Including Means Within Surface To Confine Heat Exchange Medium Patents (Class 249/79)
  • Patent number: 6425752
    Abstract: A mold assembly including moveable mold parts, one of which includes a plurality of hollow cavities. Each hollow cavity forms an outer wall of an elongated, generally annular portion of a molded part and the other mold part includes a corresponding plurality of core elements, which form an inner wall of the same portion of the molded part. Each core is disposed within a corresponding cavity to define a generally annular mold chamber portion for receiving molten material to be molded to form the shape of the portion of the molded part. Each core element includes a cooling apparatus and each cavity includes an outside cavity-cooling device. Each core element includes a first portion made of high strength material and a tip portion made of material having a greater heat diffusivity and heat transfer coefficient than said first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Check
  • Patent number: 6412308
    Abstract: A glassware forming mold that includes a body of heat conductive construction having a central portion with a forming surface for shaping molten glass and a peripheral portion spaced radially outwardly of the central portion. A plurality of coolant passages extend in a spaced array through the peripheral portion of the mold body, and liquid coolant is directed through such passages for extracting heat from the body by conduction from the forming surface. A plurality of openings extend axially into the body radially between at least some of the liquid coolant passages and the forming surface for retarding heat transfer from the forming surface to liquid coolant in the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Lewis, David L. Hambley
  • Publication number: 20020051834
    Abstract: An apparatus for making molded articles of plastic material, in particular molded films of thermoplastic flakes, by using a slush molding process, includes a mold container having at least one interior space for receiving plastic material and a mold wall which can be heated and cooled in alternating sequence. The mold container is located within a support frame which is rotatable about a rotation axis, whereby the suspension of the mold container is so configured as to allow a movement of the mold container in three degrees of freedom. The suspension includes a combined swivel and shift arrangement, which is disposed between the support frame and the mold container and supports the mold container in such a manner as to effect a rotation of the mold container about a pivot axis, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a reciprocating motion in the direction of the pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Adolf Bauer
  • Patent number: 6358031
    Abstract: A cavity die (1) has a flange part (5), a body (7), and a cavity surface (9). An annular groove (11) is formed on a periphery of the body (7). A region surrounded with the annular groove (11) and a retaining plate forms a boundary flow path. An inner flow path (17) is formed inside the body (7). The inner flow path (17) is linear. Both ends of the inner flow path (17) are open on a peripheral surface of the body (7) to form openings (19) thereon. A heating medium flows into the boundary flow path and the inner flow path (17) through a flow path formed on the retaining plate. Thereby, the temperature of the cavity die (1) is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kikuchi, Takeshi Asakura, Haruki Shinagawa, Hiroaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6350114
    Abstract: An isothermal golf ball core molding platen is characterized by the use of isobars for even temperature distribution across the surfaces of the platen. The platen is formed of metal and includes first channels which receive heating elements for heating the platens. Isobars are arranged in second channels adjacent to the first channels. The isobars include an outer sheath defining an evacuated chamber and an inner metallic wick. The isobar is charged with working fluid which changes phase with the application of heat. The phase change provides higher speed heat transfer to eliminate temperature gradients within the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Simonds
  • Patent number: 6345801
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved mould for casting a standard Magnesium ingot. The mould is constructed so as to minimize the surface area of the molten Magnesium which is exposed to the surrounding air. This significantly reduces the reliance on costly or harmful gases typically used in the casting process. The vertical mould which is internally tapered, has an open top and a closure at the bottom thereof. The ingot is easily removed from the mould when said closure is opened. The mould is adapted for use as part of an automated process employing a cyclic conveyance system for efficiently producing Magnesium ingots from recycled scrap Magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Alain Renaud Boulet
  • Publication number: 20020011550
