Abstract: A process for the hot moulding of articles (L) made of thermoplastic material includes the steps of: heating at least one plate of thermoplastic material (L) to a plasticizing temperature; compressing the heated plate (L) between two moulding surfaces (14, 16), set opposite one another, of a pair of half-moulds (10, 12); and forming, by injection moulding, at least one component (22) anchored to a surface of the plate (L), while the plate is being compressed between the moulding surfaces (14, 16).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a sheet of brake lining material utilizes a mold which has a mold base and a mold frame. The mold frame is slidingly received on the mold base. The sliding relationship between the mold frame and the mold base results in a mold cavity which has a variable volume. The variable volume of the mold cavity allows the cavity to adjust to the size of material initially placed in the mold cavity thereby eliminating any mold flash and/or scrap material.

Abstract: A material handling system for a hydrolyzer, comprising a material injection assembly further comprising a ram, a cylinder having a cylinder shaft for reciprocating the ram upon actuation of the cylinder shaft, a sleeve having an interior in which the ram reciprocates during use; a gate having a gate plate operable from between an open and a closed position; the gate plate has an aperture formed therethrough and the aperture is sized to enable a plug of compressed municipal solid waste to pass through it when the gate plate is in the open position; and a material exit assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a sheet of brake lining material utilizes a mold which has a mold base and a mold frame. The mold frame is slidingly received on the mold base. The sliding relationship between the mold frame and the mold base results in a mold cavity which has a variable volume. The variable volume of the mold cavity allows the cavity to adjust to the size of material initially placed in the mold cavity thereby eliminating any mold flash and/or scrap material.

Abstract: A method for forming an article in which thermoplastics materials are used as the binding agent. Materials (21) are shredded in a shredder (1), compressed in a compressing chamber (15) and moulded in a moulding chamber (16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27). The thermoplastics material is heated whilst the material is held under compression and then cooled to bind the material together. In one embodiment superheated steam is supplied via tubes (31) having apertures there along. In another embodiment superheated steam is supplied via apertures in side walls of the mould (58, 59). Blocks (62, 72) formed by the method and apparatus of the invention may find application as construction materials etc. and have good structural, thermal and acoustic properties.

Abstract: A sampling die and press for compaction of a powder sample are disclosed. The die is designed to serve both as a mold for compacting a powder sample into a tablet or caplet and as a container for sampling the powder that is to be compacted. The die is made in two pieces with the top piece of the die having a passage and the bottom piece of the die sealing the bottom opening of the passage to form a mold cavity. The invention also includes a press adapted for compacting a powder sample contained within the mold cavity of a die which serves both as a sampling container for the powder and as a mold for compaction of the powder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compressing device for performing compression operations on shaped bodies made of grainy materials. The grainy materials, e.g. wet concrete mortar, are formed into shaped bodies in the mold recesses (106) of the mold boxes by applying vibrations and compression pressure. The invention aims at providing a low-noise low-energy consuming compressing device. In order to achieve a low-noise compression operation, said mold box (106) and vibrating table (124) are rigidly clamped together and harmonic vibrating operation of the vibrating mass-spring-system is ensured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a non-gelatin hard capsule shell. The hard capsule shell is made by a heat-melting method which involves heating a capsule forming composition (preferably in powdery form) in a mold, followed by inserting a pestle into the mold to coat the melted capsule forming composition onto the pestle. The hard capsule shell thus formed, after hardened and dried, is removed from the pestle. This method has the advantages over the conventional “dip molding method” for not requiring the capsule forming composition to be pre-dissolved in solution so that no solvent is used in preparing the capsule forming composition. Also, by inserting a pestle into a mold, a pressure is imposed so as to ensure uniform coating of the capsule forming composition to the pestle. The present invention also provides a capsule forming composition which comprises a polymer and optionally a plasticizer and an apparatus for making the non-gelatin hard capsule shell.

