Abstract: A dispensing device for maintaining the operating condition of a machine is provided. The dispensing device includes an interchangeable control module, the interchangeable control module including control hardware that provides at least one of a data storage memory, a central processing unit, interface hardware for condition monitoring sensors, an intermediary computing device, a display device, and communication modules. The dispensing device is configured to dispense lubricant in order to maintain the operating condition of the machine. The interchangeable control module is configured to interchangeably control and interchangeably reside in both a fixed and a portable dispensing device. Also, various related systems including the dispensing device are provided.

Abstract: The present document describes filler apparatus, washing and maintenance support station and methods of using the same. The support station is for supporting a filler container, a volumetric container and/or a sliding plate of the filler apparatus. The washing and maintenance support station comprises a support main frame; a filler container corresponding mating connector on the support main frame for releasably connecting with a filler container mating connector; a volumetric container mount receiving section on the main frame below the filler container corresponding mating connector for releasably mounting a volumetric container mount; and a sliding plate receiving support on the main frame below the volumetric container mount receiving section for releasably supporting a sliding plate substantially flat section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mold for forming a tire tread. The mold includes a tongue forming portion at an end of a tread forming portion. The tongue forming portion has a substantially constant thickness, except for a portion at an end of the tongue forming portion having a thickness greater than a thickness of a remainder of the tongue forming portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprinting apparatus or an imprint transfer method in which uniformity of curing quality by UV light is maintained and a uniform application thickness of a UV curable resin is achieved, even if glass is contaminated with dust and/or smudges or has a flaw.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotary press, comprising a rotor rotatably driven about a vertical axis that has a die-plate and upper and lower rams which, while being guided vertically in guides of the rotor, interact with holes of dies in the die-plate wherein at least one compression station is provided and has an upper and a lower pressing roller past which the presser rams run along and by which they are moved towards the die-bore for the purpose of compacting the material in the die-hole, wherein the upper and lower rams are lifted subsequent to the compression procedure, causing the lower ram to eject a compact from the die and the compact to be stripped by a stripper in the direction of a discharge chute, characterized in that while an compact ejection procedure is under way the upper ram stands upright on top of the compact and is lifted therewith and the stripper seizes the compact laterally while the upper ram is still standing upright on top of the compact.

Abstract: A programmable pellet press for compressing a powdered sample and forming a sample disc, including a hydraulic mechanism for compressing the sample in a mold operatively and electrically connected to a control mechanism for commanding an exertion of low constant preloading pressure followed by pressure increases with constant pressure dwell times upon the hydraulic mechanism. An algorithm for a programmable pellet press on computer readable media including performing a pressurization subroutine, performing a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback loop, performing a depressurization subroutine, and performing an unloading subroutine when pressure is at a baseline level.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a molding unit having a punch and a mold cavity movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said mold cavity are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said mold cavity interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept not above said cavity along said path.

Abstract: Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a hot runner injection molding system. The injection molding system has a plurality of melt conveying components defining a melt path from a melt source to a mold cavity and a mold housing. A force sensor or load cell is utilized between at least one melt conveying component of the system and the mold housing to measure a force generated due to thermal expansion of the melt conveying component during start-up and/or operation of the system and to provide an output to a receiving device. In an embodiment, once a sealing load or a predetermined preload force has been reached, an injection molding cycle may begin.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding food products of a moldable food material having a molding compartment, a feeding device for feeding the food material to the molding compartment and a molding plate with a mold cavity. The molding plate is moveable between a forwarding position in which the mold cavity communicates with the molding compartment via a molding opening, and an ejection position, in which the mold cavity is open towards a base. A plunger assembly fills the mold cavity with the food material from the molding compartment via the mold opening, and a piston ejects a food product molded in the mold cavity from the molding plate in the ejection position. A common, programmable control unit predetermines the periodical movements of the feeding device, the plunger assembly and the molding plate as a function of time in the form of separate movement patterns.

