Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for recycling plastics which is improved with respect to operation efficiency, operation environment, lowering degradation of plastics, recycling cost and environment load including saving energy. The recycling is made as follows: coarse-crushing used-up plastic products, separating plastic materials from other foreign matters by air blow separation, fine-crushing the separated plastics, washing the fine-crushed plastics by the process using a circulation flow including a spiral flow in which interaction between crushed plastics helps themselves clean without washing agents, dewatering the washed plastics, drying them, removing metallic matters by using metal detector, then feeding them directly without pelletizing to an injection molding machine of which nozzle part is equipped with filter and flow-switching mechanism for cleaning the filter by backwash reverse filtration.

Abstract: An articulated potter's wheel assembly in which the height and angle of the potter's wheel is adjustable relative to the user. A motor-driven wheel is mounted to an upper frame assembly that is adjustable for height, with the wheel being mounted at the front of the frame so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. The wheel is mounted to a pivotable table assembly that includes the motor and drive mechanism for the wheel. The height of the upper frame assembly is adjusted relative to a second, lower frame assembly by a motor driven jackscrew. A tank is also mounted on the upper frame assembly for dispensing water to aid in working the clay. A strap attaches proximate the pivot points of the table so as to pass across and support the user's back. The assembly may be configured as a free-standing unit or for wall-mount installation. The assembly accommodates wheelchairs, and can be used in standing or sitting positions.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention prepare carrageenan products from processed seaweed material having a solids content of less than 25% by weight solids, using shear stress treatment. The carrageenan products comprise at least about 60% by weight of carrageenan and at least about 2% by weight of acid insoluble material. The carrageenan products of the present invention are useful as components in food products, such as, dairy products, meats, and dessert gels as well as non-food products, such as, toothpaste formulations, cosmetics, paints, films and delivery capsules.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a method and apparatus for forming an imprinting tool are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming an imprinting tool comprises forming a first mold by use of one or more printing processes, forming a second mold from the first mold, and forming an imprinting tool from the second mold, where the imprinting tool is formed at least in part by metalizing at least a portion of the second mold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus mounted to a mold for injecting air into a mold cavity and removing exhaust from the mold cavity. The apparatus includes a needle rotation restrictor adapted to fit into a counter bore of a blow cylinder body, where the needle rotation restrictor has a hole through which a needle can pass. The blow cylinder body is mountable to the mold and has a conduit to the mold cavity and an interface for interfacing with the mold. The interface of the blow cylinder body has a counter-bore for containing the needle rotation restrictor. The apparatus further includes a needle having a cross-sectional shape adapted to restrict rotation within the hole of the needle rotation restrictor and passing through the conduit of the blow cylinder body. The needle rotation restrictor is rotatably positioned within the counter bore prior to engagement of the blow cylinder body with the mold.

Abstract: A device for fracturing a defective preform for use in blowmolding is claimed. The preform has head end and a tail end and the device comprises a tube with walls defining a cavity for accepting the defective preform while the defective preform is on a core of an injection molding apparatus, an attachment element that attaches the tube to the injection molding apparatus, and locates the tube relative to the core; and a percussion instrument that contacts and breaks the defective preform at the tail end of the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.

Abstract: A filament cassette and a filament loading assembly supply modeling filament to a liquifier in a three-dimensional deposition modeling machine. Two or more cassettes containing spooled filament are inserted into the machine. A strand of filament from a first one of the cassettes is fed to the liquifier for extrusion. Without operator intervention, the filament strand from the first cassette is withdrawn from the liquifier, and a filament strand from a second one of the cassettes is fed to the liquifier. The switching of filament feed sources is triggered by an event, such as an identification that the filament from the first cassette has reached a predetermined minimum length. In this manner, a used primary filament cassette is automatically replaced with a standby filament cassette, so that the machine need not experience downtime waiting for an operator to change the cassettes.

Abstract: Filament is loaded into an extrusion apparatus, such as a three-dimensional deposition modeling machine, by inserting a cassette containing filament into the apparatus. A filament strand from the cassette is then advanced into the machine, such as by operating a thumb wheel or a follower wheel on the cassette. The filament loading method of the present invention provides a convenient manner of loading and unloading filament in a three-dimensional modeling machine, and can be implemented in a manner that protects the filament from environmental moisture.

