Abstract: A method for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to making optical articles such as opthalmic lenses by molding and, in particular, to using a continuous extrusion-compression molding method to make plastic lenses whereby a polymer melt is fed from an extruder or melting apparatus to a first die of a plurality of rotating or conveyed sequentially processed compression die sets comprising a first die and a second die. The die sets are positioned on die supports on a rotating turntable or conveying system, the lenses formed by compressing the die sets with pressing means associated with each die support, the lenses separated from the dies and the dies recycled to die loading and the melt feed step of the process and the process repeated until the desired number of lenses or other optical articles such as compact disk substrates are produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the manufacture of tablets or compacts with at least two compacting tools which in each case can be moved in relation to one another and at least one template interacting with these and with a filling arrangement to feed the tabletting material into the template. In accordance with the invention, the compacting tools movable in relation to one another are aligned horizontally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotating carousel provided with pressure-molding units for items made of plastics. Each unit comprises a mold having a molding cavity into which a dose of plastics is brought by means of a feeding head which is rotatable outside of the carousel, said dose being removed from an extrusion device by means of removal elements which are rigidly coupled to the head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for thermoforming a unitary plastic appliance door by thermoforming an outer door panel and an inner door liner and joining them together in a unitary apparatus. The apparatus includes a press with first and second platens, a male and a female mold member attached to the first platen and shaped to the contour of the outer door panel and the inner door liner respectively. A movable shuttle box is mounted on the second platen and a first plug assist member is located in the shuttle box. The shuttle box and first plug assist member are movable on the second platen into vertical alignment with either the male or female mold member. A transportation device is positioned between the first and second platens and is operable for transporting first and second plastic sheets into thermoforming posture with the male and female molds respectively. A second plug assist member is located for movement into and out of proximity with the female mold member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a compression dosage unit such as a tablet. The method of the present invention includes dispensing a premeasured volume of tableting feedstock into a product tray. The feedstock is compacted into a tablet within the product tray. The product tray may be further packaged for distribution and sale. The apparatus of the present invention includes a dossiter for dispensing the premeasured volume of feedstock into the product tray from a reservoir. A die is insertable into the product tray to form the tablet therein. The present invention also provides for the formation of the tablets within the product tray by use of the dossiter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding closure liners wherein a set of tooling including a first assembly and second assembly which are movable toward and away from one another. The first assembly of tooling has a liner forming member and a closure engaging sleeve thereon and the second assembly has a closure supporting pad thereon. A cam is associated with the first assembly of tooling for moving the closure engaging sleeve into engagement with a closure and the liner forming member into position for compression molding a charge of plastic extrudate in the closure when it is supported on the closure supporting pad. A gas cylinder is associated with the closure supporting pad providing a predetermined controlled pressure that determines the compression molding force on the plastic. In a preferred mode, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation to one another on a turret.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for the formation of compression dosage units from tableting feedstock. A feedstock dossiter is provided including an open ended chamber for insertion into a reservoir containing the tableting feedstock. The dossiter includes a movable die punch which is movable within the chamber between at least two positions. A first position away from the open end of the chamber provides for the collection of a preselected volume of tableting feedstock from the reservoir. The die punch is movable to a second position which effects formation of the tablet within the accumulation chamber. The dossiter shown herein may be used in combination with a fixed die punch to form the tablet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: The recycling of used polyurethane foam is made possible by a process in which the starting material is first dried to a moisture content of 2 to 4% and is then filled into a multi-part mold (16, 17, 18) that defines the molded part (32). The parts of the mold (16, 17, 18) are then, with generation of the necessary compression pressure of below 20 N/mm.sup.2, pressed together and locked. These molds (16, 17, 18) that are subject to the compression pressure are heated in a tunnel furnace (20) so that the molding material reaches a temperature of approximately 130.degree. C. After a predefined holding time, the molds (16, 17, 18) can be opened under pressure and the molded parts (32) can be removed. Molded parts (32) with a thickness of 42 mm and of corresponding size have been produced successfully with this process. Instead of the molds (16, 17, 18), it is also possible that a two-part tool is used.

