Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming finished cups of expanded resin comprising a transfer mold capable of transferring a preformed article obtained through a preforming process to a finish-forming mold, and simultaneously collecting from the finish-forming mold a finished article obtained through compression forming and discharging the finished article after inspection, the transfer mold for transferring having a core section for collecting the preformed article and transferring the preformed article to the finish-forming mold and a cavity section for collecting and discharging the finished article and apparatus for moving the transfer mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the edge of containers of synthetic thermoplastic material which are open at the top and terminate in an outer flange which is arched upwards from the top and then extends downwards. The apparatus includes an edge moulding unit having four groups of three female moulds and the same number of male moulds, a rotating plate for the female moulds designed to rotate step-by-step to cyclically carry each group of moulds from a charging position, through a moulding position to a discharge position and a cooling position. A feed device having one or more groups of parallel heated screw-threaded rotating rollers are provided, each engaging a portion of the flanges of a sequence of containers in order to heat them and transfer the same from a stock of containers to the charging position. Compressed-air-nozzles are arranged to cause the container to move from the feed device to a female mould.

Abstract: A process for continuously and progressively forming components from fiber-containing composite material workpieces having a deformable matrix introduces transverse bends into a workpiece that moves through the apparatus in a longitudinal or travel direction. Transverse bending of the composite material is accomplished in a kinematically admissible manner to avoid misalignment or failure of the composite material. A net bending deformation is introduced at a free transverse edge as the composite workpiece moves in a longitudinal direction, by pairs of compound roller elements between which the workpiece passes as it moves through the apparatus. The net deformation introduced at the free transverse edge is moved and distributed through the composite material workpiece during successive passes through the forming machinery, to form the final shaped component.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding hollow composite articles having a plurality of internal webs. A mandrel assembly apparatus includes slidable sidewall members, an inflatable pressure membrane surrounding the length of the slidable sidewall members and actuator means mounted on the interior of the sidewall members for lateral displacement thereof together with the inflatable membrane. Adjacent mandrel assemblies accurately position the internal webs of the composite article mechanically, while the inflatable membranes serve to compact the web laminates. The expandable sidewall members also prevent bridging or tearing of the pressure membrane associated with the formation of inner corner radii.

Abstract: One method of forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes the steps of: (a) supporting a raw workpiece on a suspension tray; (b) moving a pair of relatively hot forming dies into position above the workpiece; (c) closing the hot forming dies against the workpiece to heat the workpiece and to form and shape the workpiece into the desired configuration; (d) opening the hot forming dies and removing the hot forming dies away from the workpiece; (e) moving a pair of relatively cold forming dies into position above and below the workpiece; (f) closing the cold forming dies against the workpiece to cool the workpiece while maintaining the workpiece in the desired configuration; and, (g) opening the cold forming dies and removing the finished workpiece form the suspension tray. Other methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The impressions are produced using an original plate (19) bearing a design by the following steps: a plastic plate (4) made of thermodeformable material is prepared and placed, in an adjusted position corresponding to the location of the first impression to be produced, between an electrode (7), the outline of which corresponds to the periphery of the design and which is surrounded by an insulating border (24), and the original plate (19) which forms a second electrode; the first impression is produced on the plastic plate (4) by high-frequency heating of the plastic plate (4) via the electrodes, and by compression; the plastic plate (4) is then cooled, the original plate (19) is separated from the plastic plate (4) that is displaced successively in the other adjusted positions corresponding to the other impressions to be produced and, in each position, the heating, compression and cooling steps are repeated in order to reproduce the next impression.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a compression molding machine to secure the position of a mass of hardenable plastic compound from which a compression molded object can be produced by upper and lower mold halves which are driven so as to be movable relative to one another. In order to prevent undesirable displacement of the plastic compound mass during closing of the mold, the apparatus includes holding pins at the lower mold half. The holding pins project beyond the mold surface of the lower mold half during charging and also during part of the compression molding process. The height of the holding pins relative to the mold surface is dimensioned to be less than the thickness of the plastic compound mass in the region of the pins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the manufacture of plastic couplings for joining together two lengths of plastic pipe. The couplings are manufactured from blanks of plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, which are heated to the thermoplastic state. The blanks are expanded between two mandrels which come together inside the ends of the blank. The mandrels have an outer member with a thin walled section and a nosepiece inside of that section which collapses at the end of the inward stroke of the mandrels so that the center shoulder of the coupling is not as wide as that of the prior art coupling. This results in a coupling which is shorter and lighter than the prior art coupling and yet is the full equivalent of the prior art coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a press for making brakeshoes and the like utilizes an intermediate mold carrying precompacted powder positioned on the press mold. The powder is engaged by the raised press ram and a lowered ejection ram such that the powder trapped between the rams is transferred to the press mold. The intermediate mold is then removed, a counter-pressure plate swingably mounted on a frame of the apparatus is applied into registry with the press mold and the press operation ensues.