Abstract: A hydraulic sample mounting press utilizes a face seal against the top face of a molding cylinder. The face seal employs a hydraulic cylinder to press a disk-shaped surface of a cap piece against the top annular face of the mold cylinder for a metallographic mounting press. The face seal cylinder is mounted to a hydraulic fluid column that allows the face seal to rotate away from the mold cylinder for access to the molding cylinder and to rotate into place when a metallographic mount is to be molded.

Abstract: In a press molding apparatus for press molding a plurality of glass materials into a plurality of glass optical elements by the use of a pressing mold including upper and lower molds each of which has a plurality of molding surfaces, at least one of the upper and the lower molds is a heat generator within which heat is generated when the heat generator is subjected to a high-frequency induction heating by an induction heating coil. The heat generator having a plurality of shape-processed portions (130) produced by partially processing a shape of the heat generator in order that a temperature distribution of the heat generator is adjusted. The apparatus simultaneously press forms, into the glass optical elements, the glass materials supplied between the molding surfaces of the upper and the lower molds which are subjected to the high-frequency induction heating.

Abstract: To produce a fuel-cell separator formed with a plurality of protuberances on its base plate, a lower die is assembled by stacking a plate in intimate contact with a lower-die base with a mirror-finished surface, the plate having a plurality of through holes extended therethrough and a uniform thickness. A side frame is stacked on the lower die to charge a molding material therein. Then, the material is heated and compressed with an upper die to mold an article with protuberances having a constant height and a constant flatness at their top surfaces.

Abstract: A system for the producing of shells of fat-containing, chocolate-like masses, which includes more than one cavity to receive the masses and more than one core member to be immersed in the mass-containing cavity. The core members are independently suspended from a holding device. Further, a mold cavity closure extends peripherally around the core members, and the closure includes shell rim molding surfaces which cooperate with the outer surfaces of the cores and the inner surfaces of the mold cavities to determine completely the geometry of the molded shells in the closed position. The closure is axially movable relative to the core members.

Abstract: A dough divider including a hopper with a lid and a press plate vertically slidable within the hopper. The hopper is adapted to accept dough between the lid and the press plate, and the press plate is adapted to move towards the lid in order to compress the dough between the press plate and the lid within the hopper. The dough divider further includes a two part pressure relief system including a reversible cylinder assembly and at least one pressure relief opening. The reversible cylinder assembly is connected to the press plate and adapted to move downward in order to allow the press plate to move towards a bottom of the hopper when pressure applied to a top of the press plate from the dough within the hopper reaches a predetermined level. The pressure relief opening is adapted to relieve pressure within the hopper between the press plate and the lid by allowing the dough to escape from the hopper through the pressure relief opening when the press plate has reached the bottom of the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming building blocks includes an upright compression chamber with an upper end which serves both as an inlet and an outlet. A sliding gate closes the inlet/output. A soil/cement mixture is loaded into the upper end of the compressing chamber, the gate is slide shut, and a ram then compresses the mixture against the gate. The gate is opened while the ram is still under pressure, smoothing the upper end of the block, and allowing it to be ejected through the common inlet/outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal mold for producing a synthetic resin molded product in a compression-molding method, which is comprises a pair of male and female molds which are allowed to mutually slide over a contact face, with the outer circumferential face of the male mold and the inner circumferential face of the female mold serving as sliding portions at the time of mold-clamping, characterized in that either the male mold or the female mold or both of the molds is constituted by a mold main body and a sliding member. The sliding member forms a portion of the metal mold over the entire sliding portions or on a portion thereof, and is removably attached to the mold main body. The same metal mold may be used for production of a non-laminated synthetic resin molded product and a laminated product having the same design by replacing only the sliding member, without the need for using different molding devices corresponding to the respective production processes.

