Abstract: Boat hulls are prepared by positioning reinforcing material in a mold, applying vacuum to firmly hold the reinforcing material against the mold, positioning a fiberglass-resin mixture over the reinforcing material, placing a vacuum bag over the fiberglass mixture, and evacuating the vacuum bag to press the fiberglass mixture against the reinforcing material to bond the fiberglass mixture to the reinforcing material. Also discloses a boat hull construction.

Abstract: An article handling and conditioning system for use between associated machines and associated processes are disclosed. The system comprises at least one initial molding machine and a finishing machine; a device for receiving initially molded articles from the at least one initial molding machine prior to finishing in the finish machine; a first mechanism for accumulating devices for receiving and the initially molded articles; a mechanism for transporting the device for receiving and the initially molded articles from the initial molding machine to the first mechanism for accumulating; a mechanism for moving the devices for receiving and the initially molded articles through the first mechanism for accumulating; and a device for transferring the initially molded articles from the first mechanism for accumulating to the finishing machine.

Abstract: An amphibious craft having a plurality of independent surface engaging elements each one of which provides a load bearing function when in contact with a support surface.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having a plurality of axially arranged mold stations including structure for supporting sets of mold plates and a mechanism for opening, closing and overstroking mold plates.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing multi-layered preforms from inserts is provided. The system comprises a device for molding the inserts into the multi-layered preforms and a mechanism for arranging the inserts used in forming the preforms into proper position for subsequent relocation to the molding device. A first loading station is provided for receiving the inserts from the mechanism for arranging, wherein the inserts are properly positioned for the molding device when located with the first loading station. A second loading station is also provided along with a mechanism for moving the inserts from the first loading station to the second loading station. A device for relocating the inserts from the second molding station to the molding device is used. A device for detecting if the inserts are at least one of present and absent during movement through the system is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence and absence of inserts at various stages in a molding system which includes at least a first insert loading station, an insert shuttle plate, an insert relocation device and a molding station including mold cores. The system comprises a device for detecting the presence and absence of the inserts on the insert shuttle plate while the inserts are being moved from the first station to the insert relocation device via the insert shuttle plate. If one of the inserts is detected as absent an indicator thereof is actuated. The device is further for detecting the presence and absence of the inserts on the insert shuttle plate after the inserts have been removed from the insert shuttle plate via the relocation device. If one of the inserts is detected as present, an indicator thereof is actuated.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having a plurality of axially arranged mold stations including structure for supporting sets of mold plates and a mechanism for opening, closing and overstroking mold plates.

Abstract: An injection molding machine, comprising a frame including a first structural member having a stationary platen supporting a first mold half and a second structural member spaced from and connected with the first structural member; a movable platen supporting a second mold half wherein the movable platen is positioned between the first and second structural member and wherein the first mold half and the second mold half have a mold centerline; a device for moving the movable platen relative the stationary platen for closing the first mold half and the second mold half together, wherein the device for moving is connected with the frame; and a mechanism for adjustably spacing said first and second structural members along a first substantially common plane spaced from the mold centerline. Upon closing the first mold half and the second mold half together, the first structural member and the second structural member are caused to separate at least along the mold centerline.

Abstract: A nozzle for directing molding material from a material source to a sprue, includes a first surface adapted to connect the nozzle to the material source. The first surface is also adapted to be adjacent to and pivotally movable relative to the material source and in material communication with the material source. A second surface is adapted to be positioned adjacent to and pivotally movable relative to the sprue. The second surface is in material flow communication with the first surface and adapted to be in material flow communication with the sprue. A channel is included for establishing the material flow communication through the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved nozzle-manifold assembly having utility in injection molding machines for making molded plastic articles. The nozzle assembly employs a clamp ring to apply a clamping force to the nozzle housing to cause it to mate with a manifold so as to prevent leakage of molten plastic material between the nozzle housing and the manifold. The clamp ring is mounted to the manifold by a plurality of screws whose tightening creates the desired clamping force and an effective seal between the nozzle housing and the manifold. The nozzle-manifold assembly also includes a centering ring for positioning the nozzle housing within a bore in a mold plate.

