Abstract: A die assembly for die casting a propeller structure, such as a wax propeller pattern. The pattern, which is identical in configuration to a cast metal propeller to be produced, includes a generally cylindrical hub having an outwardly flared end and a plurality of blades project outwardly from the hub. The die assembly includes a base plate and a lower core section extends upwardly from the base plate through an opening in a stripper plate, which is mounted for movement toward and away from the base plate. A plurality of die sections are mounted for generally radial sliding movement on the stripper plate from an outer open position to a closed position where they define a die cavity with the core section. The die assembly also includes an upper die unit that is mounted for vertical movement and has a cavity in its lower surface which receives the upper ends of the die sections when in the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mold assembly for molding a plastic article having a recess formed therein. The mold assembly includes a lower mold having a cavity formed therein; an upper mold adapted to be put on the lower mold to close the cavity; a core adapted to be put in the cavity; positioning means including a first member connected to a given portion of the cavity of the lower mold and a second member connected to the core, the first and second members being coupled when mated; and guide means for guiding the core in a manner to facilitate the mating of the second member with the first member.

Abstract: A combination medication mold and dispenser. The medication is poured into a multicompartment tray and solidifies into troches. The tray is made of a flexible plastic which can be bent to release the troches individually. The tray has a cover attached with a flexible hinge to protect the troches after preparation. The medication can be prepared and dispensed to the patient in the same container. The covered tray can be held in a sleeve to further protect the medication and hold the cover in place.

Abstract: A mold and method is disclosed for the production of a lens that can be placed in or on the eye. The mold employs an inflexible ridge, preferably having a triangular cross section, on one of the mold parts. The ridge contacts the other mold part along an annular line.

Abstract: A mold for injection molding a plastic product having a thin-walled area includes a first mold part and a second mold part defining a mold cavity therebetween, encompassed by a parting line, for forming the plastic product, and further defining a gate for admitting injected molten plastic into the cavity. The mold parts define a thin cavity region for defining the thin-walled area of the plastic product; and first and second flow channels which are portions of the mold cavity that are thicker than the thin cavity region, for directing the injected molten plastic from the gate into the thin cavity region, whereby the molten plastic directed from the first flow channel joins with the molten plastic directed from the second flow channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding hollow metalwood golf club heads of wax or other material with variations in the lie angle of the neck or hosel relative to the body of the club head, in which two molds with communicating mold cavities are supported for turning of one mold about a pivotal axis to change the angular relationship of the two cavities. The molds have arcuate abutting surfaces coaxial with the pivot for effective meeting relationships in the different positions, the hosel base being slightly oversize to accommodate the displacement, and two core pieces in the molds have part-spherical abutting surfaces, also coaxial with the pivot for effective "kissing off" of the parts. The movable mold is detented in one of eight different positions, in one-degree increments. Another embodiment produces solid-headed irons with selected different lie angles of the hosel, but with only one core piece, which is in the hosel mold.

Abstract: A device for inserting and withdrawing a core in plastic and die cast molds. A rotatable cylindrical nut is located within the hollow cylindrical interior of a support housing. The nut has a threaded inner cavity. A non-rotatable slide extends through an aperture in the housing, the slide having a threaded end engaging the threaded inner cavity. When the nut is rotated, the slide is either extended or retracted through the aperture depending on the direction of rotation of the nut. A mold core is affixed to the slide for insertion into and withdrawal of the core from the mold.

Abstract: A method of moulding racquets to define stringing holes in the moulded frame. The method includes forming at least one approximately ladder-shaped member having two side pieces interconnected by rung pieces, with the side pieces substantially conforming to the curved shape of at least part of the frame of the racquet; entrapping the ladder-shaped member between two mould plates defining a mould cavity; injecting a plastic material into the mould cavity to mould the frame around the rung pieces; and forming the ladder-shaped member in two parts and separating the two parts after the frame has been moulded to remove the ladder-shaped member from the moulded frame.

Abstract: A retainer mold for forming foamed automotive articles, particularly instrument panels, after a thin vinyl skin shell has been mounted in the mold. The mold includes a plurality of die block assemblies mounted in recesses formed in a surface of the mold cavity. Each die block assembly includes a plate member secured in the recess, and a die block slidably mounted within controlled limits on the plate member, and adapted to be covered by the shell and to be moved as required to prevent wrinkling or bridging of the portion of the shell extending between adjacent die blocks.