Abstract: Mold assembly for forming a lens blank for an ophthalmic lens, wherein upper and lower tapered inner surfaces of intermediate sleeve are adapted to be held in press-fitting engagement with respective outer surfaces of upper and lower molds, to effect fluid-tight connection of the upper and lower molds with the intermediate sleeve, with the upper mold being held in abutting contact with a shoulder of the intermediate sleeve, and with stopper surfaces of the intermediate and lower molds being held in abutting contact with each other to determine a relative axial position therebetween, such that a mold cavity to be filled with a liquid monomer composition is defined by the upper and lower molds and the intermediate sleeve, while a liquid reservoir for storing an excess amount of the monomer composition which has been discharged from the mold cavity is defined by the upper mold and the intermediate mold.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming a lens blank which gives a contact lens includes an upper and a lower mold half which cooperate with each other to define a substantially fluid-tight mold cavity when the two halves are assembled together. The mold cavity is filled with a monomer liquid which is polymerized to provide the lens blank that is to be subjected to a cutting operation for forming a base and a front curved surface of the contact lens. The upper mold half includes a flexible thin-walled portion which has a downwardly convex shape and which partially defines the mold cavity. The thin-walled portion is deformable to absorb expansion or shrinkage of the monomer liquid during polymerization thereof in the mold cavity. The lower mold half includes a base portion at which the lower mold half is clamped by a chuck of a lathe during the cutting operation. A mold portion of the lower mold half has a molding surface which is provided with a recess or protrusion for holding the lens blank on the lower mold half.

Abstract: A molding die assembly includes an upper molding die and a lower molding die facing the upper molding die with provision for their alignment. The upper molding die includes an upper core, while the lower molding die includes a hollow cylinder and a lower core. The upper core has one of the molding surfaces that corresponds to a molding, while the lower core has the other molding surface corresponding to the molding. The lower core slides in the cylinder and defines a cavity in cooperation with the upper core. A clamping device applies a clamping force to the upper molding die and the lower molding die, and a compression device applies a compressive force between the upper core and the lower core. The clamping force is generated between the upper molding die and the lower molding die but not between the upper core and the lower core so that no clamping force is applied to the preform.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming building blocks comprises an upright compression chamber with an upper end which serves both as an inlet and an outlet. A sliding gate closes the inlet/outlet. A soil/cement mixture is loaded into the upper end of the compression chamber, the gate is slid shut, and a ram then compresses the mixture against the gate. The gate is opened while the ram is still under pressure, smoothing the upper end of the block, and allowing it to be ejected through the common inlet/outlet.

Abstract: A carbon block molding machine which automates the heating, compressing and cooling steps which previously were done by hand. A mold unit has an inner sleeve for receiving the mixture of granular carbon particles and the hinder. A pressure unit compresses the granular carbon particles and binder in the sleeve. A heating unit integrally heats the sleeve to melt the hinder to bond the compressed carbon particles to form the carbon block within the sleeve. Preferably, a cooling unit cools the sleeve for removal of the finished carbon block. A programmed control unit selectively controls operation of the pressure unit, the heating unit and the cooling unit so that the heating unit is activated while the pressure unit compresses the granular carbon particles and the hinder. The heating unit is preferably a two-piece heater that is maintained at an elevated temperature and selectively moved into contact with the sleeve to heat the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the compression molding of composite fiber fixed angle rotors is disclosed. A female mold member defines a closed cylinder cavity for molding the bottom surface of the rotor, this cavity usually defining a frustum shaped central cavity complimentary to and concentric with the spin axis of the ultimately formed rotor. A male mold member having a complimentary cylindrical profile contains a frustum shaped inner cavity with the apex of the frustum disposed to the inner portion of the cylinder and the base end of the frustum exposed to the cylindrical opening of the female mold. This frustum shaped inner cavity defines the exterior frustum shape of the ultimately produced rotor and defines between the exterior frustum profile and the frustum shaped inner cavity a rotor body wall having sufficient thickness to receive the sample tube apertures. At the apex end of the frustum shaped cavity in the male mold member, there is located a lock system for maintaining sample tube aperture cores.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a molding from fibers and/or flakes and thermoplastic binder, the material is introduced into a mold, compacted, and bonded by thermal effect. To make it possible to introduce the material rapidly and such that a consistently equal density or a density changing in a defined pattern will be obtained, a filling contour calculated for the given molding is formed by a first mold disk set. After filling the filling contour, a first finished contour mold is positioned against it. A second mold disk set, whose disks are displaceable between the disks of the first mold disk set and form the second finished contour of the molding, is subsequently displaced in the first mold disk set against the first finished contour mold, while the material present in the filling contour is compacted. The material is subsequently fixed by thermal effect.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brick press which can be operated manually to produce coherent bricks from appropriate loose material. The brick press has a brick pressing chamber (12) which can be charged with the loose material. The pressing chamber is defined by side walls (16), a bottom wall in the form of a movable platen (18) and a top wall in the form of an openable and closable lid (20). A lever mechanism (40) can be operated, when the lid is closed, firstly with a cam action to move the platen towards the lid so as to apply initial compression to loose material in the pressing chamber and thereafter with a levering action to apply final compression to the initially compressed material in the pressing chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for quickly, and substantially uniformly, heating and cooling a bed of polymeric fibers having high melting point and low melting point fibers therein for softening the low melting point fibers and bonding them to the high melting point fibers to form a seat cushion. Hot and cool gases are flowed through the bed of fibers via a plurality of ventilator spikes extending into the fibers in the mold cavity to effect substantially uniform gas flow rates through the fibers for quick more uniform heating/cooling of the fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus for differential pressure forming an article in a sheet of thermoplastic material having a pair of opposed differential pressure molds at a forming and trimming station moveable between open positions and closed positions engaging opposite sides of the sheet of thermoplastic material for differentially pressure forming an article in the sheet. Mechanism is provided for severing the article from the sheet and includes a pair of opposed trim dies mounted on the molds for movement therewith between spaced apart positions and sheet engaging positions when the molds are moved between open and closed positions. After the part is formed, wedge mechanism is moved transversely of the relative path of travel of the dies for incrementally indexing one of the dies toward the other of the dies to sever the article at the forming and trimming stations.

