Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for molding a plurality of plastic characters on the upper surface of a plastic blank having a passage at each location where a character is to be molded. Rotatable die wheels having character defining recesses or cavities are disposed at a molding station above a support for the blank. These die wheels are rotated relative to each other to align cavities defining selected characters directly above the passages in the blank. The aligned die wheels are then moved into abutting engagement with the upper surface of the blank with the passages in the blank communicating with the cavities of the wheels which define the selected characters. Plastic material is then forced through the passages in the blank and into the cavities to simultaneously mold the selected characters on the upper surface of the blank.

Abstract: A continuous web of identical plastic parts is produced by molding a first unit comprising at least one of such parts in a mold, and connecting such molded part(s) to subsequent molded parts, by means of at least one runner upon which all the parts comprising the web are molded. The runner(s) connecting the parts may include indicia of data such as, indexing, information, part treatment information, assembly information, inventory information, etc.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a relatively low cost display or communicative novelty button in which a consumable restrictor sheet is placed over a vacuum draw type female mold cavity. The restrictor sheet may be of cardboard and be apertured with a diameter smaller than the mold cavity diameter. A thermoplastic sheet material is then placed over the restrictor sheet, heated to reach a formable state and vacuum drawn through the restricted aperture and down so that the sheet comes into contact with and generally conforms to the desired shape defined by the mold cavity. The plastic sheet material may then be trimmed near the edge of the restrictor sheet to leave a button shell mounted on a restrictor sheet which may then be used for purposes of display. The restrictor sheet also enables fabrication with an inwardly facing peripheral groove that may be used to secure a pin fastener. An alternate form of fastener in which a portion of the remaining plastic sheet is used is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating separators, particularly thin cell electro-membrane separators used in electrodialysis stacks for the desalination of water. The method includes placing a master stencil or mask on top of a plastic mesh which is laid out on a rigid backing sheet and pouring massive amounts of a curable polymer such as silicone rubber through the hole pattern formed in the stencil. The polymer is then spread out to fill the pattern, the stencil removed and a cover sheet applied. The polymer is then pressed into the pores of the mesh using a roller applied against the cover sheet. The sandwich of the mesh and cover and backing sheets is placed into a pile between metallic sheets, and the pile is compressed during the curing of the polymer. The cover and backing sheets are then scupped off and the polymer impregnated mesh die cut to produce the required edge shape and flow holes.

Abstract: To form winding slot plugs in a dynamoelectric machine armature, viscous uncured plastic is fed onto the cylindrical surface of the armature core, intermediate its ends, while the armature is rotated in contact with a paddle that wipingly forces the plastic into the winding slots. Preferably this is done simultaneously with coating the windings. The viscous plug material comprises the same plastic used for coating the windings, but admixed with enough inert powered material to be nonflowing.

Abstract: A method of making an insole having a heel positioner and an arch support, in which the positioning support for the heel is made in situ, in one discrete section of the foot support, and the arch support is then made, in situ, in a second discrete section.The first discrete section is made at the heel portion of the foot, in a manner so as to stabilize the plantar surface of the heel section of the foot under the cancaneous bone. This is for the purpose of eliminating, reducing or minimizing the rotation forces applied to the heel section of the foot by the weight of the body, which would normally tend to produce a pes valgus (outward bending) or a pes varus (inward bending) condition, as well as stabilizing the anterior - posterior position of the leg in its function of bearing body weight.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermometer structure, such as a low cost clinical thermometer, wherein the thermometer enclosure structure is formed of plastic as by molding. The capillary element of the thermometer is molded about a taut wire and is removed from the molding cavity by being urged along the wire to an exterior position. The thusly removed element is utilized as a pressure-applying means on the wire to hold the wire taught for subsequent molding of a subsequent element in the mold cavity. The subsequent element is then utilized to remove the previous element from the end of the wire and replace it as the means for holding the wire taut for molding a second subsequent element about the wire. A scale is located on the capillary element by accurately determining the top of the liquid column at a preselected temperature and coordinating the placement of the scale on the element relative to said determined level.

Abstract: Electrical lamp sockets are moulded on and around elongated mutually insulated conductors to which the socket contacts are connected before moulding; the contacts being firmly embedded in the socket material. A transfer turntable carries a plurality of supports for mounting the socket contacts in spaced relation thereon; each support being successively brought to a moulding station and co-operation with mould elements to form a mould for the socket. The conductors are entrained through the moulding station and impaled on points of the contacts at said station prior to fully closing the mould and injecting the moulding charge.

Abstract: Netting, made by bonding together crossing strands consisting of or containing thermoplastic material by means of individually moulded masses of thermoplastic material, is given enhanced bond strength by compressing the crossing strands together within the die cavities employed for moulding the thermoplastic masses. The improvement is particularly marked in the case of netting made from braided strands, for example of nylon, and intended for use as cargo nets. The compression may be applied by a pressure member, for example a fluid-actuated piston, mounted within the die. If desired, a pair of counteracting pistons can be used. After compressing the strands, the pistons may be withdrawn before the thermoplastic material is introduced or may be forced back by the entering thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A process for preparing reinforced plastic plates comprising molding a thermosetting resin in a mold to form a plate-like body, forming spaced-apart slits extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body with a spacing distance of 1 m at the most just after setting of the resin, suspending the plate-like body from one longitudinal end thereof, fixing a weight to the lower portion of the plate-like body, confining the plate-like body in the horizontal direction by at least one pair of fixing boards, heat-curing the plate-1ike body in the said state, and embedding an elastic resin in said slit portions of the plate-like body.

Abstract: An improved method of transferring liners to a blow core in a method of making a composite plastic article wherein a plastic parison is formed in a parison mold around and in conformity with a blow core, the parison, sleeve and core being subsequently confined in a blow mold and expanded therein. In accordance with a method of preparing composite liners, scrap produced in the preparation thereof may readily be reclaimed.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for making an article such as a container having a circular end wall and a side wall folded from the arcuate edge of the end wall, the article being first formed as a flat blank having two panels conforming to the base and side walls, the peripheries of the panels intersecting each other with a slit being formed in the common intersecting portions to form a pair of hinges at the ends of the slit enabling one panel to be folded upwardly with respect to the other between two mold tools without rupturing the hinges, plastic material being injected into the mold to join the folded panels into a unitary container or similar article.