    Abstract: The forming tool for making glass or plastic products has a cooling system and is made by a method including first determining shape and position of interior spaces for cooling ducts or cooling chambers (8) of the cooling system in the forming tool, according to required location-dependent cooling performance in the cooling system; providing a vacuum-tight sealed capsule (4) containing at least two materials (6,7) in which the interior spaces having the appropriate shape and position are formed by providing predetermined bounding surfaces (5) between the at least two materials, wherein one of the materials is a heat-resistant filling material (6) that is soluble in a liquid; subjecting the vacuum-tight sealed capsule to a hot-isostatic-pressing process to form a combined body within the capsule (4), in which the filling material (6) is incorporated; then working the combined body to form a required predetermined outer surface of the forming tool and removing the filling material (6) from the combined body to
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Lars Christian Herzbach, Franz-Rudolf Kemler, Steffen Thiel
  • Publication number: 20020003199
    Abstract: A core for molding apparatus includes inner surface configurations for improving the cooling of injected plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: John M. Check, Cletis Jackson
  • Publication number: 20010050449
    Abstract: A wax molding toy uses a heat retaining housing with a transparent surface to provide wax melting temperatures with typical indoor solar flux intensities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Keith M. Baxter
  • Publication number: 20010051192
    Abstract: An improved blow mold shell, and a blow mold shell assembly, for use in blow molding containers is disclosed. The blow mold shell comprises an elongate unitary blow mold shell body defining a partial molding cavity, the partial molding cavity having a container neck forming portion and a container body forming portion. A first continuous cooling circuit is defined within the shell with respect to the neck forming portion of the molding cavity. A second separate, and independent, continuous cooling circuit is defined within the shell with respect to the body forming portion of the molding cavity. So constructed, the neck and body portions of a blow mold container may be separately cooled, and/or heat-treated, as desired, during the molding process to allow the sidewall portion of the container to be molded in as thin a sidewall section as possible in contrast to the neck portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: PATRICK PETRE
  • Patent number: 6328552
    Abstract: A generic mold base for an injection molding machine to permit the production of multiple parts from the same mold base. The mold base has mold insert receiving sections in which the mold insert sections are removably mounted. The mold insert sections are held in position by tapered wedges. Multiple sprue openings are provided in the upper mold base section to accommodate different mold insert designs. Accessability openings are provided in each mold base section to accommodate different water passage designs of different mold inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: WBNL DBA AIMMCO
    Inventors: Glen D. Hendrickson, Lloyd Booth, Larry R. Sarkinen
  • Patent number: 6322350
    Abstract: A mould for manufacturing disc-like objects including at least two mould parts which are mutually movable between a closed position in which they bound a mould cavity, which mould cavity is connected to an injection conduit for admitting heated, plasticized plastic under pressure into said mould cavity, and an opened position in which a disc-like object can be removed. The mould also has a device for removing a central portion from a disc-like object to form a central hole present therein, which device comprises a cylindrical part which is movable in axial direction in the closed situation of the mould cavity. The mould has the feature that at least one of the two mould parts is tempered only in the middle zone of the mould cavity for tempering the inflowing plastic during the inflow thereof via the pressure line and thus during the filling of the mould cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Axxicon Moulds Eindhoven B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Henricus Joseph Voets, Petrus Johannes Frederik Joseph Van Hout
  • Publication number: 20010042815
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of a device for cooling a mold, the cooling box 2, and the mold 1. Such a mold 1 for forming glass, such as glass parts for a display tube (for example, screen and cone) is cooled by causing a cooling medium such as water or air to flow around this mold 1. The cooling medium is distributed along different parts of the mold 1 by means of the cooling box 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Willem Cromwijk
  • Publication number: 20010016239
    Abstract: A plastic article is formed in an injection mold by injecting molten plastic into the injection mold at an elevated temperature, cooling the plastic from the molten condition to a solid condition, and crystallizing a portion of the plastic by slowing down the cooling of said portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Robert D. Schad, Laura Martin, James D. Sykes, Dan Stracovsky, Bruce Catoen
  • Patent number: 6276656
