Abstract: A plunger (22), used in a standard mold, has a vent seal device (23) and spring (24) that evacuates air through an exhaust port 26a, and channels 26 and 26b from the mold prior to moving the mold compound into the runner 27.

Abstract: A gas-feeding nozzle is to be used with a mold attached to an injection molding machine and for introducing a pressurized gas into molten resin injected in a cavity of the mold to produce an injection molded article having a hollow structure. A top forward portion of the gas-feeding nozzle is formed of a gas ejection portion having an inner side wall, along a direction of flow of the pressurized gas, having at least one concavo-convex portion.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for producing a synthetic resin molded product including a forming mold with a molding cavity, a gate communicating with the cavity, and an overflow chamber communicating with the cavity through a flow-out passage, a gas blow-in mechanism for blowing gas into molten synthetic resin which has been injected into the cavity through the gate so as to form a void in the molten synthetic resin in the cavity to mold a hollow product and a flow-out passage opening and closing mechanism for closing the flow-out passage until the molten resin fills the molding cavity and opening the flow-out passage when the gas blow-in mechanism is in operation.

Abstract: In a method of molding resin to seal electronic parts, an internal die space defined at least by pots, cull portions, resin passages and cavities when an upper mold section and a lower mold section are closed, is cut off or sealed from the exterior atmosphere. Thereupon the die space is evacuated using a first evacuation by a vacuum source and a second or instantaneous evacuation by an instantaneous evacuation mechanism. The vacuum source for the first evacuation may be an active vacuum pump, while the instantaneous evacuation mechanism may be a vacuum tank that has been previously pumped down, for example. According to this method, it is possible to quickly improve the degree of vacuum in the internal die space by efficiently and reliably discharging air, moisture and gas from the internal die space to the exterior due to a synergistic action of the evacuation and the instantaneous evacuation. Consequently, the formation of voids in resin molded members is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a molded polyurethane foam without using low-boiling solvents such as Freon and methylene chloride which present problems when used as a blowing agent. The polyurethane foam has the same good appearance and soft feeling as that produced with low-boiling solvents. A polyurethane foam is produced by injecting a polyurethane material into an evacuated cavity and permitting it to expand so that it flows and fills the cavity, said polyurethane material being composed of 100 parts by weight of polyol component and 0.1-0.6 part by weight of water as a blowing agent. The cavity pressure may be maintained high spontaneously or low while the polyurethane material is flowing in the cavity. When the polyurethane material has reached the final fill position in the cavity, the fore-end of the polyurethane material is discharged from the cavity.

Abstract: A mold for producing foamed articles includes an upper mold and a lower mold which define a mold cavity. A vent is provided in communication with the mold cavity and has a vent passageway with an entrance and an exit. Structure is also provided for sealingly engaging the upper mold with the lower mold to cause, in cooperation with the predetermined size and shape of the vent passageway, liquid foam polymeric composition expanding inside the mold cavity to enter the vent entrance but to not exit from the vent exit to cause at least partial curing of the foam composition within the vent passageway. Preferably, the vent may be ribbon-shaped so that a ribbon of foamed composition adheres to the foamed article and may be folded flat against the article thus avoiding the labor step of trimming the flash from the product.

Abstract: A system for injection molding a hollow plastic article utilizing a secondary resin flow path which communicates one portion of an article-defining cavity with a second portion of the article-defining cavity. The second portion of the article-defining cavity is typically the hardest-to-fill area of the article-defining cavity. The secondary resin flow path is outside of the article-defining cavity and the normal flow of plastic resin.

Abstract: A gas-feeding device as follows:(A) a gas-feeding nozzle and(B) gas-feeding nozzle shifting device for putting a top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle in forward and backward movement in a guide portion which is provided in a mold and communicates with a cavity and an outside of the mold,the gas-feeding device being used for feeding a pressurized gas through the gas-feeding nozzle into a molten resin injected into the cavity of the mold attached to an injection molding machine for producing a molded article having a hollow portion,wherein:a clearance is provided between the top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle and the guide portion, andat least part of the top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle is out of contact with the guide portion when the molten resin is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: When injection-molding a molten thermoplastic resin into a molding having different thicknesses, a void inducing member is set in a cavity corresponding to heavy sections. Then gas pressure is applied passing through a gas passageway to a tip end of the void inducing member, thus forming a void nucleus in the resin adjacent to the tip end of the void inducing member. The void nucleus develops to a void by shrinking force of the resin as the molten resin cools.