Abstract: A rotary actuated gate valve for directing melt from a channel in a manifold to a mold gate includes a valve stem extending through and rotatable within the manifold. The valve stem includes a groove in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the groove is adapted to be rotated into alignment with the mold gate and channel for allowing the melt to flow into the mold gate. The groove is also adapted to be rotated out of alignment with the mold gate and channel for blocking the melt from flowing into the mold gate. The gate valve also includes a mechanism for rotating the valve stem. Another embodiment includes a rotatable housing having a groove, which operates in a manner similar to the valve stem design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for forming injection molded plastic articles having an inner wall portion. The apparatus includes a mold cavity portion and a mold core portion defining a cavity space in the shape of the plastic article to be formed. The apparatus further includes at least two hot runner nozzles for injecting molten plastic material into the cavity space. The nozzles are preferably offset to outer portions of the mold core portion so as to provide an increased space in the mold core portion in which cooling conduits, inlets and the like can be placed to increase the cooling capability of the mold core portion. The offsetting of the nozzles also provides the mold core portion with increased strength. Each of the nozzles communicates with inner wall portion of the cavity space via a hook-shaped passageway and an inside gate. Additionally, each of the nozzles has a metal portion for maintaining plastic material in the hook-shaped passageway in molten condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved clamping mechanism for use in injection molding machines and similar pieces of equipment where it is desired to apply a clamping force to particular components. The clamping mechanism of the present invention employs at least one spaced apart brake plate mounted to one component and a braking unit for engaging the brake plates. The braking unit has at least one pair of brake pad linings surrounding the brake plates and at least one piston-cylinder unit for causing frictional engagement between the respective brake pad linings and the brake plate(s). When the brake pad linings grip the brake plate(s), the braking unit becomes locked to the components to which the brake plate(s) are attached. The clamping mechanism of the present invention may be employed on simple injection molding machines as well as TANDEM.RTM. injection molding machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for injection molding thin-walled plastic articles. The apparatus includes a mold cavity and a mold core defining a cavity space in the shape of the article. The cavity space has a circumferentially extending region having a thickness greater than the thickness of a sidewall defining portion. This circumferentially extending region is preferably located at the approximate mid-point of the sidewall defining portion. At least two gates directly and simultaneously introduce plastic material initially into the circumferentially extending portion in a manner so as to minimize the creation of side loads and core shift. After the circumferentially extending region is filled, the plastic material fills the entire cavity space. The plastic material is thereafter cooled to form the desired article.

Abstract: Molded article including an internal member therein, wherein the molded article includes a first and second molded part, wherein the member is encapsulated within the molded article. The first molded part preferably includes a contoured groove with the member seated in the groove.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a blow mold for forming a hollow plastic article from a parison including at least two relatively reciprocable mold portions which form a mold cavity therebetween having a shape of the desired hollow plastic article, and a toggle mechanism for relatively moving the mold portions from a first open position to a second position wherein the mold portions are in contacting relationship to a third position wherein the mold portions are spaced apart to form a controlled vent therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved clamping mechanism for use in injection molding machines and similar pieces of equipment where it is desired to apply a clamping force to particular components. The clamping mechanism of the present invention employs at least one spaced apart brake plate mounted to one component and a braking unit for engaging the brake plates. The braking unit has at least one pair of brake pad linings surrounding the brake plates and at least one piston-cylinder unit for causing frictional engagement between the respective brake pad linings and the brake plate(s). When the brake pad linings grip the brake plate(s), the braking unit becomes locked to the components to which the brake plate(s) are attached. The clamping mechanism of the present invention may be employed on simple injection molding machines as well as TANDEM.RTM. injection molding machines.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation having a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for injection molding thin-walled plastic articles having comparatively thick lip portion. The apparatus has a mold cavity and a mold core defining a cavity space in the shape of the article and at least one injection gate adjacent a portion of the cavity space defining the lip portion through which molded plastic is injected into the cavity space. The direct lip gating approaches employed in the apparatus do not sacrifice core/cavity alignment and conventional mold motions along the machine axis and form plastic articles having substantially no gate vestiges on the lip sealing surface or on the outer perimeter of the lip.

Abstract: A friction clamp assembly for securing a mold of an injection molding machine in a closed position includes a column rigidly secured to a moving platen carrying a mold half and a gripper bush assembly for frictionally engaging and locking the column in a desired position. The clamp assembly further includes a clamp piston for clamping the moving platen in a mold closed position. The clamp assembly transmits a clamping force to portions of a moving platen other than end portions via the column so that platen parallelism is maintained during closing, injection and hold pressure portions of a molding cycle while platen bending is substantially avoided.