Abstract: Articles of ice confectionery are prepared in a cavity formed by a complementary countermould and master mould assembly into which a composition for forming an ice confectionery is introduced. The assembly is cooled for freezing the confectionery composition which then is demoulded in two steps wherein the countermould is heated and removed first and the master mould is heated second for removal of the frozen article.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adhering a synthetic resin gasket to a filtering element of an air filter. The apparatus incorporates a mold having a synthetic resin forming gasket cavity therein in which the synthetic resin gasket is formed. The cavity has an injection recess portion and an expansion recess portion. The two portions are separated by a movable mold element which may be positioned to substantially separate or substantially adjoin the injection recess and expansion recess portions. When the movable mold element is in the separation position, synthetic resin may be introduced into the injection recess position without contacting the filtering element. When the movable mold element is in the adjoining position, the resin may expand into the expansion recess until the resin contacts and adheres to the filter element. An automated version of this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminate is made by first forming a substantially closed mold cavity between a pair of mold halves, then injecting a plastified synthetic resin into the cavity under pressure to substantially fill the cavity and at least partially curing the resin in the cavity to form a base body. The mold halves are then separated to leave the partially cured body in one of the mold halves with a face of the body exposed and a deformable sheet is laid over the face of the body in the one mold half. A die having a face conforming at least generally to the shape of the body face is then laid down against the sheet onto the body to press the sheet into intimate contact with the body face and bond the sheet and body together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a food product and ejecting the food product onto an appropriate discharge area. One embodiment includes a mold with a three-dimensional mold face. A membrane is mounted on the mold and extends over the mold face such that raw food material directed toward the mold substantially conforms the membrane to the mold face to define a three-dimensional contour for the upper surface of the food product. A plunger assembly which includes a plurality of plungers is thereafter advanced to extend through the mold face to force the membrane away from the mold face and thereby eject the food product from the mold. During ejection the three-dimensional contour of the upper surface of the food product and the substantially planar contour of the lower surface of the food product are substantially reversed. Consequently, a separator may be passed between the membrane and upper surface of the food product.

Abstract: A rotary tablet press has upper rams (18) and lower rams (19) which are sealed off from the mould shelf (15) of the press by respective intermediate walls (28) in which all the rams (18,19 respectively) are clamped at their head ends to the free ends of individual sleeves (45), with the other ends of these sleeves being secured to the edges (44) of circular apertures (43) formed in the intermediate walls. These circular apertures (43) surrounding the ram shanks (20) with a spacing, so that the intermediate walls (28) are not stretched when the rams (18 and 19) carry out upward and downward movements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding closure liners wherein a set of tooling including a first assembly and second assembly which are movable toward and away from one another. The first assembly of tooling has a liner forming member and a closure engaging sleeve thereon and the second assembly has a closure supporting pad thereon. A cam is associated with the first assembly of tooling for moving the closure engaging sleeve into engagement with a closure and the liner forming member into position for compression molding a charge of plastic extrudate in the closure when it is supported on the closure supporting pad. A gas cylinder is associated with the closure supporting pad providing a predetermined controlled pressure that determines the compression molding force on the plastic. In a preferred mode, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation to one another on a turret.

Abstract: Apparatus for stamping a pattern into bread doughs in which the dough is continuously conveyed in cups and is stamped by star shaped tips of pattern forming tools mounted to a stamping head. The stamping head travels in an elliptical path by virtue of a pinion ring assembly with supports for the stamping head mounted in positions offset from the center of a turret pinion that rotates as it orbits a turret ring. An eccentric pinion assembly controls the speed of the stamping head by controlling the speed of the turret pinion's orbit around the turret rings, so that the stamping head's speed is decreased to match the speed of the cups while dough stamping occurs, and its speed is increased during repositioning of the stamping head for the next set of dough-filled cups.

