Abstract: Apparatus for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) includes two compression rollers (146, 146a), two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and one or more cutting blades (76) for transversely cutting the slab or slabs just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: This invention concerns a dough piece moulder comprising a dough piece sheeting station (20), a station transporting (14,16) sheeted dough pieces along an outgoing path, from the infeed (18) of the transproting station (14,16), located opposite the sheeting station (20) up to an intermediate point, through a station rolling (24) sheeted dough pieces and a return path, through a station shaping rolled dough pieces by elongating them, from the intermediate point up to the outlet of the transporting station located in the proximity of the infeed (18) and whereat the shaped dough pieces are delivered outside the moulder; a transfer station (46) arranged in the proximity of the intermediate point, actively transferring the rolled dough pieces from the outgoing path to the return path.

Abstract: A setting device for bending layer material is provided, which includes a substantially stationary base frame, a running path defining a running direction and a cross-sectional running plane, and first and second guide faces for guiding the layer material. The first guide face includes a bending face on a bending body and the second guide face includes a deflection face. The first and second guide faces are operationally directly interconnected by the layer material when passing between the first and second guide faces. The bending body includes a bending flank directly connecting to the bending face. The bending flank and the deflection face commonly bound a gap traversed by the layer material and defining a gap width, the bending flank defining a gap plane at the gap from the deflection face up to the bending face. The layer material defines a free length which is not in contact with the deflection and bending faces. Positioning means are included for varying the gap width.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling up laminar sheets of food material in a tubular shape. The apparatus includes an assembly having a plurality of roll-up rollers located at a terminal zone of a conveyor for the laminar sheet of food material. The rolling-up rollers are of the same diameter as well as the same revolutionary speed and are arranged on a concentric circle so that the plurality of rolling-up rollers contact an outer surface of laminar sheet of food material and thereby roll-up the laminar sheet of food material in a tubular shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a slide fastener spiral continuous element row wherein a monofilament is carried on a mandrel while ensuring an accurate pitch of elements even in a high-speed operation and a stepped form of an upper leg portion can be accurately formed at a predetermined portion of each the element. In order to continuously manufacture the slide fastener spiral element row from the continuous monofilament made of synthetic resin, the monofilament transferred continuously is wound spirally around the mandrel and carried while being retained between screw grooves of opposed screws. Then, a coupling head is formed by hitting a portion of the spiral monofilament carried on the mandrel by a pressing roller, the portion corresponding to the coupling head. After that, a stepped upper leg portion is formed by pressing a portion of the spiral monofilament by a rotary hammer at a predetermined position on the mandrel, the portion corresponding to the upper leg portion.

Abstract: For levelling webs of paper (3) gaps (20) are provided, each defined by a deflection roll (17) and a stationary bending face (16). For changing the wrap angle at the bending face (16) and also for non-bended passage of the web (3) through the device (1) the deflection roll (17) is transferable into varying positions powered by a positioning device (30). Thereby high speed operation with reliable function and simple construction are achieved.

Abstract: A producing apparatus of a film with through-holes includes a pair of stretching rollers which sandwich a film therebetween and stretch the film. The producing apparatus further includes a pair of punching rollers which sandwich the film therebetween and punch through-holes in the film. At least one of the punching rollers has projections formed on an outer surface thereof. The stretching rollers and the punching rollers are disposed so that the film stretched by the stretching rollers are fed to the punching rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they Are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a bent glass sheet. A heated glass sheet (4, 24, 24*) conveyed from a heating furnace (1, 21) is bent by pressing with at least one belt (5, 9, 25) made of a heat-resistant material against a bending member (6, 10, 26, 28). The bent glass sheet is further conveyed and cooled for quenching or annealing in a cooling apparatus (3, 23). The bent glass is cooled after separating the belt. According to this invention, the bent glass sheets having surfaces on which defects, such as marks of rolls, are suppressed can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer resin, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), is heated to melting. One or more blowing agents is selected wherein at least one of the blowing agents has a boiling point greater than the glass transition temperature for the resin and less than the forming temperature, such as the temperature of the mold used to form the useful article. The blowing agent(s) and resin are combined to create a mixture with a blowing agent concentration sufficient to produce a theoretical sheet foam density of less than 0.4 g/cm3. The mixture is cooled to a temperature approaching the freezing point of the mixture, and then extruded into a substantially uniform closed cell polymer foam sheet of density less than 0.4 g/cm3. The extruded sheet is then cooled by direct contact with a cooling surface at a surface temperature below the glass transition temperature such that the blowing agent(s) condenses and the sheet has a density of greater than 0.4 g/cm3 and a sheet crystallinity of less than 15%.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying food dough is provided. It can be made compact, easily assembled, and easily cleaned. The apparatus includes a hopper (3) for receiving a food dough F, a first cutter (7) for dividing the food dough into dough pieces, a transmitting conveyor (11) for transmitting the dough pieces, a dough feeder (9) for forming a dough sheet from the dough pieces, a feeding conveyor (13) for feeding the dough sheet, a metering conveyor (15) for weighing a part of the dough sheet, and a second cutter (19) for cutting out the part of the dough sheet when the valve measured by the first metering conveyor (15) reaches a predetermined value. The first cutter (7) and the dough feeder (9) are arranged such that when the dough piece is cut out by the first cutter, the lower end fans into an inlet of the dough feeder. The belt of the transmitting conveyor (11) is wound around the uppermost roller (55A) of the dough feeder (9).

