Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus including an auxiliary vacuum chamber and a main vacuum chamber is used for transferring an uneven pattern to a disk substrate with a stamper. The auxiliary vacuum chamber is vacuumized or opened to air because the disk substrate is conveyed to and from the vacuum transfer apparatus through the auxiliary vacuum chamber. The disk substrate conveyed to the auxiliary vacuum chamber and then to the main vacuum chamber after the auxiliary vacuum chamber is vacuumized. In the main vacuum chamber, transferring of the uneven pattern with the stamper, curing of UV-curable resin, and removal of the stamper are performed to provide a disk substrate with the uneven pattern. Then, the disk substrate is conveyed from the vacuum transfer apparatus through the auxiliary vacuum chamber. An operation at the auxiliary-vacuum-chamber side and an operation at the main-vacuum-chamber side are performed in parallel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: To separate resin molded parts that are used for a push button switch member with less light leakage from the side faces and less trouble in key operation, easily, a resin molded body comprises one or more resin molded parts for a push button switch member, a frame surrounding the outside of the resin molded parts, one or more gates connecting a plurality of the resin molded parts each other or the resin molded part to the frame and one or more runners crossing the longitudinal direction of the gates, wherein the gates are connected at the back faces of the resin molded parts not to be coated with light shielding paint, and wherein the runners are connected to the gates on the same surfaces as the resin molded parts are connected to and are connecting the opposing sides of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for shaping multiple expended thermoplastic containers, specifically plastic bottles into rock shapes by placing the expended plastic bottles into a partitioned tray which is placed onto the top surface of a lift table secured to a jack mounted on a four-wheel dolly and heating the plastic bottles to a malleable state. The lift table is then rolled into an open face shaping chamber that has angle irons secured on the interior sides near the top of the chamber to support and allow a removable tray to which real rocks of different shapes and sizes have been secured to be slid into the chamber with the rocks pointing downward from the tray into the chamber. The lift table with the heated malleable bottles is jacked upward toward and into the real rocks until the bottles take the shapes of the real rocks. Then the table is lowered and wheeled out of the shaping chamber.

Abstract: Methods of producing silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses include contacting one or more delensed silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant. The methods can be steps of an extraction/hydration procedure used in the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In some examples, contacting silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens products with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant can significantly reduce or prevent surface distortion of the ophthalmic lens resulting from the extraction procedure. Some methods include subsequently contacting the silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition consisting essentially of water and a surfactant.

Abstract: To separate resin molded parts that are used for a push button switch member with less light leakage from the side faces and less trouble in key operation, easily, a resin molded body comprises one or more resin molded parts for a push button switch member, a frame surrounding the outside of the resin molded parts, one or more gates connecting a plurality of the resin molded parts each other or the resin molded part to the frame and one or more runners crossing the longitudinal direction of the gates, wherein the gates are connected at the back faces of the resin molded parts not to be coated with light shielding paint, and wherein the runners are connected to the gates on the same surfaces as the resin molded parts are connected to and are connecting the opposing sides of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing pellets from plastic material or from material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a continuous casting device (1) from which at least one strand (2) of the material to be pelletized is issued, and a belt conveyor (3) comprising at least one conveying belt (4) on which the strand (2) can be fed to a pelletizer (5), said pelletizer breaking the strand up into pellets (6). The invention is characterized in that the belt conveyor (3) has a switchable direction of conveyance of the conveying belt (4), a direction of feed conveyance towards the pelletizer (5) and a direction of discharge conveyance away from the pelletizer (5). The invention also relates to a method for operating said device.

Abstract: (A1) Translate this text A plastic film (1) is drawn by a method different from a conventional one. The plastic film is intermittently fed in the longitudinal direction. A drawing member and a support base are installed in a plastic film feeding path, oppositely to each other, on both sides of the plastic film in the thickness direction. When the plastic film is temporarily stopped, the drawing member advances toward the support base between the lateral both side edges of the plastic film and is pressed against the plastic film and the support base to draw the plastic film in the longitudinal direction. Then, the drawing member retreats from the support base, and is separated from the plastic film.

Abstract: A molding apparatus can include a primary mold, a stripper, and a swinging member. The swinging member can comprise a molding surface defining an undercut portion of a molded item. The swinging member can directly contact or attached to the stripper and the primary mold. To facilitate removal of a molded item, the swinging member can withdraw through a hole in the primary mold as a direct result of a motion of the stripper to pull the molded item off the primary mold. The molded item can then be easily removed.