Abstract: A pressed elongate cover profile made from a mixture of a fiber material and a binding material and having opposite end portions, a groove formed in one of said opposite end portions, a tongue on the other of said opposite end portions, a wall thickness which changes continuously from the one end portion to the other end portion, and a greater packing of an end portion with a greater wall thickness than that of the end portion with a smaller wall thickness, at least an outer surface of the cover profile which is visible after mounting of the cover profile, being lined with a firmly attached protective layer, and a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing such a cover profile.

Abstract: A cast mold and process for casting a substrate for an information recording medium has an uneven preformat pattern formed on the mold surface. The uneven preformat features a pattern corresponding to tracking grooves and information pits, each information pit portion has a size with a length b in the direction parallel to the pattern of the tracking groove of 2 to 15 .mu.m and a width a in the direction perpendicular thereto of 1 to 6 .mu.m and a height c of 300 to 3500 .ANG.. The pit pattern has a pitch which is 1.8-fold or more of pit length b.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

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: A cast mold and process for casting a substrate for an information recording medium has an uneven preformat pattern formed on the mold surface. The uneven preformat features a pattern corresponding to tracking grooves and information pits, each information pit portion has a size with a length b in the direction parallel to the pattern of the tracking groove of 2 to 15 .mu.m and a width a in the direction perpendicular thereto of 1 to 6 .mu.m and a height c of 300 to 3500 .ANG.. The pit pattern has a pitch which is 1.8-fold or more of pit length b.

Abstract: A mold arranged between a pair of heater blocks for molding an optical element comprises a pair of first and second elements each having a molding surface for defining a cavity and an outer surface opposite to the molding surface and in contact with a corresponding heater block, and a ring member for guiding the first and second elements. The rear surface of at least one of the first and second elements has a part which is not in contact with the corresponding heater block. Also, another mold comprises a pair of first and second elements each having a molding surface for defining a cavity and an outer surface opposite to the molding surface, a first ring member for guiding the first and second elements, and a second outer ring member made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the first ring member. A molding method for optical elements is such that a glass with a viscosity of 10.sup.

