Means Include Permanently Associated Movable Element, E.g., Clamp Patents (Class 249/167)
  • Patent number: 9079684
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system for molding cheese having a pressboard for compressing cheese in a cheese mold. The pressboard includes spring alignment features to align a set of leaf springs that help ensure even compression of the cheese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Buckhorn, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Ditter
  • Patent number: 8696340
    Abstract: A re-usable retainer designed to be used in the curing process of co-bonding uncured stringers. The re-usable retainer is made of metal so it is not necessary to manufacture one retainer for each manufactured stringer. The metallic retainer is placed in direct contact with the uncured resin so the cured stringer has a very good surface quality. The re-usable retainer has a special shape that allows a mild transition of the vacuum bag that avoids vacuum bag breakages. The re-usable retainer is easy to install and to remove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventors: Julián Sánchez Fernández, Federico López Pérez, Yolanda Miguez Charines
  • Patent number: 8683915
    Abstract: A molding unit for forming and cooking meat, comprising a single recipient-shaped bottom die a concavity of which faces upwards and is destined to contain meat, and a single cover aligned with a mouth of the concavity of the bottom die, which cover is joined to the bottom die and positioned below the bottom die, such as to be destined to close a further mouth of a further concavity of a bottom die of a molding unit which is identical and positioned below the molding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fava S.N.C. de Adele Turetta & C.
    Inventor: Antonio Fava
  • Patent number: 8024015
    Abstract: A mobile device having a housing and operating on power supplied from the battery loaded in the battery chamber including: a pair of walls of the housing having hook receiving portions formed a groove; a battery lid covering the battery chamber so as to be freely detached; a pair of positioning hooks serving to position the battery lid by entering the grooves of the corresponding hook receiving portions; overhanging edges serving to regulate position of the cover lid; and a waterproof gasket fixed to the battery chamber side of the cover lid so as to be in contact with all sides of the battery chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Araki, Hiroaki Matsuda, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Manabu Sotodate, Wataru Murata, Ken Shoji, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 7922145
    Abstract: An adjustable support stand is mounted on a pre-cast concrete wall panel form to facilitate the leveling of the form and the support of the form about the production plant floor. The adjustable support stand includes a frame portion that houses a threaded rod positional fixed for rotation within the frame portion to drive a vertical movement of the leg member in response to rotation of the threaded rod. The adjustable support stand further includes a clamping apparatus that detachably mounts the frame portion to the flanges of a steel beam frame member. The actuator member can be a nut welded to the top of the threaded rod to affect movement of the engaged leg member in response to manipulation with a powered or manually operated hand tool, or a gear set and an orthogonal drive shaft that transfers rotation from a hand tool to the threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: SWA Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Martin
  • Patent number: 7306194
    Abstract: A mold for producing a ceramic heat shield element having a mold shell is provided. The mold shell comprises a plurality of mold surfaces and a casting aperture for pouring in a ceramic material. The mold shell is embodied as a single-piece mold shell during casting, and the casting aperture is embodied as an aperture in one of the mold surfaces. Separating or retaining elements enable graded or reinforced heat shield elements to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Grote, Andreas Heilos, Marc Tertilt
  • Patent number: 7191999
    Abstract: An improvement to concrete casting machines of the casting bed type in which the side forms are constructed and arranged to stay in an upright position at all times but may be raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fabcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hensley, Michael LeJeune, Thomas Kuckhahn, Donald Hall
  • Patent number: 6598848
    Abstract: A molding device has a first outer mold, a second outer mold engaging with the first outer mold, a silicon mold disposed between the first outer mold and the second outer mold, a center mold, an upper ring, and a lower seat. The first outer mold has a first inner thread, a first upper flange, a first upper inner groove, a first middle flange, a first lower flange, a first bottom base, and a first lower inner groove. The second outer mold has a second inner thread, a second upper flange, a second upper inner groove, a second middle flange, a second lower flange, a second bottom base, and a second lower inner groove. The lower seat is inserted in the first lower inner groove of the first outer mold and the second lower inner groove of the second outer mold. The center mold passes through the upper ring and the silicon mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Shou-Shan Chen
  • Publication number: 20030057578
