Abstract: An apparatus for, in one advantageous embodiment, concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod, and in another advantageous embodiment, for making small apertures in the grooves as the grooves are being formed in the filter rod. The apparatus includes a reciprocating die having an upper and lower die block. Each die block includes protruding, elongated projections which are adapted to be embedded into the filter rod upon closing of the die to impress grooves in the filter rod located in the die. In the embodiment wherein apertures are to be formed in the grooves, aperture forming punches are associated with each of the groove forming projections for punching apertures in the grooves as they are being formed. The apparatus further includes a filter rod conveying device located between the upper and lower die blocks for guiding the filter rods through the die and for positioning the filter rods to be grooved in the reciprocating die.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing croquettes from a source of elastic food mass continuously discharged from a nozzle assembly having a reciprocating chopper controlled by sensors for severing the mass into croquettes, a plurality of conveyors for moving said croquettes through tunnel assemblies for compressing said croquettes into a desired shape and a shaker assembly for breading said croquettes and providing a frictional means for rolling said croquettes through said tunnels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for imparting a desired shape to a paperboard blank. The blank is formed between two dies for a sufficient length of time and with sufficient force to set the form, while moving the dies in tandem along a predetermined portion of a reciprocation path. Because the formed blank remains in dwell while the dies are moving in tandem, it is not necessary to hold the dies stationary to ensure permanent formation of the blank. This allows greater production speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for thermoforming a plurality of protrusions in a plastic sheet. The thermoforming apparatus comprises a pneumatic press having a pair of male and female die plates with respective projections and cavities. One of the die plates is heated. The other die plate is cooled. The cooled die plate is provided with vacuum to ensure that the thermoformed plastic sheet is held against the cooled die plate upon the opening of the press to, in turn, ensure the cooling of the plastic sheet prior to its removal.

Abstract: A press for the production of particleboard from a preformed mat of wood particles and a suitable binder has spaced apart frames aligned one after the other and first and second parallel press platens movable toward and away from each other. The improvement comprises motivating structure connected between the first press platen and at least some of the frames for moving that platen to an extended position toward the second platen and against the preformed mat to thereby close the press. Dimensionally stable support structure positioned between the press frames and the first press platen maintains that platen at its extended position while preventing bending or arching thereof. Actuator structure connected between the press frames and the second press platen moves that platen toward the first platen and against the preformed mat while maintaining the second platen substantially parallel to the first to thereby press the preformed mat.

Abstract: A tortilla making apparatus having first and second cooking and compressing surfaces reciprocally mounted relative to each other and a feeding means reciprocally mounted with the first surface for feeding dough to be heated and compressed and for ejecting finished tortillas.

Abstract: A press includes a frame, a flywheel, a motor for driving the flywheel, and a shaft. A clutch and brake assembly is provided which is actuable for engaging and disengaging the shaft to the flywheel. An eccentric is journaled upon the shaft and rotates therewith. The eccentric rotates in a block which is slidably mounted in a head to permit the block to move laterally within the head. The head is vertically movable in response to vertical movements of the block. The press also includes an upper die which is mounted on the head and a lower die which is resiliently supported upwardly on a base. Movement of the head engages and disengages the upper die and lower die. One embodiment of the press includes a second set of dies mounted to the head for cutting a continuous sheet of material into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for holding and feeding a continuous sheet (12) of plastic in an operation such as thermoforming. Articulations (13), such as alternating waveforms, are formed on the edges of the plastic sheet (12) by heating and pressing the edges, producing inwardly facing abutment surface at the edges of the sheet. The sheet is then passed into slots (34) in guide rails (32) with the inside surfaces (35) of the guide rails (32) engaging the abutment surfaces on the plastic sheet (12) to prevent the sheet from slipping out of the guide rails. The plastic sheet is thereby held firmly so that it can be passed through such thermoforming operations as heating in an oven (14), forming with a mold at a forming station (40), and cutting the formed articles away from the remainder of the sheet by a trim press (53).

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a video disc caddy sleeve comprising folding platens, an intermediate spacer plate with indentations on the leading edge, and a selective heating means. Spacer plate causes plastic sheet to bend in the middle while folding platens close to a folded up position. Indentations on the leading edge act to keep label, already adhered to plastic sheet, from tearing while sheet is being bent into a U-shaped enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a disc record package from a flat plastic sheet, comprising a narrow intermediate section interposed between a pair of panel portions. The apparatus includes a housing, a pair of substantially rigid planar folding plates pivotally mounted for movement, a rigid spacer plate, a means for selectively heating the narrow intermediate section of the said flat plastic sheet, and a means for folding the said rigid planar folding plates. The folding plates are operable between a spreadout co-planar position and a folded up juxtaposed position. The rigid spacer plate acts to form the central portion of the folded plastic sheet during the molding operation. The means for moving the said spacer plate and folding plates are pneumatically operated cylinders.

