Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a form-cut object made of foam. The invention is based on the aim of refining a known method for producing a form-cut object made of foam in that it also allows the precise creation of complex shaped form cuts in the foam. This aim is achieved by the method according to the invention in that the first preliminary version of the object in the region of a first form or contour cut is provided with a (second) form cut, which is superimposed on the first form or contour cut and extends down to larger depths than the first cut. Preferred application areas of the claimed method and the resultant objects made of foam are pillows, for example.

Abstract: A cutting tool for producing decorative cake components is provided. The cutting tool includes a roller including a plurality of cutters located on a radial outer surface thereof and two end portions located on opposite ends of the roller.

Abstract: The book trimming apparatus includes guides which direct a collated and, optionally, bound book to a fore-edge trimming station. The book trimming apparatus further includes a transfer station and a side-edge trimming station. For both the fore-edge trimming station and the side-edge trimming station in each case the book is orientated so that the edge to be trimmed is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the book. The automated book trimming apparatus is particularly suited for use in combination with collation and binding stations in in-line book manufacture.

Abstract: A method of severing a band (11) which encloses a blank stack (10), wherein the band (11), preferably in the region of a band station (19), is severed by a cutting means, in particular a knife (23), and is then removed from the blank stack (10). According to the invention, it is provided that the blank stack (10) is pushed together such that the band (11) is spaced apart from the blank stack (10), at least in certain regions, and that the band (11) is then severed in the spaced-apart region by the cutting means. The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A device for cutting a wafer provided with grooves on its upper surface having its lower surface supported by a flexible film secured to a frame. This device includes a system for locating the grooves and for positioning the frame with respect to a cutting system, and setting means for positioning the wafer in front of the locating system so that the located area is at a determined distance from the locating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal cannula is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a metal cannula having a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid channel. Next, the metal cannula is pressed to substantially close the fluid channel and define a first segment and a second segment. In a next step, the metal cannula is cut to separate the first segment from the second segment of the metal cannula. Each of the first and second segments have a pressed edge. The pressed edge substantially seals the fluid channel and has two pressed corners. Afterwards, each of the pressed corners are cut from the pressed edge of the first segment to define a pair of side openings and a distal blunt edge on the first segment. The side openings are in fluid communication with the fluid channel.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a body and a cutting blade assembly. The cutting blade assembly includes a cutting blade having a cutting edge and is reciprocally secured to the body. Movement of the cutting blade assembly from a retracted position to an engaged position causes the cutting edge to engage a line, such as a monofilament trimmer line, to cut the line to a desired length. Tension may be created in the line prior to cutting by positioning the line in a non-linear trough in the body.

Abstract: The microtome (10) includes a base (12) having a tank (14) filled with a bath (16) mounted thereon. A feeding mechanism (20) for feeding select amounts of specimen to be sectioned protrudes through the base (12) into the bath (16). A cutting mechanism (40) spans the tank (14) and includes a reciprocating carriage (42) above the feeding mechanism (20). The carriage (42) is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of reciprocation and includes a vibrating blade (62) hanging down from the carriage (42). The combined motion of the carriage (42) and the vibrating blade (62) slices samples from the specimen extruded by the feeding mechanism (20), which permits consistent and uniformly thick samples with minimal surface irregularities, especially for large specimens. A controlling mechanism (80) coordinates operation of the feeding mechanism (20) and the cutting mechanism(40).

Abstract: Process for closing and cutting into sections a flexible tube, with a cutting element and a pinching closing device for cutting into sections with two cross-sections, each with two parts with indentations that can be placed in removable extension by combination elements and that make a passage with an access, whereby the pinching closing device is in the open or closed state where the cross-sections are closed by locking members and where the surfaces form a pinching closing passage of the tube; the pinching region of the tube is positioned in the indentation of a cross-section; the other cross-section is brought opposite the preceding one and the pinching closing device in the closed state, with cooperation of the locking elements, the tube being positively pinched and closed in two positive pinching zones, and thus held in place; the tube is cut into sections between the parts in the closed state, using the cutting element by passing it into the passage without it interfering with the pinching closing devic