Abstract: An apparatus having a vacuum chamber or chamber, wherein the changing manner of the mold can be improved, the sealing structure of the vacuum chamber or an injection nozzle is simple, and the cost of the apparatus is reduced and preservation of the apparatus is improved. The apparatus has a vacuum chamber for surrounding a mold into an airtight situation. The vacuum chamber includes an upper casing and a lower casing, and they are being divided by a parting line defined by mating peripheral edge surfaces which incline upwardly from an operator-side to an opposite-side. An O-ring as a sealing member of the vacuum chamber is positioned between the peripheral edge surfaces.

Abstract: The monolith includes a base of plastic resin material having elongated bristles of the same resin material monolithically relatively upstanding on one side thereof so that the monolith can be used as a brush. The base of the monolith is molded in a cavity having branches thereof in which the bristles are formed. The bristles are formed to have shank portions relatively upstanding from the one side of the base to points on the longitudinal axes of the bristles relatively intermediate between the one side of the base and the tips of the bristles, and tip portions extending relatively outwardly along the axes of the bristles from the intermediate points to the tips of the bristles.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for resin transfer molding, a mold including at least two cooperating mold sections is placed in a vacuum chamber. A reinforcing material is positioned between the mold sections, which are separated from one another during evacuation of the chamber, thus maintaining the reinforcing material in a substantially uncompressed condition, to ensure that all gasses and/or liquids are evacuated from the reinforcing material and the mold prior to resin injection. After evacuation, the mold sections are brought almost into engagement to substantially define a mold cavity, and resin is injected into the mold cavity. Prior to terminating the resin injection, the mold sections are brought into engagement, and final resin injection is performed. The injected resin is then cured in accordance with the particular type of resin injected.

Abstract: Method for tempering a molding tool intended for production of products of natural or synthetic polymers, which molding tool includes one or more molding parts (3, 4) made of sintered metal with communicating pores obtained by pressing at a high pressure and sintering at a high temperature of a powdered material, in which molding part or parts (3, 4) a molding cavity (9) has then been made, whereby preferably the outer envelope surface of the molding tool is tight. The method comprises tightly connecting one or more channels, capillary tubes (6, 8) or the like through the tight outer envelope surface to the mould material of the molding tool situated inside, which material contains a large number of small communicating pores and feeding a gas having a suitable state and a suitable temperature through the channels thereby causing a rapid tempering of the molding tool to a desired extent.

Abstract: A gas assisted injection molding machine includes an injector valve assembly secured to the clamping plate and having an elongate supply duct extending through the core and into the mold cavity. The duct supports a valve member for sliding movement and is itself supported in the core by an ejector sleeve. The ejector sleeve moves with the ejection mechanism to force molded articles off the end of the supply duct.

Abstract: In an apparatus for molding resin to seal an electronic part, a sealed space portion is formed between molding surfaces of an upper mold section and a lower mold section by covering an outer side periphery of a pot, a resin path and a cavity. A resin tablet is heated at its bottom portion and peripheral portion in the pot of the lower mold section to expand upwardly from its top portion. Air and moisture included inside the resin tablet is expelled into the sealed space portion which is evacuated including any air and moisture inside the sealed space portion, whereby the formation of voids in the molded resin body is avoided.

Abstract: A mold and injection molding process for the production of a fishing lure having multiple, integral bristles extending vertically from the lure. The mold defines an internal cavity in communication with an injection port and a ventilation port. The internal cavity defines a fishing lure having a desired shape. The cavity contains a pair of porous halves that facilitate the formation of integral bristles. Molten material is injected into the cavity through the injection port while air escapes through the ventilation port. The molten material penetrates the porous insert to form the bristles. The bristles are concurrently and integrally molded with the rest of the lure. After curing, the fishing lure is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A vent valve for a gas assisted injection molding machine has a valve member to control flow from the mold cavity. A shear co-operates with an anvil in the passageway between the mold and valve member to sever material in the passageway as the molded article is ejected.

Abstract: Encapsulation molding equipment includes individual loading bars each having an elongated support surface which receives strip-like carriers supporting semi-conductor chips and like objects for encapsulation. Cavity inserts having plural rows of cavities of different size and dimension individual to carriers having like numbers of chips of a range of size and dimension fit over the strips with each cavity on an insert surrounding the chip to be encapsulated. Converging gate passages and vent passages are formed on the surface of the insert spaced away from the mold base member for supply of resin from a central resin receptacle to the cavities. Support of the cavity inserts independent of the loading bars and resilient mounting of the loading bars is disclosed. The mold is completed by an upper mold member which closes the mold and effects a seal between the mold parts and provides for delivery of encapsulating resin to the cavities in the cavity inserts.

