Abstract: An apparatus for forming contact lenses, wherein front curve mold halves are filled with a hardenable transparent material, such as a polymerizable hydrogel, and back curve mold halves are coupled to the front curve, therein forming a lens. More particularly, the apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting pallets of mold halves to the apparatus, an array of piston structures for raising and aligning the back curves with respect to the filled front curve halves, a mechanism for reciprocating the piston array to couple pairs of front and back curves, and a vacuum chamber for maintaining a vacuum around the curves during coupling. In addition, there is provided individual spring biasing to each reciprocating element whereby sensitivity to thickness variations and pallet misfeeds may be minimized. Further, there is provided a vacuum sleeve, through which the pistons reciprocate within the vacuum chamber, which sleeve preserves the vacuum within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of concrete paving stones, including an open top mold having a number of die cavities each with adjoining recesses, wherein the free volume of the recesses is reduced by local cross-sectional constrictions at the upper filling-in region of the recesses. Also included is a pressure ram for cooperation with each die cavity, the pressure ram having lateral projections each with a contour corresponding to the cross-section of the recesses at the constriction for entering into the recesses.

Abstract: An impact resistant film suitable for medical solution pouches and the packaging of parenteral materials generally includes an interior layer of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and outer layers of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer blended with a styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer. In some cases, a flexible copolyester may be substituted for one of the outer blend materials. Sacrificial layers may be optionally be included on one or both outer surfaces of the film to improve processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a curb section of a predetermined length sub-divided into modules by transverse grooves which give the appearance of shorter blocks and provide for fracturing the curb section at those locations. Each module of the curb section includes a rearward fastening projection having a vertical bore for passing a nail to engage the curb section to pavement or other base. Such linear mold sections are all that are required when a curve is dictated. The mold sections are sub-divided into the modules to form the curve. The apparatus includes an open frame moving vertically against a platform and mold shoes for pressing down on the concrete when poured in the mold frame, including plugs for forming the tops of the fastening projections. According to the method, the plugs are removed after the mold frame is lifted, and then the shoes are removed to leave the formed curb sections on the bottom wall.

Abstract: A preform assembly for use with a resin transfer molding apparatus. The preform assembly comprises an upper liner formed to the shape of a first mold half, the upper liner having a peripheral portion, a dry fabric preform, and a lower liner formed to the shape of a second mold half, the lower liner having a peripheral portion. The preform is sandwiched between the upper liner and lower liner to form the preform assembly having peripheral portions which extend beyond the preform to form a sealing area. The upper liner is sealed to the lower liner at the sealing area. The preform assembly facilitates the loading of the preform into a molding apparatus as well as facilitating the handling and storage of the preform prior to and subsequent to molding. Methods of making the preform assembly, as well as a composite article, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A manufacturing insert for a molding press having an upper movable platen adapted to support a male mold member and a fixed lower platen adapted to support a female mold member. The molding press includes a mix head system and a hydraulic ejector system supported below the fixed lower platen. The manufacturing insert includes a table having a platen surface with legs depending downwardly therefrom, the legs being removably securable to the fixed lower platen of the molding press. The platen surface includes an enlarged opening therethrough. A mix head support system is supported below the platen surface intermediate the legs of the table. The mix head support system includes a mix head support for supporting a mix head and a slide system for permitting three dimensional movement of the mix head support to permit movement of the mix head from a first position where the mix head extends through the enlarged opening in the platen surface and to a second position where the mix head is beyond the upper platen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for compressing and monitoring the force of compression detected by a sensor and/or the height of doses of pulverulent materials which are compacted in a container by a punch, wherein it comprises:a spindle for monitoring the force of compaction comprising:a screw-nut system driven in rotation by a driving member,a housing provided with at least one force sensor, interposed between the screw-nut system and the punch and adapted to be displaced in slide by the screw-nut system,and a circuit for servo-control of the driving member in relation with the successive measured values of the force of compaction and with a reference value of force. The invention also relates to a process for controlling the apparatus and to a press for applying same.