Abstract: Between a pre-shaping device and a pressing device for tampons there is interposed a delivery device. The longer parallel legs of the L-shaped pressing jaws are set at a distance which corresponds to the diameter of the tampon. The shorter legs of the pressing jaws are oriented towards the longer leg of the other pressing jaw. The width of the pressing jaws corresponds at least to the length of the tampon and of the withdrawal cord. The delivery device is arranged for reciprocating movement transversely of the pressing jaws and has a transmitting channel which corresponds to the opened pressing device as well as a receiving channel which corresponds to the closed pressing device. Also interposed along with the delivery device, and in alignment with the transmitting channel, there is a transmitting device, and there is also a transmitting device in alignment with the receiving channel and the ejecting channel.

Abstract: Deep-drawing machine for manufacturing containers out of thermoplastic foil material having an arrangement for inserting into the hollow mold prior to the deep drawing step a banderole-shaped strip section. The machine includes support means for a roll of foil material, means for transporting the foil material, a heating arrangement as well as a forming arrangement and said forming arrangement consists of a stationary counter mold and the hollow mold movable perpendicular to the foil plane, which is pressed against a counter mold after the heating of the foil. After the container is formed by means of a pressure medium, the strip sections, which have been introduced into the hollow mold, are sealed onto the container. The arrangement for inserting the banderole-shaped strip sections into the hollow mold includes a winding mandrel which is stationary with respect to the axially movable hollow mold.

Abstract: A vulcanizing press for vulcanizing flat articles having locking pawls for locking the pressing plates of the press at a certain distance from each other in the closed vulcanizing position of the press. By letting one of the pressing plates being without heating elements and carrying an inflatable member such as a membrane driven by a pressure fluid which membrane in the closed position of the press is positioned and adapted to supply a uniform pressure substantially over the whole flat side of the vulcanizing article positioned between the pressing plates is obtained an even surface pressure all over the textile side of the vulcanizing article substantially independent of the thickness of the article and without use of toggle mechanisms or high power hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a thin-walled article comprising a frame providing a forming station for positioning a preheated sheet of thermoplastic material, first and second mold sections mounted on the frame in opposed relation with the forming station disposed therebetween, the first mold section having a forming cavity therein, the second mold section having a forming portion insertable in the forming cavity of the first mold section when the mold sections are displaced toward each other, the forming portion of the second mold section having at least one wall cooperable with at least one wall of the forming cavity of the first mold section when a preheated sheet of thermoplastic material is positioned at the forming station and the mold sections are displaced toward each other for sequentially shearing a blank from the preheated sheet of thermoplastic material and compressing the blank between the mold sections to cause the blank material to flow and form the article, means for ejecting the formed article fr

Abstract: A press includes a frame, a flywheel, a motor for driving the flywheel, and a shaft. A clutch is provided which is actuable for engaging the shaft to the flywheel. An eccentric is journaled upon the shaft and rotates therewith. The eccentric rotates in a block which is slidably mounted in a head to permit the block to move laterally within the head. The head is vertically movable in response to vertical movements of the block. The press also includes an upper die which is mounted on the head and a lower die which is resiliently supported upwardly on a base. Movement of the head engages and disengages the upper die and lower die.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of making socketed pipe-fittings of synthetic plastics material by injection moulding. Prior to starting the injection moulding process a sealing ring is held in somewhat pinched condition with reduced outer diameter at the level of means to be formed on the socket for receiving the sealing ring. During the injection moulding process the sealing ring is held in this condition and is isolated from the moulding cavity. After sufficient, but incomplete cooling of the socket formed, the sealing ring receiving means are partially and temporarily deformed, and the sealing ring is released to enable it to spring into the partially deformed ring receiving means. Thereafter the ring receiving means reassume their original form, thereby firmly gripping the sealing ring.