    Abstract: Mold cycle time is accelerated by employing thermally insulating surface temperature boosters, which are of a minimum thickness to promote cooling by heat transfer through the boosters. According to the thermal transfer properties of the insulating boosters and the respective temperatures of the molten material and the dies, the temperature of the cavity surface is raised by contact with the molten material to equal or exceed the temperature required to produce a molded article, preferably just until the time that the mold is fully filled. Heat transfer through the boosters to the dies then cools and solidifies the molded article until it can be removed from the mold. The temperature boosters result in increased cavity surface temperatures, such that the mold dies can be kept at substantially lower temperatures. The overall result is a reduction in mold cooling time and therefore acceleration of mold cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Thermal Wave Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Frank J. Baresich
  • Patent number: 6168415
    Abstract: A mold insert for an injection molding machine has a circumferential liquid conduit groove and a plurality of liquid-receiving bores extending inwardly from the groove. Baffles are removably inserted into the liquid-receiving bores and have heads located in locking engagement with the sidewalls, including the undercut portions thereof, to retain the baffles in their respective liquid-receiving bores. Each baffle has a blade that fits snugly within a liquid-receiving bore to separate the liquid-receiving bore into a liquid inlet passageway and a liquid outlet passageway. Fins project outwardly from opposite faces of the blade to create turbulence in liquid flowing into and out of the liquid-receiving bore, which enhances cooling (or heating) of the mold insert. The baffle is also useful with other solid components having a liquid conduit for cooling purposes and a transverse liquid-receiving bore intersecting the liquid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Pleasant Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pleasant, H. Eugene Lafferty
  • Patent number: 6145804
    Abstract: The invention concerns thermoregulated molds and tools with a defined, fine-branched and point-focal interior heat-transferring conduit, process for their production, their use and process for the thermoregulation of molds and tools. According to the invention, these molds and tools contain on the inside a thermoregulating conduit in configuration of an arterial vessel system, through which an appropriate heat-transferring medium flows for heating or for cooling. The production of these molds and tools is conducted by means of rapid prototyping processes, particularly stereolithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frithjof Baumann, Dietmar Volkle
  • Patent number: 6139790
    Abstract: Equipment for moulding products of thermoplastics material where a pre-heated parison (1) is encompassed by reciprocating mould sections (4) for shaping and cooling the parison. The equipment comprises a first plate (8) that is affixed to a reciprocating carrier part (5) at its one side, and that supports a mould plate (10) at its other side. The mould plate (10) is provided with one or more mould elements (3, 12), that may be removable. The first plate (8) is provided with a cooling circuit (6, 17), and a network of bores or channels (7, 9a) that communicates with corresponding bores/channels (9b) in the mould plate, for conducting gas (air) to or from orifice means (13) in the mould plate. The contact surfaces between the mould elements and the mould plate and between the mould plate and the plate (8) may be provided with grooves or recesses (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), thereby providing a system of channels in the respective contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Oddvar Bogen, Jon Olav Schia
  • Patent number: 6116888
    Abstract: Improved blow-molding prototype molding system, method and apparatus wherein a plastic container is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce a geometric computer software model of a hollow plastic container of desired contour. This model is then used to generate a geometric computer software model of a corresponding mold cavity. This data file in turn provides the control signal for a cutting tool of a CNC three axis mold machining tool operating on a starting blank for each mold half of metal material having predetermined and constant length, width and thickness outside dimensions. A mold cavity is thereby automatically machined in a front face of this blank that constitutes one of the two major and parallel face planes of the mold half block. The other half of the mold cavity is similarly formed in the front face of a second mold half block that cooperates with the first mold block to form the two mold halves of a complete blow mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Johnston, Theodore M. Czesak, Anthony J. Scott, Igor F. Beaufils
  • Patent number: 6112804
    Abstract: Processes for providing enhanced thermal properties of tooling, particularly metal and metal/ceramic molds, made by solid free form fabrication techniques, such as the three dimensional printing process, and the tooling made by these processes are disclosed. The methods of enhancing thermal properties include incorporating integral contour coolant channels into the mold, adding surface textures to the coolant channels, creating high thermal conductivity paths between the surfaces and the coolant channels, and creating low thermal inertia regions in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emanuel Sachs, Steven P Michaels, Samuel M. Allen
