Abstract: Apparatus for precasting concrete products wherein dry mix is deposited in casting cavities defined by mating upper and base form sections, vibrated and/or pressure compacted, and the upper form section removed immediately for curing of a free standing green cast product. A single upper form section cooperates with a number of base sections and the latter are used to transport the green cast products for curing. Automatically separable base section parts are also employed for the transport of cured products. Forms are adapted for fork lift handling and include high intensity vibrators, sight openings for ascertaining a cavity full condition, closure plates for fill openings, pressure applying and finishing devices, and sectionalized construction for various size products. Casting machine includes mix delivery apparatus and form handling apparatus for upper and base form sections for automated casting and transfer of green cast products for curing.

Abstract: A provolone cheese molding apparatus constituted by a fixed, horizontal table having a single circular hole within the table, a chute depending from the table and aligned with the circular hole, and means for pressing warm cheese upwardly within the chute. A slide on the upper face of the table reciprocates horizontally and includes spaced circular holes within the slide for selective alignment with the table holes. Cylindrical provolone cheese loaf forming tubes are vertically mounted to the slide coaxial with the holes and receive the cheese when aligned with the chute to form cylindrical provolone cheese loaves. The tubes are formed of lightweight light transmitting plastic, and each bears a plunger disc of a light contrasting color which moves with the cheese as it rises internally of the tube to indicate the extent of filling of the tube.

Abstract: An extrusion implement includes a pair of generally cylindrical housing portions connected to one another by sets of complementary threads to permit a telescoping of one portion into the other. An open end of the smaller cylindrical portion is partially closed or restricted by one of a plurality of end caps providing various shaped apertures. A viscous material, such as modeling clay, is inserted within the cylindrical portions and a biasing device is provided to constantly urge the viscous material outwardly through the aperture. Relative rotation of the housing portions causes a telescoping effect to regulate the amount of pressure applied by the biasing device. An end cap is pivotally mounted to close the opening when the implement is not in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dual platen press used in the manufacture of nuclear fuel pellets is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for indicating the displacements of both platens and imposing the displacements of the platens on orthogonal axes such that the displacements jointly control the motion of a point which traces a lissajous figure representative of the displacement and relative velocity of the press platens. A second lissajous figure representing the desired platen movements and relative velocity may be superimposed on the first lissajous figure, differences between the first and second lissajous figures indicating deviations from the desired operation of the press. Alternately, a press operator may simply use the first lissajous figure constructed from the actual platen displacements to analyze the operation of the press. The completion of preselected portions of the first lissajous figure may be detected and used to trigger subsequent press operations.

Abstract: A vacuum molding apparatus of simplified construction utilizing a vacuum cleaner as a vacuum source. The molding apparatus includes a tray with upstanding side walls having upper outturned flanges for mounting a pair of horizontally positioned holder frames which clamp a sheet of thermoplastic material therebetween directly above a highly reflective, bottom surface of the tray which upon being heated uniformly heats the plastic sheet mounted parallel thereabove.The holder frames together with the sheet are manually transported and placed over a male mold pattern on a vacuum frame which comprises an air-tight box having a forominous top plate through which air is drawn beneath the heated plastic sheet which is draped over the plate, and the mold pattern thus forming the sheet about the mold pattern. The box has a vacuum chamber co-extensive with the perforated top plate which is connected to one end of a vacuum hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a tire such that the tire has a visible contrasting reference line consisting of a die line ridge produced coincidentally with the extrusion of the tread of the tire and a color contrasting ink applied to the peak surface of the die line ridge by a particularly described inking apparatus. The reference line so produced enables objective visual comparison of the position of the reference line relative to the position of the parting line visible in the cured tire as removed from the mold such that deviations of the reference line with respect to the parting line clearly indicate a tire having an objectionable dissymmetry with respect to its equatorial plane and such that the tire can be removed from the production stream. The reference line so produced and particularly the die line ridge have advantages over previously employed centerline tracking methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A slip form apparatus for the in place formation of a continuous concrete pipe in an open trench. The concrete material is supplied under high pressure to obtain a good and uniformly compacted pipe. The apparatus is automatically moved forward along the trench only when a properly compacted continuous pipe is being formed within the apparatus. Provided in the construction of the apparatus is the ability to temporarily stop the movement and formation of the pipe and then subsequently continue with the formation of the pipe without having to remove the apparatus from the trench. Also utilized in conjunction with the apparatus is a unique deployment arrangement for an inflatable film means located at a stationary position behind the apparatus to automatically supply support for the wet cementitious material as the pipe is being formed along the trench.