Abstract: In order to keep a portioning machine economical, a pre compression in longitudinal direction is maintained, but complexity is minimized on the portioning side in that preferably no portioning plate, in particular no portioning revolver is used but the cutting material (2) is moved forward in longitudinal direction (10) up to a stop from the forming tube (1), wherein the stop rotates e.g. as a stop plate (9) together with the blade (8) and thus on the same axis as the forming tube revolver (1). Thus, it is important that the rotating blade (8) is always kept tight at the forming tube revolver (1) and thin slices (2a) are prevented from adhering to the rotating blade (8).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protrusion cutting apparatus (30) for cutting a closed-cell foam product (32) comprising a support surface (36) adapted to support the foam product (32); a template (34) having an opening, the template (34) being movable relative to the support surface (36) to compress the foam product (32) between the support surface (36) and the template (34) so that a portion of the foam product (32)protrudes through the opening; a cutting tool (40) adapted to cut the foam product (32) adjacent to the template (34) so that the portion of the foam product (32) protruding through the opening is cut from the foam product (32); and one or more air vents (42) formed in the support surface (36) to allow air trapped between the compressed foam product (32) and the support surface (36) to escape.

Abstract: In making bodily fluid absorbent pads quantity of scrapped material is reduced. A bodily fluid absorbent pad (liner) 10 has a shape symmetric in a longitudinal direction P as well as in a transverse direction Q. A dimension of the pad 10 in the transverse direction Q is larger in opposite end regions 31, 32 than in an intermediate region 33. The pad 10 is formed along opposite side edges 11a, 11b with first and second compressed lines 21, 22. Paired compression rolls 302 are used to form the first and second compressed lines 21, 22, and at least one roll constituting the paired compression rolls 302 is formed on a peripheral surface thereof with compressing units projecting from the peripheral surface. The compressing units are arranged in a circumferential direction to form one row and at least one additional row, which is adjacent to the one row in an axial direction of the roll.

Abstract: An end face of an intermediate layer of a multilayer structure is stably covered by surface resin layers at a time of cutting the multilayer structure. A cutting method of the multilayer structure includes the steps of: compressing and deforming the multilayer structure, while extending respective layers of the multilayer structure to provide a thin thickness portion, so that an upper layer bites into a lower layer by pushing a push cutter, by a predetermined amount, into the multilayer structure supported by a cutter receiving portion, in a fused state of at least one of the resin layers forming the multilayer structure; and push-cutting the compressed thin thickness portion S till the push cutter abuts against the cutter receiving portion so as to converge an intermediate layer and surface resin layers of the multilayer structure to the abutting portion A of the push cutter and the cutter receiving portion.

Abstract: An MEA 15 is arranged between frames 13, 14. A first gas flow passage forming member 21 is arranged between an anode electrode layer 17 of the MEA 15 and a first separator 23 fixed to an upper surface of the frame 13. A second gas flow passage forming member 22 is arranged between a cathode electrode layer 18 of the MEA 15 and a second separator 24 fixed to a lower surface of the frame 14. The gas flow passage forming members 21, 22 are each formed by a metal lath 25. The metal lath is formed by forming a plurality of through holes 26 in a thin metal plate in a mesh-like manner and forming the thin metal plate in a stepped shape. The gas flow passage forming members 21, 22 each include a plurality of annular portions 27 forming the through holes 26. Each of the annular portions 27 has a flat surface portion 28a in a first contact portion 28, which contacts a carbon paper 19, 20.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for cutting a sheet material, one or more sheets of the material are placed over a die attached to a die board. A cutting pad is placed over the sheet material. Seals are placed around or between the die board and cutting pad to create an enclosure. A vacuum is created in the enclosure or between the die board and cutting pad so as to draw the die board and cutting pad together and compress the sheets of material. The resulting assembly is passed through a roller press to cut the sheets of material. A process or apparatus for mounting dies to a die board or stripping scrap from between dies and a quick release fastener are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming hemmed edges at a punch hole of a metal protective component. The manufacturing process is performed by a punch assembly which comprises a pyramidal punch head and a planar surface, a planar die and a die support with disposed with a spring thereunder, wherein the pyramidal punch head of the punch assembly applies downward vertical force towards a center position of the hole, and together with a vertical upward supportive force exerted by the die support, bent edges resembling shape of flower petals are formed at the punch hole; thereafter, as the punch assembly continues to move downwards, the bent edges are bent along a planar gap above the die, and finally the bent edges are pressed to form hemmed edges which are parallel to a base of the component.