Abstract: Edible wafer rolls are produced by baking an endless plastically deformable wafer strip from a flowable sugar containing wafer dough, directing the wafer strip continuously from the hot endless revolving baking surface onto a continuously rotating mandrel juxtaposed with a counter rotating winding roller, grasping the leading portion of the strip and pulling it around the mandrel toward a following wafer strip portion. The wafer is wound in helically overlapping turns to form the hollow wafer body which is cutting into wafer rolls of a predetermined length.

Abstract: A method for embossing and crimping a plurality of sheet material web layers using an apparatus, including a first, second and third roll. The first roll including at least one element extending radially therefrom. The second roll has a resilient surface that engages the element to form a first nip therebetween. The third roll has a non-resilient surface that engages the element to form a second nip therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes at least a first and second element extending radially therefrom, with the first element having a greater radial height than the second element, which avoids contact with the third roll. The layers of sheet material web are embossed by the first and second elements as they are passed through the first nip, and are crimped together by the first element as they are passed through the second nip. In a preferred embodiment, the first roll includes a plurality of first and second elements arranged in a pattern.

Abstract: A calender for thermoplastic material sheets has a frame (1) with rolls (8, 9, 14) for smoothing and cooling the thermoplastic material sheets. The rolls (8, 9, 14) are coupled with the frame (1). The roll (8) is held rotatably stationary. The rotatable roll (9) is radially adjustable with respect to the stationary roll (8). Additionally, the adjustable roll (14) is circumferenitially adjustable around the axis of rotation (X) of the stationary roll by guide cars (15, 16). The guide cars (15, 16) are provided at both ends on circular running paths of guide rails (2′, 2″, 3′, 3″). The guide rails (2′, 2″, 3′, 3″) are connected to the frame or are part of it. Accordingly, a rigid support is achieved for the adjustable roll (14). Furthermore, an advantageous ease of access to the area of intake of the material sheet from the sheet die (B) into the calender is achieved.

Abstract: A method of conveying bar-like bread dough pieces is provided. By it a bar-like bread dough piece being conveyed on the conveying face of a conveyor, with its axis being perpendicular to the direction of the conveyance thereof, is caused to rotate about the axis at a point downstream of the conveyor, and then the bar-like bread dough piece having a straight shape is moved to the next step. Further, an apparatus for conveying bar-shaped bread dough pieces is provided. It comprises a conveyor, and an engaging member provided near the conveying face of said conveyor, at a point downstream of said conveyor, for allowing a bar-like bread dough piece being conveyed on the conveying face of the conveyor to rotate about its axis while the engaging member contacts the bar-like bread dough piece, the distance between the engaging member and the conveying face being adjustable.