Abstract: A mold to manufacture an improved press-on bottle cap is disclosed. The cap has a top disk and a thin-walled outer skirt dependent therefrom with an annular tear score line on its inside wall and a laterally projecting tear tab which permit the cap to divide into a lower portion an upper reclosure cap. An annular lip is provided about the outside wall of the cap, approximately in the middle of the reclosure cap. The lip is discontinuous with an open sector above the tear tab. The mold has its parting line in the plane of the annular lip and the lower half of the mold has a lateral cavity to form the tear tab. In this manner, a laterally offset tear tab is provided without splitting the mold cavity along an axial plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus form making a vial and cap. A mold for forming the vial and cap and means for seating the cap on the vial prior to ejecting the vial from the mold is provided and includes a frame for the mold, a first mold half arranged on the frame, and a second mold half movably arranged relative to the first mold half so as to form a mold cavity therebetween. The mold produces a vial and cap including smooth radii provided at several locations to facilitate the seating of the cap on the vial.

Abstract: An electrical shunt includes a U-shape contact having a unitary body molded directly in a housing into which pin contacts may be inserted for connection to and via the shunt.A method of making an electrical shunt formed of an electrically conductive contact having plural contacting portions for connection with respective external members inserted to connection therewith and an electrically non-conductive housing includes molding electrically non-conductive material directly to at least part of such contact to form such housing, whereby such housing and contact form an integral structure, including forming relatively open chamber areas within the housing for exposure therein of such contacting portions, and forming an opening in such housing for insertion therein of respective external members for electrical connection with respective contacting portions.

Abstract: A method of making an injection-molded slide fastener slider includes a first injection-molding step for forming a slider body having an integral arch-shaped support lug and a second injection-molding step for forming a pull tab threaded through a transverse hole in the support lug. For pivotal connection of the pull tab with the support lug, a mold used for achieving the method includes a combination of a main slide core and an auxiliary slide core slidably associated therewith. In the first injection-molding step, the auxiliary slide core is held in a first position in which the two slide cores jointly have a shape corresponding to the shape of the transverse hole while blocking fluid communication between first and second mold cavities in which the slider body and a body of the pull tab are formed respectively.

Abstract: An optic for an intraocular lens with finished, molded radii on the anterior and posterior edges of the peripheral surface of the optic. The optic has a thin central optical zone and a surrounding annular ring having sufficient material to support haptics. The ring is thicker than the optical zone and, thus, recesses the posterior surface of the optical zone to provide a capsulotomy space. The present novel optic is produced by novel molding pins which are shaped to provide the finished molded radii on the edges of the optic so that the optic requires little or no post-molding finishing or polishing other than the degating and deflashing.

Abstract: An improved, one-piece slide clip suitable for molds having at least one cam-actuated slide for pulling a core element outward and inward from the parting line of the mold as the mold is opened and closed, the said slide clip being wholly enclosed within the mold and non-restrictive of the normal and required movements of the mold remains inoperable until such time the slide moving along the cam outwardly is gripped by the jaws of the clip upon the removal of the cam from the slide, during the opening operation, holding the slide in a cam-aligned position, releasing the slide only upon the re-engagement of the cam pin into the slide during the closure of the mold, thereby allowing the slide to return to the molding position in the fully closed mold.

Abstract: In production of synthetic plastic molded parts, a sprue part is separated from the molded part by one displacing slider which cooperates with one limiting surface and displaces a sprue film from a sprue gap between a sprue passage and a mold nest, while an overflow part is separated from the molded part by another displacing slider which cooperates with another limiting member and displaces an overflow film from an overflow gap between the mold nest and an overflow passage.

Abstract: A composite molded article and a method of fabricating such an article is disclosed, which is especially well-suited for forming one-piece interior vehicle panels, by way of a single molding operation, wherein the one-piece interior panel can be easily installed as a unit within the vehicle. In the fabrication of the one-piece molded composite article, a deformable sheet material, such as vinyl, is positioned on a female molding surface and drawn into conformity with the female molding surface of the mold cavity, either with or without preheating or vacuum forming. The mold apparatus is closed and a first moldable material is introduced into the mold assembly, with certain predetermined portions thereof being blocked off. Subsequently, a second moldable material is introduced at least into the predetermined areas previously blocked off during the introduction of the first moldable material.