Abstract: A folding apparatus and method for folding a flat sheet so that an exact interior height is provided between the two folded portions is disclosed. The flat sheet is folded about a shim having a folding edge which is rounded and which has a thickness corresponding to the desired interior height. The flat shim is positioned on the flat sheet with the edge of the shim located along the line where the fold in the sheet is to be made. Initially, the portion of the sheet away from the shim is folded approximately 90.degree. by tangential bending on the folding edge of the shim. Next, a die having a facing edge mating with the folding edge of the shim is pushed onto the folding edge of the shim. The portion of the sheet which was folded 90.degree. is thus folded onto the top of the shim to approximately 180.degree.. With this two step folding, an exact interior height adjacent the fold is provided.

Abstract: A film stretching unit movably positioned adjacent to an existing calender installation is described which includes a plurality of strecthing rollers having internal rotary joints for circulating a heating fluid therethrough. Alternate rollers are movable vertically without needing to change their rotational speed in order to easily thread the film through the stretching rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the tolerances regarding the shape and dimensions of an elongated vibrated concrete article made in a mold after removing the article from the mold, making it possible to achieve close tolerances even when using a rather wet concrete composition optimized as regards strength. According to the invention, the article, before hardening, is brought into engagement with one long side of a straight-edge rule for being shaped thereby, the article is pressed on its end surfaces to a predetermined length, and the cross-sectional shape of the article is adjusted to agree with the intended cross-sectional shape while keeping the article in engagement with the rule and pressing it on the end surfaces.

Abstract: An arrangement for introducing banderoles into receptacles by means of suction mandrels which are mounted in a plurality of members having guide passages. The suction mandrels are slidably mounted in the members which are disposed along two parallel lines. Cut banderoles are fed into the guide passages of the plurality of members from the same side. The banderoles are cut by knives and fed by pairs of feed rollers which knives and feed rollers are mounted in blocks. The distance between the cutting edge of a knife and inlet generatrix of a guide passage is slightly less than the length of a cut banderole. The suction mandrel has two suction zones. The first zone is coupled with a source of vacuum during rotation of the mandrel subsequent to the cutting of the banderole until complete looping thereof, as well as during transfer of the looped banderole into the mold; the second zone is coupled with a source of vacuum only at the end of rotation of the mandrel and during said transfer to the mold.

Abstract: Improvement for forming machine by preventing the softened thermoplastic material sheet from dangling and unevenly stretching between a pair of clamp chains, which are extended on a plurality of sprocket wheels to be intermittently driven so that the upper run thereof may receive and keep the sheet stationary in the waiting zone of the machine when the male and female die boxes are contacted for molding and then feeding the sheet between the separated die boxes. The improvement comprises a plurality of longitudinally elongated supporter means such as endless strings or a series of small discs arranged longitudinally close with each other in said waiting zone, and a plurality of bores formed in the lower die box for blowing air in the molding zone.

Abstract: A press of improved moldability and operation efficiency, including an upper movable die having a concave bottom surface, a lower, stationary arc having a convex top surface conforming to the concave bottom surface of the upper die, a blank holder arranged around the lower die for vertical sliding movement, and a blank support lever arm pivotally mounted on top of the blank holder. The blank holder is normally held raised by cushion means in such a position that its top surface is lower than the crest of the convex top surface of the lower die. The blank support lever arm is normally biased to a horizontal position to support a blank in a horizontal position in co-operation with the crest of the lower die and is tilted down by the upper die in downstroke movement out of its path, allowing the blank to be pressed down.

Abstract: Plastic web advancing apparatus for thermoforming equipment wherein the plastic web is indexed by being pulled between a three-roller arrangement located on the downstream side of a forming press. The rollers are driven by a stepping motor for intermittent indexing of the web through the press. Upstream of the forming press, the web is threadedly received between a pair of relatively movable clamping rollers which upon cyclical opening of the forming press are used to tension and feed the web in conjunction with the three-roller arrangement on the downstream end of the press. Upon closing of the press, the upstream clamping rollers are moved away from each other to release the web, enabling the web to shift and diagonally position its edges in alignment with the forming dies in the press.

Abstract: A device for expanding heat-shrinkable polymer tubes includes inlet and outlet chambers coaxially and consecutively arranged for immediate contact in the direction of tube advancement. Each chamber is made up of adjoining bushes having threads at the inner surface thereof. The threads of adjacent bushes of each chamber are of the opposite direction. A group of bushes of each chamber having a common thread direction is provided with an independent rotating drive.