Abstract: An automatic lubricator for an injection molding machine, capable of performing proper lubrication in accordance with operation environment of the injection molding machine. A lubrication interval Ls is controlled according to length of cycle time S of the injection molding machine so that the lubrication interval Ls is increased when the cycle time S is long and it is decreased when the cycle time S is short. Further, when a ball screw temperature t1 is high the lubrication interval Ls is accordingly decreased by &Dgr;DL, and when the ball screw temperature t1 is low the lubrication interval Ls is accordingly increased by &Dgr;DL. Also, when the ambient temperature t2 is high the operation time Tp of a lubricating pump 2 is decreased, and when the ambient temperature t2 is low the operation time Tp is increased to stabilize the lubrication quantity.

Abstract: A method of forming plastics which comprises the sequential steps of cutting a plastic piece from a sheet of plastic, heating both sides of the plastic piece by contact heating, molding the heated plastic piece into its end-shape by press-molding, and cooling the heated and molded plastic piece into its end shape by air cooling means. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic piece, which may be laminated on one or both of its sides, is heated by use of a heating press which compresses the plastic piece thereby preventing "wrinkling" or warping of either side of the plastic piece. Thereafter, in the preferred embodiment, the heated plastic piece is positioned in a press-molding mechanism which comprises specially made male-female dies. Preferably, the air cooling step of the method takes place during the latter part of the press-molding step whereby both steps are, at some period, occurring concurrently.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies, the assemblies each being a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each mold half having annular circumferential flanges, is included. The apparatus includes a device for applying steam to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient from the front mold half to the back mold half. The apparatus also includes a second device to pry the mold halves apart.

Abstract: A cavity pressure is sequentially changed, by relatively displacing two mold dies forming a mold cavity, to a molding presure at which a product is molded in the mold cavity, a coating pressure lower than the molding pressure at which fluidized thermosetting plastic material is injected to form a coating layer, a curing pressure between the coating pressure and molding pressure at which the coating layer is cured, and a finishing pressure between the coating pressure and curing pressure at which the coating layer thermosets. The changing of the cavity pressure to the coating pressure is initiated a predetermined time later than a termination of a drop in pressure from the molding pressure due to shrinkage of the product. The changing of the cavity pressure to the curing pressure is initiated at a peak of an increase in relative displacement between the two mold dies caused by injecting a fluidized thermosetting plastic material in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A control device for timed control of a filling pressure during filling of a press die with a pasty or slip-like mass has a pressure sensor detecting a pressure in the press die, a threshold stage to which a corresponding pressure signal is fed from the pressure sensor, a timing element on which the threshold stage acts to maintain a filling pressure at an intended value during determinable holding time, a second threshold stage to which the pressure signal can be fed, and a logical gate to which outputs of the two threshold stages are connected and which generate a trigger signal for timing element when a particular value simultaneously exceeds a first threshold value of the first threshold stage and falls below a second threshold value of the second threshold stage.

Abstract: An adjustable powder compacting device for compacting a powder such as a cosmetic powder includes a control unit which electrically monitors and controls a hydraulic ram operated punch to compress the powder into a cup. The control unit causes the punch to perform: an approach stroke with a first regulated preset punch speed until the punch contacts the powder and exerts a first pressure on it, a debubbling stroke with a regulated second preset punch speed until the pressure exerted by the punch reaches a second preset pressure, and a compacting stroke at a constant third preset pressure for a preset period of time. These preset speeds and pressures are easily adjusted so that proper evacuation of gases from the powder and optimal compacting is readily achievable when the consistency of the powder changes. In specific embodiments, the device includes a rotatable disc for causing successive volumes of non-compressed powder to be compressed by the punch.

Abstract: A method for curing rubber in a heated mold in which the temperature of the mold is measured after closure and variations in temperature from an optimum cure temperature are used to adjust elapsed cure times which decrement an optimum cure time. The adjustment of elapsed cure time is determined by an algorithm which utilizes the 18.degree. F. (10.degree. C.) doubling rule; that is, that the rate of cure doubles for each increase in temperature of 18.degree. F. (10.degree. C.) and halves for each decrease in temperature of 18.degree. F. (10.degree. C.). Accordingly, the algorithm reduces the cure time remaining at a rate exceeding the actual elapsed time if the temperature of the mold is measured and determined to be above the optimum or set point temperature, and conversely, the cure time remaining is lengthened by reducing the cure time remaining at a rate below the actual elapsed time rate if the measured temperature of the mold is below the set point temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a molded plastic snap-fastener in-situ on a porous substrate, such as fabric. The apparatus includes dies defining a mold cavity therebetween and an ultrasonic head for melting and shaping plastic in the mold cavity. A hinged stripper surrounds a die and when actuated engages the fabric to remove the molded fastener from the die cavity.