Abstract: An injection mold for molding a tubular article having a closed end comprises a stationary mold half including a cavity plate having at least one cavity impression and a movable mold half which is movable between a closed position and an open position and is provided with at least one core portion for defining a cavity together with the cavity impression when the movable mold half is moved to the closed position. A recess is formed in the top face of the core portion and a telescopic mold piece is fitted into the recess in such a manner that a narrow space is formed therebetween. An air chamber having a relatively large volume is formed in the vicinity of the top face of the core portion. The air chamber is communicated with the space over the top face of the core portion by way of the narrow space between the mold piece and the recess, and with the atmosphere by way of a communicating passage formed in the core portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in molding a ferrule which must hold an optical fiber cable so the optical fiber lies precisely concentric with the cylindrical outside surface of the forward portion of the ferrule. A corepin which lies within a mold to form a ferrule cavity between them, has a rearward end held to the mold and a forward end which must be held precisely concentric with the inside surface of the ferrule cavity. A bushing of clover leaf design is positioned in the mold cavity, and has three radially-extending arms that precisely center the forward end of the corepin, while leaving spaces between the arms through which plastic can flow during the molding of the ferrule. The radially-outer arms of the bushing are tied by tying portions whose radially inside surfaces form an interrupted cylindrical outside surface of the ferrule.

Abstract: An arcuate plastic shoe-like sleeve form with an upper open minor end and a lower open major end is provided for attachment by a mounting flange on its major end to a form structure for poured concrete slabs, such as a floor, so that, after concrete is poured and set on the form structure, an arcuate opening is produced in the slab through which a pipe, electrical conduit and the like can be easily threaded as it is moved parallel with the slab and introduced into the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to the tooling for claw cages for ball bearings comprising a mold proper and an impression unit adapted to be placed inside said mold, said impression unit comprising a crown and a plurality of balls limiting a mold cavity defining a bridge, recesses and claws of such a cage. Said impression unit is produced in several parts adapted to be made fast to one another, shaped to provide a multiplicity of recesses each having substantially the shape of a portion of a spherical cap, so that when said parts are assembled said recesses provide a multiplicity of substantially spherical housings in each of which a ball is received held in a pre-established position determining with accuracy a hollow and claws of said mold cavity. The invention is useful for the manufacture of ball bearings.

Abstract: Ceramic porous bodies, including ceramic foam filters and smooth-faced ceramic objects, e.g., ceramic foam bricks, ceramic foam melting crucibles, and ceramic foam cores, made in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use with molten metal in general and molten superalloys in particular. The invention also provides a tundish for use with ceramic foam filters to filter metal en route from a metal furnace to a casting mold, and a melting device for use in casting metal which employs a ceramic foam filter as a bottom pour valve for a melting crucible such that the ceramic foam filter valve regulates the flow of molten metal therethrough in order to permit an entire ingot of metal to melt in the melting crucible before any metal begins to pour from the melting device into a casting mold.

Abstract: The molding apparatus of this invention produces a one-piece molded unit that provides a two-piece plastic fastener whereof one piece is a grommet having a head with a flat front surface and forwardly projecting legs defining a sidewardly and forwardly opening slot, and the other piece is a pin receivable through the head and forwardly slidable in the slot to an operative position holding the front ends of the legs flexingly diverged. As molded, a front end portion of the pin is connected with the head by a frangible flashing. A forwardly opening radially extending groove in the front of the head, opening from one side of the slot, defines a substantially flat forwardly facing groove surface that is rearwardly offset from and parallel to the front surface of the head and is flush with the front end surface of the pin. The molding apparatus comprises two die members, each having a flat surface to which opens a cavity defining one longitudinally extending half of the unit that includes a half of each leg.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly including a plurality of locking bars for securing the mold sidewalls in a mold closed position. The locking bars project from one mold plate and are positioned outwardly of the mold sidewalls and include ends adapted to engage the other mold plate when the mold is closed and to function as wedges preventing outward movement of the mold sidewalls.