Abstract: A device for supplying a piece of preformed synthetic resin to the next process line in an apparatus for producing a bottle-shaped blow-molded container of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate by overturning the piece from neck portion upward position into neck portion downward position, engaging the piece thus overturned to neck portion downward position with orienting jigs held at equidistant central angles at the peripheral edge of a turntable rotating at constant speed in predetermined direction, and supplying the piece held at the jigs around the turntable to a next process line adjacent to the turntable. Thus, the pieces can be continuously rapidly and exactly supplied to the next stage or line.

Abstract: A clamp for feeding an elastomeric strip to a flat platten press without substantial tensile stress has a frame slidably mounted on its supporting members. The clamp has two facing jaws disposed on opposite sides of the path followed by the strip as it is moved to between the jaws. The clamp is moved relative to its support members by a plurality of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies disposed with their axes disposed in two planes which are parallel to the plane of the path followed by the strip.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for folding food articles in sheet form such as crepes, includes allowing a crepe to drop by gravity from the end of an upper conveyor on which the crepe is transported from a cooking apparatus, catching the crepe in a hollow casing configured to cause the crepe to fold over on itself along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of the crepe on the conveyor, and passing the folded crepe, folded edge first, between the bite of a pair of vertically displaced, horizontally disposed feed rollers, whose axes are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the crepe on the conveyor, for feeding the folded crepe onto the upper surface of a lower conveyor. To facilitate the folding operation, the crepes traveling on the upper conveyor may be softened prior to the folding operation by passing the crepes through a humidifying tunnel.

Abstract: Apparatus for vacuum molding a plurality of three dimensional geometrical shapes in a thermoplastic polymeric sheet having a molding plate, the surface of which has a plurality of three dimensional geometrical shapes, with said molding plate having an enclosing border, a molding face and a non-molding face; a gas orifice extending through the molding plate so that a gas can flow from one face of the molding plate to the other face; a mechanism to move the molding plate along a predetermined path; a mechanism to maintain a thermoplastic polymeric sheet, heated to a plastic condition, adjoining the moving molding plate molding face; a mechanism to releasably seal the heated polymeric sheet to and all around the molding plate border; a vacuum source to remove gas, from between the heated polymeric sheet and the molding face of the molding plate, through the gas orifice whereby exterior pressure can force the heated sheet against the molding face surface; and a mechanism for removing the molded sheet, after it co

Abstract: A center fold is produced in a floppy disc envelope by partially folding a pre-cut sheet of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having two spaced center holes. The center holes are forced over a precision pedestal affixed to a flat support surface. A first fold bar is lowered against the partially folded sheet, flattening first and second sections of the sheet on each side of a fold line against the support surface, producing a fold of controlled radius. A heat lamp is utilized to anneal the fold for a predetermined time, after which the fold bar is raised. A flap extending from the first section of the sheet is folded back against the second section of the sheet by means of an apparatus including a flat support, a precision pedestal for aligning and retaining the partially folded envelope, and a second fold bar having a lip for engaging the edge of the flap.

Abstract: The fibrous structure of a non-woven mat is disrupted by an apparatus comprising at least one roll which has one or more upraised ribs in a chevron pattern extending helically around the roll. In processing, the mat passes under tension over at least a portion of at least one chevron roll and preferably over two chevron rolls which may or may not be intermeshing. Thereafter, the mat may be crushed or crimped by being fed through to intermeshing third and fourth chevron rolls. Additional rolls may be supplied to exert tension. The mat which exits from the apparatus has a disrupted fibrous structure and is a superior skeleton within a structure such as a polymeric foam board.

Abstract: An inplace gasket belling machine wherein a plastic pipe is received in a tilt clamp fixture and tilted thereon for receiving a heating bell on one end portion of the pipe. Heated fluid is directed over the inserted pipe end portion. The heating bell may be withdrawn from the pipe in intermittent steps to afford a temperature gradient along the pipe end portion. The pipe is then tilted to a horizontal disposition for the insertion of a gasket belling mandrel into the heated end portion of the pipe. A gasket magazine is supported adjacent the mandrel for automatically placing an annular gasket on the mandrel for insertion into the pipe end portion. The mandrel includes an outer housing and a mandrel body portion telescopically received within the outer housing. The outer housing has a stop shoulder and a gasket positioning sleeve extended forwardly therefrom. The mandrel body portion has a flared pipe expanding portion and a gasket carrying portion rearwardly thereof.

