For Molding Temperature Or Pressure Patents (Class 425/170)
  • Publication number: 20030197295
    Abstract: A hot isostatic pressing apparatus (HIP apparatus) comprises a vertically cylindrical high-pressure vessel comprising a high-pressure cylinder 1 and upper and lower lids 2 and 3; a bottomed cylindrical casing 6 capable of housing workpieces 9 and a resistance-wire heater 11, a heat insulating structure 16 equipped with a gas flow regulating valve 15 and formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape on the outside of the casing 6 so as to cover the casing 6, and a heat sink 17 having a water cooling mechanism provided in the space defined by the heat insulating structure 16 and the inner surface of the high-pressure cylinder 1, which are provided within the high-pressure vessel; and a pressure medium gas stirring fan 12 for promoting the temperature uniformity of the space of the treatment chamber 7 for housing the workpieces 9, the stirring fan being arranged on the lower lid 3 side within the casing 6, whereby the cooling to a temperature range of 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho(Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Tomomitsu Nakai, Makoto Yoneda, Shigeo Kofune, Takao Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20030198703
    Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20030183972
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Scott Schewe
  • Patent number: 6626658
    Abstract: A ball spline nut is provided in each of tie bar penetrating holes formed in a moving platen constituting a mold clamping mechanism of an injection molding machine. On the other hand, a portion of a tie bar one end of which is fixed to a stationary platen, engaging with the tie bar penetrating hole in the moving platen, is made a ball spline shaft. Since there is no clearance between the ball spline shaft and the ball spline nut engaging therewith, in mold clamping and mold releasing processes, the posture of a movable mold attached to the moving platen with respect to a stationary mold attached to the stationary platen is always kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Ito, Koichi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20030178749
    Abstract: A closing unit for an injection molding machine for making several injection molded articles in one working cycle includes a fixed mold portion and a movable mold portion which is movable by a drive mechanism in a direction of the fixed mold portion. The fixed and movable mold portions bound a mold cavity, when the movable mold portion is forced by the drive mechanism against the fixed mold portion and held in place in a clamped position by a clamping force applied by the drive mechanism. A separator assembly subdivides the mold cavity into at least two distinct cavity zones, with each cavity zone including sub-cavities. Injection molding material is supplied through a single sprue via separate feed channels to the cavity zones, wherein a valve assembly is disposed in the sprue to control the supply of injection molding material to the cavity zones via the feed channels in time-staggered manner, when the mold portions assume their clamped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: KRAUSS-MAFFEI KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Timo Gunzel
  • Patent number: 6619944
    Abstract: An injection unit of injection machine operates to drive a time-belt pulley associated with a thrust bearing, a bevel ball-bearing, and a bearing nut to make a ball-bearing guiding screw move swiftly to in turn drive a movable plate to perform an injection stroke. The injection pressure transmitted backwards by a plasticized auger is sensed by a load bearer equipped with a pressure sensor something like a strain gauge. After an injection stroke, by means of another time-belt pulley and a shaft coupling, the plasticized auger is restored to its original position and ready for a next cyclic motion. During the cyclic injection process, the load bearer is in charge of sensing the pressure change and reckoning the back pressure in order to obtain the best injection quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Lang-Fu Tsai, Ken Hsien Lai, Kuo Hsiung Lin
  • Publication number: 20030155674
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus comprises a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of molten material under pressure and delivering the melt stream to a nozzle channel of a nozzle. A mold cavity receives the melt stream from the nozzle and the nozzle channel communicates with the mold cavity through a mold gate. A thermocouple is coupled to the mold core of the mold cavity in order to measure the temperature of the molten material in the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Publication number: 20030155671
    Abstract: As a part of the manufacture of concrete products, such as concrete pipe, manholes and the like, the joint rings applied during the casting process much be removed. The invention relates to a joint ring removal system in which a vertically oriented concrete product, containing a joint ring, is gripped to hold the product stationary while a joint ring pulling force is applied. Then, a shocking force is applied laterally to the joint ring to free it from the concrete joint. The amount of pulling force applied to the joint ring is less than that required to separate the joint ring from the concrete while the shocking force is applied in a direction transverse to the pulling force so that no harmful tensile shocking forces are transmitted to the concrete joint. The pulling force on the joint ring is variably applied and timed with the shocking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Hawkeye Concrete Products Co.