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for molding optical lenses are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first molding shell with a first diameter, a sealing element surrounding the first molding shell, and means for radially clamping the sealing element against the first molding shell, a second molding shell having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and means for axially clamping the second molding shell with its inner shell surface against a radial front surface of the sealing element. This is done such a hollow cavity is enclosed between the molding shells and the sealing element. The radially clamping means and the axial clamping means are structurally distinct and independent one from the other. The axially clamping means are arranged on an outer shell surface of the second molding shell, opposite to the inner shell surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Haidl, Norbert Hugenberg, Alexander Witte
  • Patent number: 6442976
    Abstract: A system and method of cooling glassware molds by directing liquid coolant to the blank or blow mold halves of a glassware forming machine through an enclosed pivotal rotary union-type structure. A coolant manifold is carried by each pivotal mold arm, and communicates with coolant inlet and outlet ports at the lower end of each mold part. The manifold is connected by a floating shaft seal and a rotary union assembly and a crank arm to a coolant source and coolant return in the section box of the associated machine section. Each pivotal connection—i.e., between the section box and the crank arm, between the crank arm and the rotary union assembly, and between the rotary union assembly and the floating shaft seal—comprises a bi-directional rotary union for feeding liquid coolant to the manifold and mold parts, and returning coolant from the manifold and mold parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6284168
    Abstract: A method of making a mold includes the steps of determining the contours of the part to be produced, forming pattern stations having a surface conforming to a contour of the part at a given location, placing the stations in spaced apart relationship, filling the spaces, vacuum forming a plastic material to a portion and applying a mold making material. An alternative method includes the steps of determining the contours of the part to be produced, forming pattern stations each having a surface conforming to a contour of the part at a given location, joining the stations together such that their surfaces form substantially the complete contour of the part and covering a portion of the pattern with a plastic material. The stations may be releasably joined together such that one or more may be removed and substituted with one or more different stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Gary Robinson
  • Patent number: 6162342
    Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Evelio Perez, George Fernwood
  • Patent number: 5927044
    Abstract: A panel configuration and manufacturing technique are disclosed. The panel simulates a number of shingles each having a hollow end portion. Several of these panels may be utilized to provide an exterior building covering. When installed, hollow end portions of adjacent panels overlap to provide a leak resistant, realistic appearing covering. A number of panels may be formed by positioning each of a number of regions of a web of polymeric resin between a mold and a plug. Each of the regions is molded while in a ductile state to form a corresponding one of the multi-shingle panels. An undercut portion is formed in each of the regions during molding to define an end portion of the panel. This formation includes moving the plug relative to the mold. The sheet is cut after molding to separate the panels from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: American Sheet Extrusion Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry A. Lamb, deceased, Kenneth Hedges, James R. Rahn
  • Patent number: 5921171
    Abstract: A pressing device comprised of stackable moulds for cooking and shaping hams into an oval cross-section. Each mould comprises transverse sides, longitudinal sides, crosspieces extending between the longitudinal sides, and a plurality of fixed troughs extending between the transverse sides. Below each trough (3), there is suspended from the transverse sides, a cover which is formed by a longitudinal plate, two end plates and two longitudinal sides. The end plates of the cover can slide against the faces of the transverse sides, each end plate being furnished with longitudinal pins which are directed toward vertical slots positioned along the transverse sides. Finally, a spring is disposed and compressed between the cover and the base of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Armor Inox SA
    Inventor: Claude Dreano
  • Patent number: 5862853
    Abstract: A movable insert for a die-casting mold having a cavity in which a core is mounted and slidable between a retracted position in the cavity and an extended position in which the core extends from the movable insert core. The core has a connector releasably connecting the core to a locator. The locator moves the core between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Amcan Castings Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Eliat
  • Patent number: 5667192
    Abstract: A mold especially adapted for forming precast, waffle-shaped concrete panels employs a one-piece mold body of flexible plastic sheet material to which rigid side rails are secured by tongue and groove longitudinal joints. The mold may be rapidly stripped and reset due to a hinge action provided by partial sides of the flexible body to which the rigid side rails are joined. The side rails and other structural features provide a simple mold structure that may be readily and efficiently employed for on-site production of panels. The configuration of the side rails and associated joints facilitates the replacement of a wornout mold body. A cover may be placed over the mold body while the concrete cures and automatically lifted therefrom after a predetermined time to allow the concrete to cool. Recess formers and connector covers for the panels are provided for appearance and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Waffle-Crete International, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Van Doren