Abstract: A press for making rigid bodies out of fluent particles has, a cylinder block formed with a plurality of parallel cylinder bores opening into the chamber, respective pistons axially displaceable in the bores of the block, and respective little piston plungers fixed releasably to and projecting outward from the pistons. Respective little dies form little cavities in which the plungers are complementarily engageable. A holder positions workpieces of the particles in partially compacted condition in line with the cavities of the little dies so that respective little pushout plungers can push the workpieces out of the holders into the respective dies. A counter piston is displaceable hydraulically against the cavities after the workpieces have been pushed thereinto. The cylinders of the block are then pressurized to push the little piston plungers into the cavities and compress the workpieces therein.

Abstract: In an isostatic press for making compacts of powdered cermaic material, a tool part has, on a sliding head, twice as many mold needles as mold parts which, together with the mold needles, limit molds for making the compacts. The distance between the mold needles on the sliding head is half the distance between the mold parts. The sliding head is moved back and forth in phases in the longitudinal direction of the row of mold pots by the distance between the mold needles, so that, at the same time as the produced compacts are lifted out and deposited on conveyor belts, the other mold needles are moved into the mold pots.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming seals, such as composite seals in rubber/metal or other materials, includes supplying a raw elastomeric mixture in the form of a suitably shaped extrusion, and optionally a metal or other material insert, to respective loading and a possibly metal or other material insert are supplied to respective loading stations of a transfer machine; the machine is provided with a plurality of carriers each composed of at least two pivoted leaves joined in book-like fashion and each carrying a respective mould half, respective spring presses movable on the machine together with the said carriers, and cam means for holding the said carriers open at the loading stations; after cleaning of the mould halves and spraying of the upper mould half with a release agent a said insert is deposited between the mould halves by means of manipulators able to self-center themselves with respect to each carrier and then a blank of raw mixture obtained by slicing the extrusion is deposited between the mould

Abstract: A hot press for heat forming a disc pad including a pair of presses arranged vertically and in opposition to each other, a support for coupling the pair of presses with each other, a base fixed in a vertically intermediate portion of the support, first heat plates interposed between respective rams of the presses and the base through first adiabatic members respectively so as to be movable up and down vertically together with the rams of the respective presses, second heat plates provided on opposite sides of the base through second adiabatic members respectively, molds respectively inserted between one pair of the first and second heat plates in opposition to each other and the other pair of the first and second heat plates in opposition to each other, each of the molds including a lower mold, and an upper mold fitting into the intermediate mold in which friction material is put, and springs for keeping a predetermined distance to between the springs and the intermediate molds.

Abstract: A hydraulic press for simultaneously forming a plurality of pastry crusts under pressure in individual pans. The pans are loaded into a carrier tray, each pan is filled with a pre-portioned quantity of dough and the tray is placed between the upper and lower dies of the hydraulic press. Alignment elements formed on the hydraulic press and the carrier tray align the pans with the dies as the press closes. The resulting pastry crusts are formed with a uniform thickness throughout the crust. If desired and when the dies are so fabricated, crusts with different thicknesses at the bottom, side wall and flange of the crust can be formed. Pressure forming crusts eliminates the need for handling scrap dough which is usually trimmed and recovered in rolled or sheeted crust production.

Abstract: A system for die casting of concrete goods such as block stones comprises a cellular casting mould having a plurality of cells and a device for supplying concrete for filling the cells. A dolly including a common base member with protruding pistion portions having load plates of a shape corresponding to that of the cells, is used for compressing the concrete in the cells. Each of the piston portions includes a resilient compressible material arranged between the load plates and the common base member for obtaining uniform density and strength in the goods in the respective cells.

Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.