Abstract: An automatic gathering pre-shape machine has a main body and a gathering device. The main body can make plastic films formed into a circular shape with an annular flange formed around a top edge of the film. The gathering device allows a pre-shaped plastic film be blown toward an outer end of the barrel to hit a block wall and drop and mount around a tip portion of corresponding shelf to be gathered. Consequently, the plastic film may easily and automatically be gathered from the main body. Therefore, the plastic films can be kept from being damaged and the pre-shaping process is accelerated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing elongate variably shaped bodies at least partially comprising thermoplastic material a profile is extruded from an extrusion system head and engaged in a flexible conduit created by cavities formed inside a series of calibration plates attached flexibly together. The calibration plates slide freely over a rotating mold to adopt the shape of the mold's outer contour. The profile is driven through the flexible conduit and winded around the rotating mould like coils. In an embodiment of the apparatus and method, the profile is winded around a size-variable mould creating three-dimensional objects in real time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extruding curved extruded profiles. The extruded profile is formed in a matrix mounted upstream in a counter beam of an extruder system and is subsequently curved or bent due to the effect of external forces and separated, supported and arranged into partial lengths in the extrusion flow by means of a separating robot connected to a higher control mechanism and is discharged to a storage area with the aid of a handling robot. The handling robot is coupled to the separating robot by means of the control mechanism and, like the separating robot, is moved into a starting position in front of the extrusion press.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods of producing a composition, such as, but not limited to, a polyimide composition. The methods in their most general form comprise providing a workpiece, suspending the workpiece and subjecting the suspended workpiece to processing such that the workpiece undergoes a transformation from a first state to a second state. By maintaining the workpiece in a suspended state during processing, processing-related defects are reduced or eliminated. Using such methods, the present disclosure provides compositions that are have no or reduced processing-related defects. In addition, the compositions are more consistent in chemical and physical properties and are cheaper and more economical to produce (since less product is rejected as unsuitable).

Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.

Abstract: To separate resin molded parts that are used for a push button switch member with less light leakage from the side faces and less trouble in key operation, easily, a resin molded body comprises one or more resin molded parts for a push button switch member, a frame surrounding the outside of the resin molded parts, one or more gates connecting a plurality of the resin molded parts each other or the resin molded part to the frame and one or more runners crossing the longitudinal direction of the gates, wherein the gates are connected at the back faces of the resin molded parts not to be coated with light shielding paint, and wherein the runners are connected to the gates on the same surfaces as the resin molded parts are connected to and are connecting the opposing sides of the frame.

Abstract: A block texture-modifying apparatus for modifying the surface texture of blocks. The apparatus comprises a block support, a block-texture-modifying assembly and a translational movement assembly. The block support supports the blocks thereon. The block-texture-modifying assembly engages the blocks on the support. The translational movement assembly provides a translational movement between the blocks on the support and the block-texture-modifying assembly. The block-texture-modifying assembly acts on the blocks it engaged during this translational movement in order to modify their respective surface texture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a sheet of polymeric material, such as polycarbonate. A forming mold is provided having halves that engage for forming a heated sheet therebetween. Each of the halves defines an interior cavity having a peripheral edge. The sheet is retained between the peripheral edges of the halves and a vacuum is generated within one of the cavities for drawing the sheet therein, whereby a sensing mechanism detects a draw depth for initiating a cooling mechanism to cool the sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the material. A series of retention mechanisms are provided about the peripheral edge of one of the halves, for biasing the sheet into engagement with the peripheral edge of the opposing half. A trimming mechanism is further provided for trimming the perimeter of the sheet to a desired form.

Abstract: Isothermal imprint embossing system. In one embodiment, the system includes a heater to pre-heat a disk substrate to an embossing temperature, a die assembly with an embossing foil to imprint the embossable film disposed on the disk substrate, and a heat tunnel disposed between the heater and the die assembly to maintain the embossing temperature.

Abstract: An assembly device includes: a push-in unit provided in a vertically movable tool base to push a ceramic catalyst carrier together with a support mat into a recession of a shaping die; a first and second pressing units for pressing both end portions of the mat from side faces to curve them along an arc-shaped upper surface of the carrier; pressure rollers provided at the both pressing units to press the both end portions toward the carrier; a tape presser in the push-in unit for pressing an adhesive tape to an upper surfaces of engagement portions of the depression and projection in a gap formed between the both rollers and operating with the push-in unit in pushing the carrier and mat into the recession of the shaping die; and a push-up unit provided on a bottom of the recession to push up the carrier and mat.