Abstract: In a method of injection-moulding articles of plastics material onto a preformed web inserted into the mould, the web is held under substantially constant tension during the closing of the mould, between a pair of clamps, the proximal clamp being fixed relative to the mould and the distal clamp free but bearing a load to furnish the desired tension in the web. The load may be imposed by a weight attached to the distal clamp, conveniently by means of an electromagnet.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading and unloading a press having vertically movable die halves comprises a frame positioned adjacent the press, a movable carriage mounted in the frame for longitudinal movement toward and away from the press, and a blank holding table mounted in the movable carriage for rotation about a horizontal axis, with a gripping mechanism for holding blanks being mounted on one side of the table and a nesting device for holding finished products being mounted on the other side of the table. The gripping mechanism holds blanks in a position that duplicates the charge placement pattern in the mold. The apparatus is operated by a control mechanism such that after blanks are placed in the gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism is actuated to hold them to the table and the table is turned upside down. The table is then extended to a position between the separated halves of the die, and the gripping mechanism is released, causing the blanks to be transferred to the lower mold cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming articles from the thermoplastic sheet is combined with a plastic sheet extruder for the purpose of producing articles efficiently and economically. Such forming machine is operated intermittently and periodically while the extruder continuously extrudes the plastic sheet so that it is necessary to provide any countermeasure for settling the discrepancy to be caused in the sheet movement. The countermeasure is provided by making the extruder longitudinally movable so that when the forming machine is in its molding operation where the opposed two dies thereof are engaged the extruder is retracted so as to receive the extruded plastic sheet on the carrier extended between the two for supplying the length of the plastic sheet to the forming machine in its unoperated position where the opposed dies are separated for receiving said supply therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for press forming shadow masks comprises a press unit for press forming mask blanks, a feeder unit for automatically feeding the blanks, one by one, to the lower die of the press unit, and a takeout unit for automatically removing formed masks from the press unit. The feeder unit includes a pallet for supporting a stack of mask blanks and a pad beam for supplying the blanks, one by one, from the pallet to the lower die. The pallet and the lower die are provided with locating means, respectively, for the mask blanks and the pad beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for cold-forming a thermoplastic sheet to provide a circular container part such as a lid or dish comprising opposing concentric die members for engaging a sheet of thermoplastic material, the sheet being drawn around the circular edge of one of the die members to provide a concentric central portion and a concentric annular depending skirt having a proximal edge adjacent the central portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal free edge, providing an annular void in the die members adjacent the skirt. Apparatus is provided for moving the free edge toward the proximal edge while holding the proximal edge to buckle the intermediate portion into the void. The void has a tapered surface inclining radially outwardly and axially toward the proximal edge to hold the free edge radially inwardly, thereby to permit the intermediate portion to buckle outwardly into the void.

Abstract: Sheet supporting apparatus for a continuous sheet, differential pressure thermoforming machine comprising laterally spaced apart sheet support members for supporting the lateral edges of a formable sheet and for moving the sheet in a forward path of travel. The apparatus includes an open top, air receiving, sheet support box disposed interjacent the laterally spaced sheet support members upstream of a differential pressure mold, and mechanism for introducing air under pressure to the inside of the box for supporting a midportion of the sheet of plastic.

Abstract: The ability to maintain a constant differential between modification ratios of trilobal filaments under cospinning conditions is provided by spinning a filament of lower modification ratio through a spinneret orifice consisting of three radially intersecting tapered slots and a filament of a higher modification ratio through a spinneret orifice configured as three radially intersecting reverse-tapered slots. The orifices configured as three radially reverse-tapered slots provide a high modification ratio with low sensitivity to normal spinning process fluctuations which in combination with orifices having tapered slots for filaments of lower modification ratio facilitate maintenance of a more constant differential in modification ratios between the filaments.

Abstract: Apparatus for transversely stretching a travelling web of flexible material particularly of extruded plastics netting comprising a pair of travelling conveyor means for restraining the longitudinal web margins from moving laterally inwardly and opposed banks of staggered wheels or endless belts between which the web passes while in the grip of the conveyor means and which press on opposite surfaces of the web at alternate spaced locations across its width to transversely stretch the web.

Abstract: In the formation of an elastomeric tube or the like on a toroidal core, elastomeric material is applied to the core generally along one side of the core, and force-applying means are utilized to press annular portions of the so-deposited elastomeric material onto the core. Cutting means are also included for cutting away elastomeric material not deposited on the core. The core and elastomeric material deposited thereon are then turned over and the operation is repeated, whereby elastomeric tube means or the like are provided on the toroidal core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a coiled slide-fastener filament, according to which an initially straight portion of the filament is deformed into a filament portion of substantially V-shaped configuration having a tooth formed at the crest where the legs of the V-shaped filament portion intersect, with these legs then being pushed together into side-by-side relation while being advanced into a gap between a pair of teeth of a gear-setting wheel.