  • Patent number: 5665139
    Abstract: The mold wall forms the boundary of a cavity provided with a filling opening and is divided vertically into several segments, which are connected to each other in such a way that they can separate under the action of a force acting outward from the cavity. At least one pretensioned elastic element is installed outside the cavity, which is in effective contact with at least one segment, so that, because of the pretension, an elastic force acts on the segment in the direction toward the cavity. A tensioning element is provided to pretension the elastic element, this tensioning element being installed outside the mold wall to serve as an abutment for the elastic element, and that the elastic element be made of a creep-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ruppert, Uwe Christiansen, Klaus Dittmer
  • Patent number: 5599491
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a mold for forming positive models identical to a positive master has upper and lower mold shells having confronting and contiguous rims lying in respective planes. The shells are dimensioned when juxtaposed to spacedly contain the master. A clamp is engageable with the shells generally at the rims to hold the shells together with the plane of their rims spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Krupp Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Pollock, Albert Schr oder
  • Patent number: 5451151
    Abstract: A foam molding apparatus with improved seal for sealing the mold lid to the bowl. The bowl and lid include inclined sealing surfaces surrounding the mold cavity with the bowl sealing surfaces being concave and the lid sealing surface being convex. Both the bowl and lid are resiliently supported on frames so that the lid can self align upon the bowl as the convex lid sealing surface engages the concave bowl sealing surface. Adjusting screws are carried by the lid carrier frame and engage the lid to apply pressure to the lid forcing the lid against the bowl sealing surface with the bowl being resiliently carried on a supporting frame allowing the bowl to float relative to the frame to achieve an even pressure distribution about the mold cavity at the sealing surfaces. The lid and bowl are both formed with fluid passages to enable hot water to be circulated through the mold maintaining the mold at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Russell
  • Patent number: 5421544
    Abstract: The mold includes a first end molding component having an imperforate exterior face and an interior face with alignment pins and a recess for the receipt of fluid material to be molded; a second end molding component having an exterior face with a horizontal bore and an interior face with alignment holes and a recess for the receipt of fluid material to be molded, the second end component being provided with lateral clamping members, the second component being formed of a pair of laterally disposed subcomponents; a plurality of intermediate molding components, each with alignment pins on one face and alignment holes in the opposite face and with a recess therethrough adapted to be positioned between the end components, the number of intermediate components being a function of the desired size of the molded end products; and a pair of filler molding components both with alignment pins on one face and alignment holes in the opposite face and with a recess therethrough adapted to be positioned between the end co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Donald D. Roop
  • Patent number: 5346328
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping first and second separable components comprising a support member having an inclined surface fixed to the first component, a mounting stud fixed to the support member and extending therefrom, and a clamping member slidably mounted on the stud and movable between a clamping position and a detached position is provided. The clamping member is adapted to frictionally engage both the second component and the inclined surface of the support member when in a clamping position and to retain the first component adjacent to the second component during thermal expansion of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis H. Vaders
  • Patent number: 5277396
    Abstract: A casting mold for casting concrete elements includes a bottom surface, two edge surfaces and two end surfaces. At least one of the edge surfaces is movable for positioning at a desired distance from the other edge surface. The movable edge surface is equipped with a transfer mechanism including a driver and at least one transfer arm and a connecting rod connecting to each transfer arm. The movable edge surface is fixed in place to the bottom surface by magnetic bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Partek Concrete Oy Ab
    Inventor: Kari Vappula
  • Patent number: 5249880
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping first and second separable components comprising a support member having an inclined surface fixed to the first component, a mounting stud fixed to the support member and extending therefrom, and a clamping member slidably mounted on the stud and movable between a clamping position and a detached position is provided. The clamping member is adapted to frictionally engage both the second component and the inclined surface of the support member when in a clamping position and to retain the first component adjacent to the second component during thermal expansion of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis H. Vaders
  • Patent number: 5229062