Abstract: A mold for producing foamed articles includes an upper mold and a lower mold which define a mold cavity. A vent is provided in communication with the mold cavity and has a vent passageway with an entrance and an exit. Structure is also provided for sealingly engaging the upper mold with the lower mold to cause, in cooperation with the predetermined size and shape of the vent passageway, liquid foam polymeric composition expanding inside the mold cavity to enter the vent entrance but to not exit from the vent exit to cause at least partial curing of the foam composition within the vent passageway. Preferably, the vent may be ribbon-shaped so that a ribbon of foamed composition adheres to the foamed article and may be folded flat against the article thus avoiding the labor step of trimming the flash from the product.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a viscous fluid and a non-viscous fluid into a mold cavity of a mold body includes a nozzle body having a discharge end a flow passage for the viscous fluid extending to the discharge end. A valve element is mounted for reciprocation in the nozzle body flow passage to control the flow of the viscous fluid through the nozzle body discharge end. The valve element includes a barrel having a first end and a second end and a first bore extending longitudinally in the barrel. A tip is detachably secured to the barrel first end for selectively engaging a portion of the nozzle body discharge end to prevent a flow of the viscous fluid therepast. The tip has a first end, a second end and a second bore extending longitudinally through the tip from the first end to the second end. A pin is located in the second bore. The pin has a first end located adjacent the tip first end, such that the pin and the tip define between them an annular opening at the tip first end.

Abstract: The mold (10) for forming an article includes a first mold member (16) with a first mold surface (24) and a second mold member (18) with a second mold surface (26). When the mold (10) is closed, the first and second mold surfaces (24) and (26) form a mold cavity (28). Lances (58) are forced into the mold cavity (28) by linear actuators (60) to pierce an article (12) and then withdrawn from the mold chamber. Each Lance (58) allows gas under pressure to escape from the article (12) through the clearance between the lance and the bore (56) in which the lance is mounted. Relieving gas pressure in the article (12) allows the mold (10) to be opened without distortion of the article and shortens mold cycle time.

Abstract: A method for reducing the occurrence of voids and areas of porosity in injection molded parts. Vents are placed within the injection mold near areas of the molded part that are prone to the occurrence of voids and areas of porosity. A porous flow regulator is placed adjacent the vents to regulate the flow of the resin near the vent. The flow regulator allows air trapped within the mold to escape through the vents during molding. Allowing air trapped within the mold to escape reduces the occurrence of voids and areas of porosity in the molded part. A porous plug extends through the flow regulator and into the vent. The porous plug prevents excess quantities of resin from flowing out of the vent, thus reducing waste and also helping to maintain the flow regulator in place.

Abstract: A method of injection molding for use with an injection molding machine includes: (a) generating pressurized gas and pressurized moisture within molten plastic as plastic pellets are plasticized in the injection molding machine, the pressurized gas and the pressurized moisture having a total pressure defining an internal counterpressure within the molten plastic; (b) pressuring air within a cavity of a mold in the injection molding machine to an air pressure level which is substantially equal to the internal counterpressure in order to counterbalance the internal counterpressure as the molten plastic is injected into the cavity, thus providing a substantially pressure balanced molding environment for the plastic; and (c) maintaining the air pressure level in the cavity substantially constant as the molten plastic is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: A device for molding plastics material ferrules for optical fiber connectors comprises a molding cavity defined by an accurately sized cylindrical bush defining the outside diameter of the ferrule. A cover closes the molding cavity. A peg joined to the cover extends axially into the molding cavity and is extended at its free end by an accurately sized needle defining the inside diameter of the ferrule. A backing member extending axially into the molding cavity from the opposite end as compared with the peg comprises a bore for guiding the needle adapted to receive the end thereof when the backing member moves towards the peg so as to render the needle and the bush concentric. A venting system allows gases to escape from the molding cavity to the exterior when plastics material is injected into the mold. The backing member is a substantially cylindrical body of revolution which fits directly into the bush with no clearance and minimal force.