Abstract: A method for charging a press for making brakeshoes and the like utilizes an intermediate mold to carry the precompacted powder. The intermediate mold is positioned on the press mold and the powder engaged by the raised press ram and a lowered ejection ram so that the powder trapped between the rams is transferred to the press mold. The intermediate mold is then removed, a counterpressure plate is applied and the press operation ensues.

Abstract: A present invention is directed to an apparatus for PTP Pocket forming on a sheet which requires delicate care for handling. Combination of local and discriminate preparative heating of the pocket-regions of freshly unrolled sheets while leaving the rest of the sheet in a cooled state in a lattice structure, preliminarily expanding said regions up to about 70% of the volume of the recesses of the female die by pressing heated plugs to the region and supplying compressed-air to the expanded region. Details of the temperature control on various steps parts of the apparatus as well as a means for attaining virtually complete thermal equilibrium over the preparative heating station are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a molding machine for soap and similar materials, the control systems applied to the feed, molding, processing and discharge members totally or partially consist of pneumatic and/or oleodynamic pistons. The control systems are preferably applied to the grippers of the pieces to be molded, to the mobile upper mold, to the centering device and to the device controlling the rotation of the lower die and to the device for controlling the sucker type extraction of the pieces already molded. The control systems of this invention can totally or partially replace the present control systems of mechanical type. The combination of conventional mechanical systems with those of this invention may vary according to individual requirements.

Abstract: The tubular body is laid in a horizontal position on a tapered suction drum and pivoted thereby into a vertical axis which is in coaxial relationship with the axis of a mandrel with a punch. The tubular body is then pushed from the surface of the suction drum on to the mandrel by a thrust member. The mandrel and/or the die is mounted displaceably in a vertical direction, which permits particularly stable and precise guidance. A plurality of dies with mandrels and punches associated therewith is disposed on a rotary member. In the course of a revolution of the rotary member, the tubular body on the mandrel is connected to a squeeze moulding in the die.

Abstract: According to the invention, a mold assembly for molding an article is provided. The mold assembly is composed of at least male and female molds. At least one of the male and female molds is made of a hydraulic material composition having high strength containing a hydraulic material as a main ingredient. A molding face of at least one of the male and female molds is made of a substance other than the hydraulic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding three concentric plastic materials into a composite body in which the mold includes a pair of molding blocks having reduced ends which define an inner cylindrical cavity into which a first material may be injected, a pair of tubular molding sleeves surrounding the molding blocks and axially movable relative thereto which define an intermediate cavity therebetween into which a second material may be selectively injected to form a second intermediate concentric portion of a composite body and a fixed molding cavity with which the inner and intermediate molding cavities are selectively aligned so that a third material may be selectively injected to form an outer concentric portion of the composite body.

Abstract: A thermoformed plate having a rim adapted for embossing thereon a decorative pattern is provided. The rim has a generally curved profile which eliminates stress concentration points, providing greater stiffness and strength to the plate. A dual member mold useful in the production of the plate is also provided. The mold has corresponding male and female members, and contains an interchangeable annular insert in that portion of the surface of the male mold member that defines the rim of the plate. The desired decorative pattern for the plate is contained on the annular insert, allowing changes to be made in the rim pattern of plates produced by the mold without the need to replace the entire mold.