  • Patent number: 6076797
    Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a hole, especially for blocking a passageway within a mold. The apparatus includes one or more tapered members received within recesses of an expandable sleeve. As the one or more tapered members are drawn within the sleeve by a fastener, the outer diameter of the sleeve expands so as to substantially block the hole. The apparatus also includes a surface with threads that are the opposite hand of the threads of the fastener. This second set of opposite hand threads permit holding and placing the apparatus within a location of the hole, and also for reacting the torque applied by a second tool used to tighten the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Kurt Schnautz
  • Patent number: 6048189
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for molding, in which a molten thermoplastic resin is firmly fitted onto a molding surface of a mold under a pressure lower than or equal to 100 kg/cm.sup.2 and is cured to obtain a molded product. The molding apparatus has a mold main body, and a mold body on which the molding surface is defined. The mold body is supported relative to the mold main body with maintaining a space on the back side of the molding surface in a heat insulative manner by a supporting member which includes at least a heat insulative supporting member having a thermal conductivity of 0.001 to 1 Kcal/mh .degree.C. and a longitudinal elastic modulus of 0.01 to 10 kg/cm.sup.2. In the space, a heating fluid for heating the molding surface from the bask side to a temperature higher than or equal to Vicat softening temperate (T) .degree.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kurihara, Mitsuyoshi Kumamoto, Yasuhito Ito, Masanobu Nagano, Jun Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6045346
    Abstract: A composite camel structure includes an elongate hollow, rigid cylindrical core, opposite ends of the core having respective caps sealingly connected thereto, a buoyant material of cured urethane foam substantially filling the core and being sealingly enclosed therein. A cushion is thermally bonded to and sealingly surrounds the core, the cushion having a substantially unbroken outside surface, being formed of a polymeric component consisting of polyethylene being at least 80 percent low-density polyethylene, and a process additive component including an effective amount of an ultraviolet inhibitor. A pair of parallel-spaced, transversely oriented guides extend between opposite sides of the cushion in axially spaced relation to the core, each guide defining a guide opening through the cushion for receiving hawser chains whereby the camel structure rides up and down with the tide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew Barmakian
  • Patent number: 6038889
    Abstract: A cooling system for use with a glassware machine having a plunger, a mold and a valve. The system includes a supply of cooling fluid such as air. The system further includes devices for cooling the plunger, the mold and the valve that are in communication with the supply of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Libbey Glass Inc.
    Inventors: Terry E. Hartman, Herbert C. Kroh, David E. Crots
  • Patent number: 6036471
    Abstract: A duality of portable, lightweight, rapid process and highly efficient injection molds for the mass production of structural insulated polystyrene building panel systems. The non metallic and non conductive molds and mobile supporting base platform are impervious to drastic degrees and fluctuations of positive or negative air, moisture and temperatures. A complete production run per mold is accomplished in approximately 1 minute while absent all time, labor, energy, materials and costs for pre heat cycles as well as all time, labor, energy, materials and costs for cycles of massive amounts of cooling fluids while rapidly self cooled by negative air. The molds can operate simultaneously or alternately while supported by common material feed hopper, air, hydraulic unit and steam/heat supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Craig B. McKinney
    Inventor: Craig B. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5989008
    Abstract: A mould apparatus for moulding materials such as thermoplastics includes a first layer of mould material and a second layer contiguous to the first layer. The second layer contains heating devices such as resistance wires, whereby in use, the heating devices heat the second layer so as to transfer heat to the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Andrew J Wytkin
  • Patent number: 5945140
    Abstract: A molding system includes a bottom die having a bottom blind hole, an upper die controlled to mold a molding with the bottom die, and a water circulation system connected to the bottom die at a bottom side and having a T-hole disposed in communication with the blind hole on the bottom die for circulation of cooling water to cool down the bottom die and the molding molded in between the bottom die and the upper die, a leakage sealing device mounted between the water circulation system and the bottom die to seal the gap and to divide the T-hole into a water inlet and a water outlet, and a spiral water guide mounted on the bottom die and pressed against the leakage sealing device, the spiral water guide defining a spiral water circulation passage in the blind hole in bottom die for guiding cooling water from the water inlet to the water outlet through the blind hole in a spiral manner to evenly and quickly cool down the bottom die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Chih-Miao Lin