Abstract: A drawing system in which a thickness and degree of orientation of an oriented film or the like is maintained in a uniform manner under a condition of a high speed, shortened is a time required from a time when a molding material is charged in an extruder and drawing started until a time when a film is taken up on a take-up apparatus, and a high quality film or the like is produced at a high speed and besides, a probability for a not-oriented or oriented film or the like to be broken down during drawing is reduced. A thickness and degree of orientation of a film are independently measured in thickness gauges and a film orientation measuring apparatus in a continuous manner after longitudinal drawing or lateral drawing and measured values are input to a computer.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of semifinished parts for three-dimensional snacks made from potatoes, cereals or the like, comprising, after preparing two layers of a gelled semifinished compound of the components and/or other starchy ingredients, the step of cutting the layers in consecutive segments along parallel lines with cutting edges which act with a relative motion constituted by a translatory motion which is substantially perpendicular to a portion to be cut, combined with a translatory motion which is parallel to the cutting lines. The method also includes a step in which the layers are superimposed and die-cut with suitable punches, separating a grid-like skeleton from the snacks, each snack being formed by two perimetrically joined layers.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) includes two compression rollers (146, 146a), two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and one or more cutting blades (76) for transversely cutting the slab or slabs just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: To make a piece of bread, such as a croissant, an apparatus is provided to prevent a sheet of dough from being loosely rolled up, to prevent the sheet from being unevenly rolled up, and to firmly roll the sheet up. The apparatus includes a conveyor that feeds the sheet and a roll-up roller that is moveable up and down above the conveyor, so that the rotation of the roll-up roller and the feeding of the conveyor allow the sheet for bread, such as a croissant, to be firmly rolled up.

Abstract: A wrinkleless plastic film having excellent quality without the reduction of width can be manufactured with high productivity using a rolling apparatus in which a plastic film is rolled stepwise at two rolling deformation points formed by two driving rolls and a follower roll, which rolls are brought into continuous contact with each other along the passage of the plastic film and said follower roll is driven by the rotation of said two driving rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing a cored food in a bar shape by molding a round outer skin material (2) in a space-saving manner provides a method whereby the outer skin material (2) and an inner material (1) are mounted in this order on a carriage conveyor (3). A belt portion comprises a number of belt pieces (31) arranged in the carriage course of the conveyor (3) so that they are foldable towards said conveyor independently from each other. Both end portions (31a) of each belt piece (31) are raised by a pair of guides (4) so as to bend the outer skin material (2) into a gutter-like shape. The outer skin material (2) bent in this way is further compressed with compression molding members (5) through the belt pieces (31). The inner material (1) surrounded with the outer skin material (2) is continuously produced and forms a cored food (F) in a bar shape.

Abstract: A composite transverse wing rib shaped as a multi-layered flat panel comprises a cellular-ribbed structure of intersecting rectlinear ribs whose lengthwise directions are angled in opposite directions at oblique angles to a longitudinal dimension of the wing rib. The ribs have widthwise directions that extend between opposite side surfaces of the cellular-ribbed structure. The cellular-ribbed structure includes projections having flat faces arranged on an outer frame of the structure. The wing rib also includes other layers overlying opposite side surfaces of the cellular-ribbed structure and the projections. The outer layers comprise a net of intersecting small composite belts oriented along the oppositely angled directions of the rectilinear ribs and intersecting at the cross intersections of the rectlinear ribs. The cellular-ribbed structure and outer layers are formed of high-module yarns bound by a polymer binder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for forming a hinge in a sheet of extruded plastic. Plastic material is extruded and passed between a pair of rolls to determine the thickness of the plastic sheet. A groove forming member of a scoring assembly then creates a groove in the sheet of plastic when the plastic is still warm. The groove forming process creates a plastic ridge on both sides of the groove. To flatten these ridges, the sheet then passes through a second set of rolls. The sheet of plastic, still warm, is then cooled by a conventional method. The scoring assembly is movable along the width of the sheet of plastic and is adjustable for the depth of groove. The scoring assembly can also be removable. Once a groove is created, the groove acts as a hinge and the sheet can be bent or folded along the grooved edge.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shaped panel from a continuous length of an expanded mat. The method includes transporting an expanded mat on a conveyor. The conveyor includes side chains and a plurality of spaced apart slats, which extend transversely between the side chains, on which the expanded mat is supported. The side chains and the plurality of slats define a plurality of openings in the conveyor. A length of the expanded mat is confined and shaped between a male mold and a female mold by moving the male mold and the female mold into mating relationship through one of the plurality of openings in the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for rolling sheets (S) of dough for bakery products (P) has a simplified structure and optimum efficiency and comprises a pair of shaping rollers (17, 19), arranged transversely with respect to the direction of forward movement (A) of the dough sheets (S), with axes of rotation (R1, R2) essentially parallel to the surface (12) on which the dough sheets (S) are conveyed and defining a first shaping surface (18), located at a short distance from the conveying surface (12), in such a way as to lift the dough sheet (S), and a second shaping surface (20) approximately tangential to the first surface (18), the second shaping roller (19) being located in such a way as to define a rolling space (21) whose transverse dimensions are roughly comparable to those of the shaped bakery product (P).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming fiber-reinforced thermoplastic materials which include the steps of arranging at least two sets of roll-forming dies in an operative relationship, introducing a portion of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic element to said dies for predetermined deformation, heating the element to a temperature above the melting temperature of the thermoplastics in the element and then allowing the element to cool below the melting temperature, but not less than the recrystallization temperature of the thermoplastic, and passing the element in the state through the at least two sets of dies wherein the distance between each consecutive set of dies exceeds the deformation length created by the at least two sets of dies.

