Abstract: A cathode head assembly is provided for holding a matrix during electroforming of a replica on the surface of the matrix. The cathode head assembly has a support member with an outer diameter at least as large as the matrix to be replicated; a compressable seal member positioned about the outer diameter of the support member; an outer ring member having means for engaging the seal member and having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support member and a means for locking the outer ring in a position when the seal is held against the outer ring in compressed sealing engagement with a matrix mounted on the support member.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for the manufacture of stampers in which the stampers are electroformed from a relatively hard metal in a flat configuration and then, either before or after shaping of the shaped inner and outer edges, but prior to the use in the pressing of records, the inner and/or outer edges are selectively annealed to increase the ductility of these portions while retaining hardness of the remainder of the stamper.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflashing a molded recorded disc includes a turntable support for the disc and a scissors type knife having a pair of blades pivotally mounted together with one of the blades being mounted on a support which is positioned adjacent the turntable so that a portion of the flash of the disc extends between the blades. A pneumatic cylinder has a piston rod connected to a knife support to selectively move with the support and the knife toward and away from the disc. The blades have cooperating cutting edges for cutting through the flash and one of the blades has a front end cutting surface for removing the flash when the disc is rotated by the turntable. In the operation of the apparatus the knife first removes a major portion of the flash and then the knife is moved slowly inwardly against the edge of the disc to remove additional portions of the flash until the desired diameter of the disc is reached.

Abstract: A disc turnover device is mounted along a conveyor which supports discs in a flat horizontal position and carries the discs along a horizontal path.The turnover device includes a pair of wheels mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor for rotation about a common axis perpendicular to the path of the conveyor. Each wheel has a plurality of circumferentially spaced pickup arms pivotally mounted at one end on the wheel for pivotation toward and away from the conveyor. Each arm on one wheel is in parallel opposed relation with an arm on the other wheel to provide a plurality of opposed arms. A spring urges each arm toward the conveyor and caming projections move the arm away from the conveyor at selected positions along its path of rotation. A pickup head is mounted on each arm and is slidable longitudinally along the arm. Each head has fingers for engaging and holding the edge of a disc.

Abstract: A detector and measuring device for determining the presence and number of lubricant particles in a flow of air directed onto the surface of a disc to coat the disc with a thin layer of the lubricant. The detector includes means for removing a portion of the air containing the lubricant particles from the coating chamber, means for diluting the air containing the lubricant particles with additional clean air and means for passing diluted air through a particle counter which detects and counts the particles of lubricant.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of stampers having formed inner and outer edges is provided in which the inner and outer edges are electroformed in the required configuration by using electroforming guides at the inner edge, the outer edge and preferably both edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding an article, such as a preform, used in making information recorded discs, includes top and bottom mold members having recesses in their approved surfaces. The top mold member is mounted on the end of the piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder which is adapted to move the top mold member into mating relation with the bottom mold member so that the mold recesses form a mold cavity. The bottom mold member includes means for injecting a plastic mold material into the mold cavity. To mold a preform, the top mold member is moved by the pneumatic cylinder toward the bottom mold member to a collapsed position of the mold members where the mold cavity is of a volume less than the desired volume of the preform being molded. Plastic mold material is injected into the mold cavity until it is filled and additional mold material is injected into the mold forcing the top mold member away from the bottom mold member until the cavity is of the desired volume of the preform.

Abstract: The technique of forming a jacket by welding a pair of T-shaped side rails to a U-shaped enclosure comprises the steps of (1) inserting the U-shaped enclosure over a spacer plate, (2) clamping the U-shaped enclosure to the spacer plate, (3) inserting the flange portions of the T-rails between the side edge portions of the U-shaped enclosure, and (4) ultrasonically welding the side rails to the U-shaped enclosure to complete the assembly. According to a further feature of the invention, the clamping plates are fitted with tapered inserts at both ends to oppose the tendency of the finished jacket to collapse in the middle. Pursuant to still another aspect of the invention, the portion of the spacer plate near the open end of the U-shaped enclosure is provided with energy concentrating tips to direct a portion of ultrasonic energy to this region to ensure a good weld between the side rails and the U-shaped enclosure near its open end.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a video disc caddy sleeve comprising folding platens, an intermediate spacer plate with indentations on the leading edge, and a selective heating means. Spacer plate causes plastic sheet to bend in the middle while folding platens close to a folded up position. Indentations on the leading edge act to keep label, already adhered to plastic sheet, from tearing while sheet is being bent into a U-shaped enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a disc record package from a flat plastic sheet, comprising a narrow intermediate section interposed between a pair of panel portions. The apparatus includes a housing, a pair of substantially rigid planar folding plates pivotally mounted for movement, a rigid spacer plate, a means for selectively heating the narrow intermediate section of the said flat plastic sheet, and a means for folding the said rigid planar folding plates. The folding plates are operable between a spreadout co-planar position and a folded up juxtaposed position. The rigid spacer plate acts to form the central portion of the folded plastic sheet during the molding operation. The means for moving the said spacer plate and folding plates are pneumatically operated cylinders.