Abstract: An off-drawing apparatus for tubular webs of plastic film produced by an extruder with a fixedly disposed blow head includes a lay-flat apparatus for the tubular web delivered with an expanded round cross section, and a stationary conveyor for carrying off the flattened tubular web to a likewise stationary winding apparatus. Between the lay-flat apparatus and the conveyor there is disposed at least one pulley roll and one overturning bar for turning the tubular web 180.degree. with simultaneous change of direction, which, like the lay-flat apparatus, are supported in an apparatus frame for pivoting reversingly in a horizontal plane about the axis of the delivered tubular web.

Abstract: A method and a device for introducing reinforcing strands into a vertical mold through the open upper end thereof. An array of strand material is positioned to extend across the open end of a mold and an insertion device is lowered into the mold. The insertion device engages the strand material during its downward motion and draws an appropriate amount of such material from a continuous supply thereof to give a strand reinforcement of elongate U-shape within the mold. A reciprocable carriage is provided whereby the leading end of the strand is presented to a clamp at a remote side of the mold opening, the carriage having a selectively operable clamp thereon for engagement with the strand during movement of the carriage toward the clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an open mold with a plasticized material to produce molded plastic parts has a movable endless belt to define a surface upon which is received a plurality of masses of plastic material in a predetermined arrangement after the material has been plasticized. Each mass has a predetermined shape approximating the capacity of a mold cavity into which the mass is to be fed. The endless belt has a charge station position in which plasticized material is discharge onto the belt and the entire belt can be fed from the charge station position into such a position with respect to an open mold cavity that a mass of plastic material is fed from the belt surface into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A device for bending an elongated dough product includes a first endless conveyor for conveying the products along a conveyance path. The first conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart passages. The device further includes a second endless conveyor which includes a plurality of spaced apart mandrels. As the conveyors move, the mandrels are (a) successively fed upwardly into the passages, (b) then moved together with the first conveyor along the conveyance path and (c) then removed from the passages. As the products are conveyed along the conveyance path, they are successively bent around the mandrels.

Abstract: An apparatus for the safe and efficient shaping of a heat-formable resilient material includes an upright male shaping member, a female molding member having a cavity adapted to matingly receive the upright male shaping member, a retractable hold-down knockout pin extending through the female molding cavity to a predetermined distance from the upright male shaping member when the pad-forming device is in the open position so that the resilient material can be inserted between the hold-down knockout pin and the upright male shaping member. The hold-down knockout pin moves away from the upright male shaping member to a retracted position when the pad-forming device is closed and advances towards the male shaping member to eject any shaped pads which might adhere to the female molding cavity while returning to the advanced position at a predetermined distance from the upright male shaping member.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously and progressively forming components from fiber-containing composite material workpieces having a deformable matrix introduces transverse bends into a workpiece that moves through the apparatus in a longitudinal or travel direction. Transverse bending of the composite material is accomplished in a kinematically admissible manner to avoid misalignment or failure of the composite material. A net bending deformation is introduced at a free transverse edge as the composite workpiece moves in a longitudinal direction, by pairs of compound roller elements between which the workpiece passes as it moves through the apparatus. the net deformation introduced at the free transverse edge is moved and distributed through the composite material workpiece during successive passes through the forming machinery, to form the final shaped component.