Abstract: Systems for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. The systems yield sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A continuously operating press for pressing a web of material together has a press zone at an input side a calibration zone at an output side. This press may be used in the formation of particle board by applying heat and pressure to press the web of material together to form the particle board. Preferably, the press has a lower press platen and an upper press platen that are pressed together to form the particle board. Both the lower press platen and the upper press platen preferably have a PTFE composite pressure pad. This composite pressure pad may have a layer of virgin PTFE and a layer of filled PTFE. The layer of filled PTFE is preferably partially compressed at a pressure of about 14.7 psi. After which, the layer of filled PTFE is preferably compression molded with the layer of virgin PTFE to form a composite. This composite may also be sintered and coined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously forming thin-gauge flexible foam sheeting by controlling the rise of an expanding foam-forming mixture until the reaction is substantially complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing highly-oriented polyester sheet comprises a two-stage drawing process. The first drawing stage is performed within a zero-gap milling and stretching roller assembly comprising a pair of opposed rollers defining a nip therebetween and wherein the rollers are rotated in opposite directions at different lineal surface velocities such that a predetermined draw ratio is defined therebetween. Amorphous polyester sheet is conducted through the nip of the opposed rollers, and as a result of the simultaneous milling and stretching of the polyester sheet, the amorphous polyester is transformed into crystalline polyester as a result of orientation-induced crystallization. The crystalline polyester sheet is heated above the glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) immediately downstream of the nip defined between the pair of opposed rollers, and an exit bridle assembly is disposed downstream of the pair of opposed rollers.

Abstract: A system for the continuous production of asphalt-based roofing shakes which are tapered and embossed to resemble wood shakes in looks and function; and the shake made thereby. The continuous production system hot-mixes and extrudes the ingredients in a tapered layer on a conveyor belt for embossing and cutting. The system permits wood-shake type variety in size and appearance. The preferred shake includes perlite as a filler and chopped glass fibers as a reinforcer and may be internally colored.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing containers from sheets having a hydraulically settable matrix are disclosed. Suitable compositions are prepared by mixing together a hydraulic binder, water, and appropriate additives (such as aggregates, fibers, and rheology-modifying agents) which impart predetermined properties so that a sheet formed therefrom has the desired performance criteria. Hydraulically settable sheets are formed from the mixture by extrusion, then calendering the sheets using a set of rollers and then drying the sheets in an accelerated manner to substantially harden the sheets. The resulting hydraulically settable sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets made from presently used materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, or plastic. The sheets can be laminated, corrugated, coated, printed on, scored, perforated, cut, folded, rolled, spiral wound, molded, assembled and seamed to mass produce articles of manufacture from the sheets such as food and beverage containers.

Abstract: A dough forming machine having a stationary frame with a flat top surface, a continuous belt wrapped around said flat plate having a drive drum at one end and a idler drum at a respective other end, the drive drum being driven for rotation by a motor, and a forming tube above said plate and receiving a section of the belt through the tube to curl the belt into a cylindrical shape. An arcuate plastic pressure plate upstream of said forming tube is elevated a distance from a surface of the continuous belt for receiving dough pieces between the arcuate pressure plate and the continuous belt for forming the dough pieces into a circular shape in the forming tube around a mandrel extending within the tube. At an output end of the forming tube is arranged a rotating table for receiving formed dough pieces, the rotating table driven by a drive belt which receives power from the motor. The rotating table is advantageously foldable downwardly during non-use.