    Inventors: Jon A. Schmidgall, Ronald D. Schmidgall, David Stoller
  • Publication number: 20030155672
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method are provided in which the rate of material flow during an injection cycle is controlled. According to one preferred embodiment, an injection molding apparatus is provided that includes a manifold, at least one injection nozzle coupled to the manifold, an actuator, and a valve pin adapted to reciprocate through the manifold and the injection nozzle. The valve pin has a first end coupled to the actuator, a second end that closes the gate in a forward position, and a control surface intermediate said first and second ends for adjusting the rate of material flow during an injection cycle. Retracting the valve pin tends to decrease the rate of material flow during the injection cycle and displacing the valve pin toward the gate tends to increase the rate of material flow during the injection cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Synventive Molding Solutions
    Inventors: David Kazmer, Mark D. Moss, Mark Doyle, Huip van Geel
  • Patent number: 6585506
    Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20030072833
    Abstract: A valve pin for use in a melt channel in an injection molding machine. The valve pin has a valve pin body and at least one thermocouple substantially completely inside the valve pin body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Publication number: 20030031816
    Abstract: In order to achieve an economical and trouble-free continuous extrusion of plastic hollow profiles having at least one hollow chamber that is filled with foam, the profile tool of an extrusion device is configured in the shape of a pistol. The profile tool comprises a pistol shaft (102) with a melt feed channel (166), which is connected to the melt discharge opening of the extruder (300) and which opens into a melt radial distributor channel (164) that surrounds the lance guide channel (150). The profile tool is also equipped with a pistol barrel (101) comprising a melt ring channel (162), which extends from the melt radial distributor channel (164) to the profile nozzle (160) and comprising a lance guide channel (150), which extends in a continuous manner from a lance inlet (152) to the profile nozzle (160).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Alfons Topp
  • Publication number: 20030017225
    Abstract: Injector (1) for injection moulding of plastic materials, comprising a body (2, 6) and a passage for running hot plastic material into the mould, an axially mobile pin (7) in the body (2, 6) for controlling said passage and a linear actuator (8) for controlling the movement of the pin (7) between an advanced closed position of said passage and a retracted open position of said passage. The injector (1) is equipped with a pressure sensor (13) detecting the pressure inside the mould, which is operative associated to said pin (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: A.S. ATTREZZATURE SPECIALI Srl
    Inventors: Maurizio Bazzo, Tiziano Boscariol
  • Publication number: 20030008028
    Abstract: Device for monitoring force and pressure in injection moulding machines, with at least one sensor for measuring the deformation of a machine part that is deformed by the closing or injection pressure, wherein a supporting body (2) is provided that relieves the machine part (3) monitored by the sensor (1) as soon as the closing or injection pressure exceeds a certain value that is less than half its maximum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Eppich, Alfred Ellinger
  • Publication number: 20020185765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting an extrusion die in an extruder by recording at least one master flow curve (40, 41) in a first extruder to which the extrusion die is optimized, in which curve the volume flow is entered over the pressure, which master flow curve (40, 41) is obtained in a measuring channel (20) which branches off in the extruder, the extrusion die or in any interposed adapter part from the flow channel (4), and the repeated recording of flow curves (30, 31) in the same or similar measuring channels (20) as in the first extruder after the assembly of the extrusion tool in the extruder to be checked and adjusted, and the purposeful change of process parameters for such a time until the flow curves (30, 31) correspond to the master flow curves (40, 41) within predetermined tolerance ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Frank Dorninger, Gordon Fattmann, Oliver Krull, Andreas Limper, Meinhard Schwaiger, Stefan Seibel
  • Publication number: 20020160069
    Abstract: A crystallization machine for a mouth on a bottle blank provides different heat sources to heat up the mouth of the bottle blank. The crystallization machine also provides an automatically controlled system to precisely control the dimension of the crystallized mouth of the bottle blank. Hence, the crystallization machine can be performed to increase the productivity, save energy, reduce the production cost, and enhance the competitiveness for the maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Kuang-Tse Chin
  • Patent number: 6461139
    Abstract: A pressure detection apparatus of an injection molding machine composed of a drive mechanism and a movable member includes a pressure reception member disposed in the drive mechanism in such a manner as to be movable in a reciprocating direction of the movable member while being guided by a guide member. A ball screw or nut of a ball screw mechanism of the drive mechanism is fixedly attached to the pressure reception member. A load cell is disposed between the drive mechanism and the movable member in such a way as to be fixedly attached to one of a bearing ring retainer facing the movable member and the pressure reception member while abutting the other. The pressure reception member receives stress (load) directed in a rotation direction and arising from the ball screw or nut, thereby preventing imposition of the stress (load) on the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinji Yokoya, Hiroshi Yamaura, Keizou Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20020121713
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine having first and second nozzles for delivering melt material to first and second mold cavities of first and second molds respectively, apparatus for controlling delivery of the melt material from the nozzles to the mold cavities, each nozzle having an exit aperture communicating with a gate of a cavity of a respective mold and being associated with an actuator interconnected to a melt flow controller, the apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing a selected condition of the melt material through at least one of the nozzles; an actuator controller interconnected to each actuator, the actuator controller interconnected to the actuator associated with the at least one nozzle comprising a computer interconnected to the sensor, the computer receiving a signal representative of the selected condition sensed by the sensor, the computer including an algorithm utilizing a value corresponding to a signal received from the sensor as a variable for controlling operation of the actuator for
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Moss, David Kazmer, Vito Galati, Nathan Fuller
  • Publication number: 20020084543