  • Patent number: 5927100
    Abstract: A freezer for a liquid in a receptacle (14) comprises a housing (1), containing a cooling battery (5) for cooling a gas, a means (7) for generating a flow of the cooled gas and a jet device. The latter comprises a plurality of shells (6), each completely surrounding a receptacle (14) inserted into the respective shells with the exception of a first opening (15) for inserting the receptacle and a second opening (16) for discharging a flow of gas resulting from jets directed towards the outside of the receptacle. Each shell (6) has holes (18) in all its side walls in areas directly opposite a receptacle inserted into the shell for directing jets towards the outside of the receptacle. In addition, the freezer has indicators (11) for indicating which shells (6) do not contain a receptacle (14) and for indicating when the liquid in a receptacle inserted into a shell is frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Ingenjorsfirman Per-Oskar Persson AB
    Inventor: Per-Oskar Persson
  • Patent number: 5871787
    Abstract: A liquid cooled wax mold includes a generally rectangular two-part heat transfer member formed by separable metal plates. One of the plates includes elongated parallel vertically-extending heat transfer bars or fins defining parallel liquid coolant flow passages. The coolant flow passages interconnect spaced apart liquid coolant distribution and collection passages which are, respectively, connected to coolant inlet and discharge passages. A dam is interposed between the coolant collection passage and the discharge passage to provide for purging air or coolant vapor from the coolant flow circuit. Elongated circular cross section seal strips are disposed in grooves formed in one of the plate members to provide a fluid-tight assembly of the heat transfer member. Mold endwall and bottomwall members are secured to the heat transfer member by socket head machine screw fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Magnum Machine and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Ray Fitzgerald, James M. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 5855933
    Abstract: In a temperature-controllable tool (11) or mould for producing plastic mouldings with at least one cavity (12) to accept the mould of the plastic moulding to be produced, at least one inlet or outlet aperture (13, 14) which are interconnected via channels (15) and form a temperature-control agent channel system for cooling or heating the mould cavity (12), the shot time (cycle time) is shortened, maintenance is made easier and higher quality injection-moulded components are obtained in that the run of the channels (15) is matched to the outer shape of the mould cavity (12) and the geometry of the channels (15) is matched to the temperature profile in the plastic moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Innova Zug AG
    Inventor: Klaus Schmetz
  • Patent number: 5830515
    Abstract: A mold insert for an injection molding machine has a circumferential liquid conduit groove and a plurality of liquid-receiving bores extending inwardly from the groove. Baffles are removably inserted into the liquid-receiving bores and have heads located in locking engagement with the sidewalls, including the undercut portions thereof, to retain the baffles in their respective liquid-receiving bores. Each baffle has a blade that fits snugly within a liquid-receiving bore to separate the liquid-receiving bore into a liquid inlet passageway and a liquid outlet passageway. Fins project outwardly from opposite faces of the blade to create turbulence in liquid flowing into and out of the liquid-receiving bore, which enhances cooling (or heating) of the mold insert. The baffle is also useful with other solid components having a liquid conduit for cooling purposes and a transverse liquid-receiving bore intersecting the liquid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Pleasant Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pleasant, H. Eugene Lafferty
  • Patent number: 5762981
    Abstract: A base assembly for use as a part of a mold assembly for making containers comprises an adaptor, a base insert (or base plug), and a wear ring. The base insert is made from aluminum and has a lower surface positioned on a flat upper supporting surface of the adaptor. The base insert has an upper surface with a ledge surrounding a recessed contoured pattern in the base insert Which pattern corresponds to a base of the container to be formed. The base insert has an annular side wall portion. The wear ring has an inner annular surface surrounding and engaging the annular side wall portion of the base insert to protect the annular side wall portion. The wear ring comprises a hardened wear resistant steel ring adapted to reinforce the base insert during formation of the container. The base insert and wear ring are secured to the adaptor by threaded fasteners that pass through threaded apertures in the adaptor, the base insert and the wear ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Wentworth Mould and Die Company Limited