Abstract: An end face of an intermediate layer of a multilayer structure is stably covered by surface resin layers at a time of cutting the multilayer structure. A cutting method of the multilayer structure 10 includes the steps of: compressing and deforming the multilayer structure, while extending respective layers 11, 12, 13 of the multilayer structure to provide a thin thickness portion, so that an upper layer bites into a lower layer by pushing a push cutter 15, by a predetermined amount, into the multilayer structure supported by a cutter receiving portion 14, in a fused state of at least one of the resin layers forming the multilayer structure; and push-cutting the compressed thin thickness portion S till the push cutter abuts against the cutter receiving portion so as to converge an intermediate layer 11 and surface resin layers 12, 13 of the multilayer structure to the abutting portion A of the push cutter 15 and the cutter receiving portion 14.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal cannula is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a metal cannula having a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid channel. Next, the metal cannula is pressed to substantially close the fluid channel and define a first segment and a second segment. In a next step, the metal cannula is cut to separate the first segment from the second segment of the metal cannula. Each of the first and second segments have a pressed edge. The pressed edge substantially seals the fluid channel and has two pressed corners. Afterwards, each of the pressed corners are cut from the pressed edge of the first segment to define a pair of side openings and a distal blunt edge on the first segment. The side openings are in fluid communication with the fluid channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mattress including providing a foam block, convoluting the foam to form a tongue extending longitudinally along the foam block, and removing at least a portion of the tongue, to thereby form a channel within the foam block.

Abstract: At least one longitudinally extending series of cuts and separable connectors is formed in a fibrous insulation blanket with one or more rotating compression-cutting blades and a cooperating anvil to form separable blanket sections in the insulation blanket. The size and configuration of the teeth and notches in the compression-cutting blade, which may be determined through the use of an empirical equation, insure that the insulation blanket has the integrity to be handled and installed as a unit, but can be separated by hand into the blanket sections. The anvil has a moving surface that drives the compression-cutting blade at the velocity blanket is being fed between the cutting blade and the anvil.

Abstract: At least one longitudinally extending series of cuts and separable connectors is formed in a fibrous insulation blanket with one or more rotating compression-cutting blades and a cooperating anvil to form separable blanket sections in the insulation blanket. The size and configuration of the teeth and notches in the compression-cutting blade, which may be determined through the use of an empirical equation, insure that the insulation blanket has the integrity to be handled and installed as a unit, but can be separated by hand into the blanket sections. The anvil has a moving surface that drives the compression-cutting blade at the velocity blanket is being fed between the cutting blade and the anvil.

Abstract: A wheel cutter for cutting a compressible material having a relaxed thickness greater than a radius of the wheel cutter is disclosed, wherein a compressor guide locally compresses the batting to a thickness less than a radius of the wheel cutter. In one configuration, the compressor guide includes a compressor wheel eccentrically mounted with respect to the wheel cutter.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of polyurethane foam (80) cuts portions of the foam material from one surface. A moving patterned platform (32) is interposed in a gap formed between a compression roller (56) and a drive roller (18) and defines at least one recess (36). The slab is introduced into the gap and foam material is compressed into the recess. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recess is then cut from the surface of the slab by a blade (76) just as the slab emerges from the gap to produce a profile-cut surface with a shaped portion corresponding to the shape of the recess in the patterned platform.

Abstract: At least one longitudinally extending series of cuts and separable connectors is formed in a fibrous insulation blanket with one or more rotating compression-cutting blades and a cooperating anvil to form separable blanket sections in the insulation blanket. The size and configuration of the teeth and notches in the compression-cutting blade, which may be determined through the use of an empirical equation, insure that the insulation blanket has the integrity to be handled and installed as a unit, but can be separated by hand into the blanket sections. The anvil has a moving surface that drives the compression-cutting blade at the velocity blanket is being fed between the cutting blade and the anvil.

