Abstract: An injection molding die includes a fixed half die and a movable half die which has a core surface and which is provided with ejector pins. The ejector pins are held with their extremities retracted from the core surface to form recesses corresponding to compression allowances. The ejector pins are advanced toward the cavity to compress the compression allowances after a molten resin has been injected into the injection molding die in a manner which fills the cavity and the recesses. The compression with the ejector pins renders the pressure distribution int he cavity uniform, so that a molding can be formed with a high degree of accuracy and so that the injection molding cycle time can be reduced.

Abstract: In a core drive apparatus for an injection molding machine, a servomotor is used as a drive source to drive movable cores which, in conjunction with mold parts, define molding cavities. The servomotor is connected to a control device for controlling the drive of various injection molding machine units including the servomotor. The servomotor is connected to the movable cores by a driven shaft, gears, and screw shafts formed integrally with the movable cores, by attaching a movable mold body to a movable mold mounting section supporting the driven shaft. One end of the driven shaft is fitted on an output shaft of the servomotor attached to a movable platen so that attachment of a mold to the molding machine is facilitated.

Abstract: A machine for molding bonded plastics material, in particular expanded or foamable polystyrene in combination with rigid sheet polystyrene, wherein the rigid material (2) is preformed in a preforming station (1) in a preforming mold (33, 36) while simultaneously separating by a cutter (40) the preformed portion from the rigid sheet of starting material to produce separate preformed pieces, the preformed pieces are moved by a transfer table (27) to a molding station (3) while retained on preforming half-mold (33), foamable material (44) is fed to molding mold (41) and molded and bonded on the preformed pieces with sintering by pulse action of steam (45) and, the final molded articles (P) are discharged at discharge station (6). The half-mold (33) is moved alternately between the preforming station (1) and molding station (3), and cooperates with respective counter-molds (36, 41). The scrap is recovered without being involved in the molding stage.

Abstract: A gripper (2) for removing a molded workpiece (9) from the opened mold (1, 3) of a molding machine is coupled through a step-up drive transmission with the ejector (13, 15, 17) associated with the mold in such a manner that the ejector causes it to execute a movement away from the ejector in the same direction of motion as the ejector. The drive transmission can in particular have co-operating limit stops (45, 43) on the ejector and on the gripper, and one of these limit stops is mounted on a drive step-up lever (37). In another embodiment, the step-up drive transmission is designed as a hydraulic transmission.

Abstract: In order to control the opening and closing movement of an injection mold (1, 3) and the feed and extraction movement of a handling device (7) for the removal of the molding in a manner which is optimally concerted with no delay, the opening movement of the mold and/or the extraction movement of the handling device is detected in relation to position and speed; if the speed lies in a reference range, a release signal is generated which triggers the feed movement of the gripping device or the closing movement of the mold.

Abstract: A rotary plastic blow molding machine (20) including a base (22), a wheel (24) mounted for rotation on the base about a rotational axis A and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (100) mounted on the wheel for rotation therewith to control operation of a plurality of mold stations (40) on the wheel. The blow molding machine (20) as disclosed also has at least one sensor (62) mounted on the wheel (24) for rotation therewith to sense an operating parameter of each mold station and to generate an associated operation signal. The PLC (100) is coupled to the at least one sensor (62), processes the sensed operation signal and controls the machine (20) operation in response to the signal.

Abstract: A cyclically operated injection plastic molding machine which contains a device for moving a mold insert into and out of a mold is illustrated. When the mold is closed, the mold insert is moved into it; but, before the mold is opened, the insert is removed from it. The machine also contains an electric eye device which senses the motion of a movable finger which is caused to move by the motion of an injected molded part formed by the machine.

