parts.

Abstract: Various steps in the operation of an insulated runner injection molding system are automated by computer generated responses to various sensing steps or other steps to thereby reduce the performance requirements of the system operator. In automatic response to a manual operation incident to closure of a machine gate subsequent to removal of a sprue from channel-encasing mold parts, a computer causes the molding system to be adjusted to enable injection of molten plastic into an insulated runner channel to form the insulated runner and through the insulated runner into mold-cavities. In automatic response to sensing such readjustment of the molding system, the computer causes a predetermined quantity of molten plastic to be metered for injection to form the insulated runner. In automatic response to sensing such metering the computer causes the metered quantity to be injected into the channel.

Abstract: Clamping and injection operations are executed partially in parallel by adjusting a clamping speed and an injection start timing T so that sum .SIGMA.P of resin pressure acting on the parting plane of a mold cavity will not exceed mold clamping force F outputted at that time. An injection operation is started during the period in which the mold clamping force F is relatively low between mold touch and mold clamping completion, so that gas breathing from the mold cavity can be done easily without providing gas vent in the mold, thereby preventing resin filling failure or burning. Also, the clamping and injection operations are executed partially in parallel, so that time required for clamping and injection processes is shortened by time T' as a whole. Therefore, speeding of molding cycle can be attained.

Abstract: A safety device for use in a clamping unit of a molding machine is provided with an improved mechanism to always secure safety when the thickness of a mold is adjusted. The device comprises a safety rod having a predetermined number of engagement stepped portions and tapered surfaces formed alternately at a front end portion at predetermined intervals, a support block for supporting the safety rod, a lever member, a stopper engaged with the engagement stepped portion of the safety rod from sideways, and an operation member having a link bar arranged horizontally in such a manner that the link bar can swing freely and always located below the end portion of the lever member.

Abstract: A toy apparatus and method for making vacuum formed articles wherein a thin sheet of plastic is secured on a mold in a first position the mold is moved to a second position adjacent a heater for heating and softening the plastic sheet and a vacuum is applied to the mold and heated sheet either while it is in the second position or after it is moved back to its original first position. The apparatus includes a transparent safety cover and a shuttle lever which in combination reduce the possibility of a child operator of this toy from burning his or her fingers. The safety cover, if open, bars movement of the mold to the heater and bars entry of fingers toward the heater, and if closed, bars touching the mold, plastic sheet or heater. Following closure of the safety cover a first lever may be moved to drive the mold to the heater and a second lever may be moved to actuate the vacuum pump. The safety cover cannot be re-opened until the shuttle lever is returned to its start position.

Abstract: The machine has a main structure which supports, so that they can rotate about a substantially vertical rotation axis, a lower plate for supporting a centrifugal molding die and an upper plate. The plates face each other on a substantially horizontal plane and are mutually movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis in order to ensure closure of the mold or to allow removal of the mold. The plates are accommodated in a chamber which is delimited by walls connected to the main structure and has, on the front side of the machine, an opening for access to the die. The opening is closed by a movable cover connected to at least one of the side walls delimiting the chamber by a pair of connecting rods. Each connecting rod has one end pivoted to the cover and another end pivoted to the related side wall with substantially horizontal pivoting axes to allow an opening movement of the cover along a vertical upward component and along a horizontal component toward the rear side of the machine.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is equipped with a movable display unit, which provides improved operability and visibility without causing interference with an operator working on the periphery of the injection molding machine and which requires no housing space inside the injection molding machine. A swing arm 40 extends horizontally at the same height as an upper portion of a base 1 of the machine. The swing arm is supported on the base so as to be swingable at its base end portion through a first supporting means 50. The swing arm 40 is positioned between a mold clamping unit 10 and an injection unit 20 along an upper front surface of the base 1. A display unit 30 is supported on the front end of the swing arm through a second supporting means 60 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane. The display unit 30 can be set for any desired position or direction by horizontally changing the angle of either the swing arm or the display unit.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a clamping device which includes a machine base, a first fixed board fixed on the base, a movable board movably disposed on the base, either a second fixed board or a bearing member fixed to the base behind the movable board, and a safety door slidably disposed on the base between an open and a closed position. The safety apparatus includes an engagement device disposed on the movable board, the engagement device having a stopper member which is vertically movable between an engaged and a disengaged position when the safety door is opened or closed, a safety rod disposed between the first fixed board and either the bearing member or the second fixed board, the safety rod having a plurality of engagement portions spaced therealong, and a drive device disposed on either the bearing member or the second fixed board for axially moving the safety rod.