Abstract: The invention concerns a baking pan assembly for forming a cavity in a muffin to which a filling may be subsequently added. The recessed cup portion of a baking pan is provided with a keyed-orifice. A conical or other symmetrical insert having a key mate with the orifice, such that the insert is centrally located in the recessed cup bottom. Alternately, single use conical or other symmetrical inserts may be placed in the recessed cup, made of paper, foil, heat resistant plastic, etc. A retaining plate may be positioned above the pan if desired to restrain the batter as it rises to form a flattened surface opposite the cavity for perfect stability once the muffin is inverted.

Abstract: A plastic mold assembly comprising a male and female section for casting soft contact lenses from a polymerizable feed material wherein compensation for polymerization shrinkage is attained and disengagement of the male and female mold sections is facilitated by providing one flexible and one rigid mold section. Good optical properties of the mold surfaces are obtained by forming the mold sections entirely from a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene that will not crystallize when cooled from a melt. In one embodiment a plurality of flexible male sections having convex molding surfaces and a plurality of rigid female sections having concave molding surfaces are supported on frames to attain an increased production rate of finished soft contact lenses.

Abstract: A mold for making a bucket having a pivoted handle. The mold has cooperating mold parts defining cavities for molding a bucket and slotted bail retention means. The mold parts are movable only linearly to release the molded product.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for injection molding a generally cylindrical sleeve-like penile prosthesis from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material utilizing a male mold core and a pair of female mold halves in which the molded prosthesis has encased in a wall therein a portion of a pre-formed length of resilient tubing, the remaining length and free end of the tubing extending from the molded prosthesis as a length of free tubing projecting therefrom. The apparatus includes a mandrel for carrying the mold core and is adapted for mounting between the female mold halves, and means for anchoring one end of the preformed tubing at a selected position on the mold core.

Abstract: A mold for preparing a plug suitable for making a dental shade sample having a layer of porcelain material having a known thickness; the mold comprises: a base with a cylinder extending upwardly therefrom; a planar platform surface at the upper end of the cylinder, the cylinder being threaded in a region below the platform surface; and a hollow annular housing defining an internal cylindrical surface sized and cooperatively threaded to engage the cylinder threads. Rotation of the housing relative to the cylinder moves the housing vertically and continuously varies the known depth of the cavity between the housing and the platform surface. By proper positioning of the housing and cylinder a known desired cavity depth is obtained and filled with porcelain-forming material to mold a first shade layer. The housing is rotated to increase the cavity depth by known desired increments for subsequent layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix mold, in which at least one mold cavity is bounded by the head of an ejector at the lower opening of a cup, from which in the substantially truncated conical wall of this cup, widening upward, facing the interior, by at least two grooves in the lower part of the cup and by teeth disposed in the interior of these groove, which are radially slidable in a radial direction by an eccentric arrangement, and in which the diameter of the head is greater than the smallest diameter of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A system for mounting a gear member having gear teeth tilted in one direction onto a core pin of a mold. The gear member is a part of a drive gear member that rotates a pick-up spindle of a used ribbon in a cassette. The gear forms a center hole having a rim that has at least three keys that are adapted to slide upon at least three keyways formed by the core pin. The keys are positioned at such angular distance that a mirror image of the metal key member and the keys would not be adapted to be received by the keyways of the core pin.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for supporting a mold insert in space inside a mold cavity. A pilot and keeper assembly rests on the top of a mold part and extends into a mold cavity and through a small hole in the mold insert. Movement of a handle, which is part of the pilot and keeper assembly of the mold part, is transmitted through a shaft to a retaining means, which engages the opposite extremity of the hole to retain the insert in position during molding operations. After plastic is inserted into the base of the mold cavity and a sufficient curing time has transpired, the handle is rotated back to its initial position, thereby returning the retaining means to a nonretention position, and the pilot and keeper assembly is withdrawn from the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a concrete flush floor having at least one trough formed therein, the method making use of high chair units (14) that support a fiberglass mold (16) having a truncated teardrop-shaped cross section. The fiberglass mold (16) may be supported at an angle to provide a resulting sloping trough. A spacer (17) can be placed in the fiberglass mold (16) during the pouring process to urge the fiberglass mold (16) to assume a first shape. When the concrete has hardened, the spacer (17) can be forced to a second position that allows the fiberglass mold (16) to assume a second position, which second position allows the fiberglass mold (16) to be easily removed from the cast concrete.