Abstract: A retrieval system for rapidly removing articles from a plastic molding machine or other manufacturing process includes a pair of lightweight carbon fiber tubes arranged for telescoping motion into and out of an open mold. The telescoping tubes are driven by a low inertial cable drive system. A high volume, low pressure vacuum is supplied to the telescoping tubes and, in turn, to a set of receivers mounted on the pair of telescoping tubes to rapidly draw molded articles from the mold as they are conventionally ejected therefrom. A differential vacuum sensing system provides confirmation that all of the molded articles have been drawn from the mold by the receivers. Withdrawal of the pair of telescoping tubes, with the molded articles just retrieved, from the open mold is then initiated simultaneously with initiation of closure of the mold in preparation for a new molding cycle.

Abstract: An ejection and conveying device mounted in a rotary pressing tabletting machine having matrices supported by a rotating table, whereinto upper punches and lower punches enter and come out, while tablets come out at an ejection station; the device includes a plate fastened to the machine and positioned under the table. Part of the plate is located under the machine's ejection station, while a rotating disk is placed inside a raised border of the plate and has a plurality of hollows whereinto the ejected tablets fall so that the tablets are drawn by the disk up to be positioned above one or more holes made in the bottom of the plate and from which holes discharge channels depart. The tablets pass through the holes and are brought away by the channels.

Abstract: Portable brick manufacturing apparatus (20) mounted on a skid pad (21) includes two brick making systems. Each system includes a ring (25, 65) with three open-ended mold boxes (23, 70) mounted to the ring in equiangular spacing thereabout. Drive means (30,32,30',31') and an indexing controls mechanism (51) operate to rotate the ring in steps such that the mold boxes come to rest at a fill station, a compacting station and a brick ejection station, respectively. The two systems share a compacting station and a slide plate (60) provides a bottom for the mold boxes at the fill and compacting stations and in movement therebetween for each systems. In one system, hoppers (52,56) conveyors (54,49) a blender (58) and a spray nozzle (59) deliver soil and additives to a mold box at the fill station. Similar components are included in the second system. The indexing mechanism (51) responds to a sensor signal to control the weight of depost in a mold box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming finished cups of expanded resin comprising a transfer mold capable of transferring a preformed article obtained through a preforming process to a finish-forming mold, and simultaneously collecting from the finish-forming mold a finished article obtained through compression forming and discharging the finished article after inspection, the transfer mold for transferring having a core section for collecting the preformed article and transferring the preformed article to the finish-forming mold and a cavity section for collecting and discharging the finished article and apparatus for moving the transfer mold.

Abstract: Rapid cooling of molded workpieces formed in an injection molding machine such as PET parisons is provided by a receiver receiving molded workpieces upon ejection from the molding machine, the receiver being transported out of the molding machine to an adjacent position where a cooling head coupled to a source of cooling fluid such as liquid CO.sub.2 directs the fluid toward the surfaces of each workpiece. The cooling head engages and is sealed to the receiver to inhibit the escape of cooling fluid into the atmosphere thereby reducing cost, environmental impact, etc. A sensor coupled to a control of the cooling fluid source permits the release of cooling fluid from said source to contact the workpieces only when the cooling head is engaged with and sealed to the receiver. A vacuum unit withdraws cooling fluid from the receiver subsequent to contact between the workpieces and the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is then recooled and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: An improved, slide plate-type patty forming apparatus (20) is provided which preferably includes a reciprocating slide plate (60) with a removable, multiple piston and cavity head (78) adapted to move between a retracted meat-filling position wherein respective patty forming cavities (90) are filled with meat to an extended patty-discharging position wherein formed meat patties (264) are ejected. Each of the patty forming pistons (96) is equipped with a porous bottom plate (104) formed of sintered metal or ceramic, an appropriate compressed air passageways (120, 122, 106) are provided for delivery of air through the bottom plate (104) for cleanly ejecting the formed patty (264). Adjusting mechanism (26) for altering the thickness of formed patties (264) includes a plurality of adjusting units (166) each equipped with a vertically shiftable, piston-engaging foot (176); movement of the feet (176) in unison is effected by means of handwheel (164) and connecting gear train (162, 200, 194, 192, 174).