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating an upper (12) and lower (14) mold plate of a mold assembly (10) from a preformed substrate or casting (16) comprises a mold ejection apparatus (70) having a support surface (76) to receive and support the mold assembly (10). A plurality of clamps (84) pivotally connected to the support surface (76) engage the preformed substrate (16) at spaced apart intervals about the periphery of the preformed substrate (16) to restrain the substrate (16) and lower mold plate (14) against the support surface (76). The apparatus further includes a plurality of secondary hydraulic pumps (98) comprising a piston (106) and cylinder (108) assembly and a lifting bar (120) pivotally connected to one end of the piston (106). The secondary pumps (98) are supported on the support surface (76) at spaced apart intervals adjacent the periphery of the mold assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Sermatech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Caggiani
  • Patent number: 5188790
    Abstract: A novel method for forming a gel matrix. In this method an apparatus is provided which includes a first and second plate, each plate having a flat surface, and a spacer. The spacer is positioned between the flat surfaces of the two plates so that the flat surfaces are located close to each other with a gap from the top of the plates to the bottom of the plates. The apparatus is placed into a generally rectangular liquid impermeable bag having one top open end, a bottom end and a side wall therebetween. The apparatus is placed into this bag such that the top of the plates is parallel to the top open edge of the bag, and the bottom of the plates is located adjacent the bottom end of the bag. The apparatus is fixed, e.g., clamped, in place firmly within the bag and a gelling solution poured into the gap between the plates. This gelling solution is then allowed to set to form the desired gel matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Owl Scientific Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary P. Magnant
  • Patent number: 5118272
    Abstract: Equipment includes a cavity former and a hot and cold water tank. The cavity former holds fiberglass strips part of which are inside the cavity and part outside. The cavity former also holds polystyrene beads which surround the fiber glass strips inside the cavity. The cavity former is placed inside of the tank and exposed to hot water. The beads expand against the cavity to form the handle and expand against the fiber glass strips to lock the same in the handle. The hot water is changed to cold and this lowers the temperature of the formed eraser which is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Oliver R. Odhner
  • Patent number: 5044921
    Abstract: A locking device mounted in the interior portions of a mold includes a first member having an aperture therein adapted to be coupled to a first section of the mold, a second member having an aperture therein adapted to be coupled to a second section of the mold, the first and second members being alignable with one another so that the apertures therein can be aligned with each other, a pin being provided axially in one of the first and second members, the pin being radially compressible and being axially movable in the aperture in one of the members and being receivable in the aperture in the second of the members such that when the pin is axially moved into the aperture in the second section, the pin first compresses radially and then expands so as to be securely locked to the second member thereby locking the two members and the two sections of the mold together. A spring is preferably used to apply a force to keep the two sections tightly held together when in the locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventors: Joseph Micelli, John Micelli, Ned Micelli
  • Patent number: 5026267
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of molds each having a peripheral flange provided with a mating surface. The molds are clamped by a suitable number of clamp assemblies for clamping the flanges of the molds so that the molds are secured together with the mating surfaces in contact with each other. The clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp members for engagement with the flanges of the molds, a shaft passing through the clamp members, a first stop member provided on the shaft for engagement with one of the clamp members, a spacer provided on the shaft for axial slidable movement and adapted for engagement with the other of the clamp members, a second stop member provided on the shaft for engagement with the spacer at an end opposite to the other of the clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Japan Aircraft Development Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Miyabe
  • Patent number: 4981428
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for molding slotted concrete floor sections. The apparatus forms the concrete floor sections in an inverted position so as to avoid the need for hand finishing of the upper surface of the molded concrete floor sections. The apparatus comprises a base, opposing pairs of interconnected upstanding side and end walls connected to the base and a plurality of elongate spaced apart and substantially parallel ridges connected to and projecting upwardly from the base. Attached to and overlying the ridges are a plurality of elongate keystone shaped dividers removably mounted on and extending upwardly from the ridges with the upper surface being in a substantially common plane with the upper surfaces of the side and end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Inventor: William T. Herring, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4978380
    Abstract: A mould mechanism for a glass forming machine comprises two mould supports which have first end portions which are mounted on parallel shafts for linear movement between mould open and mould closed positions. The mould supports are moved by mould operating mechanisms which each comprise a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder device providing one of the shafts. A clamping mechanism is provided to latch the mould supports together when in mould closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hermann H. Nebelung, Johann Zsifkovits