Abstract: In a thermoforming machine for forming products from plastic sheets or the like, two shuttles or sheet-carrying frames shuttle interchangeably between a feeding station and a forming and loading station, with the shuttle which carries the sagging heated sheet passing under the oppositely moving shuttle. At opposite ends of a transverse axis at the longitudinal center of each shuttle, pivotal connections are provided to vertically looped drive chains so that the shuttle can remain right-side up as it follows the looped path of its chains. Rails are provided which support the shuttles and maintain them horizontal as they move. At the forming and loading station, snorkels engage the shuttle stopped there to provide suitable air pressure and discharge connections for operating sheet clamps by double-acting cylinders. The snorkels thrust the shuttle rearwardly against a ratchet, for accurate stop-positioning between snug side-cams.

Abstract: Oriented articles such as jars and the like having wall sections of exceptional uniformity are thermoformed from sheet by heating the sheet to orientation temperature and stretching it with a plug assist which has a concave surface with a flat face around the periphery thereof terminating in a radius of 1/64 to 1/4-inch. This configuration allows a controlled amount of slippage to occur as the plug advances to stretch the sheet.

Abstract: A panning system for a full-automatic white bread production line is composed of a cylindrical dough piece selector which detects cylindrical dough pieces in a molder which are transferred one by one intermittently and selects and removes the cylindrical dough pieces longer than a predetermined length or making a narrow pitch with a preceeding cylindrical dough piece; a centering machine which transfers the selected cylindrical dough pieces, and detects lateral deviations in the column of the detected dough pieces to correct them by the deviating amount; a bending machine which bends the cylindrical dough pieces transferred them into the determined shapes; and, a circular table panning machine for receiving the bent dough pieces one by one and moving them successively to charge simultaneously a plurality of the dough pieces into a bread pan.

Abstract: In continuous blow molding machinery employing a series of carriers successively traversing a closed path between preform loading, molding and molded article eject stations, an upwardly inclined removal ramp in the path of underblown parts but clear of the carriers is provided between the molding and loading stations for automatically removing such parts from the carriers. The method involves continuously stripping such parts before the loading station by elevating them relative to a rod portion of the carrier via interfering engagement with such ramp.

Abstract: A carriage, including a parison holding device, is mounted for movement between the oven and the mold to transfer a parison therebetween. A power actuated device such as a piston and cylinder unit has an actuated element connected to the carriage through a displacement multiplication arrangement so that the carriage moves a greater distance then the actuated element, thereby increasing the displacement of and reducing the acceleration forces on the carriage relative to the actuated element.

Abstract: An attachment for a plastic pipe bending machine for automatically and precisely enlarging the end portions of formed plastic pipe for interconnection with other like plastic pipe of same outside diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding workpieces to and discharging formed articles from a blow mold station generally comprising base means reciprocally movable above a blow mold having one or more pairs of feed and discharge openings and including stop means for temporarily obstructing passage of a workpiece through said feed opening, means for limiting the movement of said stop means and further resilient means associated with said base means to allow continued movement of the portion of the base means containing said opening after said stop means has stopped so as to remove the obstruction at said feed opening provided by said stop means and thereby allow the workpiece to continue through the opening into the blow mold.

Abstract: A lateral transfer preform loading method and apparatus for stretch blow molding machines. The method of the present invention incorporates the principle of laterally shuttling a set of finished products from a mold assembly and simultaneously shuttling laterally a set of preforms into the mold assembly. The first named set of finished products is discharged while the aforementioned preforms are going through a stretch blow molding operation to produce a second set of finished products. The second named set of finished products is then shuttled laterally from the mold assembly while simultaneously another set of preforms is moved laterally into operative relationship with the mold assembly. The aforementioned simultaneous steps of loading and unloading the mold assembly are continuously repeated. The mold assembly may be provided with one or more molds. The method may be carried out with a plurality of mold assemblies.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for molding a product and the product produced thereby and involves delivering a supported body or mass of material that may be molded such as mineral fibers impregnated with a binder into a contoured molding facility, the body or mass of material being compressed and shaped to the mold contour, the binder set or cured and the molded product removed from the mold concomitantly with the advance of a succeeding supported mass or body of moldable mineral into the molding facility.