Abstract: A three-dimensional hard copy apparatus including: a shape forming unit including plural display pins having a contact unit, which selectively contacts a thermoplastic sheet, and moves relative to a display surface and is capable of forming a predetermined pattern; a drive unit that selectively drives the plural display pins; a lock sheet that holds the positions of the plural display pins; and a fan that moves the thermoplastic sheet in a direction of the shape forming unit and brings the thermoplastic sheet into press contact with the shape forming unit, wherein the apparatus forms the predetermined pattern with the shape forming unit, holds the plural display pins with the lock sheet, and brings the thermoplastic sheet and the shape forming unit with the fan to mold a pattern of a shape matching the predetermined pattern, which is formed by the shape forming unit, on the thermoplastic sheet.

Abstract: Blanks (12) of thermoplastic material are heated, and a thermoforming step is performed in which the heated blanks are deformed plastically by stretching. Before the thermoforming step, a die-punching step is performed in which the peripheral regions of the blanks are deformed by die-punching while the material of the blanks is held captive on the outside. The installation includes heater means (16) for heating said blanks, thermoforming means (24), and a die-punching tool (26, 28) suitable for deforming the peripheral regions of the blanks before they are thermoformed.

Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expansion tube that has a plurality of expansion slits on the outer peripheral surface thereof long a longitudinal direction, each of the expansion slits having a predetermined width and a relatively larger length than the predetermined width, and an apparatus for manufacturing a heat shrinkable tube, having the expansion tube, that can regularly and fast expand the heat shrinkable tube, and after the expansion, regularly and fast cool the heat shrinkable tube by the cooling water sprayed through the slits, thereby rapidly and stably manufacturing the heat shrinkable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a template in order to attenuate if not prevent distortions in an underlying pattern formed by the template. To that end, the system features a compression device that includes a pair of spaced-apart contact members to compress a perimeter surface of the template between the pair of spaced-apart contact members. The compression device includes first and second bodies, each has a contact member and an actuator arm. One of the actuator arms is coupled to the first body to reciprocate about an axis in response to variations of a volume of a bladder disposed adjacent to the actuator arm. In this manner, the distance between the two contact members may be varied.

Abstract: A method and a molding tool for producing containers from a thermoplastic plastic film. The method and tool permit the production of containers having a hollow floor and a double-walled standing base, with a seal between the two walls of the standing base. The method permits the production of such a container in large piece numbers, and with a high quality, and allows it to be transferred reliably into a stacking device. The components of the molding tool are subjected to low wear, and the molding tool is unsusceptible to contamination. These features are attained by a constant contact between the mold floor and the container floor between the shaping and stacking processes, and by the creation of a space between the inside wall of the standing base and the outside wall of the mold floor prior to the ejection of the container, the space also permitting the unmolding of a standing base that has a more pronounced undercut or a slightly conical shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of forming articles includes a press having a pair of opposite platens. An articulated clamping frame is mounted between the platens, each of which are moveable toward and away from the clamping frame. Material to be formed is clamped into the clamping frames and the articulated clamping frame is wrapped around the die as the die forms the material. The formed article is extracted from the die by moving the clamping frame away from the die.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making slotted tubular dunnage in which a resilient plastic tube having a pair of flanges at opposite sides extending along the length of the tube is held by gripping the flanges at opposite sides of the tube and squeezing sides of the tube together. The apparatus then moves the tube into a slotting position between a steel rule die and a kissing plate while holding the tube with the sides squeezed together. The apparatus then shifts the die against and through the sides of the tube forming a slot therein surrounding a cutout slug of the tube. The apparatus then withdraws the die from the tube while retaining the slug within the slot and moves the tube to a discharged position and discontinues the squeezing of the tube.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for use in the production of high strength plastic materials which can be used in the construction arts. The system and method includes a central rotary mold element which has vacuum means and cooling means placed inside thereof. Heating elements are positioned exteriorly of the rotary mold. Treated long fiber sheets are introduced to the rotary mold and combined with plastic sheets which are also fed to the mold.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for use in the production of high strength plastic materials which can be used in the construction arts. The system and method includes a central rotary mold element which has vacuum means and cooling means placed inside thereof. Heating elements are positioned exteriorly of the rotary mold. Treated long fiber sheets are introduced to the rotary mold and combined with plastic sheets which are also fed to the mold.