Abstract: A process is described for making gourd molds useful in the production of decorative ceramic and other articles which bear the textures of the gourd interior. Articles produced may also serve as models for use in the manufacture of production molds. Steps in making the gourd molds include selection, cutting, and removal of pulp; steps in using the gourd molds include treating with a release agent, casting, and removal of the gourd mold from the molded article.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of injection molding is provided, in which an upper platen, a moving platen, and a cavity-carrying platen are used. A removable member (cylinder) is provided to limit travel of the moving platen towards the cavity-carrying platen and to support the moving platen.

Abstract: A nozzle for producing filaments or fibers of thermoplastic synthetic resin has at the nozzle end one or more bores, preferably opening at a flat surface and receiving respective inserts or shaped bodies which are formfitting in the bores and have along their peripheries respective nozzle channels opening at orifices through which the synthetic resin is discharged. Air streams may be directed at the strand at an acute angle when fibers are to be produced.

Abstract: In an extrusion method and an extruder, an annular material flow is created by extruding material into an annular extrusion channel (6). The extruder has a tubular filtering unit (7) arranged to the annular extrusion channel (6), whereby the annular material flow flows through the tubular surface of the filtering unit (7).

Abstract: A resin composition for purging away contaminants in a plastic processing machine and a method of purging contaminants from a plastic processing machine that involves the use of the resin composition. The resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin and borate ester of polyoxyalkylene.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes multiple printheads for printing binder and/or colorant onto a bed of build material in a build chamber. The printheads can be mounted on a gantry that is designed for reciprocal displacement across a build chamber along a slow axis. The printheads, in turn, can reciprocally move across the gantry on a fast axis to enable displacement of the printheads along both the fast and slow axes so that the printheads can deposit binder liquid and/or colorant across the surface of a bed of build material in the build chamber.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding semiconductor devices using a molding compound in which a mold is automatically treated with a mold releasing agent is provided. A lead frame strip in-magazine part and a tablet loading part are designed so that dummy lead frame strips and releasing tablets used in a mold releasing agent treatment process are automatically supplied to the molding apparatus in a mold releasing agent treatment mode or a mold cleaning mode. After the mold releasing agent treatment mode or mold cleaning mode is complete, the molding apparatus is switched back to a normal molding process and normal lead frame strips and molding compound tablets are to the mold part. In addition, a pick-up part and a stack magazine part are designed to distinguish by-products generated during the mold releasing agent treatment process from normally molded products by switching from a normal molding process to either a mold releasing agent treatment process or a mold cleaning process.

Abstract: A method of forming a circumferentially closed wall having the same cross-section over its entire length included providing at least two circumferentially closed inner falseworks each formed of circumferentially closed inner part and a circumferentially closed climbing strip releasably securable to an upper end of the main part. A concrete wall is formed in a plurality of concrete-placing steps, with use of the inner falseworks in more than one step. In a first concrete-placing step, an initial section of a concrete wall is formed. In each subsequent concrete-placing step, a circumferentially closed concrete wall section is formed on an upper end of an already formed section of the concrete wall.

Abstract: A multi-functional concentrate composition which can be utilized to impart a desired color to a polymeric material and improve the processability thereof. The composition comprises at least one pigment, a blowing or foaming agent, and a binder component which at least allows the polymeric material to be processed at lower pressures than would otherwise be necessary for the same composition without the blowing agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a concrete slab in a substantially horizontal slip casting process method, concrete mix is fed into a mold through a delimited cross section moving progressively in the casting process so as to form a concrete product of a desired shape. Onto the surface of the casting bed (1) is placed a core (3, 9, 10, 11) capable of delimiting the cross section of the concrete product (5, 5?) so as to provide an opening or a provision for an opening in the bottom surface of the slab. A core is provided for obtaining an opening or a provision for an opening. The structure and/or material of the core is/are such that the core is capable of yielding in vertical direction. A core may also be a multipart core, the outer part of which becomes detached from the inner part of the core in conjunction with lifting off the concrete slab from the casting bed.

Abstract: A process to purge film extrusion systems with at least one extruder for the purpose of changing batches, wherein the speed is changed periodically in at least that part of the extruder in which the material is changed. By considering the mass flow rate of the film extrusion system, advantageous improvements of the process avoid the situation in which the film tears off. To this end, at least one selected guide extruder is operated at a speed which is increased as compared to the normal operation, and at least one selected downstream extruder is operated at a speed that is decreased as compared to the normal operation. Also included are control and operating units and extrusion systems to carry out the process, which include, among other things, the elements necessary for an automated program run of the purging program and the optical display of the parameters of the same.

Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball including the steps of forming a mold cavity; roughening the surface of the mold cavity to an average roughness of about 10 to about 200 microinches; and forming a golf ball component in the roughened cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing composite materials that emit large volumes of volatiles during processing. The apparatus includes tooling having a rigid forming surface contoured to the shape of the formed composite part. A plurality of passages extend from the forming surface through the tooling. The passages are in fluid contact with an exhaust port. A composite workpiece is laid up and placed adjacent the forming surface. The apparatus includes a heater that heats the composite workpiece to temperatures at which volatiles are emitted. An evacuation system draws the volatiles away from the composite workpiece through the passages in the tooling and out of the exhaust port. One embodiment of tooling according to the invention is used to form a sine wave spar. The tooling includes upper and lower tool inserts upon which U-shaped composite channels are formed. The upper and lower tools are placed adjacent to each other to form the web of the spar.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a plasticizing unit and a closing unit which has at least one column which passes through and is moveable relative to a supporting element. A jacket at least partially surrounds the column at formation of an annular space and bears directly against the supporting element, wherein the jacket has at least one connection piece for providing a communication between the annular space and a suction unit.

Abstract: A scintillator panel having a wavelength conversion member has some problems: lowered durability to be caused by an area not covered with a protective layer around a projection formed on the wavelength conversion member surface; lowered resolution response and CTF caused by an irregularity of the film thicknesses of wavelength conversion members and a variation in gaps between wavelength conversion members and sensor panels; and breakage of the sensor panel by projections when a radiation detector is formed by bonding the scintillator panel and sensor panel. At least one of these problems can be solved by a scintillator panel having projections on the wavelength conversion member surface whose sizes are reduced, and by a radiation detector having such a scintillator panel and a sensor panel bonded together.

Abstract: An improvement of the yield of semiconductor devices is achieved in the manufacture of a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a resin enclosure for block-molding a plurality of a semiconductor chips by placing a plurality of semiconductor chips inside a cavity of a molding die along with a substrate, and then injecting a resin from a first side to a second side of a main surface of the substrate. The plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted on the main surface of the substrate from the first side to the second side of the main surface with a predetermined spacing, the second side facing the first side. The method is characterized by the application of cleaning treatment to the main surface of the substrate before forming the resin enclosure.

Abstract: When resins are injected into a cavity of an injection mold separably formed of a movable mold and an immovable mold to form a casting, a high-pressure gas is supplied into the cavity during a time period after completion of forming the casting till the injection mold opens partway, and the high-pressure gas is allowed to jet out through a clearance formed between joint surfaces of the movable and immovable molds while the injection mold is opening. More than one attraction gripper is used to hold, move and place an insert at a predetermined position in the injection mold. Magnetic shielding is provided between the injection mold and a magnet embedded at the predetermined position in the injection mold to restrict a leakage of a magnetic flux into the injection mold.

Abstract: An annular die designed to produce polymer foam using only one or more ambient gasses as a blowing agent includes an exiting channel with an exit having a cross-sectional area between about two and about ten times that of a smallest point within the exit channel. The section of the die from the smallest point to the exit is thermally isolated from the rest of the die, and the temperature thereof is independently controlled. In addition, the interior surface of the exit channel is coated with a friction-reducing coating.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology and apparatus for investment casting and injection molding of dentures. The apparatus utilizes a dental flask placed in a press held in position by a turn screw. An injector, comprised of a piston inserted into a dual open ended cylinder containing dental appliance materiel, is connected to the dental flask. A hydraulic jack presses the piston further into the cylinder to inject the dental appliance material into dental flask. To prevent contaminating contact of the dental appliance with the cylinder, the dental material is inserted first into an open ended bag that partially placed in a wire loop passing through the cylinder. As the wire loop is withdrawn from the cylinder, the open end bag is drawn into and properly oriented within the cylinder so that the open end of the bag meets the injection aperture of the dental flask.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate having an opening aligned with a cavity overlies the mold parts. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: Method for the cleaning of spinning devices with a plurality of spinning apertures for the output of molten plastic. With the spinning device in operation, individual dirt-contaminated and/or clogged spinning apertures are closed with plugs, these plugs consisting of at least in part of at least one oxidizable substance. The spinning device is subjected in the course of its cleaning to a pyrolysis treatment for the breakdown of residual plastic. The spinning device is subjected to an oxidative treatment, so that the oxidizable substance is oxidized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of regenerating a pressing mold comprising removal of a carbon-based film from a pressing mold having the film on a molding surface thereof. The removal of the film is performed by etching with plasma of a hydrogen-based gas or treatment with UV ozone. Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an optical glass element comprising press molding of a heat-softened glass material in a pressing mold having a carbon-based film on a molding surface thereof. The pressing mold is that has been regenerated by removing a carbon-based film on the pressing mold having the film on the molding surface thereof by hydrogen gas plasma etching or UV ozone treatment, after which a carbon-based film has been formed on the molding surfaces from which the film has been removed.