    Inventor: Reinhold Ernst Nitsche
  • Patent number: 5744173
    Abstract: The present relates to an apparatus for molding plastic parts which includes a cavity insert and a core insert wherein each insert has an open area on the shell or back side thereof. A device for circulating fluid through each chamber cools the inserts. In one preferred embodiment, the cavity and core inserts are made using a mold having a ceramic formulation including generally uniform size aggregate materials and carbon fibers. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes pressure bearing devices for absorbing molding pressure during operation of the molding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Sterett
  • Patent number: 5725891
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement to mold frames having replaceable half-molds for forming golf balls. The invention is directed to dividing the flow path through the mold for the thermal medium into a plurality (2 to the number of cavity rows) of parallel flow paths, i.e., water entering the mold flows through only one row of half-molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Walter L. Reid, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5707179
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the curing of concrete poured under hostile ambient temperature conditions. The apparatus includes a liquid reservoir and pumping system and a number of spaced-apart tube segments overlaid into the forms for receiving the concrete with respective ends of the tubes positioned outside the concrete forms. A liquid manifold is connected to one set of tube ends and a second liquid manifold is connected to the other set of tube ends. The temperature of the liquid in the reservoir is adjusted for optimum curing of concrete, and the liquid is pumped through the tubes after the concrete has been poured; when the concrete hardens the liquid is disconnected, and the tubes are disconnected from the manifolds without removing the tubes from the hardened concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Bruckelmyer
  • Patent number: 5657890
    Abstract: An improved packing means for sealing water holes in molds includes a first and second pressure elements having flanks on both sides and holding therebetween a steel ring. A first and second rubber rings are respectively provided next to the first and second pressure elements. The first rubber ring, the first pressure element, the steel ring, the second pressure element and the second rubber ring are respectively fitted onto a threaded rod portion of a main seat. The packing means further includes a locking seat having an internally threaded rod at one end thereof and an upper end provided with a slot or Phillips head at the other end thereof. The locking seat is locked onto the threaded rod portion of the main seat by means of a slotted or Phillips head screwdriver. Upon tightening, the first and second rubber pressure elements will press against the first and second rubber rings to stretch them outwardly and the steel ring to expand and be positioned in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Ying-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 5653907
    Abstract: A lightweight thermally responsive mold for use with a resin transfer molding process is provided. The mold includes first and second support frames including a plurality of upstanding intersecting support ribs. First and second substrates are supported by the first and second support frames, respectively, for carrying heating tubes therein. First and second hard shells are supported by the first and second substrates, respectively. The shells cooperate to form a mold cavity therebetween. Each shell is less than approximately 10 mm thick in order to provide a low thermal mass and high thermal responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Neil Kendall, Alan Robert Harrison
  • Patent number: 5631030
    Abstract: An integrated plastic injection mold and blow mold machine includes an injection mold assembly having a cooled exterior mold assembly connected to a plastic injector for injecting plastic. A cooled core assembly is positionable within the cooled exterior mold assembly to define a mold cavity for accepting injected plastic from the plastic injector to form a parison. To allow transfer of the parison to a blow mold assembly, the cooled core assembly is movable with respect to the cooled exterior mold assembly. A thread split holds the parison and is used to first form the neck of a parison, and then move the parison from the injection mold assembly to the blow mold assembly. In addition, the parison is formed by use of a removable cooled core that is movable with respect to the thread split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Brun, Jr., Richard J. Schock
  • Patent number: 5562846
    Abstract: Making a mold part by a growth process in which polymerizable plastic material is converted into polymerized plastic material at selected regions and, during the growth process, cooling passages are formed. The growth process is provided by polymerizing succeeding layers of plastic material, adjacent layers being bonded together. Also provided is a mold part made by the growth process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: W. John McKeen