Abstract: Thin and light molded parts released from a die are prevented from sticking by static electricity, by forming the recovery chute of molded part with fine wire gauze. The recovery receptacle 16, 17 for molded parts, molded parts introduction tube 23 and recovery cup 24 of rejected molded parts are made respectively by forming into a cylindrical shape with a wire gauze, metal lath, or punching plate.

Abstract: A dough cutting apparatus is disclosed including a plurality of dough cutting members (6), each of which is adapted for cutting a desired shape out of a strip of dough. Each dough cutting member is spaced apart from an adjacent cutting member by a predetermined distance so that when each cutting member cuts a dough cut-out from the strip of dough, there is a relatively narrow web (101) of waste dough produced in the region between adjacent dough cutting members. There is also a waste dough web removing apparatus (50) which has a plurality of fingers (51, 52, 53) for urging the waste dough web upwardly for separation from the dough cut-outs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine includes a loading station configured to load a thermoplastic billet onto a frame. The frame has an outer ring and a billet support blade defining a channel therebetween. The billet support blade engages the billet to maintain the billet on the frame during heating of the billet. A heating apparatus is configured to heat the billet and a forming station is configured to form the billet into a container.

Abstract: A method for roughing surfaces and edges of concrete casted blocks, comprising a block support surface having a plurality of surface sections. A first of the surface sections has a rear end thereof above an adjacent front end of a second of the surface sections to create a ledge for projecting a leading edge portion of concrete blocks conveyed over the first surface section. A first roughing device has a plurality of impacting elements thereon for roughing concrete blocks. The first roughing device is disposed generally above the rear end of the first surface section for abrading a projecting leading edge portion of each concrete block as they are conveyed over the rear end. A conveyor displaces concrete blocks over the first and second surface sections, the blocks being tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge to avoid being abraded by the roughing device.

Abstract: A method for treating the surfaces and edges of a block to mimic the appearance of natural stone. The apparatus and method can treat up to four sides of a block, can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of surface and edge treatment, and useful in high volume block production equipment. Blocks are produced having a natural, weathered appearance without the damage, breakage, dust, or expense associated with conventional splitting and tumbling methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to Apparatus for molding a receptacle fitted with a covering label. The technical field of the invention is that of molding a receptacle out of plastics material. In a method of molding a receptacle fitted with a covering label (1b) which is inserted into the mold (93) prior to injection, the label is shaped and at least two edges of the label are joined together, after which the shaped label is placed on a male portion (91) of the mold.

Abstract: In a pressware die set, a segmented punch for fabricating a pressed disposable food service article having a substantially planar bottom portion, a sidewall and a rim portion. In one embodiment, the punch is mounted to reciprocate cyclically between an open position and a forming position about an axis of reciprocation and includes outer punch surfaces for forming the sidewall and rim portions of the pressed disposable food service articles, as well as a substantially planar punch surface suitably mounted and dimensioned to engage the substantially planar bottom portion of the disposable food service article. The improved punch includes a knock-out stripper ring juxtaposed with the substantially planar punch surface, defining a knock-out surface and which is reciprocally mounted with respect to the central substantially planar punch surface such that the knock-out surface is contiguous with the substantially planar punch surface when the punch is in a forming position.

Abstract: Extensible gripper for clamping plastics material plates on thermoforming apparatus for on-line thermoforming the plastics material plates, in which supporting assemblies support slidably with respect to a central body, sliding blocks which can be driven to project from the side of the central body, thereby providing the gripper with a length which can amount to twice the length of the central body, while providing the required gripping mechanical force on the head portions of the plastics material plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming and performing a second operation on containers, such as plastic containers. The apparatus comprises modular container processing stations. One modular station is a pretrim station including a starwheel, blade, and rollers for spinning the containers. Another modular station is a trimming station which includes a plurality of trim heads for precisely trimming containers. The trim heads include a C-knife, an inner knife, and a neck control ring assembly. Another modular station is a second station including a plurality of second station heads. The second station heads contact a trimmed container as the container is continuously spun. The integrated apparatus also includes a carousel which conveys the containers from station to station and includes a number of spindles which may spin the containers during processing. The apparatus may also include a scrap removal assembly which collects scrap rings and blows them away to a scrap collector.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating blocks, having a conveying arrangement for transporting the blocks one after the other along a treatment station in which there is arranged at least one tool holder which can be driven in circulation by means of a drive, has a longitudinal axis and on which there are fastened flexible, elongate treatment tools which have two ends and come into contact with predetermined regions of the blocks as the tool holder circulates. The flexible treatment tools are fastened in loop form, by way of the two ends, on the tool holder such that they are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the latter, with the result that they sag when the tool holder is at a standstill.