  • Patent number: 4974809
    Abstract: A mould assembly for moulding ice sculpture having (i) complementary mould members (1,2) of low thermal conductivity material, the complementary mould members being releasably mated together via complementary peripheral flanges (3,4) secured together by nuts (8,14) and bolts (19,11), defining an open topped mould cavity; (ii) a water impervious flexible mould liner (18) conforming to the interior of the cavity and including a split region (19) around at least part of its periphery, having mating portions, each of the mating portions having extended (20,21) lips adapted to be sealingly clamped togehter between adjacent mould members; (iii) a thermally insulating cover adapted to close the open top of the mould cavity, wherein the improvement lies in the provision of: (a) perforations (15) thorough the mould members at regions corresponding to protuberant parts and (b) providing thermal insulation (16) to the mould assembly at regions corresponding to narrow parts of the ice sculpture to decrease the rate of fr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventors: Cecil W. Lipke, Vivienne Lipke
  • Patent number: 4963082
    Abstract: A storage vault includes an inner tank entombed within a concrete outer tank by first erecting a pair of sidewall forms on a base plate to create an open-top enclosure. The wall forms are securely clamped together. A layer of concrete is then poured onto the base plate and the inner tank is restrained by lowered onto the layer of concrete. Concrete is poured into the enclosure to entomb the inner tank while the bottom layer of concrete is still wet. The inner tank is a pair of reinforced hold-down bars extending over the top of the enclosure and having a pair of downwardly extending hold-down tubes which contact the top of the inner tank. Back hold-down bar is forced downwardly by a chain which passes over the hold-down bar and is fastened to the base plate. After the concrete has set sufficiently, the hold-down bars and tubes are removed and the holes created by the hold-down tubes are filled with concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Convault, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Lindquist, Ralph Bambacigno
  • Patent number: 4957271
    Abstract: A meat mold cover assembly that is simple in construction, easy to engage and disengage from the mold, adds only a small additional volume to the space occupied by the product, and promotes the production of a molded product having uniform dimensions is provided by the use of an internally biased cover assembly that uses points of supports spaced along the length of at least one side of the mold to allow easy release and attachment of the cover assembly to the mold and integral biasing means acting on the lid along at least two lines of action to provide a balanced pressure on the meat. In a more specific form the cover assembly provides these benefits by using at least three spring assemblies that act directly on and within the periphery of the lid on at least two lines of action. The springs are counter acted by a cover support. The support is attached to at least two opposite sides of the mold through one or more hold down bars and pivotable links to engage each side of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventors: Donald L. Summers, David J. Summers
  • Patent number: 4905957
    Abstract: An ice mold apparatus is set forth wherein a plurality of separable halves including a plurality of securement straps with ends secured to the lower mold half formed with resilient sections to enable expansion of the mold and prevent damage thereto during ice expansion. An overlying funnel is provided with a flange positioned within a housing on the top surface of the upper mold including a self-sealing iris diaphragm wherein the funnel may be directed through the diaphragm to enable complete filling of the mold. The mold interfacing edges are provided with a continuous seal formed within a semi-circular channel in the lower mold and further provided with a series of alignment pins registrable with openings in the upper mold for precise alignment and sealing of the mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventors: Aubrey E. Stockwell, Donald A. Stockwell
  • Patent number: 4822553
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus and method for thermoforming a plastic article from a sheet of plastic material heated to a predetermined forming temperature. The apparatus includes a mold having forming surfaces defining a forming cavity generally conforming to the shape of the plastic article to be formed. The heated plastic sheet is urged into contact with the forming surfaces of the mold to form the plastic article. The mold includes at least one undercut forming element moveable between an advanced position wherein the element projects into the forming cavity to form an undercut portion in the plastic article and a retracted position wherein the element is withdrawn from the forming cavity to enable the formed plastic article to be removed from the forming cavity. After the plastic article has been formed, the undercut forming element is moved to the retracted position and a stripper plate is utilized to remove the formed plastic article from the forming cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Floyd M. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4817911
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing an ice sculpture comprising a compressible gasket arranged between a pair of mold halves which are yieldably joined by spring-loaded releasable locking toggle assemblies and spring loaded hinge assemblies respectively arranged along opposite sides of the mold halves to permit the formation of large ice sculptures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Infanti Chair Manufacturing, Corp.