Abstract: Encapsulation molding equipment includes individual mold bases each having an elongated shallow recess which receives strip-like carriers supporting semi-conductor chips and like objects for encapsulation. Cavity inserts having various numbers of cavities of different size and dimension individual to carriers having like numbers of chips of a range of size and dimension fit over the strips with each cavity on an insert surrounding the chip to be encapsulated. Gate and vent passages are formed on the surface of the insert spaced away from the mold base member for supply of resin from a central resin receptacle. Gate passages in the cavity inserts are configured to provide a restriction at the edge of each mold cavity, thereby accelerating the flow of liquid resin, rapidly filling the cavities and avoiding the entrapment of gas bubbles. The inserts have mold vent passages which allow for rapid venting of displaced gases from the cavities.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for driving a movable member of a plastic molding die apparatus is provided which drives and controls a movable shaft for holding a gas injection nozzle by using a plurality of cylinders so that the gas injection nozzle of the die apparatus for use in a gas injection molding method can easily be changed. Resin is supplied from a position through a second die into a cavity formed between a first die and the second die, the drive apparatus disposed adjacent to the first die is used to drive the movable shaft for holding the nozzle of a gas supply means to supply gas into the resin in the cavity so that a hollow product is molded. The nozzle of the gas supply means is disposed at the leading portion of the hollow movable shaft.

Abstract: Encapsulation molding equipment includes individual loading bars each having an elongated support surface which receives strip-like carriers supporting semi-conductor chips and like objects for encapsulation. Cavity inserts having plural rows of cavities of different size and dimension individual to carriers having like numbers of chips of a range of size and dimension fit over the strips with each cavity on an insert surrounding the chip to be encapsulated. Converging gate passages and vent passages are formed on the surface of the insert spaced away from the mold base member for supply of resin from a central resin receptacle to the cavities. Support of the cavity inserts independent of the loading bars and resilient mounting of the loading bars is disclosed. The mold is completed by an upper mold member which closes the mold and effects a seal between the mold parts and provides for delivery of encapsulating resin to the cavities in the cavity inserts.

Abstract: Encapsulation molding equipment includes individual mold bases each having an elongated shallow recess which receives strip-like carriers supporting semi-conductor chips and like objects for encapsulation. Cavity inserts having various numbers of cavities of different size and dimension individual to carriers having like numbers of chips of a range of size and dimension fit over the strips with each cavity on an insert surrounding the chip to be encapsulated. Gate and vent passages are formed on the surface of the insert spaced away from the mold base member for supply of resin from a central resin receptacle. The mold is completed by an upper mold insert plate which closes the mold and effects a seal between the mold parts and provides for delivery of encapsulating resin to the cavities in the cavity inserts. Each mold base has a plurality of recesses, each of which receives a carrier strip and a cavity insert.

Abstract: A closed injection mold for molding liquid resins into molded plastic articles containing at least one vent apparatus having a reciprocating vent pin operative to retract to open the vent opening and extend to close the vent opening. Each vent apparatus is responsive to a full resin level in the mold cavity to close the vent opening. When the vent opening is closed, cleansing fluid is automatically circulated through the debris charge line of the vent apparatus to clear the venting channels prior to the resin debris hardening.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of supplying viscous blends, casting resins for example, of two or more components that react and cure when blended, preferably in a vacuum. There is one holding tank for each component. There is a set of flow controls downstream of each holding tank. There is check valve downstream of each set of flow controls. There is a line downstream of each set of flow controls or of each check valve. Blenders communicate with each line. An injector downstream of each blender supplies the blend to a compression-setting mold. The line leading out of each holding tank and through the flow controls and check valve extends past each blender and back into the tank, accordingly constituting a closed loop that begins and ends at the tanks. The loops extend through FORWARD/DIVERT valves with one intake and two alternatively opening and closing outlets. One outlet forwards the component on through its loop. The other outlet diverting it out of the loop to one of the blenders.

Abstract: This invention concerns an injection molding nozzle device (25) provided with an operating valve (31) installed movably in the axial direction inside a nozzle body (4) possessed of a resin passage (12) and enclosing therewith a fluid passage (10) incorporating therein a check valve (11). This injection molding nozzle device is furnished with a fluid discharge open-shut device capable of opening or shutting a fluid discharge passage (17) formed separately of the fluid passage (10) or the check valve (11) of the fluid passage (10).

Abstract: An injection valve for a vacuum wax injection installation for selectively communicating a mold into which wax is to be injected with a chamber with a vacuum and a chamber with liquid wax in the vacuum wax injection installation includes a main valve body and a tubular member which is arranged slidably in the main valve body between a valve-closed position, an evacuation position and a wax injection position. One end of the tubular member carries a connecting element against which the mold can be pressed while the opposite end of the tubular member is closed. The tubular member has lateral openings providing a communication between the connecting element and first the vacuum chamber and then the wax-filled chamber as the tubular member is progressively pushed into the main valve body from the valve-closed position, whereby firstly the mold is evacuated and then wax is injected into the mold.