Abstract: A system and method for mechanically forming a ceramic superconductor product. A system for making the ceramic superconductor includes a metallic channel portion having a cross section for receiving a ceramic superconductor powder, a roll to mechanically reduce the channel cross section and included superconductor powder and a cap portion welded to the channel portion using a localized high energy source. The assembled bar is then mechanically reduced to form a tape or wire end product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to stably and continuously roll up bread dough into stick-like bread, such as bread dough or bread dough on which ham or cheese is put. The apparatus includes a drive shaft located parallel to a conveying surface of a conveyor and a plurality of circular dough-holding disks mounted on the drive shaft. A plurality of dough-rolling plates is provided between the adjacent dough-holding disks along the conveying surface. The rolling plates roll the bread dough and the like. The apparatus securely rolls bread dough of a nonuniform thickness or bread dough on which ham and the like is put. Also, the present invention can securely roll a plurality of rows of bread dough that is conveyed.

Abstract: Baked food products are produced by forming a flat sheet of dough and feeding the sheet to a nip between a pair of contra-rotating rollers arranged with their curved surfaces in contact with each other, and each of the rollers has grooves indented into its curved surface. The rollers push the dough into the grooves and form the dough into a lattice comprising an array of ridges imparted to the dough by one of the rollers, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other, and an array of ridges imparted to the dough by the other roller, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other. The direction in which the ridges of one array extend are at an angle to that of the other array so that the ridges of one array intersect the ridges of the other, and the contacting portions of the curved surfaces of the rollers form apertures in the dough between the intersecting ridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding-up croissant dough pieces is provided. It comprises a conveyor, a pair of pressing boards, and a spacing means having a dough-piece detecting means. By the apparatus a triangular croissant dough piece is fed between the conveyor and the pair of pressing boards and wound up, while each of the pressing boards is moved outwardly of the conveyor by the spacing means, thereby lengthening both ends of a dough roll being wound to shape a long and slender croissant dough roll. After shaping it, the pressing boards are caused to approach each other. The dough-piece detecting means is effective in synchronizing the actuation of the pressing boards with the winding-up operation, so that a wound dough roll is precisely lengthened in its axial direction.

Abstract: A dough web feeding device is provided which includes a first conveyor, a drive means or motor for that conveyor, a reciprocating shuttle, and a separate drive means or servo motor for the reciprocating shuttle. The speed, amount of rotation, and acceleration/deceleration profile for the drive means of the reciprocating shuttle can be precisely controlled to facilitate adjustable dough lapping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming ribs with sideward projections in a plastic pipe. The projections are formed by means of elongated rolls (10) each moving around the pipe and rotating about its central axis, the rolls being in an inclined position and at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the pipe.

Abstract: Sheet products having a waved marginal portion are prepared by passing a sheet of a plastic material through and compressing the sheet between shaped circumferential rollers which are positioned and configured to provide therebetween a plurality of differing nip clearance gap distances and to compress the sheet to form an intermediate sheet portion flanked by a marginal waved flanking portion and a second flanking portion, wherein the intermediate portion has a thickness greater than the second portion which, in turn, has a thickness greater than the marginal waved portion.

Abstract: The invention is a multi-phase, sheeted chewing gum product, a method and an apparatus for making such a product. The product includes a first mass of a chewing gum formed in a generally flat sheet and a second mass of a confectionery product having a different color than the first mass. The second mass is smaller than the first mass and is embedded in the first mass so as to be visible with the first mass from the top surface of the chewing gum. The method includes the steps of forming the first mass into a slab with a generally flat surface. The second mass is formed into at least one piece which is brought into contact with the flat surface. The slab and the piece are pressed to produce a generally flat sheet which is cut into segments of a desired width, length and shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for shaping elongated bar-shaped bread dough pieces. In and by this method and apparatus a bread dough piece, namely, a bread dough sheet, a divided bread dough mass, or a preshaped bread dough roll, is subjected to a first rotation, thereby pressing and rolling it in a first gap defined by a conveyor and a pressing belt or a pressing board that faces it, while being conveyed downstream, so as to shape an elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece. This elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece is then fed into a second gap defined by an upper face that comprises a pressing belt or pressing board and a lower face that faces it and comprises a conveyor, a pressing belt or a pressing board, and is subjected to a second rotation that is in a direction reverse to that of the first rotation, thereby shaping a further elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece with a straight wound-dough end.

