Abstract: The invention concerns a fastener suitable for use in attaching a plastic heel to a shoe. The fastener comprises a generally flat head portion and at least three shank portions extending from the head portion. Each shank portion has at least one aperture therein into which melted or softened plastic material of the heel can flow and upon solidification, lock the fastener to the heel.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor for plastic and polymeric materials which are, or become in the course of processing, viscous liquids, including an annular housing, a rotor coaxial with and rotatable with respect to the housing and having a cylindrical surface in slidable sealing relation with the interior of the housing, a plurality of annular channels formed in the cylindrical surface and cooperating with the housing to form annular processing passages, transfer passages, which are preferably channels in the surface of the housing for cooperation with the cylindrical portions of the rotor, to provide passage for transfer of material between processing passages and blocking members extending into the channels to hold material in the processing passages for relative movement with respect to the channel walls for processing.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising polystyrene-polydiene-polystyrene block copolymers and an amount of a halogenated polyolefin effective to provide improved resistance to solvents or oils. The compositions are particularly useful for preparing footwear tread members.

Abstract: This invention presents to the art a novel, improved plastic nozzle cap for a compressible tube having a sealed outlet opening. The novel, improved nozzle cap comprises an outlet bore and means for securing the cap to the tube. The outlet bore is positioned in a predetermined relationship with the outlet opening of the tube to which the cap is to be secured so that when the cap is secured to the tube, a device can be inserted into the outlet bore to pierce the sealed outlet opening of the tube. The device used to pierce the sealed outlet is an integral part of the cap but can be readily broken from the cap. The broken off device has a portion dimensioned and shaped so that the device has the capability for piercing the sealed outlet opening of the tube and for closing the outlet bore.

Abstract: A blind riveting tool of the type employing a reuseable mandrel carrying a plurality of headed rivets to be successively installed has its nose portion provided with members closeable to abut the heads, respectively, during rivet setting and openable to permit passing of a rivet between the members. A part at the front of the tool is conveniently shiftable to hold the members open for reloading of rivets, or for maintaining the members closed during a rivet setting stroke.

Abstract: A mold for forming an article having a complex shape such as a unitary sole and heel tread member for a shoe and method of making same wherein the article to be cast is formed from a material which is injected into the mold in a hot fluid form. The mold for such an article comprises an upper and a lower mold member, which together define a complete shoe sole mold cavity. Each upper or lower mold member may consist of several intermating sections. The lower mold however, comprises a cavity having sufficient depth around its periphery to permit insertion of an inverted decorative welt plus a second decorative piece placed against the wall of the cavity. The upper mold has a cavity which basically defines the tread of the sole, and the two molds interface to provide a tight seal during the shoe sole molding operation.

Abstract: This invention involves an indicator assembly and method for locating the position of the axis of a cylindrical workpiece in a roll turning lathe in order to allow accurate adjustment of the workpiece axis position into alignment with the turning axis of the lathe. The assembly is removably mounted on the tool slide of the lathe for radial movement into engagement with the workpiece, and is constructed to locate the relative position of the workpiece and machine axes in horizontal and vertical coordinates. This apparatus is used in the method to compare the position of the cylindrical surface of the faceplate of the lathe with the position of the surface of the journal of the roll in the horizontal coordinate and to compare the position of the axis of the faceplate with the position of the axis of the journal in the vertical coordinate.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic guard structure comprises, in integrally hinged relation, an inner foamed portion having pocket-defining ribs or webs with energy dissipating properties, an unfoamed cover portion formed to enclose and protect the inner portion, and means for securing the cover and inner portions, when closed, to a support. A representative use, for instance, is to mount the structure on an automotive bumper as a guard, providing energy absorbtion characteristics precluding bumper damage upon low impacts. Releasable retention of the cover portion in closed relation to the inner foamed portion may be provided by molded interengageable latches formed on the cover portion and receivable in a correspondingly shaped formation in the inner portion.

Abstract: An extruder machine for processing thermoplastic materials such as low density polyethylene, the extruder incorporating a body having a bore therethrough with a rotor or screw journalled therein. The rotor has several successive mixing and pumping sections. The mixing sections on the rotor are multiple flighted defining primary and secondary channels having their discharge and entrances respectively blocked or restricted by annular dam arrangements. The rotor includes a plurality of adjustable dams, arranged across the channels, permitting a variation in the degree of homogenization which may be performed upon the extrudite. The dams may be radially displaceable to vary the distance between the radially outer surface of the dam and the surface of the bore.