Abstract: A staged mold for stabilizing hazardous wastes for final disposal by molding an agglomerate of the hazardous wastes and encapsulating the agglomerate. Three stages are employed in the process. In the first stage, a first mold body is positioned on a first mold base, a mixture of the hazardous wastes and a thermosetting plastic is loaded into the mold, the mixture is mechanically compressed, heat is applied to cure the mixture to form a rigid agglomerate, and the first mold body is removed leaving the agglomerate sitting on the first mold base. In the second stage, a clamshell second mold body is positioned around the agglomerate and the first mold base, a powdered thermoplastic resin is poured on top of the agglomerate and in the gap between the sides of the agglomerate and the second mold body, the thermoplastic is compressed, heat is applied to melt the thermoplastic, and the plastic is cooled jacketing the agglomerate on the top and sides.

Abstract: A method of producing whiskers of silicon carbide and other materials. For the formation of silicon carbide, the method involves forming a first reaction zone containing microfine particles of silicon dioxide uniformly mixed with carbon or a carbon precursor, with the ratio of the silicon dioxide to the carbon present as a starting material or derivable from the precursor being greater than about 5 to 1 by weight. A closely adjacent second reaction zone is formed containing a porous fibrous mass of active carbon or an infusible carbon precursor. The reaction zones are heated under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to temperatures at which silicon monoxide is formed in the first reaction zone, diffuses to the second reaction zone and reacts with carbon derived from the carbon precursor in the second reaction zone to form silicon carbide whiskers.

Abstract: Encapsulated electronic circuit devices as well as methods and molding apparatus for making same are disclosed. For example, an integrated circuit "die" (or "chip") and the lead frame (or frames) to which it is physically affixed and electrically connected are positioned in a mold between stacks of resin impregnated fibrous layers of predetermined shape and size. The layers are then compressed under heat and pressure causing them to fuse together about the die and its lead frame(s). This forms a laminated protective sealed encapsulation for the die and adjacent portions of the lead frame(s), without causing undue damage to the delicate lead wires electrically connecting the die to the lead frame.

Abstract: A method of making hair-streaking cap which includes a semi-hemispherical body formed of relatively resilient polymeric or copolymeric plastic material. The cap has a plurality of areas adapted to be penetrated by a hook-like implement for pulling groups of strands of hair therethrough which can be treated with a liquid. The semi-hemispherical body has on its internal surface at least one radially inwardly directed circumferential rib which projects beyond an inner semi-hemispherical surface of the body. The method included forming a first cup-shaped article in a female mold with a male plunger; removing the first article and cutting a circumferential groove in the plunger and molding a second cup-shaped article with an internal circumferential rib.

Abstract: A staged mold for stabilizing hazardous wastes for final disposal by molding an agglomerate of the hazardous wastes and encapsulating the agglomerate. Three stages are employed in the process. In the first stage, a first mold body is positioned on a first mold base, a mixture of the hazardous wastes and a thermosetting plastic is loaded into the mold, the mixture is mechanically compressed, heat is applied to cure the mixture to form a rigid agglomerate, and the first mold body is removed leaving the agglomerate sitting on the first mold base. In the second stage, a clamshell second mold body is positioned around the agglomerate and the first mold base, a powdered thermoplastic resin is poured on top of the agglomerate and in the gap between the sides of the agglomerate and the second mold body, the thermoplastic is compressed, heat is applied to melt the thermoplastic, and the plastic is cooled jacketing the agglomerate on the top and sides.

Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.

Abstract: A differential pressure molding apparatus comprising plural female mold cavity members and mating plug assist members, vacuum and pressure means for forming sheet material and clamping means to clamp said material, said clamping means having removable insert rings held in place by o-rings.

Abstract: Apparatus for making blocks from earth, soil or like material wherein a horizontally disposed channel is provided with a fill chamber and with a compression chamber downstream of the fill chamber and wherein further means is provided which, during a first cycle and while inhibiting further material from being supplied to the fill chamber, moves already supplied material from the fill chamber to the compression chamber to form a block and which, during a second cycle, enables further material to be supplied to the fill chamber.