    Inventor: Vittorio Infanti
  • Patent number: 4795127
    Abstract: A mold assembly for an injection-molding machine for molding a disc, including a stationary die, a movable die movable relative to the stationary die, a stamper which is retained at least at an outer peripheral portion thereof on the movable die and which has information signals recorded thereon, and an outer retainer ring for retaining the stamper on the movable die at the outer peripheral portion. The stationary die, stamper and outer retainer ring cooperate to define a mold cavity, so that the disc is molded of a resin material injected into the cavity, such that the information signals are reproduced on one surface of the molded disc. The mold assembly has an annular void in which an outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion of the stamper is accommodated without contact with the movable die and the outer retainer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushikik Kaisha Meiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Ikuo Asai
  • Patent number: 4770319
    Abstract: A coagulating box for use in making bean curd. This coagulating box is open at its top side and is openable at one of its shorter sides. The openable side comprises a detachable side plate whose height is slightly above the level of soybean milk to be put in a coagulating box at a time and a reinforcing plate. The detachable side plate can be detached or fixed by unlatching or latching. After soybean milk coagulates and a block of coagulated bean curd is cut into pieces of bean curd, the detachable side plate is detached and the coagulating box is put in a water tank and is placed on a conveyor to transfer cut pieces of bean curd in the box onto a conveyor by pulling the box up diagonally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Sanyo Shokuhin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Zenji Nagata
  • Patent number: 4756505
    Abstract: An expandable enclosure is provided for freeze forming a processed mass of meat or poultry products into a desirable and naturally occurring cut of meat. This enclosure includes an elongate housing with an opening for receiving the mass, a displaceable cover which the product mass displaces as it expands during freezing, and fastening apparatus for providing resistance to the separation of the cover from the housing so that the cover can maintain pressure on the mass to expel voids and excess moisture from the mass and to press the mass into the shape of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Donald Vegas
  • Patent number: 4738605
    Abstract: An installation for manufacturing reinforced concrete elements, in particular prestressed concrete slabs or pre-slabs, by means of a bench including a manufacturing area of predetermined shape, together with a molding apparatus. Memory means (46) are provided for storing building data relating to the elements to be manufactured and concerning at least the geometry thereof, together with tracing means (48) for marking on the manufacturing area (16) the locations of at least some of the walls placed thereon and constituting portions of the molding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme de Recherche et d'Etudes Techniques
    Inventors: Michel Aerts, Raymond Biancone, Jean Eliche, Jean Richard, Jean-Louis Tron, Philippe Violle
  • Patent number: 4723750
    Abstract: A method is described for indexing a polyform block in which a metal field shaping block is cast to both the cutting tray of a hot wire cutting system and the treatment tray of a radiation therapy treatment machine. The cast metal field shaping block is automatically correctly oriented for treatment. A cooling tray for cooling the casting is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: William T. Clark, III
  • Patent number: 4637789
    Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating a cushion contoured and fitted to the sitting support surfaces of a user includes a generally flat plate having a plurality of apertures in the upper surface thereof. Each aperture is coupled to and continuous with a duct within the flat plate, with all of the ducts coupled to a vacuum source by appropriate fittings and hoses. Mounted to the upper surface of the flat plate and in sealed engagement therewith are a plurality of rails arranged so as to form a generally rectangular structure, or form, open at the top and closed about its lateral periphery. A plaster positive having a generally flat lower surface and an upper surface conforming with the support surface to which the cushion is to be fitted is positioned within the rectangular form and a flexible, nonporous membrane is positioned over the open form and in contact with that portion of the flat plate therein as well as with the plaster positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Frederick P. Netznik
  • Patent number: 4595549
    Abstract: An improved capsule and clamping apparatus and a method of using the same are disclosed. The capsule has a filling end and specimen end with a preformed opening at its filling end. The capsule has portions on the filling end for holding the capsule in a perpendicular position on a slide or the like so that the capsule may be clamped perpendicular in sealed relationship with the slide. Embedding material can then be poured into the filling end of the capsule for quickly preparing an accurate, embedded specimen block for later use, such as preparing sections, and particularly thick sections (1 to 6 microns) on a microtome machine, for microscopic examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Syprocode, Inc.