Abstract: A travelling mold has mold block sections which are driven around an endless track. The mold has a drive system including a first drive component which drives the mold block sections in abutting positions with one another to a second component in the drive system which accelerates and separates the mold block sections and which then decelerates and regroups the mold block sections in their abutting positions before the mold block sections are returned to the first drive component. This separation and regrouping of the mold block sections eliminates the necessity of having a complete chain of abutting mold block sections completely around the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deforming polymeric pipe to have a reduced diameter for insertion into new or damaged pipelines in situ. A further method for converting existing pipelines in situ to dual-containment pipelines. The apparatus includes a plurality of adjustable rollers and conveyor systems in a portable unit which accommodates variable pipe specifications. As a polymeric pipe is conveyed through the apparatus, a deforming means applies a gradually increasing pressure along the length of the pipe to collapse the pipe and form a longitudinal depression therein while preventing rotation of the pipe. The deformed pipe exits the apparatus after being shaped into a cylindrical form with a reduced diameter. When lining pipe, the deformed pipe is inserted into an existing pipeline and returned to its original cylindrical form.

Abstract: Continuous 3-D forming machine using upper and lower revolving endless, flexible, forming belts produces three-dimensional patterned products from heated thermoplastic material. The mold belts revolve synchronously in elongated oval paths around their respective carriages moving in opposed face-to-face relationship defining one or more travelling mold channels progressing from an entrance to an exit. Formable heated thermoplastic material feeds into the entrance, and attractive 3-D products proceed from the exit. Revolving mold surfaces are operated at least 25.degree. F. above room temperature, for example in a range of 110.degree. F. to 140.degree. F., for providing aesthetic surface qualities on products having content which may be foamed to densities in the range of about 0.9 to about 0.4. Thermoplastics in such travelling mold channels are appropriately chilled when differentials .DELTA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a center-aligning apparatus for fusiform bread dough pieces such as rolled-up croissant dough pieces. In this invention an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor located below and adjacent the upstream conveyor are provided. Between the two conveyors and adjacent the upstream conveyor, a pair of concave rollers is arranged. The rolled-up dough piece from the upstream conveyor is deposited on the concave rollers to have its center aligned with the gap between the rollers. Also, a pair of shutters is mounted below the concave rollers to stably deposit the dough piece on the downstream conveyor. This invention enables the dough piece to advance in alignment with the control line of the downstream conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming venting channels in a continuously-formed foam product includes a plurality of channel-forming plates which are removably attachable to the upper endless-type conveyor of a rigid foam laminating apparatus. The channel-forming plates provide a molding surface to form transverse channels in the foam product during the foaming operation. The channel-forming plates are easily removed for repair and/or replacement and include a centering bar which accurately positions each plate on the endless conveyor. The channel-forming plates are configured to form generally U-shaped channels in the upper surface of the continuously formed foam product to provide venting channels when the foam product is cut and used in roof insulation. The product and venting channels therein are sized to provide a continuous channel when a plurality of the foam panels are used as well as to facilitate attachment to standard trusses or joists.

Abstract: Sheet products having a waved marginal portion are prepared by passing a sheet of a plastic material through and compressing the sheet between shaped circumferential rollers which are positioned and configured to provide therebetween a plurality of differing nip clearance gap distances and to compress the sheet to form an intermediate sheet portion flanked by a marginal waved flanking portion and a second flanking portion, wherein the intermediate portion has a thickness greater than the second portion which, in turn, has a thickness greater than the marginal waved portion.

Abstract: A system and process for fabricating pressboard from shredded paper coated with a thermoplastic material and a pair of facing webs includes placing the shredded poly-coated paper between the two traveling webs to form a composite, the composite then being passed in a manner to heat the thermoplastic material above its softening point to differentially repeatedly shift the traveling webs linearly relative to each other and to the shredded paper for enhanced bonding of the shreds to themselves and to the facing webs by passing them around a series of heated rollers defining a serpentine path, and then pressing the composite together while curing to bond the components, and cooling the product.