Abstract: A plastic mold assembly comprising a male and female section for casting soft contact lenses from a polymerizable feed material wherein compensation for polymerization shrinkage is attained and disengagement of the male and female mold sections is facilitated by providing one flexible and one rigid mold section. Good optical properties of the mold surfaces are obtained by forming the mold sections entirely from a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene that will not crystallize when cooled from a melt. In one embodiment a plurality of flexible male sections having convex molding surfaces and a plurality of rigid female sections having concave molding surfaces are supported on frames to attain an increased production rate of finished soft contact lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming concrete burial vaults and the like. The apparatus comprises a plurality of forms which are movable independently and as a unit in a series of operating steps to form a completed vault. Drop-in apparatus for forming a compound vault is also described.

Abstract: A method of molding a hardened glazed surface on a building block where the block is provided with a slot in the surface to be coated includes inserting a boundary edge member through the slot after the block is placed in a mold containing the coating composition; the boundary edge member conforms closely to the shape of the slot; the molding composition is cured with the boundary edge member in place and the boundary edge member is subsequently removed by forcing the member into the slot, that is away from the surface on which the composition has been molded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a wire matrix print head print wire guiding device which allows automatic insertion of manufacturing wires in a mold, which wires after molding define curved passageways in the molded print wire guiding device through which the print wires may subsequently be automatically threaded. The molding apparatus includes a great enough plurality of thin, apertured inserts for supporting the manufacturing wires so that an aperture in each insert, through which a manufacturing wire passes, directs the manufacturing wire into the corresponding aperture in the next adjacent insert in the mold. The print wire guiding device manufactured with this apparatus and method is inexpensive to assemble with print wires in a wire matrix print head, because the print wires can be threaded by automated means.

Abstract: A mold and a molding method are described for forming a closure device having a cap portion, a cylindrical plug portion extending therefrom, and a cylindrical collar extending substantially coextensively and coaxially with the plug portion spaced therefrom to provide an annular recess for receiving the open end of the container to be closed. The mold cavity is defined by mold segments and by a substantially cylindrical hollow outer core which extends into the mold cavity and defines the annular recess in the closure device between the collar and the plug portion. The mold segments include a gripping portion for retaining the closure device. The gripping portion retains the closure device while the outer core is extracted from the cavity. The gripping portion of the mold segments is then separated along with the remainder of the mold segments to remove the molded device.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a metal mold device comprising a female die, a die frame having a hole and a male die assembly moving along an axis of the hole to produce a plastic molding having an opening with a partially waved inner sidewall. The male die assembly comprises a generally upwardly tapering central base having a rectangular top and four side slopes, a pair of opposed primary slide members and a pair of opposed auxiliary slide members. The primary slide members are strictly mounted on the opposed side slopes respectively while the auxiliary slide members are loosely mounted on the remained opposed side slopes respectively.

Abstract: A collapsible mold core having plural can actuated members surrounding a conical central core member, the members surrounding the central core member having slidable pins connecting adjacent members and molding apparatus including the core.

Abstract: The quality and useful life of curing bladders used in standard "Bag-O-Matic" tire vulcanizing presses is greatly improved by replacing the standard split two-piece core of the bladder mold with a unitary core which forms a disc-like rubber diaphragm below the core and integral with the rubber curing bladder at the periphery of the core. A unique base plate fits in the lower mold half below the core and has a grooved upper surface to hold the diaphragm in place so that the core can be removed manually or automatically with the assistance of internal air pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming miniaturized optical components such as fiber optics connector terminals in which a three-part mold set is employed to attain precise concentricity of mold cavity formations carried by two of the three mold parts which are movable axially relative to and positioned by the third or central one of the three parts. The two movable parts are each located by oppositely diverging frustoconical reference surfaces on the central part and include mold surface components which are axially positionable relative to the parts in which they are carried. The central part is supported by a shuttle for movement between a molding position and an ejection position, appropriate ejection pins being located in spaced relation to the molding position so as not to interfere with the molding operation.

