Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a molding apparatus capable of obtaining an optical element of which both an optical functional surface and a lens mounting reference can be molded simultaneously and which has an appropriate lens thickness. In order to achieve this object, the apparatus includes a lower mold having one molding surface on its upper surface, a lower periphery regulating member for fitting on an outer surface of the lower mold to regulate an excess of a glass material swelling outward from the molding surface of the lower mold, an upper mold having the other molding surface on its lower surface, and an upper periphery regulating member for fitting on an outer surface of the upper mold to regulate the excess of the glass material swelling outward from the molding surface of the upper mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an optical device of a desired shape presses a heat-softened optical material using a set of molds. The optical material is aligned with respect to the molds by two or more aligning members which move around the center of the mold relative to each other. The optical material may also be aligned by inserting a pin into an aligning hole which is fixed to the mold body and has been aligned with respect to the molds.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus produces an optical element of high precision efficiently in such a way that an upper mold member is at least slidably operated relative to a shell mold, and the force of an operation member to be applied onto the upper mold member is exerted through the center of the upper mold member when press molding the glass material and releasing the molded optical element. The press molding apparatus in which glass material in a softened state is pressed within a shell mold using mold members slidable with the shell mold and an optical functional surface corresponding to a molding surface of each of the mold members is formed on the glass material is constructed such that at least the upper mold member slidable within the shell mold is operated via a pressing plate by an operation member so as to exert a pressure parallel to a sliding face of the shell mold at its center, and a hook member hung on the operation member is interlocked via alignment means so as to exert a central lifting force.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester molding compound of which viscosity at 25.degree. C. is about 10.sup.7 centipoise or more, containing (1) glass fiber of about 0.05 to 3 mm in length, (2) 4-methyl-2,4-diphenylpentene-1, and (3) a transparent filler can give glossy, transparent, thick, profile articles without cracking even at high temperatures. Therefore, the molding compound is used advantageously for production, for example, of bathtubs, kitchen counters, and lavatory and dressing tables.

Abstract: An apparatus for compression-molding plastic without producing flashes. The apparartus basically consists of a pair of dies complementary to each other, one being stationary and the other being movable so as to be capable of engaging the stationary one. The apparatus has substantially no clearance at a pinch-off section formed by the engaging edge portions of the two dies, and at least one of the engaging edge portions is made of plastic. In one embodiment of the invention both the engaging edge portions are made of plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously making a mixture of viscous material with solid material, which comprises a pair of spaced mixing rolls for dragging the viscous material and the solid material into a gap between the mixing rolls to permit the materials to be mixed together. A pair of removal rolls, each rotatable at a higher speed than any of the mixing rolls, are provided below the mixing rolls respectively spaced a predetermined distance from the associated mixing rolls for removing layers of the mixture sticking in part to one mixing roll and in part to the other mixing roll, off from the mixing rolls. The mixture removed from the mixing rolls by the removal rolls falls downwardly onto a packaging process wherein the mixture is packed between a pair of carrier sheets of synthetic resin material.