Abstract: This invention provides patterned tread strips of uniform shape and dimension from salvaged tire carcass tread strips adapted for producing products requiring stacked layers of tread strips. Novel methods of and apparatus for shaping the tread strips in one embodiment results in trimming edges of substantially rectangular shaped tread strips salvaged from tire carcasses having two shorter ends and two longer sides to produce precisely uniform width between the longer sides. Thus the longitudinal tread strips may be passed from one end longitudinally through a power actuated strip feeder which establishes slicing means operable at designated spacings near opposite edges of the tread strips to cut away edges and produce uniform longitudinal strip widths between said two shorter ends as the strips pass through the strip feeder. Other shaping embodiments of the invention include tread surface shavers for producing strips of precise thickness, and length cutters to provide specified lengths.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from one surface uses a compression roller, a support surface, a blade and a moving patterned platform interposed between the compression roller and the support surface. The moving patterned platform, preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, defines at least one recess, and may define a pattern of recesses of complex or simple shapes and at various depths. When the slab of cellular polymer material is compressed between the compression roller and the support surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving patterned belt. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recesses is then cut from the surface of the slab by the blade just as the slab emerges from between the compression roller and the support surface.

Abstract: A machine for rotary cutting of continuous synthetic foam sheets while compressed between two rollers has a roller drive featuring individually adjustable roller speed to allow use of rollers of dissimilar diameter, such as a large diameter pattern roller and a small diameter compression roller. The roller drive may be selectively engaged for driving each roller with a separate drive motor or both rollers with a single motor through a gear train, allowing conversion of the machine to conventional foam convoluting using similar sized rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for cutting a piece of fresh whole-muscle meat into several slices having the same thickness and weight, which comprises a loading and pre-pressing unit (1) for accommodating and pressing the piece of fresh whole-muscle meat and a grading unit (2) for determining the thickness and the volume of the slices. The invention is also fitted with a slicing unit (3) arranged between the loading and pre-pressing unit (1) and the grading unit (2) to cut the piece of fresh whole-muscle meat (13) into slices (14) as determined by the grading unit (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a multi-layer pad of a non-woven fiber batt and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces and to a multi-layer pad incorporating a non-woven fiber batt and foam layer. The process of forming a non-woven batt layer and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces comprises transporting each layer along its longitudinal dimension while compressing each layer along its lateral dimension. Concomitantly with compression, each layer is cut transversely along its lateral dimension to separate each layer into an upper segment and a lower segment and to provide conforming convoluted surfaces on the segments of each layer, the convoluted surfaces comprised of upstanding projections and depressions.

Abstract: A process for the compression cutting of foam which uses a moving table which supports a template over which a foam block to be cut is placed. The foam block and template are moved under an angled moving belt compressed and passed against a moving blade. The improvement of the present invention includes the step of placing a second foam block above the foam block to be cut and passing both the foam block to be cut and the second block under the moving belt and cutting only the foam block to be cut. Next, the second foam block is removed and placed on top of the template and becomes a foam block to be cut and a new second foam block is placed over the block to be cut and the process is repeated. The template has a flat base with removable form members affixed to its upper surface. Then, when the template becomes worn, a new base board and sidewall can easily be formed and the removable form members removed from the worn form and placed on the upper surface of the base of the replacement template.

Abstract: A method of forming a slit in a reseal element having an outer surface defined by a proximal end thereof, a semi-spherical inner surface portion defined by a dome region of the proximal end, and an annular inner surface portion which circumvents the semi-spherical inner surface portion. The method is accomplished through the use of a cutting assembly which includes a locator plate having a locator cavity disposed therein, a cutting core, a support fixture, and a blade member. The method comprises the initial step of inserting the reseal element into the locator cavity of the locator plate. Thereafter, the dome region of the reseal element is pre-stressed by the contact of the support fixture thereagainst, with the blade member then being advanced upwardly through the proximal end of the reseal element to form the slit therein.