Abstract: In a pressware die set, a segmented punch for fabricating a pressed disposable food service article having a substantially planar bottom portion, a sidewall and a rim portion. In one embodiment, the punch is mounted to reciprocate cyclically between an open position and a forming position about an axis of reciprocation and includes outer punch surfaces for forming the sidewall and rim portions of the pressed disposable food service articles, as well as a substantially planar punch surface suitably mounted and dimensioned to engage the substantially planar bottom portion of the disposable food service article. The improved punch includes a knock-out stripper ring juxtaposed with the substantially planar punch surface, defining a knock-out surface and which is reciprocally mounted with respect to the central substantially planar punch surface such that the knock-out surface is contiguous with the substantially planar punch surface when the punch is in a forming position.

Abstract: The method of moving a turntable in an apparatus for molding and punching out containers from a thermoplastic plastic foil by a differential pressure is to be executed such that relatively-small gravitational forces occur as the end positions of the pivoting movement are approached. In this way, the apparatus can be operated with a high stroke number, and not necessitate complicated curved paths. This is attained through the reduction of the distance between the center of gravity of the unit comprising the turntable and the lower tool half and a fixed pivot point in the first half of the pivoting angle during the pivoting of the turntable, with the distance being increased again in the second half of the pivoting angle. This change in position supports the accelerating or braking of the turntable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a picking-up device and assembly for making a part made of a reinforced plastics material in a mold. The picking-up device includes at least one presser having a shaped front face and first needles mounted to have end portions that project beyond the front face in one position and retract so as to be set back from the front face in a second position. The picking-up device may have a base mounted to move relative to the picking-up device. A production line may be formed from use of two picking-up devices.

Abstract: A system for making aerated concrete blocks produces such blocks having at least one passageway therein. The system may include a molding station for receiving materials for making aerated concrete and for allowing the materials to rise and stiffen into a body, a dividing station downstream from the molding station for dividing the body into an array of blocks, and a curing station downstream from the dividing station for curing the array of blocks. Moreover, the manufacturing system also preferably includes a drilling station downstream from the curing station to drill the at least one passageway extending through each of the blocks. The passageways provide easier grasping by the mason, reduce the weight without significantly compromising strength, and may be aligned in a wall during construction at a building site to facilitate the placement of vertical reinforcing members in the wall. The drilling station may drill a plurality of spaced apart passageways through each block.

Abstract: A food extrusion device includes an extruding unit, a rotary unit, a material inlet, and a transfer belt.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation.

Abstract: The invention refers to a plant and a holding device in connection with heat treatment of articles (3), which is at least partly manufactured in a thermosetting composite material. The holding device, which is comprised by the plant, includes a base element (1), and intermediate element (2), which rests on the base element (1), and at least a support member (4), which is fixable to the intermediate element (2) and arranged to support said article (3) on the intermediate element during the heat treatment The intermediate element (2) is manufactured in a material which has a neglectable thermal extension at least up to a temperature level, at which the heat treatment is intended to take place. Furthermore, the intermediate element (2) is displaceably positioned on the base element (1).

Abstract: Mold press apparatus for use in the manufacture of molded articles, particularly starch-bound containers and other articles. The mold press apparatus includes a planar array of female mold halves and a corresponding planar array of male mold halves. The planar array of mold halves remain substantially coplanar throughout the process of selectively mating and separating the male and female mold halves. When used to manufacture molded articles from aqueous starch-based compositions, the molds are equipped with venting means, such as vent holes and/or a vent gap, which allow for the escape of water vapor from the mold cavities defined by the mated male/female mold pairs. A suction removal system may be used to remove the molded articles from the mold press apparatus, typically from the female mold halves. The demolded articles are deposited on a conveyor system equipped with individual nests for each article.

Abstract: Method for forming large-dimension ceramic tiles comprising at least one first pressing stage for the purpose of obtaining a not completely compacted consistent blank (5), and at least one second pressing stage for the purpose of completing the compacting of said blank following its possible surface decoration, said at least one second pressing stage being effected without any lateral retention action on the blank.