Abstract: Partially formed products (2) are placed in molds (8) and a fluid such as air or an edible filler is injected into the partially formed products (2), e.g. by needles 17[see FIG. 6], so as to cause expansion and thereby produce final products (2) having the shape of the molds (8). Each mold (8) may comprise an upper mold part (14) and a lower mold part (11). The lower mold parts (11) may be mounted on a chain conveyor (9, 9b, 9c) [see FIG. 1] or a rotating cylinder (28) [see FIG. 12] so that the partially formed products (2) are moved towards and the final products (2) are moved away from a reciprocating assembly (12, 13) which carries the upper mold parts (14). Preferably, the final products (2) are retained in the upper mold parts (14) and then ejected by a blast of air. The invention enables complicated shapes to be formed at high production rates while using an economical amount of chocolate or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a three-dimensional food product. In one embodiment, a piston is reciprocally positioned within a forming cavity and includes a face which has a three-dimensional contour. An elastic membrane is positioned over the face of the piston to assist in the separation of the product therefrom. In this regard, when a raw food material is provided to the forming cavity, such material stretches the elastic membrane into substantial conformance with the contour of the piston face to thereby form at least one three-dimensional surface for the food product. When the forming cavity is positioned to discharge the product, the elasticity causes the membrane to contract to move the membrane away from the piston face and thereby eject the product from the forming cavity.

Abstract: A machine for producing lollipops 3 having a rotatable die ring 6 with radial press rooms 11 into which cut sugar pieces 1 are fed from inside the die ring and from which the completed lollipops 3 are discharged outwardly, with assistance of centrifugal force. Pivotal flaps 16 are provided to prevent escape of the cut sugar pieces from the cavities of movable shear blades 7 after the cut sugar pieces have been successively fed into the cavities.

Abstract: An ejection and conveying device mounted in a rotary pressing tabletting machine having matrices supported by a rotating table, whereinto upper punches and lower punches enter and come out, while tablets come out at an ejection station; the device includes a plate fastened to the machine and positioned under the table. Part of the plate is located under the machine's ejection station, while a rotating disk is placed inside a raised border of the plate and has a plurality of hollows whereinto the ejected tablets fall so that the tablets are drawn by the disk up to be positioned above one or more holes made in the bottom of the plate and from which holes discharge channels depart. The tablets pass through the holes and are brought away by the channels.

Abstract: Portable brick manufacturing apparatus (20) mounted on a skid pad (21) includes two brick making systems. Each system includes a ring (25, 65) with three open-ended mold boxes (23, 70) mounted to the ring in equiangular spacing thereabout. Drive means (30,32,30',31') and an indexing controls mechanism (51) operate to rotate the ring in steps such that the mold boxes come to rest at a fill station, a compacting station and a brick ejection station, respectively. The two systems share a compacting station and a slide plate (60) provides a bottom for the mold boxes at the fill and compacting stations and in movement therebetween for each systems. In one system, hoppers (52,56) conveyors (54,49) a blender (58) and a spray nozzle (59) deliver soil and additives to a mold box at the fill station. Similar components are included in the second system. The indexing mechanism (51) responds to a sensor signal to control the weight of depost in a mold box.

Abstract: A rotary press for pressing tablets or other cylindrically shaped bodies is provided including a rotor with a die table, an upper section and a lower section. The upper section includes an upper rotatable bushing which supports an upper stamp slidably and non-rotatably. The lower section includes a lower rotatable bushing. The lower rotatable bushing supports a lower stamp slidably and non-rotatably. The upper and lower section each include stationary serrated sections which engage serrated sections provided on the rotatable bushings.