Abstract: The centrifugal casting machine for molding parts by centrifugal casting of metals, or metallic alloys, with a low melting point, or of synthetic materials, includes a main framework which supports a carousel which can rotate about a main axis and supports a mold. The carousel is actuated with a rotary motion about the main axis by a motor which is arranged so that the axis of its output shaft substantially coincides with the main axis.

Abstract: A palm button switch apparatus includes a housing, a solid palm button fixedly mounted on the housing, a guard fixedly mounted on the housing and surrounding the periphery of the palm button. A bore extends through the housing and into the palm button. The bore has an open first end and a second end covered by the palm button. A proximity switch having a sensing end is mounted in the bore with the sensing end disposed in proximity with the palm button for detecting the presence of an operator's fingers on the palm button. The housing, the palm button and the guard are integrally formed as a one-piece unit from a molded plastic.

Abstract: A safety cover arrangement for the die closing unit of an injection molding machine equipped with a program-controlled die exchange mechanism using a translation table with two die emplacements alternatingly moving into a central transfer position for the die assemblies, the cover assembly comprising a central stationary cover portion with a vertical panel portion and an adjoining horizontal panel portion, two rectangular access openings flanking the stationary cover portion on opposite sides, and two sliding covers with matching vertical and horizontal panels closing said openings, the covers being openable, one at a time, by moving behind and below the central stationary cover portion, following the release of a cover latching mechanism by a cam on the translation table. Each sliding cover carries a control rail for the actuation of a pair of limit switches shutting down the machine operation, when the cover is opened.

Abstract: This invention relates to safety devices built into a machine designed to press a ball of dough into a pizza crust of uniform predetermined size.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock mechanism for the safety cover of the die closing unit of an injection molding machine which has two arresting rods attached to the movable die carrier frame and extending rearwardly through a stationary cylinder head plate, where pairs of toothed arresting jaws are movable into and out of engagement with toothed surfaces of the arresting rods to block their advance, in response to an opening movement of the safety cover which, through two attached control rods, moves the arresting jaws by means of cam surfaces and cooperating cam followers and drive links.

Abstract: A coiled roll of film, which exhibits curling, is provided with longitudinal corrugations at its leading edge by a film processing apparatus, thereby providing a straight film edge well adapted for insertion into a film development machine without requiring the use of a separate leader. In the film processing apparatus, which comprises a pair of grooved, horizontally opposed platens which, upon insertion of a film therebetween, contact each other, impressing corrugation into the film, and then automatically retract to permit removal of the worked film edge from between the platens, a safety switch is provided to enable retraction of the platens, should automatic retraction not occur, to assure that the film end may be removed from the apparatus after it has been worked without being damaged.

Abstract: A manually fed dough sheeter safely operable by anyone because of novel guard mechanism which physically prevents operator contact with sheeting rollers in operation, comprising dough piece receiving bin with top inlet aperture spaced well above rollers and defining passage thereto, first guard with lower portion blocking passage and movable by dough piece to move an upper portion to close inlet aperture, manually operable pusher for forcibly presenting to rollers dough piece stuck in passage, tray for receiving sheeted dough and enabling manual movement thereof through ninety degrees and sliding into second stage of sheeter, with second guard closely spaced above tray to prevent hand contact with second stage rollers, surface of tray being textured to substantially eliminate frictional resistance to dough sheet movement, and a circuit for controlling operation of roller driving motor manually or automatically for predetermined time in response to dough piece movement of first guard.