Abstract: A diverter chute assembly for automatically separating the molded part from the runner in the injection molding process. The diverter chute assembly has a deflection plate pivotally mounted within a housing. The deflection plate is responsive to control signals generated in synchronization with the ejection of the product and the runner such that the product is directed to a first collection area and the runner is directed to a second collection area. Chute diverters permit flexibility in the placement of collection bins which gather the parts and runners.

Abstract: A dispensing system for separating runners and molded products dispensed from an injection mold assembly is disclosed. The dispensing system comprises a dispensing chute disposed proximate the mold assembly. The dispensing chute is operative to direct materials passing into the chute to one of two collection areas in response to control signals. The control signals are generated in synchronization with ejection of the product or the runner such that the product is directed to a first collection area and the runner is directed to a second collection area. The control signal may have a programmable duration such that the dispensing chute may operate in synchronization with various types of sequential ejection systems.

Abstract: In an injection molding machine having at least four motors (18 to 21) and a control section (22) for controlling the four motors to carry out a predetermined injection molding process divided into a plurality of steps, the four motors are grouped into first and second groups so that the motors of each group have driving durations which are not overlapped with one another and which may be overlapped with those of the motors of another group. The control section has first and second control unit (24 and 25) coupled to the first-group motors and the second-group motors for individually and selectively controlling the first-group motors and the second-group motors.

Abstract: A compact, controllable ejection system for use with trimming presses and forming presses. A preferred form of the invention has a remotely located sealed enclosure filled with a compressible gas and into which an incompressible fluid is introduced through a pressure line. The other end of the pressure line connects to a conventional hydraulic cylinder, the piston of which is connected to an ejector pin. During closure of the press the ejector pin is forced upwards thereby forcing fluid into the remotely located sealed enclosure. A controllable directional valve entraps the forcibly introduced incompressible fluid and the energy stored in compressing the compressible fluid. After the opening of the press, at a controlled time such as when an automated receiving tray has been inserted to receive the part, the controllable valve is opened, ejecting the part from the press.

Abstract: A plant for molding articles in polyurethane material; the plant comprises a plurality of motorized mold supporting carriages independently movable along a suspended monorail running along a production line. Each carriage comprises a mold supporting press for opening and closing a mold provided with independent pneumatic control means supported by the same carriage; the control means are connectable to a source of fluid under pressure in pre-established working positions along the production line; each carriage also comprises a drive unit connected to electrical power supply bus bar along the monorail and a peripheral control unit operatively connected to a central logic unit by dialogue conductors provided on the monorail.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing injection molded articles from an opened injection mold of an injection molding machine. The apparatus has a low structural weight and provides exact control of the movements of a grasping member for grasping the injection molded articles. The apparatus has a guide bed and a carriage movably mounted on the guide bed. The guide bed is aligned parallel to the direction of operation of the closing unit of the injection mold. The carriage includes a cantilever which extends transversely of the guide bed. The cantilever carries a slide member longitudinally movable on the cantilever. An adjustable support member is mounted on the slide member. The grasping member is mounted at the lower end of the support member. The grasping member is adjustable relative to the support member about at least two joints extending perpendicularly to each other.

Abstract: A rotational apparatus for molding dolls including an automatic control mechanism, a mold holding mechanism, a robot mechanism having a mold cover opening and closing means for opening and closing the mold, mold releasing means for releasing a molded product from the mold, mold release detecting and cleaning means and a raw material charging means, a heating means and a cooling means.