Abstract: A rotary pelleting machine comprises a housing, a drive shaft, a matrix disc connected with the drive shaft and guiding upper plungers and lower plungers, a unit for controlling position of the plungers during rotation of the matrix disc. The unit includes a cam ring provided for controlling the upper plungers. The cam ring is supported rotatably relative to the housing and the drive shaft. Also a unit for measuring a torque of the cam disc is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing resin-impregnated fiber tow or strand in the form of prepreg tape. The apparatus includes unique coating wheels for sunface-coating the strand with molten, flowable resin and a kneading section to work the strand and disperse the molten resin uniformly among and between the individual fibers of the strand. The strand, after chilling, has good dimensional stability and is useful as prepreg in forming composite structures.

Abstract: A briquetting machine, primarily intended for briquetting fibrous plant material, includes a pair of rotatable wheels. Each wheel has die means towards its outer periphery and the die means define a circular row of pockets in which the material is received and compressed. During rotation the wheels come together to define a nip between the wheels. To provide for a varying volume of feed of material the wheels are relatively movable to vary the size of the pockets. Furthermore the die means include male and female, overlapping dies. In the bases of the dies are located ejector members which are urged outwards to eject compacted briquettes from the dies. To compress the material prior to entry into the dies there may be a precompression channel which converges toward its outlet end, opposite converging walls of the channels being formed of compression members which move towards one another and towards the outlet end.

Abstract: A rotary powder compression molding apparatus is disclosed, which includes a rotary disk. The rotary disk has a mortar mounting portion, an upper pestle guide portion arranged above the mortar mounting portion, and a lower pestle guide portion arranged below the mortar mounting portion. An annular vertical wall, extending upward, is arranged on the periphery of the lower pestle guide portion, and a recessed powder trap portion is formed inside the vertical wall. Powder leaking from mortars is moved outwardly due to a centrifugal force, and is trapped by the powder trap portion.

Abstract: A rotational plastic compression molding apparatus including a plurality of circumferentially spaced female molds and a plurality of circumferentially spaced male molds cooperating respectively with the plurality of the female molds. The female molds and the male molds are rotated in synchronism and thus moved round successively through a material loading zone, a compression molding zone and an article discharge zone. In the material loading zone and the article discharge zone, each said female mold and each corresponding mold are maintained in a spaced-apart inoperative relation, and in the compression molding zone, they are maintained in an approaching operative relation to define a mold space therebetween. In the material loading zone, a heat-melted plastic material is loaded in the female molds, and in the article discharge zone, the compression-molded plastic article is discharged from between each said female mold and each corresponding male mold.

Abstract: A rotary machine for molding continuous resin coated, glass fiber bundles having a turntable carrying open-ended, open and closable molds to shape the bundles and a C-frame press adjacent the turntable and reciprocally movable along a portion of the mold path to sequentially engage each mold to subject molding pressure to the glass fiber bundle in it.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus comprising a rotary compression molding means, a material feed means and an article carrying means.

Abstract: A method and system are described for manufacturing molded packings used in the shipment of articles such as computers, typewriters and the like. The system employs a plurality of mold plugs positioned on a rotating platform whereby the mold plugs are alternately moved between work stations. At one work station a separator sheet is manually placed over a mold plug. At another work station a foaming material dispensing gun is automatically operated in a predetermined pattern over a mold which encloses the mold plug. The pattern is manually adjustable to fit any particular mold plug. Control over the system is obtained with a microprocessor programmed to operate with sensors and actuators associated with the system.