Abstract: An injection molding machine for small-sized articles of thermoplastic synthetic resin comprises a hydraulically pressurizable injection head cylinder operable on an injection cylinder of an injection unit for injecting molding material into a mold, a hydraulically pressurizable clamping cylinder operable on one of a pair of mold members of the mold for opening and closing the mold, and a booster operatively connected to both the injection head cylinder and the clamping cylinder for converting pneumatic pressure into high hydraulic pressure to actuate the two cylinders in timed relation to each other.

Abstract: An injection apparatus of an injection molding machine includes a heating cylinder and a screw disposed in the heating cylinder, and the screw is axially moved and rotated in the heating cylinder for plasticizing the molten material by mechanisms or devices assembled in the injection apparatus, which is driven by electric drive means through driving power transmission means. The electric drive means comprises two servomotors and the power transmission means comprises two power transmission mechanisms operatively connected to the servomotors respectively so that one of the two servomotors drives a mechanism for axially moving the screw through one of the two power transmission mechanisms and the other of the two servomotors drives a mechanism for rotating the screw through the other of the two power transmission mechanisms, parallelly or concurrently.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling operating pressure within a mold cavity of an injection molding die. Finely detailed, and parts having thin walls are molded with the invention providing a process for eliminating defects. There is a pressure control apparatus which is preset to provide varying degrees of negative and positive pressure during the mold cycle, and to reset to repeat the procedure for subsequent cycles. The procedure includes a cleaning stage for preparing the mold cavity for the following mold cycle.

Abstract: An injection molding machine wherein both a clamping mechanism and an injection mechanism are actuated by means of a servo-motor, in which machine, mold opening and closing and clamping on the clamping mechanism side are carried out by gear means provided over a transmission shaft positioned on the clamping mechanism side and a rotary member threadedly engaged with a plunger having threads in the periphery thereof, the operation for advancing and rotating an injection screw on the injection mechanism side is carried out by advancing and rotating means by a rotary shaft and gears provided within a housing and transmission means by a plurality of gears provided together with an electromagnetically-operated clutch member in a portion of said transmission shaft positioned on the injection mechanism side, said machine comprising an electromagnetically-operated clutch mechanism for temporarily stopping the application of a turning force by said servo-motor to the clamping mechanism side, and a force retaining devic

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for delivering the precise optimum number of cure equivalents to the exact point of least cure for each tire, though the location of the point varies from one tire to another tire of different geometry, and may vary in tires of the same geometry if there is a change in normal operating conditions. A cure is effected with the aid of a small computer means utilizing only two boundary temperature conditions and the ambient temperature, irrespective of where the boundary conditions are sensed.

Abstract: The wrapped insulation on the straight parallel sections of coils for larger rotary electric machines is treated under heat and pressure in a preferably double-sided coil press in which pressure is applied first to the center of the heated sections then also to the outer parts thereof to enable excess resin impregnating the insulation to flow away from the center parts and achieve a more uniformly and accurately dimensioned coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a thermoset in-the-mold coating on a hot, cured glass fiber reinforced thermoset resin substrate by (1) separating the mold halves slightly while maintaining a seal with the shear edge, (2) injecting an in-the-mold coating resin in a stream which flows parallel from the injector onto a surface of the substrate, and (3) closing the mold and curing the coating under pressure. The separation and of the mold halves is performed by the conventional mold ram. Preferably the mold surface forming the coated surface of the substrate is roughened.