Abstract: A forming machine forms elongated rolls of croissant dough into a curved form, and in particular the apparatus shown pinches the ends of the elongated dough together after it has been folded around a forming mandrel. The sequence is done as the dough is moved along a conveyor automatically and at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: The disclosed frozen confection machine is provided with a series of mold bars each of which contain a plurality of cavities for containing confection material which is frozen in said cavities. The machine is provided with a mechanism for inserting sticks into the partially frozen confection material, means for defrosting the exterior of the cavities to facilitate removal of the frozen confections and a selectively operable device responsive to the inadvertent retention of confection material in one or more cavities to remove the retained confection material by inverting the mold bar and spraying hot water into the cavities to remove the confection material. Moreover the confection machine provides laterally opposed to chains circulating in a closed path in which one reach of the chain, the working reach, associated with filling, freezing, stick insertion and confection removal devices and a return reach.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed using a robot to load and unload precut pieces of sheet molding compound and the like between an upper die and a lower die of a sheet molding press.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for opening molds by automatically unlocking a pair of locking mechanisms which cooperate to lock a pair of mold sections together. There are also disclosed herein a method and apparatus for handling a removed mold section and an article ejected from another mold section.

Abstract: The present invention concerns manufacture of cellular structures of thermoplastics material. In particular the invention concerns apparatus for use in the production of cellular structures of thermoplastics material comprising a supply and injection stage (b) for supplying the thermoplastics material (12), a die stage (c) through which the thermoplastics material supplied by the supply and injection stage is extruded to form the cellular structure (15), and a cooling stage (d) supplied in use with cooling fluid (4) for cooling the extruded thermoplastics material, the different stages being located one above the other and the apparatus further comprising a plurality of regularly spaced cylinders (7), each cylinder (7) having a lower part (10) of lesser diameter provided with heating means (11) and an upper part (8) of greater diameter, the bodies of the cylinders extending through the supply and injection stage and the upper parts thereof forming said die stage.

Abstract: A part pick-up head for transferring a part from the ejection station of an apparatus, such as a powder compacting apparatus, to a discharge station. The pick-up head is internally provided with a pair of reciprocating jaws, actuated by pressurized fluid such as compressed air, and arranged to clamp the part at the ejection station with enough pressure to hold the part securely for transfer to the discharge station. At the discharge station, the clamping jaws are spread apart by a return spring when fluid pressure is released. Auxiliary holding means in the form of suction ports above the part may be disposed in the pick-up head, and the pick-up head may also incorporate suction orifices sweeping clean the surface of the die plate over which the pick-up head travels from the ejection station to the discharge station.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a molding removal mechanism including a double-acting, fluid-operated cylinder which has a chuck mounted thereon for grasping a molded part, said cylinder being rapidly operated for removing the molded part from the mold and slowly actuated for transferring the molded part to a discharge position.

Abstract: A machine for high rate production of molecularly oriented thermoplastic bottles is disclosed. The machine is of the reheat-and-blow type. A blow molding station simultaneously blow molds article preforms arranged in matrices by modular article carriers for conveying the preforms and articles through the machine. The carriers are designed to retain the preforms throughout all operations of the machine from a preform load station through a thermal conditioning section, a blow molding station, and to a bottle eject station, thereby eliminating the need for other preform transferring apparatus. The article carriers together with the associated conveying apparatus comprise a sufficiently flexible structure that minor misalignments of the carriers with the blow molding mechanism do not adversely affect bottle production. Both loading of preforms and ejection of finished bottles are accomplished by operation upon matrices of preforms and bottles as defined by the carriers and conveyor lanes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for opening molds by automatically unlocking a pair of locking mechanisms which cooperate to lock a pair of mold sections together. There are also disclosed herein a method and apparatus for handling a removed mold section and an article ejected from another mold section.

Abstract: One of two relatively movable platens of an injection-molding machine carries a housing in which a cylindrical cam with a generally helicoidal groove is rotatably lodged, the cam being rigid with a shaft disposed parallel to the direction of platen motion. A cam follower on the inner surface of that housing engages in the helicoidal groove whereby the shaft is rotated during relative reciprocation of the platens; a hub idling on the opposite shaft end, supported by a control box on the other platen, can be positively coupled to the shaft by a clutch in this box so as to rotate therewith. An elbow coupled with that hub, directly or through a carriage having a rack in mesh with a gear fixed to the hub, supports a pick-up head which in the engaged state of the clutch enters between two separated mold portions respectively carried by the platens for extracting a freshly molded workpiece from the mold or, possibly, placing an externally supplied insert in an empty mold cavity.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material such as meat. The apparatus includes a turret which rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into one of a plurality of mold cavities and a discharge station where each formed patty is ejected by a piston. An improved sealing means is provided for effecting sealing engagement of a feed spout assembly with the bottom surface of the rotating turret. An improved cut-off band is also provided for separating the formed patties from the turret at the discharge station. Reciprocation of the piston in each mold cavity is regulated by a control means which includes means for limiting the free upward movement of the piston until the cavity opening is fully aligned with a feed opening in the feed spout assembly.