Abstract: As described herein, there is provided safety apparatus for continuous rotary blow molding machines of the type wherein the extruder operates independently of the machine to continuously extrude plastic tube through its die head during the interruption of operation by the blow molding machine. The safety apparatus includes a blow tube mounted on the extruder for directing air under pressure against the plastic tube to deflect the tube away from the molds of the molding machine upon interruption of the operation of the blow molding machine. A conveyor, operative at the same time as the blow tube and extending in a direction coincident with the direction of pressurized air, receives the diverted plastic tube and carries the plastic tube to a receptacle. The blow tube and conveyor remain operative at least until the machine is restarted.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having a safety gate slidable to a closed position to block access to a mold space includes a lever and a latch which cooperate with an adjustable safety bar mounted on a movable platen of the molding machine to prevent the safety gate from being opened during a machine cycle. The lever and the latch also prevent the machine from operating when the safety bar is not properly adjusted.

Abstract: A rocker-arm safety device which rotates into and out of the path of the movable platen on a press. When in the latter position, it allows the press to proceed normally through its usual operating cycle. When in the path of the platen, it protects an operator's hands in the working area by preventing the press from closing. A power source, separate from that for the press, rotates the arm between its positions. This assures its proper safety functioning notwithstanding some malfunction in the primary power source. To avoid damaging the axle on which the rocker arm pivots, the device includes a bar which contacts the arm when lying in the platen's path. The arm then transmits the force received from the platen to the bar, rather than to the axle. With no need to bear the weight of the press, the axle may move on needle or ball bearings to minimize the force needed to change the rocker arm's position.

Abstract: A tamper-proof safety cover for the die closing unit of an injection molding machine, where the cover carries a control rod of hardened steel attached to the cover wall with a lead-sealed bracket, the control rod operating a mechanical safety interlock as well as electrical disconnect switches and a hydraulic shut-off valve, when the safety cover is removed from its closed position. The electrical and hydraulic interlocks are housed in a lead-sealed interlock control unit which is at all times engaged by the control rod over an inaccessible guide plunger and cam follower.

Abstract: A system for controlling a molding machine utilized to mold food products on a stick. The system incorporates fluidic logic elements that are responsive to signals generated by the piston position in actuation cylinders so that the system control is dependent on the process condition, rather than on timing or other indirect process control methods. The fluidic logic elements command the actuating cylinders through air piloted valves, in a wholly pneumatic system. The control system is continuously recycled with minimal delay between cycles unless a failure of the system to produce a complete and dispensed produce is sensed. The dispensing of the product is positively determined by a fluidic sensor and a logic control circuit that determines that the product has dropped into and through a sensing airstream. If a malfunction is detected the machine shuts down and will not restart unless the start-stop control is cycled, so that the machine may be safely serviced.

Abstract: A press comprising a base, a lower bolster mounted on the press, an upper bolster mounted on the press for movement with respect to the lower bolster, power means for moving the upper bolster vertically, a substantially horizontal track mounted on the base, a die set comprising a pair of die plates having post means guiding the plates for movement with respect to each other, means for guiding the die set on the track, and power means for causing the die set to travel back and forth along the track between a press position intermediate the upper and lower bolsters, and a loading and unloading position at a point remote from the press position. The apparatus may be used for molding metal or plastic material, blanking, stamping and piercing.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a press or the like having dies which are movable relative to each other and which define an open area therebetween for receiving an article includes a gate that is pivotable about a primary pivot axis from an open position to expose the open area to a closed position to shield the open area, and a secondary pivot axis that is parallel to and spaced from the primary axis. In the closed position, the gate engages a normally closed switch means and thereby enable the dies to move towards each other. When the gate is in the closed position and an obstruction is aligned with the gate, movement of the dies causes the obstruction to contact the gate which is pivoted about the secondary pivot axis, whereby the switch means closes and movement of the dies is interrupted.