Abstract: An apparatus for heading plastic safety pins for manifolds for use with an inflatable article such as a life vest, life raft, and the like. After the pin has been mounted in the manifold, the previously unheaded end of the pin is partially melted and compressed so as to flow laterally to form a head thereon. The die which engages the initially unheaded end of the pin is heated to a temperature which markedly exceeds the melting point of the plastic material of which the pin is made. Such die is brought forcibly into contact with and is removed from engagement with the initially unheaded end of the pin several times a second, so as to avoid the complete melting of the pin and the sticking of the plastic material to the heated die.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a molding machine used for exothermic curing senses the rate of change of the temperature of the material in the mold. When the rate of change of temperature has first exceeded and then fallen below a predetermined reference level, it is determined that the exothermic curing reaction has been completed, and the mold is opened after a predetermined delay.

Abstract: A mechanical press includes a plurality of cylinders to provide different fluid pressures to a lower mold against an upper mold to mold plastic parts. A pair of accumulators sequentially apply a low pressure to the cylinders for a predetermined time during the initial heating period and a high pressure for a predetermined time during the final molding period. A control valve controls the rate at which the high pressure is applied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for injecting a temperature sensitive probe into a tire to be cured in a mold which is at least in part heated by a steam cavity. The probe is utilized to monitor cure conditions and provides an electronic input signal to control the cure. The probe is carried by a movable member in a housing mounted in the mold with one side of the movable member being exposed to, and thereby worked on, the steam in the cavity so that the steam pressure itself is utilized to inject the probe.

Abstract: An automated molding apparatus has a continuous movable belt trained about a pair of spaced apart sprocket pulleys rotatably mounted to a main support frame. A plurality of female dies are equidistantly mounted to the belt for mating with a plurality of male dies reciprocatively mounted in a plane above the female dies. A heated feeder is provided for introducing a predetermined amount of melted mix into the female dies prior to mating with the male dies. To insure that the resulting molded product is properly hardened, the female dies are adapted with internal channels connected to a liquid cooling system. The molding apparatus is readily adaptable for hydraulic operation and may be readily automated by an electrically actuated control and timing system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling sequence and duration of the operational steps in processes such as vulcanization of a pneumatic tire is capable of operating under two basic modes or parameters. In one mode the operational steps are dictated by elapsed real time, while in the other mode, the operation can be dictated by elapsed cure equivalent factors. The desired length of each step or the cure, whether in time or cure equivalents, is set into an input program means. In the time mode, time generating circuitry provides an output proportonal to elapsed time which output is displayed on a counter and electrically compared with the information in the input program means. When a match occurs, the time generating circuitry and displays are reset and the input program means directs the tire vulcanization press to perform the next sequential function. Also disclosed is circuitry which is capable of performing secondary functions such as extending the length of a step, as necessary.

Abstract: In an injection moulding machine comprising two relatively movable platens each carrying a mould part, a stop means is provided which, in a first condition, defines a limit to the relative approach movement of the platens, and in a second condition permits further relative approach movement of the platens, means being provided to change the condition of the stop means from the first to the second condition at a predetermined instant after interruption of the relative approach movement of the platens by the stop means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding thermosetting and thermoplastic materials, particularly components of brassiere cups, enabling precise molding with a high degree of flexibility and control in the molding conditions of temperature, pressure and molding time. Two modes of molding are disclosed; a first mode in which the material is first clamped to the mold prior to conforming the medial portion of the mold to the mold blank; and a second mode in which the material is accommodated in the mold blank followed by clamping of the margins of the material.

Abstract: An injection moulding apparatus having an injection mould and a mandrel insertable within the mould is provided with frustoconical co-operating surfaces on the mandrel and mould respectively which are adapted to engage with one another when the mandrel is inserted in the mould. A sliding connection is provided between the mould and its carrier so that the engagement of the conical surfaces can effect alignment of the axis of the mould with the axis of the mandrel. A locking device is provided for locking the mould to the carrier together with a locking control mechanism which releases the locking device as the conical surfaces approach one another and locks the mould to the carrier when the conical surfaces are fully engaged.

Abstract: Control circuitry for record pressing equipment is provided, and is characterized by ease of shifting between automatic and manual operational modes, and at any stage, as well as by simplicity and ease of operation. The flow control of cooling a heating fluid for the die means is integrated with the control circuitry.