Abstract: A device for gripping and pulling a length of thermoplastic sheet softened to be moldingly formed at the front and rear edges, which are otherwise inevitably made to be concave, so as to hold edges substantially straight. The device uses at least two pairs of lower and upper gripping members arranged to be vertically movable so as to grip the above front and rear edges. Two pairs of pull levers each cooperating with one of the pair of lower and upper gripping members operate so as to grip the front and rear edges in advance of the gripping by the gripping members and pull to straighten the concaved edges which are then gripped by the gripping members.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp frame assembly for holding different sizes of plastic sheets in a thermo form machine. The frame assembly has longitudinal and transverse beams carrying clamp units that hold a plastic sheet on the beams. The longitudinal and transverse beams are movable along rails of a rectangular frame to change the lateral distance between both the longitudinal and transverse beams to accommodate different sizes of plastic sheets.

Abstract: In an installation for producing packaging containers such as tubes, from prefabricated tube bodies and end portions of thermoplastic material, which are connected to the tube bodies, a plurality of moulds which are moved on a circulatory path each include an upwardly directed female mould portion and a mandrel which is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a downwardly directed working position and a loading position. A tube body loading station, a material feed station having a nozzle, and a container unloading station are arranged at spacings from each other along the circulatory path, while the female mould portion and the mandrel of each mould are displaced relative to each other on a common working axis. In a plurality of working units including support frames which are moved on the circulatory path, each support frame supports at least the female mould portion and the mandrel of a mould and the actuating mechanism thereof.

Abstract: Compound press suitable to autonomously perform all operations necessary to mold pieces, including mechanisms to feed the pieces to be molded, and molding of same and to discharge the molded pieces.

Abstract: A process and a device for producing a plastic sheet of high optical quality and including at least one layer having a base of a polyurethane exhibiting energy-absorbing properties. The polyurethane layer is obtained by extrusion followed immediately after by a finishing by a pressing at a temperature higher than the temperature of the softening point of the polyurethane layer. The finishing imparts to the sheet optical quality making it suitable for use in the production of laminated glazings.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of making brake pads (60) having the step of heat preforming a plurality of dosages (39) of a friction material for brake pads (60) to obtain a plurality of blanks (61) on which respective metal holders (53) are then placed, and the step of hot molding, individually and simultaneously, such blanks (61) to form a plurality of brake pads (60).

Abstract: A flat stock strip of thermoplastic material is passed through a heating station in contact with the edges of longitudinally oriented heated knife blades to heat soften the stock strip along narrow longitudinal lines to define localized fold lines for the stock strip. The strip is fed sequentially through a prebending device and a chilled forming die to set the reformed strip at the fold lines. Preferably the knife blades and any strip contact surfaces of the prebending device and the chilled forming die are PTFE covered to eliminate scratching of the thermoplastic stock strip material during heating, reforming and cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing thermoformable parts includes an extruder for extruding a hot synthetic material to form a horizontal strip, a rolling device for rolling the strip, a chain device for drawing the strip along horizontally by its edges and with a continuous movement immediately upstream of a thermoforming station, a heating device for heating the strip upstream of the thermoforming station to a temperature compatible with thermoforming it over a part of its length substantially equal to that needed for the thermoforming operation, a cooling section between the heated part and the area in which the strip is rolled, and a thermoforming station for bringing the heated part into face-to-face relationship with a mold and for moving the mold in the same direction as the strip and at the same speed, so that the strip is simultaneously thermoformed and cut to yield a piece comprising the thermoformed part and a skin retaining the edge portions during continuous movement thereof.

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: Method and apparatus for forming a web of uncut thermoplastic articles from a sheet of material and severing the uncut articles from the web of unseparated articles by precisely locating the unseparated articles with respect to a cutting tool and, once located, cutting the product from the web. Male locating pins included as part of the trimmer and spaced a known distance from the cutting edge move forward to engage web deformations. The forward movement of the male locating pin delivers sufficient force to the deformations to center them on the male locating pin. Continued forward movement forces the other side of the deformation into contact with a female locating pin included as part of the die and spaced the same known distance from the die edge. The female locating pin grabs the deformation to place the sheet in the desired location.

Abstract: A mass of flowable food material is extruded to form a moving, continuous, flexible extrudate ribbon that is cured to form a continuous, semi-rigid ribbon. During curing, the ribbon is fed between a pair of pull rollers that pull the ribbon at a rate of speed that is faster than the extrusion rate of the ribbon, to thereby stretch the ribbon while being cured into semi-rigidity. The semi-rigid ribbon then is fed between a cutter roller and an opposing backup roller, the cutter roller including outwardly projecting, transversely mounted blades with edges that bias against an outer support surface of the backup roller during cutting. The opposing cutter and backup rollers rotate at substantially the same speed as the pull rollers to cut the semi-rigid ribbon with cuts that are substantially perpendicular to the direction of ribbon travel, thereby forming individual food pieces having substantially planar cut faces.