Abstract: A gas injector having a retractable nozzle with linear gas feed passage therethrough for a gas assist plastics injection molding machine. The injector interfaces with the injection molding tool and has a nozzle with a tip that, in a forward position, protrudes through a port therein leading into the tool cavity or a runner system leading into the cavity for gas injection during molding. The nozzle tip is connected by a nozzle body to a base that is operatively mounted in an actuator housing. The base is connected to an in-line gas routing extension of the nozzle that projects through the outer cover of the housing. The extension is coaxial with an internal spring that seats on the base and holds the nozzle tip in a gas injection position resisting the force of plastics injection pressure.

Abstract: An injection molding unit has an injection molding machine 1 for injecting a molten resin plasticized in a screw cylinder 4 from a nozzle 9 fitted at the tip of the screw cylinder 4 by advancing a screw 3. An injection mold 31 forms a hollow 36 for forming an injection molded product 35 with a cavity mold 33 and a core mold 34. The injection molding unit further has a pressure relief valve 40 for releasing the resin out of a resin passage when a pressure greater than a predetermined value acts at any point on the resin passage, including the screw cylinder and ranging up to the terminal end of the hollow. The cavity mold 33 is of a split construction, in which a wall portion of the hollow is formed a plurality of segments.

Abstract: Gas transmission plugs are placed in a supporting strip portion in plastics injection mold tooling so that an appropriate gas assist injection location can be readily selected, and mated, with a gas injection nozzle thereby eliminating the requirement for pre-drilling mold tooling with gas injection points and removing the tooling from the press so that a gas injection nozzle can be installed relative to the selected injection location. The plugs can be made from porous metal or ceramic with pores that are so small that plastics cannot enter the plug to cause pore clogging. Also, linear gas transmitting passages can be laser beam drilled through plugs of steel or other material with diameters that are sufficiently minute to prevent entry of plastics melt and resultant clogging.

Abstract: Apparatus for injection molding a plastic article having a hollow rib portion utilizing a spill cavity. A process includes the steps of sequentially injecting fluent plastic and gas into a mold cavity having a space defining at least one wall portion of the article and a channel defining a rib portion of the article. A quantity of fluent plastic is initially injected to substantially fill the mold cavity. A charge of pressurized gas is then injected into the channel of the mold cavity to displace a portion of the still fluent plastic into the spill cavity which is flow coupled to the channel. Preferably, the thickness of the rib portion in cross section is at least twice as large as the thickness of the wall portion in cross section along the entire length of the rib portion. Also, preferably, the channel is tapered along its length. The rib portion may be either internal or external to the article.

Abstract: A molding flask structure for molding close tolerance articles, such as prosthetic dental devices. The flask structure includes upper and lower flask members that each include cup-recesses adapted to face each other to define therebetween a mold cavity when the flask members are connected together. Assembly of the flask members is effected by a plurality of connecting bolts to securely hold the flask members together. Vent passageways are provided in the flask members to extend from the mold cavity to permit excessive internal pressures to be relieved to the exterior of the flask member. A sprue opening defined by semi-cylindrical recesses in contacting faces of each of the flask members extends from the mold cavity to the exterior to permit the introduction of molding material into the mold cavity. The sprue opening is partially threaded and partially unthreaded.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for locally introducing fluid, such as a gas, at a predetermined location into molten resin downstream from a resin injection aperture to form a hollow part. The gas is utilized at the localized area to distribute the molten resin, to eliminated molded in stress and to prevent formation of sink marks in the part during resin solidification. An overflow reservoir outside of the mold cavity is filled with the resin during resin injection and then the gas is introduced into the reservoir through a fluid aperture and into the part. The reservoir creates a cocoon of solidified material to act as a seal to prevent gas leakage. One hollow body formed by the method and system includes a substantially endless hollow body portion with a fluid opening for communicating the interior of the hollow body portion with the locally introduced fluid. The hollow body provides an internal gas manifold and means for greater structural integrity.

Abstract: Encapsulation molding equipment includes individual mold bases each having an elongated shallow recess which receives strip-like carriers supporting semi-conductor chips and like objects for encapsulation. Cavity inserts having various numbers of cavities of different size and dimension individual to carriers having like numbers of chips of a range of size and dimension fit over the strips with each cavity on an insert surrounding the chip to be encapsulated. Gate and vent passages are formed on the surface of the insert spaced away from the mold base member for supply of resin from a central resin receptacle. The mold is completed by an upper mold insert plate which closes the mold and effects a seal between the mold parts and provides for delivery of encapsulating resin to the cavities in the cavity inserts. Each mold base has a plurality of recesses, each of which receives a carrier strip and a cavity insert.

