Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for making a surface resistant to frost are disclosed.

Abstract: A detectable warning tile which aims to solve the problem of buckling and cracking associated with different thermal expansion properties of the tile and the substrate in which it is installed. Said tile is provided with underside flanges on only some of the outermost vertical surface of the tile. The tile need not be a quadrilateral, the tile may have more or fewer than fours edges.

Abstract: Tooling assemblies for interfacing with interchangeable molds are provided, each with a tooling body for mounting to a platen of a press of an injection molding machine and for receiving an interchangeable mold block. Interchangeable mold blocks are also provided for forming articles. A series of fasteners fasten each mold block to one of the tooling bodies. Alignment systems are oriented within a perimeter of the mold block to permit expansion of the mold block relative to the tooling body to accommodate varying rates of thermal expansion of the tooling body and the mold block. Methods for assembling a mold, molding an article and interchanging a mold with interchangeable mold blocks are also provided.

Abstract: A method of laminating a decorative layer to a molded part comprises molding a part formed of an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin and applying a segment of co-extruded an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin film to the part. The part is loaded into a vacuum forming nest and maintained in a heated state. The film is heated and then positioned over the part in a pressure box. A vacuum is applied through the vacuum forming nest to a first side of the film facing the part at the same time air pressure is applied through the pressure box to a second side of the film. The film is bonded directly to the part without the need for an adhesive.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an article having a surface, a skin, and a core includes closing a first mold portion on a compressible seal. The seal is disposed between the first and second mold portions. The portions define a pressurizable mold cavity having a spaced apart injection port and a vent. The mold cavity is pressurized at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Molten plastic and blowing agent are injected form gas cells within the mixture. The gas cells have an internal pressure exceeding the first pressure. After waiting for a first period, the pressurizing gas is vented for a second period at a rate sufficient to rupture the gas cells which form a skin adjacent to the mold cavity wall. The skin defines a core cavity filled with the foamed mixture, which is solidified. The mold portions are separated releasing the article.

Abstract: Tooling assemblies for interfacing with interchangeable molds are provided, each with a tooling body for mounting to a platen of a press of an injection molding machine and for receiving an interchangeable mold block. Interchangeable mold blocks are also provided for forming articles. A series of fasteners fasten each mold block to one of the tooling bodies. Alignment systems are oriented within a perimeter of the mold block to permit expansion of the mold block relative to the tooling body to accommodate varying rates of thermal expansion of the tooling body and the mold block. Methods for assembling a mold, molding an article and interchanging a mold with interchangeable mold blocks are also provided.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an article having a surface, a skin, and a core includes closing a first mold portion on a compressible seal. The seal is disposed between the first and second mold portions. The portions define a pressurizable mold cavity having a spaced apart injection port and a vent. The mold cavity is pressurized at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Molten plastic and blowing agent are injected form gas cells within the mixture. The gas cells have an internal pressure exceeding the first pressure. After waiting for a first period, the pressurizing gas is vented for a second period at a rate sufficient to rupture the gas cells which form a skin adjacent to the mold cavity wall. The skin defines a core cavity filled with the foamed mixture, which is solidified. The mold portions are separated releasing the article.

Abstract: A method for producing an engineered building material comprising at least a first and second cementitious reinforced expanded honeycomb product, the method comprising: affixing at least one end of the first cementitious reinforced expanded honeycomb product to at least one end of the second cementitious reinforced expanded honeycomb product via a coupler device.

Abstract: A building ornament, building ventilator, roof ventilator, or cupola (10 or 50), includes a top portion (12 or 52), a base portion (14 or 54), one portion (12, 14, 52, or 54) preferably is translucent. Optionally, the cupola (10 or 50) includes an illumination unit (82), elongated ventilation slots (32, 74), a plastic screen (76), to exclude bugs, that preferably is welded into one of the portions (52 or 54), and multiple V-shaped flanges (92A, 92B, or 92C) of different pitches that provide means for attachment to double-pitched roofs (42) having different pitches (40A, 40B, or 40C).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending thermoplastic tube in which a pre-heated region of the tube is conformed to a required bend configuration while supported internally and externally to prevent the tube wall collapsing. The external support is provided by relatively movable formers which enclose a section of the tube at the point where the bending force is applied and this enclosed section moves progressively along the heated region as the bend is developed by the relative movement of the formers. The internal support is provided by fluid pressure higher than atmospheric pressure within the tube during the forming operation. Multiple bends can be formed sequentially and/or siitultateously.

Abstract: A key retaining device that secures the functional section of the key while leaving the non functional section exposed for easy identification. The device is able to lock individual keys on a large key chain without interference with the non locked keys. The key can only be removed with the use of a master key. The device's simple and inexpensive design includes only five components: namely a housing to enclose the key, two deformable substrates, a unique set screw, and a master key. There is a bore inside the housing that runs longitudinally within the housing. The bore has a threaded section that contains the screw and a non-threaded section that contains the two deformable substrates. There is a blind slot at the base of the housing which runs from one side of the housing to the non-threaded section of the bore. The functional section of the key is placed through the blind slot, into the non-threaded section of bore, and between the two deformable substrates.

Abstract: A spool assembly of simple, lightweight construction affording efficient, balanced, and inexpensive operation is constructed simply of a pair of end flanges secured to the ends of a hollow exterior tube on which material, such as carpet yarn, may be wound. The tube has interior, longitudinally extending, integral projections that provide longitudinal slots in which self-tapping screws are secured with the heads of the screws retained in the end flanges to secure the flanges on the tube. The slots may be formed by pairs of inwardly projecting walls with the walls retained against spreading by end reinforcing plugs disposed in the ends of the tubes and having peripheral notches that encompass and retain the projecting walls. Alternatively, an interior reinforcing core may be disposed in each end of the tube with radial arms extending partially into the slots for cooperation with the projecting walls to receive and retain the screws.