Abstract: Insole feeding apparatus for a molding press having an insole receiving cavity to receive insoles from a support structure that carries dual trays which hold insole supplies alternately positionable to allow insoles to be picked out of a tray and placed in the mold cavity. The mold press is provided with an insole kicker plate subject to positional adjustment in the cavity in accordance with an operator teach device capable of locating the kicker plate in the mold cavity for producing molded insoles having desired style and size characteristics. The apparatus is made to follow a desired method in which kicker plate adjustments can be stored in a computer memory for rendering the molding press capable of accommodating various insole and size production runs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-drawing machine for manufacturing containers out of thermoplastic foil by means of a cutting device which includes a banderole arrangement for manufacturing banderoles, labels or the like and includes inserting such into hollow molds of a forming arrangement. For the purpose of simultaneously inserting a large number of banderoles, labels or the like into the hollow molds and for the additional purpose of an easy access to the banderole arrangement and the forming arrangement, and for the purpose of independently driving these two arrangements, the banderole arrangement together with the cutting device is constructed separately from the forming arrangement and there is provided a transfer arrangement between the forming arrangement and the banderole arrangement in the form of a rotatable dish whose axis of rotation is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the hollow molds.

Abstract: One apparatus for forming a workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material includes: (a) a base member; (b) a positioning wheel or a positioning frame supported by the base member; (c) a suspension tray for supporting a raw workpiece, the suspension tray being supported by the positioning wheel or the positioning frame; (d) a pair of relatively hot dies; (e) a first support arm positioning the hot dies, the first support arm being supported by the base member; (f) a first cylinder mounted on the base member for moving the first support arm whereby the hot dies may be positioned above and below the raw workpiece; (g) a pair of relatively cold dies; (h) a second support arm positioning the cold dies, the second support arm being supported by the base member; (i) a second cylinder mounted on the base for moving the second support arm whereby the set of cold dies may by positioned above and below the workpiece; (j) a press platen; and, (k) a cylinder for moving the press platen whereby the hot dies may be clos

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for positioning a film of determined format, serving as at least a partial coating of the lateral surface of an object, between two pieces of a machine, at least one of said pieces being mobile with respect to the other in a first direction, the machine having a technique for taking the film from a magazine. According to the invention, the film-taking technique uses a member whose outside shape corresponds to the lateral surface of the object to be coated. It also includes a technique for applying the film onto the lateral surface. Further there is provided a technique for conveying the film-taking means, with the film applied on said member, between a position of taking the film from the magazine and a work position between the pieces of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for molding objects, having male and female mold parts of which at least one is mobile with respect to the other. According to the invention there is included a device for conveying film and a device for conveying a molded object capable of moving in synchronism so that, when the film conveying device is in position of depositing the film between the mold parts, the object conveying device is in position of removal of the object from between the mold parts, and, when the film conveying device is in position of taking of a film for use in a further cycle, the molded object conveying device is in position of evacuation of the object from the mold.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the production of articles from a planar web of thermoplastic material, having heating, hot shaping and punching devices, a web conveying mechanism for stepwisely transporting the web along the substantially planar path through the apparatus includes a plurality of driven stationary conveying units arranged at opposite edges of the web along the path thereof, each conveying unit including a driving wheel and a cooperating free wheeling supporting roller arranged opposite to each other and having their axes of rotation extending substantially parallel to each other and to the plane of the web, the driving wheel having a wedge-like converging circumference with a toothed circumferential edge and connected to a driving mechanism which synchronously drives the driving wheels, and the free wheeling supporting roller having a cylindrical circumference supporting the web in an adjustable position relative to the driving wheel, such that the toothed circumferential edge partly penetrates the web a

Abstract: A conveyor-transfer apparatus for transferring artificial Christmas tree piquets (branches) from a first conveyor on which the piquets are parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor to a second conveyor where they are arranged transverse to the direction of conveyor travel whereby their ends can be tapered. This is accomplished automatically without the use of manual labor.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing novel three dimensional shaped frozen confection products on a stick. A molded slug of frozen confection having a generic shape is converted into a three dimensional frozen confection having any desired shape including shapes having variable cross-sections and undercut portions. The desired final shape is formed by the application of pressure to the slug, without significant melting of the slug, using a split mold which defines the final three dimensional shape by controlling the temperature of the slug and the relative size and shape of the slug and mold cavity.