  • Patent number: 5560940
    Abstract: A device for melting matter by immersion in a heated vat which includes a basket articulated with respect to a base containing the vat. The basket is resiliently urged upwardly from the vat as a lid covering the basket is raised and members are provided for retaining the basket in its raised position, wherein the basket obstructs access to the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: SMOBY
    Inventor: Dany Breuil
  • Patent number: 5535598
    Abstract: A system and method for freezing large quantities of a liquid or slurry are disclosed. The system includes a product containment apparatus for containing the liquid to be frozen, a freeze station for freezing the liquid, and a lift for raising the product containment apparatus to the freeze station for freezing. Freezing members extending from the freeze station include a pair of plate carriers mounted in a V configuration mounted within a V shaped casing. The shape of the casing and sloping walls of the product containment apparatus facilitate the removal of the ice block from the freeze station and the product containment apparatus from the frozen block, respectively. Preferably, the freezing members are provided with a baffle mounted at the open ends of the plate carriers to facilitate the sweeping of lubricating oil entrained in a refrigerant into a suction path within the freezing member so it may be removed. Alternative embodiments and processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Uni. Temp Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy Cothern, Joseph A. Ramsey, Clifford L. Stapler
  • Patent number: 5516470
    Abstract: Method for tempering a molding tool intended for production of products of natural or synthetic polymers, which molding tool includes one or more molding parts (3, 4) made of sintered metal with communicating pores obtained by pressing at a high pressure and sintering at a high temperature of a powdered material, in which molding part or parts (3, 4) a molding cavity (9) has then been made, whereby preferably the outer envelope surface of the molding tool is tight. The method comprises tightly connecting one or more channels, capillary tubes (6, 8) or the like through the tight outer envelope surface to the mould material of the molding tool situated inside, which material contains a large number of small communicating pores and feeding a gas having a suitable state and a suitable temperature through the channels thereby causing a rapid tempering of the molding tool to a desired extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: AGA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Owe G. T. Larsson
  • Patent number: 5513972
    Abstract: A device is provided which is capable of generating a surface that at least partially conforms to the contour of an article. The surface is defined by the ends of a number of threaded members which are supported within a suitable support structure. The threaded members are aligned so as to be substantially parallel to and threadably engaged with each other. As a result, rotation of an individual threaded member will cause that threaded member to be longitudinally moved relative to its adjacent threaded members and the support structure, without displacing an adjacent threaded member. The surface can be readily configured manually or automatically to serve as a die or mold cavity when the entire surface has been generated to conform to the entire contour of the article. Alternatively, the surface can be generated so as to provide a suitable fixture surface for supporting and securing a workpiece during a machining or welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Robin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5460761
    Abstract: Method for tempering a moulding tool intended for production of products of natural or synthetic polymers, which moulding tool includes one or more moulding parts made of sintered metal with communicating pores obtained by pressing at a high pressure and sintering at a high temperature of a powdered material, in which moulding part or parts a moulding cavity has then been made, whereby preferably the outer envelope surface of the moulding tool is tight. The method comprises tightly connecting one or more channels, capillary tubes or the like through the tight outer envelop surface to the mould material of the moulding tool situated inside, which material contains a large number of small communicating pores and feeding a gas having a suitable state and a suitable temperature through the channels thereby causing a rapid tempering of the moulding tool to a desired extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: AGA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Owe G. T. Larsson
  • Patent number: 5445510
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating and cooling a mold onto which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a finished article includes a plenum having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a fluid heating and cooling system and a mold box having a plurality of cavities for selectively receiving interchangeable tube bundles that are selectively positioned in a movably sealed relationship within the mold box and wherein each tube bundle has a mold and a tube array that are maintained in a fixed relationship during interchange thereof into and out of said mold box so as to maintain individually heat balanced molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5408844