Abstract: In an apparatus for minimizing vacuum losses from a permeable support surface having one or more layers of sheet-type work material positioned thereon, the support surface includes opposed lateral edge surfaces, each defining an upper and lower section. At least two upper seals are coupled to the frame, each engaging the upper section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and extending approximately the length of the support surface. At least two side seals are also provided and are coupled to the frame, each engaging the side section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and also extending approximately the length of the support surface. During operation of the apparatus, vacuum is drawn through the permeable support surface and causes the upper and side seals to be drawn and held against the lateral side sections, forming a seal there against.

Abstract: Methods for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) include (a) compressing one or more slabs of cellular material between a pair of compression rollers (146, 146a) and two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and (b) transversely cutting the slab or slabs with a blade or blades (76) just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: Thick matter and solids are conveyed together and substantially continuously through a conveyor pipeline. The thick matter is forced by a conveyor piston driven by a piston pump from a feed container into a conveyer cylinder. A forward face of the piston has a cutting crown with a cutting edge cooperating with an annular cutting ring to cut off solids projecting beyond an inlet in the conveyer pipeline.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from one surface uses a compression roller, a support surface, a blade and a moving patterned platform interposed between the compression roller and the support surface. The moving patterned platform, preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, defines at least one recess, and may define a pattern of recesses of complex or simple shapes and at various depths. When the slab of cellular polymer material is compressed between the compression roller and the support surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving patterned belt. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recesses is then cut from the surface of the slab by the blade just as the slab emerges from between the compression roller and the support surface.

Abstract: In a method for separating sausages which are joined together by means of a twisting point at which a clip may be situated, the twisting point is to be cut through by a laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting a piece of meat into a predetermined number of steaks. To allow the piece of meat to be cut in a rapid and simple manner with small losses of raw material, the piece of meat is placed in a mould whose bottom, cover and side walls substantially enclose the piece of meat, the piece of meat is subjected to a pressure in such a way that the bottom, the cover or at least one of the walls is movable and at least partly pressed into the mould until the piece of meat is so compressed as to fill substantially the entire space between the bottom, side walls and cover of the mould. The cutting elements are inserted into the mould through slots provided in the side walls, cover and/or bottom of the mould, whereby the piece of meat subjected to pressure is cut into a predetermined number of steaks by the cutting elements. The invention also relates to a cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A chain of elastic bands (1) includes at least two elastic bands (3), wherein adjacent elastic bands are joined to one another by means of at least one bridging piece (4). The longitudinal direction (A) of the elastic bands preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal direction (C) of the chain of elastic bands (1). The chain of elastic bands may be produced from a flat, sheet-like web of elastic material (9), such as rubber, preferably natural rubber, in which essentially oval elastic bands (3) have been formed. The elastic bands have a constant width (B) all round. Adjacent elastic bands are preferably joined to one another by at least two bridging pieces (4), which are preferably each arranged at a transition between the adjacent longitudinal strips (5) and arc-shaped strips (6). The chain of elastic bands according to the invention can be rolled up into a roll or can be folded up to form a harmonica-like stack.

Abstract: The top of bread-product can be removed by a process, wherein the bread-product is subjected to forces, so that a bread product with a bent profile is obtained and subjecting this bent product to a cutting under removal of the top of the product, resulting in a bread product with a cavity within upstanding rims of bread crust.

Abstract: A stripper holder for holding a stripper plate conforms with the deformation of a die plate. A pressing force applied to the stripper plate and is greater than an elastic limit of a metal tape to be punched, and less than a pressing deformation or breakage force of the metal tape. The stripper holder may also be flexible, or such that the metal tape is pressed at two different positions for one punching position by two different pressing forces.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting and for cutting voluminous objects of strong elasticity, notably pneumatics.The apparatus includes shears; positioned at the extremity of a tunnel of arranging and compacting, the tunnel has a rectangular cross section, narrowing toward the extremity and the four walls of the tunnel being constituted of parallel and juxtaposed rollers. The rollers are disposed transversely. The rollers of the vertical walls and of the horizontal superior wall being put into rotation by a motor apparatus.