Abstract: An improved molding machine which overcomes the tendency of concrete members molded therein to become end distorted upon initial discharge movement relative to the mold cavities in which they are formed. The front set of plates which close that end of the multi-cavity mold box proximal to the discharge end of the machine are maintained in contact with the faces of the concrete member adjacent thereto at least during the initial breakaway of the concrete members from the sides of the mold. The molded members are forced out of the mold box by a hydraulic ram acting upon a second set of end plates which act to close the rear end of the mold cavities. Once the concrete members are smoothly moving relative to the mold cavities, the front set of end plates are withdrawn to enable the members to be completely discharged from the mold. A bleed orifice is placed in the return line of the hydraulic cylinder controlling the retraction action of the front end plates so that the two sets of end plates move in unison.

Abstract: A cycle control for plastic injection molding machines. All time-responsive machine controls are eliminated by initiating or terminating machine functions in response to actual, physical properties experienced by the machine or by the plastic or in the mold, rather than in response to elapsed-time intervals. Means are provided for changing the injection pressure to the holding pressure when the pressure in the mold cavity reaches a predetermined pressure, means are provided for ending the holding pressure and initiating the cold/cure portion of the cycle in response to actual, physical conditions of the plastic in the mold, such as pressure or temperature, and means are provided for opening the clamp to eject the molded part and thus end the cold/cure portion of the cycle in response to actual, physical properties of the plastic in the mold, such as pressure or temperature. The machine cycle is thereby completely independent of time, and cycle time may be minimized.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the controlled removal of molded parts using a member that is precisely positioned to act between the face of a mold and a structure being molded by engaging the structure and transporting it to a prescribed position for release.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing contaminant material or hung-up work pieces on mandrels, such as the core rods of injection blow molding machines, consists of a sensing member adapted to be moved through a programmed path corresponding to the bottom contour edge of the mandrel and to give an output responsive signal when any material or work piece remains on the mandrel and interrupts the programmed movement of the sensing member. Generally, one or more horizontally extending mandrels are checked by a sensing member linked through a connecting member with a cam following a cam track corresponding in shape and located below the bottom contour edge of the mandrel to be checked. In the preferred form of the invention, an injection blow molding machine includes an automatic stripper and checker, in which stripping fingers associated with the connecting member precede the sensing member and thus strip a preformed work piece off the mandrel simultaneously with the checker sensing member movement along the mandrel length.

Abstract: An absolute-coded angular position indicator coupled to the shiftable one of two mold-clamping plates, produces a position signal indicating the position of the shiftable plate. This signal is applied to one input of a subtractor, whose output signal is displayed on a numerical display. The subtracting input of the subtractor receives a corrective signal from a manually set decades switch arrangement. When no mold is present between the clamping plates and the latter are pressed into direct contact with each other, the displayed numerical value is zero. When a mold is clamped between the plates, an non-zero value is displayed, and the set-up technician sets the decades switch arrangement to the displayed value. As a result the displayed value goes to zero. The output signal of the subtractor is furnished to control elements which must control machine operations in dependence upon the height of the particular mold being employed.