Abstract: A flexible plastic cuvette belt comprises a series of open-topped chambers defining said cuvettes interconnected by webs. The chambers are generally rectangular in cross-section with their side faces having an approximately flat profile across their widths. The belt is used in conjunction with a photometric analysis station of the clinical analyzer which has a pair of spaced parallel plates which engage the cuvette side faces and render or keep them parallel. The forming press for use in the manufacture of such a cuvette belt is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three station turret-type apparatus is provided with a first station including structure for receiving a quantity of soil to be compressed into a building block, a second station for compressing the soil into the desired building block and a third station for ejecting a formed building block from the apparatus. A rotary table is equipped with peripherally spaced sleeves for successive registry with the three station positions and each sleeve comprises a mold in which the desired block is to be formed. The sleeves are removable and replaceable and one form of sleeve is constructed to have an auxiliary smaller plan area sleeve removably mounted therein. Further in the second station position, a stationary bottom plate closes the lower end of the sleeve registered therewith and the bottom plate faced with a urethane elastomer material. A pressure head opposes and is movably toward and away from the stationary plate and is faced with a similar urethane elastomer material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional work piece, such as an interior part for a car, is manufactured by keeping the blank, such as a sheet of plastic on or in the same primary mold (24) for the initial shaping step, for the foaming step, for the curing step and for the final trimming step. The primary mold (24) shuttles back and forth in a given direction for sequential cooperation with two secondary molds (75 and 31 or 48 and 31) arranged for reciprocation in a direction extending perpendicularly to said given direction. Preferably, two primary mold members (66, 67) are arranged for horizontal back and forth shuttling in unison so that each primary mold member may cooperate with two out of three vertically reciprocable secondary molds. The efficiency is substantially doubled when each of two primary mold members (66, 67) cooperates with two out of three secondary molds.

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

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compensating uneven gravity filling with powder material of a die cavity formed on the top of a punch reciprocable in a bore in a die plate, the punch having an end face normally parallel to the surface of the die plate. The punch is mounted on an adjustable support member split into portions having each an end face disposed parallel to the end face of the other portion. The two portions have a common surface of junction disposed in a plane at an angle to the parallel end faces. The two portions are rotated together to orient the surface of junction in the direction of inclination of the punch, and the two portions are independently rotated the same amount in opposite directions as a function of the desired angle of inclination of the punch.

Abstract: The present invention is a device to produce manually compressed soil-cement blocks faster and more efficiently than previous devices of this type. The apparatus consists of a rectangular box connected to partially slotted supports, a cover to hold the mixture in the box during compression, a sliding plate to do the compression and a toggle linkage to create mechanical advantage necessary to convert human energy input into useful work. The toggle linkage is connected to toggle-connecting bars which are joined to wing pieces which connect to a lever actuated by a handle located on one side of the machine. Downward swinging of the handle causes the mechanism to move the sliding plate up and compress the soil between the fixed cover and advancing sliding plate.

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

Abstract: Press for powder metallurgy and method of simultaneous compression of powder in a die disclosed which includes descent speed differentially control apparatuses for simultaneous compression powder in the die from both the upper and lower direction by an upper punch and a lower punch. The descent speed of an upper ram is transferred to the upper punch at that speed, and the speed is changed to lower speed through the control device than the upper punch speed and the controlled lower speed is transferred to a die holder which is simultaneously descended with the controlled lower speed together with the high speed upper punch.

Abstract: A press is disclosed for use in the manufacture of refractory products and particularly including means for causing reciprocal movement of cores into the mold cavity to thereby permit holes to be formed in the compressed refractory product. The core moving apparatus is conveniently attachable and removable from the press to permit removal or replacement of the mold box or to facilitate modification of an existing press to incorporate the means of the invention for causing movement of reciprocal cores. The core supporting structures of the core moving apparatus are also adjustably supported so as to accommodate varied numbers of cores or various arrangements of the cores.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing and vacuum treating cheese curd to provide a cheese block wherein the receptacle for the curd is used as part of the vacuum chamber. The apparatus includes a simple attachment for a curd receptacle whereby the curd within the receptacle can be pressed while at the same time the curd is deaerated with vacuum.

Abstract: A punch and die set for operation by the ram of a powder compacting press, comprising at least three concentrically disposed telescopic punches independently reciprocable within a single die cavity. Each punch is separately supported by a punch holder plate, one of which is directly reciprocable from the press ram, another of which is reciprocable by way of appropriate abutments dependent from the first punch holder and the third of which is independently reciprocable relative to the first one by way of fluid pressure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus for thermoforming a plastic article wherein the male mold assembly and the female mold assembly are disposed on support members which are maintained in fixed relationship to each other during thermoforming operation. The sheet of thermoforming material after initial heating is trapped by clamping devices associated with the assemblies with the male die and female die molds associated with the male and female mold assemblies, respectively, being operated by fluid cylinder assemblies motivated by pressurized fluid.