Abstract: A machine for pulling and lasting a shoe upper has a mechanism for adjusting the amount of rotational travel of lasting wipers on a wiper head which move toward and rotate against the shoe during the lasting operation. The mechanism comprises a rotatably adjustable knob connected to a correspondingly adjustable threaded shaft arranged in the movable wiper head. The threaded shaft contacts the frame of the machine at the lowermost position of the wiper head, and prevents further advance of the head and further rotational advance of the wipers. The machine operator may preset the degrees of the wiper's rotational stroke by adjustment of the threaded shaft with respect to the wiper head, for the particular size shoe being lasted. Rotation of the adjustable knob also provides an indication of the size of each of the wiper's rotational stroke on a gage behind the knob.

Abstract: A punch press comprising multi-station, progressive die tooling, for providing metal covers with easy-open closures, is fitted with a work transfer mechanism facilitating successive positioning of the covers, the tooling employing features thereof to precisely locate and align the covers in the respective stations. More especially, in addition to cover operating dies and work supporting members facilitating lateral accommodation and positioning of the covers to avoid unwanted deforming stress therein, correct vertical alignment of the tooling at successive stages to produce the closures is economically assured.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor particularly useful as a pump for viscous materials. The multi-stage rotary processor includes a rotatable element having a surface carrying at least one primary processing channel connected to at least one further processing channel and a stationary element providing a complementary coaxial surface arranged with the channels to form enclosed primary and further processing passages. The stationary element also has associated with it an inlet for at least the primary processing passage, outlets for the passages and members extending into each channel for blocking material fed to the processing passages so that liquid material in contact with the rotating channel walls can be dragged forward in each channel. In the primary processing passage the dragged forward material is transferred to the further processing passage for discharge at a uniform pressure and rate.

Abstract: A testing system is provided within a component insertion machine for testing a component immediately prior to its insertion into a printed circuit board. The insertion of the component is conditioned upon the successful passage of one or more tests that are dictated for the particular component. Each test includes the selective application of one or more test signals to predefined inputs on the component. Each test futhermore includes a limited application of a particular power condition. A successful passage of the prescribed tests will result in an authorization to insert the component into the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A new and improved cross-beam press includes a carriage which is mounted for movement along a cross-beam located rearwardly of the bed of the press. A movable press head is suspended from the carriage so as to be above the bed of the press. A control system controls the movement of the press head as the same travels toward and then away from the bed of the press. The control system includes means for adjusting the ultimate approach position of the press head with respect to the bed of the press. As a further feature, the bed of the press can be positioned in two different heightwise positions relative to the movable carriage.

Abstract: Sealing means for controlling leakage of material between closely spaced apart, relatively moving coaxial annular surfaces. Essentially, leakage is controlled by providing a pumping channel on one of the surfaces and a leakage liquid retaining channel on the other surface. The pumping and leakage liquid retaining channels are cooperatively arranged to resist flow of leakage liquid between the surfaces. The sealing means are particularly adaptable for controlling leakage from processing passages of rotary processing apparatus.

Abstract: A device for setting a blind rivet is provided with an automatic rivet loading means. The rivet is fed through a rivet feeding pipe to the device and a parallel crank mechanism and slider cooperate to transport the rivet to the jaws of the setting tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying pressure and a high frequency electric field to material, comprising a cavity for containing the electric field which encloses platens relatively movable to apply pressure to material placed between the platens. The cavity electrically communicates with the platens for supplying the contained electric field to the platens which, in turn, cooperate with each other to apply the field to the material between the platens. The cavity and the platens are also directly coupled into the means for generating the electric field as a resonant circuit. The apparatus includes a triode tube having means for preventing excessive current therethrough as voltage is first applied, and means for operating the triode under optimum conditions utilizing an automatically variable capacitor to maintain a predetermined grid current for a workpiece placed within the apparatus after full voltage has been applied.

Abstract: A fastener, for instance a wide staple having holes in its legs, is heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of the material of a heel to be attached to a shoe. The fastener is then inserted through pre-formed slots in an insole of the shoe and pressed into the heel so that heat from the fastener softens the plastic and the fastener becomes embedded in the heel to hold it attached.

Abstract: A method of rapidly heat setting a shoe on a last wherein the shoe is subjected to dry air at elevated temperature, the air moving at a velocity at the shoe exterior of not less than five (5) meters per second for not more than three and one-half minutes. The method achieves shape retention in a lasted upper with improved efficiency.