Abstract: A system is proposed for encapsulating in plastics material leadframe items comprising an IC wired to a leadframe. Dust of the plastics material is removed from the encapsulation system, and in particular from those items where dust principally accumulates, such as the surfaces of the molds. To reduce the level of dust which enters the molding region, the path along which the leadframe items are conveyed to the molding region is closed at times when the leadframe items are not being transported there. Additionally, the leadframe items are conveyed to the molding region under a cover including a vacuum source, so that the dust is continually sucked away from them.

Abstract: The rotary tablet press comprises a housing, in which a compression unit (14) is detachably mounted. The compression unit (14) comprises a die table (15) with punches (17, 18), a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies (16), and a tablet discharge device for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets. The compression unit (14) encloses each die opening and its corresponding first punch end (21, 22) in a chamber, the feeding device and the tablet discharge device are enclosed, the feeding device communicates with an inlet for detachable connection with an external supply channel, and the tablet discharge device communicates with an outlet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tiles for use in a raised floor system is disclosed. The tiles comprise an outer shell and an inner core material. The method includes constructing the shells at a manufacturing facility, transporting the shells to a remote location associated with a job site, and filling the shells with a fill material at the remote location. A method is also disclosed for providing a rack to hold the tiles during the manufacturing process, stacking shells in a vertical orientation on the rack, and filling the shells with a core material while on the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the steam misting of rectangular nozzles and spinning systems equipped therewith for producing polyamide filaments whereby the steam feed is conducted through a tube loop which is passed through the heating chamber of the spinning beam so that the steam is brought to the spinning temperature. Directly below the spinning beam and thus on the lower edge of the rectangular nozzle stack which is connected thereto, between the spinning beam and the after-heater, steam outlet bars are longitudinally applied. These steam outlet bars are equipped with a simple labyrinth for pressure equalization. The steam inlet is effected initially in each case centrally of the rectangular nozzle stack and transitions into an upwardly open and relatively broad distribution chamber along the rectangular nozzle stack. This vertical distribution chamber transitions into a horizontal and very small gap which is open into the spinning chamber at its mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding plastic, including a plastic feed, an extruder, a colored liquid additive supply, a positive displacement metering pump, and a controller. The extruder has a housing receiving plastic from the plastic feed, a heat source, and a screw adapted to drive plastic through the housing The pump supplies colored liquid additive from the supply to the plastic in the phase change section of the extruder housing. The controller controls the drive rate of the screw and the pump to supply a selected volume of colored liquid additive per unit of time which is based on the drive rate of the screw. In use, the extruder is converted to adding a different color without cleaning the housing feeding section.

Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a lip of an extrusion die includes a scraping surface pressed against the lip. The scraping surface is movable along the lip of the die to clean debris, such as hardened thermoplastic, from the surface of the lip. The scraping surface may be removable and/or replaceable. A method of cleaning the extrusion die includes pressing the scraping surface against the lip of the extrusion die and traversing the scraping surface along the lip in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A process for the functional regeneration of the porosity of the materials used to make moulds (2) for moulding ceramic objects, when the pores have been damaged by use of the mould (2), comprises the sequential execution of at least two successive steps of an ordered sequence which includes the steps of: eliminating contamination caused by organic substances form the mould (2); eliminating contamination of biological origin from the mould (2); attacking inorganic encrustations and eliminating inorganic substances which have infiltrated the pores of the mould (2), the initial step of the process being preset according to the nature of a predetermined contaminating agent. A station implementing the process is also an integral part of the present invention.

Abstract: Injection molding and blow molding systems that include screws having low L:D ratios are provided. The systems are capable of producing microcellular polymeric materials. In some cases, the systems may be formed by retrofitting conventional polymer processing systems. Retrofitting may involve changing (e.g., machining or replacing) existing components of the conventional system, as well as, adding new components to the system. For example, retrofitting generally involves replacing the conventional polymer processing screw with a new screw designed to satisfy conditions needed for processing microcellular materials. In other cases, the systems may be newly manufactured. The retrofitted or newly manufactured systems of the invention are considerably less expensive than newly manufactured microcellular processing systems having higher L:D ratios.