    Inventors: Tohru Inouye, Lai-Chun J. Tong
  • Patent number: 4576693
    Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus including a mold for forming a vertically disposed electrophoresis gel slab where the slab is of uniformly increasing thickness from top to bottom and method of fabricating the mold and the gel slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: International Biotechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Kreisher, Charles A. Nalbantian
  • Patent number: 4566668
    Abstract: Form apparatus for casting concrete. It includes a platform having a work-supporting upper face, and plural, hollow box-like tub molds distributed over the platform. Each mold has a perimeter flange adjacent its base and projecting outwards from the sides of the mold. A lattice frame paralleling and supported by the platform contains plural openings, and each opening snugly receives bottom margins of the sides of a mold. The lattice frame positions the molds on the platform with the perimeter flanges of the molds disposed between the lattice frame and the platform. A knockdown encompassing frame with sides extends upwardly from adjacent the periphery of the lattice frame forming a concrete-leakage inhibiting seal between the sides and the lattice frame. The apparatus provides portable apparatus for casting a multi-niche columbarium module close to a burial site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Inventor: Bruce G. Koppenberg
  • Patent number: 4561626
    Abstract: A mold structure having at least first, second and third mold parts stacked one on top of the other, each having structure thereon defining at least one part of a mold cavity. The second part is oriented between the first and third parts and has mold cavities on both sides thereof. A support structure is provided for supporting the first mold part for movement toward and away from the third mold part. Structure is included within the mold structure to limit the spacing between the first and second mold parts to a prescribed spacing so that as the first mold part is moved away from the third mold part, the second mold part will be spaced a prescribed distance away from both the first and third mold parts.The invention also includes a mold opening structure which is coaxially aligned with the elongate tie rod extending between the mold parts. This structure further effects a safe and positive opening of the mold structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Pemco-Kalamazoo, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Black
  • Patent number: 4529162
    Abstract: Conventional concrete segment molding flasks are constituted from separate bottom molding flasks and side molding flasks. Since the concrete segment molding flasks are respectively assembled with connecting bolts, and the bottom and side molding flasks are usually formed of steel material so that they are too heavy to manually handle with ease, it is extremely troublesome to assemble, disassemble and locate the molding flasks. This invention proposes to resolve said prior problems and aims to provide a concrete segment molding flask which can be easily assembled, disassembled and located as the bottom and side molding flasks are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Junichi Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 4520990
    Abstract: A device which serves to temporarily and releasably connect two neighboring panels of a concrete form has two sections which are coupled to each other by a pivot pin, and two parallel projections each of which is carried by a discrete section. One of the projections is rigidly attached to the respective section, and the other projection is rotatable relative to its section and can be locked to the flange of one of the panels after passing through a keyhole-shaped opening of such flange. The other projection then extends into the opening of the flange which forms part of the other panel. The section for the non-rotatable projection is L-shaped and the other section is a link which can turn about the axis of the pivot pin. The non-rotatable projection is secured to the free end portion of one leg of the L-shaped section and the pivot pin connects the link to the free end portion of the other leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Josef Maier
  • Patent number: 4474546
    Abstract: A box-like pallet provided with a bottom and two or more interconnected, upright side walls. The two side edges of at least one side wall are connected to the adjacent side walls, in an upwardly and downwardly movable manner relative to the bottom, by means of at least two strips which are pivotably mounted on the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Brink Luchtverwarming B.V.
    Inventor: Albert Dekker
  • Patent number: 4456443
    Abstract: A machine for molding sheets of foamed material includes an upright stationary steam chest having opposing perforated external faces, and a pair of movable assemblies abuttable with the opposite faces of the steam chest to define mold cavities therewith. Each cavity forming assembly includes a mold frame extending normal to a face of the steam chest, and a platen positioned within and coupled to the mold frame. Jackscrews move each mold frame into and out of abutment with the steam chest, and also move each platen relative to its respective mold frame toward and away from the steam chest. A method of molding sheets of foamed material is also disclosed wherein heated polystyrene beads are squeezed by the movable platens to a predetermined thickness to provide a board having the desired dimensions and density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Design Engineering Service Inc.
    Inventor: John Rabotski