Abstract: For the molding of bottle caps having irregular lower boundaries, such as caps having depending tabs, the conventional mold has a core and a surrounding sleeve in which the core slides. This is modified by using a split sleeve which is maintained in close contact with the core during molding, but whose elements are freed to move outwardly away from the core when the mold begins to open. This solves the prior art problem of the galling of the contacting surfaces of sleeve and core.

Abstract: An open-ended container with unitary external wire bail support posts and tooling for its manufacture in which each support post incorporates a pair of partially overlapping wall segments differently spaced from the sidewall of the container body, the more distant segment being further from the sidewall than the nearer by the thickness of the nearer. In a preferred embodiment, the more distant segment is provided with a slot extending from the end of the wall segment nearest the open end of the container body toward the opposite end of the wall segment, and having a bottom surface defined in part by a portion of the closer wall segment. The closer wall segment is provided with an oppositely directed slot arranged to in part overlap a portion of the first slot. The overlap of the two slots form an aperture dimensioned to accept the bail end. In this embodiment, the supporting structure holding the pair of wall segments apart from the sidewall is concave opening away from the open end of the container.

Abstract: A gang tool assembly for drilling a precise pattern of holes in a workpiece or otherwise cutting surfaces and the like on such workpiece and including a mounting panel of cured settable material having a pattern of holes formed therein to receive supports for powered tool heads to detachably support the same to form a gang pattern of either drills or cutters for simultaneously drilling a pattern of holes in a workpiece or forming a surface thereon. The mounting panel is formed by mounting a pattern of pins upon a base mold plate, surrounding said plate with mold sidewalls, placing sleeves upon said pins, pouring a settable slurry of high fracture strength of uniform thickness around said pins, allowing the material to cure to rigid condition, and removing the molded rigid panel and sleeves in situ therein from said base mold plate and pins to provide a rigid supporting panel for a gang of powered tool heads having supports extending through said sleeves.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a gas turbine rotor or stator using elastomeric rings for the retention of the rotor or stator blades in a core mold. The elastomeric rings are split to facilitate disassembly thereof from the blade core which is thereafter utilized in a cope and drag casting system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink roller and method of making same. The ink roller includes a tube having a plurality of holes. A porous ink-receptive sleeve is received about the tube. The end portions of the tube are coupled to bearing rolls and the bearing rolls are closed off to provide space for holding ink. At least one bearing roll is a separate part and is sealed to the tube and closures are sealed to both bearing rolls. Means are provided to keep the separate bearing roll from becoming uncoupled from the tube. The holes converge outwardly toward the surface of the roll to conduct ink to the sleeve. Also disclosed is method of making the roll.

Abstract: A microwave lens is constructed of a homogeneous body of closed cell rigid polyurethane foam with aluminum flakes dispursed throughout and having a configuration defining an axis and opposed lens surfaces. The method of the invention includes selecting a mold having a cavity of the appropriate configuration, preheating the mold, and filling the mold with a mixture of low density polyurethane foam components and fine aluminum flakes evenly dispersed throughout the foam structure allowing the mixture to cool and form a body of the appropriate configuration.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use in injection molding an object having an aperture therein, includes first and second interlocking portions which are separable from each other along an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the aperture. The aperture is formed by an elongated core which is stationarily defined on one of the mold portions and conformingly engages the other mold portion when the mold is closed. The mold portions are drawn into tight, interlocking engagement with each other by wedge-shaped surfaces adjacent the core and respectively defined on the mold portions, thereby preventing flashing from forming over the aperture during the molding process.

Abstract: A device for shaping color test samples of porcelain formulations for use in making dental crowns, comprising a mandrel having a axial bore, a cylindrical rod insertable axially into the bore of the mandrel, and a releasable coupling element between the rod and the mandrel which permits rotation of the rod relative to the mandrel but resists axial movement between the two. At one end the mandrel has a cut-out section which exposes an end portion of the cylindrical rod in the axial bore. This section forms a radially curved molding surface on which a porcelain test sample can be formed having a curvature approximating that of a dental crown. The adherent sample is released from the rod at the molding surface by twisting the rod in the bore, without moving the rod axially.