Abstract: A baking machine for cooking batter to form ice cream cones and the like comprises a plurality of griddles which are driven along a path of movement through heating zones for the purpose of cooking the batter. Principal features of the invention include: an automated and responsive gear-type control mechanism for starting and stopping griddle movement, include provision of means for ensuring proper meshing of the gears; and an efficient top-bottom burner system which ensures efficient and uniform cooking of the batter by provision of separate supply lines to the top and bottom burners, respectively, as well as a master-equalizer valve arrangement in which the master valve regulates flow to all burners and the equalizer valve provides for equal heating at top and bottom burners.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having in spaced positions at least a first injecting station for injecting a plasticized resin material into a die cavity and a second station for further treating the injected resin material concurrently and in relation with the injecting operation at the injecting station, the molding machine including a die carriage movable to and from the first and second stations and fixedly supporting thereon at least a lower die of an injection molding die set; a track for guiding movements of the die carriage to and from the respective stations; a carriage clamp for fixing the die carriage at the respective stations; a die closing mechanism provided at each station for releasably clamping an upper die against the lower die; and a drive mechanism for moving the die carriage sequentially to the first and second stations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automatic, rapid and continuous preparation of generally friable or fragile ready-to-eat food product bacon analog strips of predetermined configuration, simulating natural, cooked bacon, wherein a slab or bulk material of the food product is sliced by a cutting device into individual strips basically having the dimensions of sliced natural bacon strips, and conducted by means of a first endless conveyor arrangement from the cutting device towards a cooking installation. Ahead of the cooking installation, a second endless conveyor mounts a series of strip-engaging members adapted to sequentially contact the sliced strips and to conduct the strips from the first endless conveyor arrangement onto and along guide rod members which extend into and through the cooking installation.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material such as meat. The apparatus includes a turret which rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into one of a plurality of mold cavities and a discharge station where each formed patty is ejected by a piston. An improved sealing means is provided for effecting sealing engagement of a feed spout assembly with the bottom surface of the rotating turret. An improved cut-off band is also provided for separating the formed patties from the turret at the discharge station. Reciprocation of the piston in each mold cavity is regulated by a control means which includes means for limiting the free upward movement of the piston until the cavity opening is fully aligned with a feed opening in the feed spout assembly.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a novel process and apparatus for the production of rebonded foam, and particularly polyurethane foam scrap. The process and apparatus allow for the simultaneous performance of three and preferably four basic operations, i.e. mold filling, curing or steaming, boring and mold stripping, to achieve the shortest, most efficient time cycles to produce a high quality rebonded product. Significant improvements are seen in the quality of the product, reduction in density, reduction in scrap loss, elimination of density variations in the molded product and overall product consistency.

Abstract: A machine for forming sealing liners of thermoplastic materials in crowns, which includes a crown carrier and a press drum. Crowns are disposed on the crown carrier and are directed to the press drum by a transfer plate that directs the crowns from the carrier to the drum. The molding of the plastic liner takes place only on the press drum.

Abstract: An automated molding apparatus having a continuous movable belt trained about a pair of spaced apart sprocket pulleys rotatably mounted to a main support frame. A plurality of female dies are equidistantly mounted to the belt for mating with a plurality of male dies reciprocatively mounted in a plane above the female dies. A heated feeder is provided for introducing a predetermined amount of melted mix into the female dies prior to mating with the male dies. To insure that the resulting molded product is properly hardened, the female dies are adapted with internal channels connected to a liquid cooling system. The molding apparatus is readily adaptable for hydraulic operation and may be readily automated by an electrically actuated control and timing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for hot shaping vehicle floor carpets has a plurality of presses mounted on a slow-moving turntable which carries operators and which can have a central rotary distributor for distributing pressure fluid from a stationary source to actuators on the presses.

Abstract: An automated molding apparatus has a continuous movable belt trained about a pair of spaced apart sprocket pulleys rotatably mounted to a main support frame. A plurality of female dies are equidistantly mounted to the belt for mating with a plurality of male dies reciprocatively mounted in a plane above the female dies. A heated feeder is provided for introducing a predetermined amount of melted mix into the female dies prior to mating with the male dies. To insure that the resulting molded product is properly hardened, the female dies are adapted with internal channels connected to a liquid cooling system. The molding apparatus is readily adaptable for hydraulic operation and may be readily automated by an electrically actuated control and timing system.

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.