Abstract: A method of molding plastic parts, particularly those with low draft angles, textured surfaces or other mold release challenges, comprising the steps of placing a cavity substantially defining the exterior of the plastic part and a core substantially defining the interior of the plastic part into position defining the plastic part therebetween and injecting heated thermoplastic between the cavity and the core to form the plastic part. The molding machine is then operated to simultaneously withdraw the core and incrementally eject the plastic part from the core by an incremental ejection distance insufficient to disengage the plastic part from the core, wherein the plastic part is supported by the cavity during the incremental ejection from the core. The molding machine is next operated to withdraw the core and the part engaged thereon from the cavity, and fully eject the part from the core.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the resistance to the flow of a liquid from an upper liquid supply container to a lower vacuum receptor tank through an interconnecting port while permitting air displaced from said tank to enter said container through said port. The apparatus includes a valve element which is mounted for opening and closing movement with respect to the port and is biased into normal closed position. The valve element comprises a lower buoyant seating member or ball located in said lower tank and designed to seal said port from below, and an air conduit attached to the seating member or ball for movement therewith. The lower end of the air conduit is open adjacent the ball in the lower tank and the upper end is open to an air space above the liquid level within the upper supply container. Preferably, the valve element also includes a splash member to disrupt the liquid flow from the upper container and facilitate the air flow from the lower tank into and through the air conduit.

Abstract: A pneumatic method and apparatus for causing the rapid recirculation of a liquid between a plurality of containers 10, 11 by adjusting the pressure of a gas exerted within each of said containers to superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressures, thereby avoiding the passing of the liquid through a mechanical flow-inducing pump. The containers 10, 11 are connected to each other by means of a liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit which includes a work station. A filled first container 10 is subjected to superatmospheric pressure to force the liquid into the circulation system while a second empty container 11 is subjected to subatmospheric pressure to suck the liquid from the circulation system. After each container is empty and before it is subjected to subatmospheric pressure, for refilling purposes, it is exposed to atmospheric pressure to release the elevated pressure therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a controlled pressure liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit through which a liquid can be circulated and recirculated to accomplish a desired function, such as heating and/or cooling of a work station such as a mold. The invention involves opening and closing said circulation conduit to a source of supply liquid, such as city water, at elevated pressure while maintaining the controlled pressure of the liquid within said circulation conduit at a substantially lower pressure, and is characterized by maintaining the circulation conduit open to a drain line at all times and providing or maintaining a drain pressure which is at least slightly above atmospheric and is equal to the pressure desired within the circulation conduit in the area thereof which is open to the drain.

Abstract: A negative pressure cooling system for cooling passageways in plastic molds includes a closed reservoir that is maintained under a high vacuum by a vacuum fluid pump with the outlet of the cooling passageway being connected to the reservoir inlet and with the reservoir outlet being connected to the cooling passageway inlet through a pressure pump and a fluid pressure regulator.

Abstract: A system for cooling plastic molds with a flowing liquid while obviating leaking of the fluid and still enabling the mold to basically determine the quantity of liquid flowing, by providing a less than atmospheric pressure within the mold and increasing where needed, the cooling effect of the flowing liquid by in effect, providing a controlled adjustable air leak.

Abstract: A tumbler is formed of injected plastic material that has different directional strengths by injecting the plastic material somewhat tangentially to cause the plastic material to move peripherally in the rim defining portion of the mold cavity in order to have the weaker directional strength also extend peripherally to thereby increase the tumbler's resistance to lengthwise splitting from the rim to the bottom and in which the mold is vented into a cooling passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for motivating an operator's performance by measuring the durations in a plural step repeating work cycle of a machine of at least a step whose duration is mostly controlled by an operator and displaying for the operator's observation the duration of the immediately prior step, the average duration of said operator's steps from the beginning of a work period, the average of all operator's steps, a standard predetermined duration of the step and the maximum duration of the step that is added to the average together with displaying at least some of the same durations for at least one or more other steps performed during the cycle and/or of the complete cycle together with the number of down or non-operating occurrences and the elapsed time thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous cooling liquid passageway through two separable injection mold dies when they are closed with a supply system flowing cooling liquid at a less than atmospheric pressure at least at the junction of the dies through the passageway only when the dies are closed and air when the dies are opened and the passageway is discontinuous.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling an injection molded plastic article by forming a portion of a mold cavity of fluid permeable porous material that communicates with a cooling liquid passageway and subjecting the cooling liquid to different pressures to vary the flow of fluid through the porous plug.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling an injection molded plastic article by forming a portion of a mold cavity of fluid permeable porous material that communicates with a cooling liquid passageway and subjecting the cooling liquid to different pressures to vary the flow of fluid through the porous plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous cooling liquid passageway through two separable injection mold dies when they are closed with a supply system flowing cooling liquid at a less than atmospheric pressure at least at the junction of the dies through the passageway only when the dies are closed and air when the dies are opened and the passageway is discontinuous.

Abstract: A probe for measuring coordinate positions on an object by sensing a displacement of the stylus which contacts the object. The probe is responsive to forces which result from the contact between the object and the stylus to indicate coordinate positions of the object. The probe includes a replaceable stylus having a shank portion defining an axis, with a transversely-extending portion extending from the shank portion for sensing forces exerted by objects in the axial direction away from the probe, while the stylus shank portion is responsive to forces in the radial and axial (toward the probe) directions. The probe is thus responsive to forces exerted on the stylus in any direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a signal that measures the extent of the separation of injection mold dies during the injection of plastic material into the mold cavity and uses this signal to reduce the possibility of flash damage to the mold dies by decreasing the pressure clamping the molds together if the separation exceeds a value that is known to cause flash and/or further utilizes the signal to alter the rate of injection of plastic material.

Abstract: Air that becomes entrapped in a closed mold cavity during the injection of liquid plastic material into the cavity is vented into the flowing liquid coolant of the mold to be exhausted therewith while leakage of coolant into the mold cavity during nonventing is prevented by maintaining the coolant at less than atmospheric pressure.