    Abstract: A subassembly for an ice maker includes a plastic ice cube tray having a housing located within and attached to the refrigerator freezer. The housing has spaced-apart ice cube cavities. An electrically heatable metallic film coating is attached to and generally covers the cavity surfaces. When the cavity surfaces have been heated to detach the formed ice cubes therefrom, in one embodiment, a mechanism is provided to rotate the tray upside down to release the ice cubes. In another embodiment, a fixedly-"upside-down" and semicircular-cylindrical-shaped ice cube tray is placed in a trough, which also has an electrically heatable metallic coating, and a mechanism is provided to rotate the trough to uncover the openings of the ice cube cavities in the tray to release the formed ice cubes when the cavity and trough surfaces have been electrically heated to detach the ice cubes therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Vijay K. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5372492
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing ice vessels for use in serving fresh foods is disclosed. The apparatus includes a female die with a male die opposite to the female die. The female die has a hole at the bottom thereof through which a pin can be raised and lowered by means of an elevator device. An automatic ice crusher is located relative to a chute box for feeding ice pieces into the female die. The chute box has an outlet located above the female die and an inlet located below the ice crusher for receiving ice from the ice crusher. A carrier-arm device is movable back and forth to transport molded ice vessels from the female die. A transporting outlet chute serves to transport the molded ice vessels, the outlet chute being inclined for permitting the molded ice vessels to slide thereon. The device is further characterized by having the carrier-arm device include holding arms capable of moving toward and away from each other along the sides of the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Keijirou Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5358211
    Abstract: Tooling for use in forming articles and a method for making same wherein the tooling includes a mold. The mold has a mold surface having an interior and an exterior. A plurality of metallic strands are positioned adjacent to the interior of the mold surface. The mold further includes at least one metallic heat transfer tube for containing a fluid cooling agent. One or more heat transfer rods can also be positioned in the mold. A layer of a plastic material is placed adjacent the interior of the mold surface. The plastic material surrounds the metallic strands and the metallic heat transfer tubes and rods. When heat is produced on the mold during a molding operation, the heat is transferred through the metallic strands and the heat exchange tubes and rods. The heat is dissipated by the cooling affect caused by the cooling fluid in the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Sterett
  • Patent number: 5352109
    Abstract: A heated manifold system for use in the distribution of heated plastic resins to the various cavities of injection molds for thermoplastic materials. The manifold main structure consists of modular components of similar cross-section that are nested into each other by employing similar slots cut out at the points of intersection of components. The thermoplastic resin passages are bored longitudinally in each modular components, and transverse bores at each intersection provide resin passages between the longitudinal bores. The system includes heated nozzles which have slots to receive cartridge heaters and heater covers, also spring clips to retain the covers and heaters, which can rotate around the shank of the nozzle to allow easy replacement of the cartridge heaters in the event of failure. Internal sealed liquid-filled channels or highly conductive metal rods are used to equalize the temperature of the nozzle from one extremity to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: Salvatore Benenati
  • Patent number: 5346171
    Abstract: A thermoplastic mold for creating large sheets of building materials from recycled plastic. The mold is adapted to be used with a platen press, and has an adjustment feature for defining a mold cavity of a selected thickness. A pair of shims are preferably used to establish the mold cavity, wherein the cavity has a depth identical to the thickness of the shims. The top member or lid of the mold has an integrally defined passageway for allowing a cooling fluid to be circulated therethrough to cool the mold after a molding process. In the one embodiment, the lid has a pair of flanges extending over and engaging the shims, and an alternative embodiment the lid comprises a rectangular plate having handles defined at selected locations in the upper surface for facilitating removal of the lid from a mold recess. The sheets can be colored on one or both sides by inserting a thin sheet of colored thermoplastic material in the mold prior to pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Recycled Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Kephart