Abstract: A stretching device for stretching a tubular film includes a mandrel including a stretching section, a pair of payoff nip rolls disposed upstream of the mandrel and a pair of take-up nip rolls disposed downstream of the mandrel. The stretching section of the mandrel is comprised of a plurality of rings arranged substantially concentrically in spaced-apart relationship in the travelling direction of the tubular film. The outside diameter of a ring on the downstream side is larger than that of a ring on the upstream side. Each of the rings has a plurality of rotating members mounted rotatably, and the plurality of rotating members define an outer circumferential ring edge which is generally smoothly circular.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for hot-forming a laminated sheet of synthetic resin. The sheet, in at least its region that is to be deformed, is heated to the forming temperature which is equal to or higher than the melting temperature of a thermoplastic bonding agent which is disposed between the laminate layers containing a duromer plastic material and planar carrier materials. The sheet is bent around a cylindrical surface with the aid of a movably guided bending plate, and is cooled. During a large part of the bending operation, the bending plate will be in planar contact with the border region of the sheet. The individual laminate layers will be mutually displaced in the bending region and in the border region in the direction of the sheet's surface, and after the bending operation, the bending plate holds the border region in its bent position at least until the resolidification of the thermoplastic bonding agent.

Abstract: A semiconductor encapsulating apparatus including a positioning apparatus positioning an encapsulant premold (preformed piece or pellet) in contact with the semiconductor and the curing apparatus through which the semiconductor and encapsulant are passed to cure and thereby encapsulate the semiconductor. The encapsulating apparatus may include a vacuum chamber to degass the encapsulant prior to curing, a robotic arm to position an encapsulant premold in contact with the semiconductor and encapsulant premold forming apparatus including a die engaging a plastically deformable strip to form therein a mold. Also included may be a mold filling dispenser, a mold solidifying bath which may include liquid nitrogen, a solidified premold ejecting roller and a premold storage tray. Also disclosed are roller and spray coating apparatuses adapted to coat an inner surface of the mold with a release agent thereby to promote subsequent premold release.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming accordion pleats in and about the sidewall of a thin-walled plastic container. Said apparatus comprising a forming station, a gripping and transporting means for introducing unpleated containers to the forming station and for removing the same from the forming station. Hot air means renders the containers malleable at the forming station. A plurality of circumaxially arranged forming plates move radially inwardly to engage the container sidewall and to form accordion pleats therein. Thereafter the plates are retracted radially for the introduction of the next succeeding container. A ring cam is intermittently rotated to operate the forming plates with the forming "dwell" regulated by a small cam.

Abstract: In order to improve the bonding strength between a synthetic resin-coated steel pipe and concrete applied around the synthetic resin-coated steel pipe for weight coating or protection, unevenness formed of groove portions and ridge portions arranged alternately is formed on the outer surface of the synthetic resin-coated steel pipe by pressing the synthetic resin coating layer with a working tool having an uneven inner surface under a condition where at least one member of the working tool and the synthetic resin coating layer is kept at a temperature at which the synthetic resin is melted.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic articles by a thermoform process. A plastic sheet to be formed is die cut to a predetermined shape, heated, and draped over a male mold extending vertically upward. A vacuum is drawn internally of the male mold forming an imprint in the sheet from a die carried on the outer uppermost surface of the mold. A mating female mold is then lowered about the male mold to press the sheet about the conforms of the outer surface of the male mold until the plastic sets, thereby forming the desired object.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming tooth positioners. The apparatus includes a pair of aligned model mounts which are relatively movable toward each other, a holding member between the mounts having a cavity for a positioner blank, a heating element embedded in the holding member, and a sandwiching pressure applicator. Preferred embodiments include a carrier member with which the holding member is removably engageable. The method includes heating the holding member by applying heat internally to it and applying sandwiching pressure to the blank, preferably concurrently.