Abstract: A mechanism for clamping a web of thermoplastic material against the face of a female mold prior to closure of the mold includes a clamping ring assembly mounted on the machine frame for movement relative to the frame independently of the molds. The clamping assembly is driven to and from its web clamping position by a cam mounted on the rock shaft which drives the molds between their open and closed positions and a constant radius section on the cam holds the clamp in its clamping position throughout a substantial portion of the operating cycle.

Abstract: A fixture for evenly distributing a predetermined clamping force about annular mating surfaces of a two-piece lens casting mold for avoidance of unwanted cast lens prism and/or edge flash.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously extruding, biaxially orienting and intermittently forming molded products from a web of thermoplastic material and further, continuously separating the products from the web selvage, stacking and handling the products and recycling the web selvage for further extrusion. The apparatus uses intermittent molding devices into which configuration the biaxially oriented web is interfaced by a continuous-to-intermittent interfacing structure which preserves the dimensional and orientational integrity of the web and maintains thermal stability therein. An undulating peripheral surface on a dynamic storage or accumulator drum and associated transfer rollers cooperate with intermittently advanced feed belts in timed relationship with a reciprocating forming press to effectuate the interface and product forming portions of the process.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing pastry comprises a plate having a plurality of mold cavities arranged in a regular pattern. Each of the cavities has at its upper rim an upwardly projecting cutting edge. A sheet of dough is laid over the plate and pressed toward it by a flat plate or rolling pin so that the cutting edges cut out individual dough pieces, one in each mold cavity. The dough pieces are pressed into the cavities by cup-shaped elements carried by a rigid support and arranged in the same pattern as the mold cavities so that a cup-shaped element enters each cavity. The distance the cup-shaped elements enter the mold cavities is limited by adjustable screws on the support. The cup-shaped elements are of material having good heat conductivity and thermal capacity and are left in the mold cavities during baking to assure uniform baking of the pastry.

Abstract: In presses such as hydraulic presses used for forming tiles or bricks from ceramic or other materials, a mold box is mounted in alignment with the upper and lower dies. To hold the mold box without keying it to the mold case, a wedging assembly comprises an outer wedge releasably fixed to a wall of the opening and having a vertically angled surface facing inwardly. Next to it is an inner wedge having a vertically angled surface which is brought into contact with the angled surface of the outer wedge. Adjustable securing means such as vertical bolts pass through a vertical passageway in the inner wedge and are screwed into an aligned, threaded passageway in the outer wedge for moving the inner wedge vertically until its translation laterally secures the key-less mold box fast by friction alone against downward thrusts of the upper die.

Abstract: This invention provides a high output machine for effecting the production of organic thermoplastic articles by the compression molding technique. A plurality of molding members having open top molding cavities are movable around a horizontal closed loop path. A plurality of horizontally moving plungers are provided which are respectively co-operable with the molding members in a portion of their path to close the open top of the molding cavities. Successive gobs of heated organic thermoplastic material are deposited in the open top molding cavities at a point prior to the molding members moving into vertical alignment with the plungers. A relative vertical displacement between the plunger and the molding members is then effected to bring each plunger into engagement with the respective molding member and effect the compression molding of the inserted gob to conform to the molding cavity.

Abstract: Molding units each having upper and lower molds are indexed through an injection station and then into an opening station. At the opening station, the lower mold of each unit first is opened and then is closed relative to the upper mold, the opening and closing of the lower mold being effected by an hydraulically actuated puller block adapted to be moved between raised and lowered positions. A shiftable yoke holds the puller block in a precisely established intermediate position while the molding units are being indexed into and out of the opening station.

Abstract: A structure is described which consists of a corrugated and a flat sheet or film of thermoplastic material, which sheets are positively connected by matching depressions with undercuts arranged along the grooves of the corrugated sheet and at corresponding points of the flat sheets. The structure is especially suited to make inserts for trickling-filter towers.