Abstract: The video disc caddy comprises a record retaining spine removably received inside an outer protective cover. The spine has an opening for receiving a disc record. Each side of the spine is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed, substantially semicircular wiping pads around the record receiving opening therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating a replica from a matrix. The apparatus consists of a rotatable lower turntable and a movable upper turntable assembly between which the replica and matrix assembly to be separated are clamped during the separation process. A tool is provided to selectively apply pressure to the outer edge of the matrix to cause the seal between the replica and the matrix to be broken and also to provide a gap between the replica and the matrix. A pair of opposing clamp members having an aperture in the jaws of the clamps is inserted into the gap between the replica and the matrix. The clamp members are advanced so as to lock the matrix to the surface of the lower turntable. A pair of upper clamp members which are mounted on the support assembly for the upper turntable are moved into position so as to engage the replica.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for grinding the back surfaces of record molding stampers. The apparatus is comprised of a holder in which the stamper is mounted and rotated and a pressure-controlled grinder arm which is designed to engage the back surface of the stamper with an abrasive while the stamper is being rotated so as to remove surface defects.

Abstract: A method for molding an article, such as a preform, used in making information recorded discs, includes use of top and bottom mold members having recesses in their approved surfaces. The top mold member is mounted on the end of the piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder which is adapted to move the top mold member into mating relation with the bottom mold member so that the mold recesses form a mold cavity. The bottom mold member includes means for injecting a plastic mold material into the mold cavity. To mold a preform, the top mold member is moved by the pneumatic cylinder toward the bottom mold member to a collapsed position of the mold members where the mold cavity is of a volume less than the desired volume of the preform being molded. Plastic mold material is injected into the mold cavity until it is filled and additional mold material is injected into the mold forcing the top mold member away from the bottom mold member until the cavity is of the desired volume of the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding information discs includes a pair of mold plates, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other, and adapted to form a mold cavity therebetween, a center hole forming pin slidably mounted in one of the mold plates and a center plate in the other mold plate in alignment with the center hole forming pin. The center hole forming pin has a recess in its end which faces the center plate and a plurality of passages extending substantially radially therethrough from the recess to the outer surface thereof. The passages allow the flow of mold material therethrough as the center hole forming pin is moved through the mold material in the forming of the center hole to reduce the force necessary to move the pin through the mold material.

Abstract: A process improvement is disclosed for use in the matrixing process employed in the manufacture of molded records. In accordance with the disclosure, a narrow texturized band is provided in either the outer or inner unrecorded areas of a matrix or in both areas of a matrix, so that when a replica is electroformed on the matrix the texturized bands will provide sufficient additional grip of the replica to the matrix to prevent premature separation.

Abstract: An improved cathode head is disclosed for electroforming record matrixes. The cathode head includes a conductive cathode plate which is of approximately the same diameter as the matrix to be electroplated so that electrical contact is made to substantially the entire diameter of the matrix during electroforming.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a recorded disc includes a pair of mold plates, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other, and adapted to form a mold cavity therebetween, a center hold forming pin slidably mounted in one of the mold plates and a center plate in the other mold plate opposite the center hole forming pin. The center hole forming pin and/or the center plate includes a removable end plate at its surface which is harder than the rest of the center hole forming pin or center plate. The harder end plate has longer wear properties and can be easily and quickly replaced when it does become worn.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for holding a matrix during electroforming. The apparatus is secured to the cathode of an electroforming apparatus and consists of a flat disc member having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the matrix to be duplicated, and a ring member which is adapted to screw onto the outer diameter of the flat disc member so as to hold the matrix in contact with the surface of the disc. Resilient seals are provided in the ring member and disc member which encase and hold the matrix in a liquid-tight fit between the disc member and the ring member during electroforming of replica parts on the surface of the matrix.

Abstract: A stamper protector is disclosed which is comprised of a recording cover and a center cover. The recording cover is made of a laminated material which has a tough outer layer and a resilient soft inner layer. The recording cover is cut in the form of an annular ring of a size such that it will cover the entire recorded area of the stamper from the outer molding land to the unrecorded center portion of the stamper. The center cover is cut to a size which will cover the entire center of the recording cover when it is adhered to the outer layer of the recording cover.