Abstract: A method, machine and mold are provided for fabricating, by injection of synthetic material, containers having a film forming an external coating. The machine includes a mold, an injection nozzle, a film feed device, and means for holding the film against the male element of the mold; and wherein the injection nozzle is carried by the male element of the mold and said holding means comprise a slider in the cavity of the female element movable, under the action of the male element, against a return force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the positive drawing to great lengths of lumps of dough already pre-lengthened. This device is inserted between the shaper-lengthener and the chute in the automatic sequence of the different phases of treatment of an industrial manufacturing line for long loaves.This device is characterized by having a turning group formed of a drive shaft driving in rotation, two series of discs diverging either side of the median plane and whose volume determines a drum, this turning group being subject to a continuous movement of rotation, and taking in the pre-lengthened lumps of dough and giving them back drawn after a trajectory of approximately a semicircle across a partial annular space making them roll against a fixed shell.The invention concerns installations for the automatic shaping of long loaves.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a corrugated sheet from a flat pre-laminated thermoplastic sheet. The flat sheet received between a pair of heated corrugated metal tool sheets with the tool sheets pulled between a pair of stationary tool press plates for forming and cooling the flat sheet into a corrugated sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for fitting and centering a sheath such as a thermoplastic sleeve about an object comprises a vertically floating mandrel about which the sheath is fed downwardly toward the object which is to be sheathed. The mandrel is provided with a hollow passage in its lower portion to receive a normally vertically movable member, the vertically movable member carrying at its normally lower end a mold member adapted to engage the head of the object which is to be sheathed, so as to guide and center the transfer of the sheath to the object. The mandrel is provided with a recess opening inwardly from its exterior periphery and into communication with the hollow passage providing a first element lying in the recess and connected to the vertically movable member, so that movement imparted to the first element and causes movement of the vertically movable member, a second element, a drive means located exteriorly of the mandrel for driving the second element.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for forming food items, such as cookies, into a fortune cookie shape with a paper fortune therein. The machine includes a device for feeding a succession of disc shaped blank food items to a moving track. A roller both advances the blank and forms grooves in the blank at desired creasing lines thereof. A descending arm bearing a fortune slip then folds the blank into a generally half-moon shape by pressing it downward through a slit opening and releasing the fortune slip therein. A pair of worm gears, cylinders with mirror image helical grooves therein, are mounted adjacent to one another and turn in opposite directions. At one end of each cylinder finger-like elements project outward and revolve into simultaneous contact with the points of the half-moon folded blank and serve to both fold them about a thin transverse bar and to deliver opposite sides of the now fortune cookie shaped item into the grooves of the cylinders. These advance the item off of the bar and along the cylinders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading an array of articles into a front loading molding press. Two pairs of rails and two carriages are utilized to facilitate the various loading movements. The first or lower pair of rails is fixed and slidably mounts the first or lower carriage. The second or upper pair of rails is defined on the lower carriage and slidably mounts the upper carriage. A loading board is carried on the upper carriage and is mounted for up and down movement relative to the upper carriage. A predetermined array of loading heads are positioned on the underside of the loading board and a predetermined array of article holders are positioned between the forward portions of the lower pair of rails.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading a front loading molding press in which a loading board is pivoted at one edge on a horizontal pivot shaft which extends into a lower corner of the press opening adjacent one side of the mold in the press. Loading of the press is performed by loading the board with a predetermined array of articles to be molded while the board is in an upwardly pivoted oblique preloading position to one side of the press opening; thereafter pivoting the loaded board downwardly to a loading position directly in front of the press; thereafter sliding the board on the pivot shaft into the press opening to an unloading position directly overlying the mold; and thereafter discharging the articles downwardly onto the mold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed using a robot to load and unload precut pieces of sheet molding compound and the like between an upper die and a lower die of a sheet molding press.

Abstract: Thermoforming machines with a heating station and a downstream mold station have carrier clamp frames for gripping the edges of sheets of plastic at a load station and indexing them successively to a heating station and a mold station. The carrier frame members to which the plastic may be releasably clamped carry their own remotely operated clamps and are themselves expandable and contractible to a condition in which, prior to molding, they control the sag in the sheet formed during heating of the sheets to differential pressure forming temperature. The plastic sheet can be molded to only a portion of a product which functions as a mold member.