Abstract: Described is a method of indirect printing on a thermoplastic film having texture, wherein said method comprises: a) providing a heated thermoplastic melt; b) providing a tool having a molding portion that comprises a texture having a surface and a plurality of cavities in said surface, and that comprises a material having a surface energy sufficient to release ink; c) applying ink to said texture; d) substantially drying or curing said ink; e) contacting said thermoplastic melt with said molding portion having ink applied to it; f) forming a texture in said thermoplastic melt, wherein said texture comprises a plurality of protrusions and an area between said protrusions, that is the inverse of the texture of said molding surface; g) transferring said ink from said molding portion to said thermoplastic melt; h) quenching said thermoplastic melt to form a thermoplastic film; and i) removing said thermoplastic film from said molding portion.

Abstract: The rotary tablet press comprises a housing, in which a compression unit (14) is detachably mounted. The compression unit (14) comprises a die table (15) with punches (17, 18), a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies (16), and a tablet discharge device for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets. The compression unit (14) encloses each die opening and its corresponding first punch end (21, 22) in a chamber, the feeding device and the tablet discharge device are enclosed, the feeding device communicates with an inlet for detachable connection with an external supply channel, and the tablet discharge device communicates with an outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming individual building units is provided, generally includes providing a plurality of molds, each capable of simultaneously forming a plurality of building units. Batches of cementitious slurry are individually mixed in order to control the density of each building unit formed. The ingredients are individually measured and combined into the mixing device. The cementitious slurry is then conveyed or transported and poured into one of the molds. The method provides the ability to control the amount of cementitious slurry in each batch in order to control to the extent possible the quantity of cementitious slurry poured into each mold and the ability to precisely control the dimensions of each building unit produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning composition for apparatus for processing thermoplastic melts, which composition essentially comprises discrete particles capable of plastic deformation and made from a thermoplastic (A) with a melting point above 200° C. and with a crystallinity of not more than 50%, and comprises an amorphous or semicrystalline thermoplastic (B) with a processing temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic (A). The proportion of the thermoplastic (A) is from 1 to 95% by weight and that of the thermoplastic (B) is from 5 to 95% by weight. The total of the percentage proportions by weight of (A) and (B) is always 100% or less.

Abstract: An integrated circuit leadframe is specially adapted to adhere to injection mold cleaning compounds in the area of vents for an injection mold. An area of a leadframe rail that is normally positioned adjacent a mold vent is provided with apertures, surface roughness or a surface coating to cause the cleaning compound to more tightly adhere to the leadframe rail. As a result, cleaning compound flash is removed from the vents when the leadframe is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A tire mold has radially inner surfaces for forming a tread and a pair of sidewalls, the tire mold having at least one sidewall forming portion having a surface finish of less than 15 micro inches, preferably less than 10 micro inches. A tire produced in a tire mold has at least one sidewall having a surface gloss greater than 10 as measured using a 60-degree gloss reading per ASTM Designation D523-89.

Abstract: Methods for enhanced purging of an injection molding shooting pot assembly are provided. Old melt is purged from a shooting pot having an injection plunger slidably received in an injection cylinder. The plunger is moved by a powered piston, which moves the injection plunger to a purging position. The plunger is then arrested in the purging position. Sufficient new melt is injected through an inlet positioned such that the new melt sweeps substantially an entire volume of the injection cylinder ahead of the injection plunger in flowing between the inlet and a single outlet remote from the inlet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exchanging a die holder of an extruder, which is tightly pressed from the bottom against a lower surface of an extrusion head by a press member. The pressing force of the press member is reduced to form a gap between a used die holder and the extrusion head. The used die holder and a next die holder positioned collinearly with each other are moved simultaneously and longitudinally, while slidingly contacting both of these die holders with the press member, so as to eject the used die holder from the press member and to deliver the next die holder onto the press member. The next die holder is then tightly pressed from the bottom onto the lower surface of the extrusion head by the press member.

Abstract: Polyurethane molded articles are produced from a flowable polyol-polyisocyanate reaction mixture on a shot-wise basis. The flowable reaction mixture is formed by combining the components of that mixture in the mixing chamber of a mixhead. The contents of the mixhead are introduced (preferably via an outlet pipe) into a mold in a manner such that the mixing chamber is substantially emptied in each case. Any ambient gas in the mixing chamber is then removed before the respective next shot is initiated.

Abstract: The invention tackles the problem of improving the production process for contact lenses further, so that the production costs for contact lenses can be reduced further and the production capacities can be increased. To this end, provision is made for the two mould halves, which together form the mould for producing a contact lens, to be fixed to each other and/or detachably connected to each other by means of individual half-mould guide. In conjunction with a cyclic production process, a high degree of automation can be achieved in this way.