Abstract: A punch button (32) has a central disc (36) integral with and separable from an outer peripheral annular ring (38). The disc and ring are joined by a breakaway portion (40) of reduced thickness. A pair of peel points or pilot cuts (50 and 52) may be provided on distally opposite sides of the disc, and if so, the disc is initially separable from the ring at the peel points and then rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to an axis through the distally opposite pilot cuts. The punch button is formed by providing a strip of material of a first thickness, placing the strip in a die, performing an inner cut with the die and partially cutting through the strip to yield first and second subpieces joined to each other by material of a second reduced thickness, and performing an outer cut with the die and cutting all the way through the strip to yield a piece composed of the first and second subpieces providing the disc and ring.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for forming a clear hole through a composite plate. In the present method, the hole is twice-punched by a punching apparatus. At least two plates can be joined together to form a wall of a trailer. Each composite plate is formed from top and bottom skins having a resilient core sandwiched therebetween. The bottom skin of one plate and the top skin of the adjacent plate each include an integrally formed skin extension which extends past the end of the respective cores and overlaps the respective top or bottom skin on the adjacent plate. To perform the method, the following steps are taken: The composite plates are placed adjacent to each other and the punching apparatus is engaged with the plate to be punched to compress the plate core material. The punching apparatus punches through the plate and skin to form a hole therethrough. The apparatus is then withdrawn from its engagement and the core is allowed to expand into the hole.

Abstract: A thermal and acoustic barrier for automotive floor pan carpeting is made by cutting synthetic foam sheet in a continuous process to create a foam surface complementary to the three dimensional shape of the floor pan surface. The cut foam sheet is bonded to the underside of the carpeting and installed with the complementary foam surface facing the floor pan.

Abstract: A vibration finishing method and apparatus in which the surface roughness and form of a hole in a compound material such as a printed board can be made excellent and the working accuracy of the hole can be significantly improved and the working cost of the hole can be lowered. In the punch pressing device, a compound material is fixed to a lower metal mold having a lower die hole into which a punching tool can be inserted. While the compound material is held between the lower metal mold and a pressing plate and pressed by pressing members provided with the pressing plate having an upper die hole into which the punching tool can be inserted, a minute-vibration of frequency of several ten hertz is applied onto the punching tool and then, the compound material is punched out. After that, the punching tool is temporarily drawn from the hole to be worked in the compound material.

Abstract: Synthetic foam compressed between a pattern roller and a smooth compression roller is driven against a cutting edge closely adjacent and tangent to the pattern surface but spaced from the compression roller to reproduce a three dimensional pattern roller surface on the foam sheet. Three dimensional patterns of arbitrary geometries including sharp edged, flat surfaced geometric solids can be reproduced on a foam surface.

Abstract: An expandable gasket for a head disk assembly, wherein the gasket is initially formed having a geometry that maximizes the number of gaskets realized per sheet of material used. The gasket includes a series of spaced-apart thinned pivot regions and is expanded from an initial relatively closed, material-saving geometry to a second, open geometry dimensioned to be disposed between a top cover and a base of a disk drive. In addition, the transformation from first to second geometries is accomplished without stretching, distorting, buckling or tearing the elongate pivot regions.

Abstract: A method for molding silicone foam into an article having the features of a designated object. The method includes the steps of introducing a silicone foam mixture into a first mold having a first cavity, wherein the silicone foam mixture forms a first molded object that has a shape which is representative of the first cavity; removing the first molded object from the first mold; pressing the first molded object into a second mold that has a second cavity, which has a basic profile that is representative of the article, the first molded object forming a layer of foam on the top edge of the second mold; cutting the layer to form an opened celled surface on the top surface of the first molded object; and releasing and removing the first molded object from the second cavity. The opened celled surface acquires the configuration that is representative of the second cavity, while the first bottom surface returns to the shape of the first cavity.

Abstract: A continuous rotary method for surface shaping of resilient material such as synthetic foam. Three dimensional surface geometries of well defined and arbitrary shapes are obtained by pressing foam against a die roller to compress some foam portions to a reduced thickness against raised portions of the die and extrude other foam portions into depressions of the die, and cutting away the extruded portions. The compressed portions return to an uncompressed state after passage against the die roller and form raised areas on the foam surface around depressions corresponding to the cut away portions of foam.