Abstract: An apparatus for mating a finished ophthalmic lens includes a pre-manufactured lens or lens wafer as a part of a mold for making the finished lens. A polymerizable lens material is injected between the lens or lens wafer and a conventional mold member and a trio of indexers are used to rotate the conventional mold member relative to the lens wafer, to adjust the spatial relationship between the conventional mold member and the lens or lens wafer, and to control the angular relation between them. The assembly is subjected to irradiation and the radiation cures the polymerizable lens material and fuses it to the lens wafer so that the lens or lens wafer becomes an integral part of the finished lens. The apparatus produces a finished lens in less than one hour.

Abstract: The molding apparatus of the invention includes a molding cavity, a flow regulating portion and a degassing portion. The flow regulating portion is situated in a die to communicate between the molding cavity and the degassing portion and regulates molten material to pass through the flow regulating portion without forming turbulent flow therein. Therefore, the molten material enters into the degassing portion throughout the entire width of the degassing portion. Because of the flow regulating portion, the degassing portion may be made small, but the molten material can be properly solidified at the degassing portion without forming partial flow. Gas or air can be sufficiently removed from the die.

Abstract: A vacuum cast molding apparatus includes a plurality of vacuum chambers which can be brought into communication with each other, a plurality of depressurizing devices to evacuate each of the vacuum chambers respectively, a plurality of mixing and injecting devices installed in each of the vacuum chambers, to mix, agitate and inject molding materials into dies installed in each of the vacuum chambers, and separators installed removably between the vacuum chambers for partitioning each of the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers can be used independently when the separators are installed to partition them from each other. The vacuum chambers can also be used as one large vacuum chamber when the separators are removed bringing the chambers into communication with each other.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing tire forming bladders (2), whereby a curing mold (3) defines, via first and second half molds (4, 5) and an inner core (6), an inner molding chamber (7) inside which a precured reinforcing ply (72) is optionally inserted; the mold (3) having an outer injection chamber (34) communicating with the inner chamber (7) and consisting of a variable-volume chamber of an injection cylinder (65); the outer chamber (34) being provided with a mass (35) of heated uncured rubber, which is injected into the inner chamber (7) with the mold (3) closed and, when cured, is extracted from the mold (3) by opening the inner chamber (7) and extracting the inner core (6).

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a plastic injection molded part with a smooth surface or skin and a hollow core wherein thermoplastic material is injected as a molten stream into the mold cavity through a sprue bushing fixed in the mold. Simultaneously, an unmeasured quantity of inert gas is introduced through an adapter into the molten stream at the sprue bushing substantially coaxially with the melt stream and at a pressure sufficient to penetrate the thermoplastic material to form a gas cavity in the molten material in the mold. For retrofitting an existing mold, an adapter can be added to the exisiting sprue bushing. During plastic injection and cooling in the mold the gas is maintained at a high pressure, preset, constant and adequate to maintain the plastic against the mold surface until it is self-supporting. The gas is exhausted from the mold, back through the sprue bushing and adapter, before the mold is opened.

Abstract: A molded workpiece is formed using a mold having an inner cavity, an injection port which communicates with the inner cavity for permitting molding material to be injected into the inner cavity, and at least one disposable vent line. The vent line has sidewalls which are substantially transparent to light and provides for venting gases from the inner cavity as molding material is injected into the cavity. A material injector is coupled to the injection port for injecting molding material into the inner cavity through the injection port. A removably sensor receives the disposable vent line for detecting when molding material has substantially filled the vent line and for generating a first signal indicating that the vent line is substantially filled.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus for producing an article in a mold tool having electrically isolated dies, an electric field generator, and a sleeve made from a material having a very low dielectric loss factor and being operable between an extended and retracted position. The sleeve separates the dies when it is in an extended position and permits an electric field produced by the generator to be coupled between the dies.

Abstract: Cold-stretchable sheet material is isostatically formed at an operating temperature beneath the softening temperature of the sheet material by means of a fluid pressure medium at a pressure of more than 20 bars so as to produce a deep-drawn formed plastics piece. Forming may take place abruptly. The sheet to be formed may be provided with a coating such as an ink imprint. The resulting thin-walled deep-drawn piece may be backed and reinforced by injecting further plastics material.