Abstract: An improved molding apparatus is provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material, particularly meat in frozen flake cut form. The apparatus includes a rotating turret with a plurality of mold cavities and reciprocable pistons. The turret rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into the mold cavities and a discharge station where the formed patties are ejected and separated by a continuous cut-off band. An improved cut-off band is also provided in which the band is disposed at a slight angle to facilitate its entry into the interfaces between the bottom surfaces of the pistons and the formed patties. The leading corners of the pistons are chamfered to receive the blade. The band is looped between a pair of pulleys on adjustable supports for providing the desired inclination of the band. Scrapers and spray nozzles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of the band and the pulley grooves.

Abstract: The apparatus produces pressed cement tiles by forming and pressing the tiles in molds and stripping the pressed tiles from the molds. The stripped tiles are deposited, in superimposed relation, on a stripping tray or "shovel" and the thus-supported tiles are subjected to subsequent treatments. A rotary table or platform carries several molds which are cyclically moved through several stages to form and press the tiles, and the tile receiving tray is positioned at a discharge station to have several pressed tiles stripped from the molds and superimposed in a pile on the tray. Alternatively, an intermediate tray is reciprocable radially between a first position, beneath the stripping element, to receive a pressed tile, and a second position retracted from the rotary platform.

Abstract: Fluid concrete is provided to apparatus which shapes the concrete into a desired form and may stack the finished products for removal by an operator. A concrete receiving portion of the apparatus holds the fluid concrete and discharges selected amounts thereof into a vertically open mold. The mold and the fluid concrete therein are supported during filling by a forming table. A compaction member is inserted into the mold to distribute and compact the fluid concrete therein, after which the mold may be removed from the table and held for vertical movememt by a mold carrier. Withdrawable support plates at the bottom of the mold support the shaped product therein after the mold has been removed from the forming table, with these support plates being selectively withdrawn to allow release of the shaped product from the bottom of the mold. A shaped product stacker is provided beneath the mold in position to receive shaped products released therefrom, and to stack a plurality of such products.

Abstract: A self-lubricating tablet press having a force detector for measuring the force required to eject the tablet from the die cavity connected to and activating a lubricator for lubricating the dies and punch faces when the ejection force reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming concrete building blocks which is constructed and arranged (1) to minimize sound emissions to the environment of a magnitude which might cause injury to the hearing of the operators, (2) to provide shielding around the major movable components of the machine so as to substantially eliminate potential causes of bodily injury to the operators, and (3) to improve the performance and cooperation of the major components for making concrete blocks. To provide shielding against noise and bodily injury, the frame of the apparatus is constructed in conjunction with sound insulation panels to provide an enclosure around the major movable components of the apparatus, and the frame also supports these components on internal surfaces thereof so as to minimize sound transmission openings to the environment.

Abstract: In continuous blow molding machinery employing a series of carriers successively traversing a closed path between preform loading, molding and molded article eject stations, an upwardly inclined removal ramp in the path of underblown parts but clear of the carriers is provided between the molding and loading stations for automatically removing such parts from the carriers. The method involves continuously stripping such parts before the loading station by elevating them relative to a rod portion of the carrier via interfering engagement with such ramp.

Abstract: Liquid slag passes from an overflow in a pressure vessel into an underlying collecting vessel where the liquid slag is transformed into solid granular material by quenching in a liquid coolant. A desired coolant level is maintained within the collecting vessel by control valves under a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Two slide valves in the bottom of the collecting vessel are opened to discharge the granular material after accumulating to a predetermined measured level which is below the liquid coolant in the collecting vessel. A discharge vessel, beneath the collecting vessel, receives the discharged granular material. The discharge vessel is filled with a liquid coolant under either atmospheric pressure or under the same elevated pressure as the pressure within the collecting vessel.

Abstract: During stripping of a cement block from a mold in a cement block forming machine by shoes of a stripper head, the head is driven by gravity and its distance from a pallet receiver structure, including a pallet receiving the cement block, is limited by hydraulic, collapsible stops. The stops collapse during stripping a distance sufficient to slump the block. The amount of collapse during the stripping time interval is controlled by adjustable hydraulic flow means under constant pressure.