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling a mold flow process using inner (impinge) and/or edge temperature sensors, wherein articles processed in a constraining mold cavity, having a constant melt “shrink” quality, can be obtained even with fluctuations in resin “melt” properties (flowability). At least one temperature-dependent output or “trigger” signal is sampled, and the level of the signal (e.g., temperature) initiates at least one step in the molding cycle. Using a sampling circuit, thermal waveforms are obtained from thermal sensor array data such that if a sequence of melt temperature set-point trigger times fluctuates outside control limits, then the process melt-flow is judged as a hotter/faster melt-flow or cooler/slower melt-flow injection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Frederick J. Buja
  • Patent number: 6368094
    Abstract: An apparatus delivers plural molten plastic pellets into cavities for compression molding of the pellets into bottle closures or bottle closure liners. The apparatus is provided for delivering molten plastic pellets from a supply of molten plastic to a plurality of molding blocks, each molding block having a row of cavities. The molding blocks are carried on a rotating carousel. The apparatus includes a rotating multi-cutter with a plurality of cutter blades, and a manifold block which receives the extruded molten-plastic and delivers the molten plastic to a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle aligned with one or more of the cutter blades. The cutter blades remove a row of plastic pellets from the molten plastic at the nozzles and deliver the plastic pellets into one row of cavities of a molding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Michael D. Dennis, Karl Zemlin, Michael E. Albertson, Larry M. Zepf, Gayle L. Johnson, Harshad Borgaonkar
  • Patent number: 6364650
    Abstract: An injection apparatus comprises a cylinder member, an injection member, a first support member, a drive unit, a transmission shaft, a second support member, and load detection unit. The injection member is disposed within the cylinder member such that the injection member can advance and retract. The first support member supports the injection member such that the injection member can rotate. The transmission shaft is connected to the injection member such that the transmission shaft can rotate relative to the injection member and has a rotation transmission portion, to which rotation of the drive unit is transmitted, as well as a motion conversion portion for converting rotational motion to linear motion. The second support member is adapted to allow relative rotation between the injection member and the transmission shaft. The load detection unit is disposed between the first support member and the second support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Emoto
  • Patent number: 6345974
    Abstract: An ejector pin with a pressure sensor is provided, of which the sensor output can be utilized without any correction even in different diameter thereof, so that no design changes are required according to loads to the ejector pin. The ejector pin has a bar portion for extruding a molded component and a sleeve portion slidably housing the bar portion. The end of the bar portion faces the cavity from the opening at the end of the guide portion. A housing room is defined by the step portion at the lower end of the sleeve portion. A strain producing portion with an U-shaped cross section fixed on the base end of the bar portion is disposed inside the housing room. A strain sensor is attached on the lower surface of the beam of the strain producing portion. Only the area of the end of the bar portion is related to the pressure detection. When the pressure of a resin is applied on the end of the bar portion, the downward load on the bar portion bends the beam down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawasaki, Yutaka Hiroshima, Chisato Akinari, Yasuo Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 6328551
    Abstract: An excessive load detection device for an injection molding machine capable of detecting an excessive load exerted on the injection screw when the screw is driven with resin remaining unmolten in the heating cylinder. An output torque of the servomotor for axially moving the screw is limited to a predetermined value by a torque limiter and the screw is driven to move forward in a direction of injection by a predetermined amount at a predetermined velocity. If reference time elapses before the axial motion of the set amount is completed or a position deviation exceeds a reference value, it is determined that the remaining resin has low fluidity to cause an excessive load on the screw and an alarm is issued. When the axial motion of the screw is completed without an alarm, the screw is moved backward and forward alternately predetermined times. A servomotor for rotating the screw is driven in the same manner to detect an excessive load on the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Takatsugi, Hiroshi Watanabe, Wataru Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6267577
    Abstract: A transfer molding apparatus, wherein a top-half mold and a bottom-half mold form a plurality of cavities interconnected, and wherein a pressure adjuster reduces the pressure of the cavities every time a specified amount of resin is supplied into any of the plurality of cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishi, Akira Sugai
  • Patent number: 6220847
    Abstract: From such a state that the steady running of a kneading extruder is temporarily stopped in the heating state where it is supplied with resin material, the operation of a cutter device (5) is stopped, the heating quantity of a die (2) is reduced, and an external surface (2a) of the die is covered with cooling water, the heating quantity of the die (2) is increased so that softened resin material filling the inside of the nozzles (7) is melted, and the cutter device (5) as well as the kneading extruder are started to be driven at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshida, Hideki Mizuguchi, Nobuhisa Kobayashi, Masaharu Ishida
  • Patent number: 6186760
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a stretch blow mold machine includes devices for monitoring the position of a stretch rod with respect to a mold, an air pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure introduced through the stretch rod, and a sensor for monitoring temperature of fluid within a fluid cavity for chilling the mold. The system includes a display for monitoring position data, pressure data, and temperature data generated by the respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Greig S. Latham
  • Patent number: 6089849
    Abstract: An energy efficient general purpose injection molding employs a hydraulic drive for injection and clamp machine functions and an electric drive for screw recovery. Both drives use AC "squirrel cage" induction motors under vector control. Speed command signals for the vector controls are generated by the machine's controller utilizing state transition and predictive signal techniques to account for motor and motor/pump response latencies. Hydraulic drive efficiency is improved by varying motor speed/pump output to match cycle requirements to retain hydraulic drive advantages for mold clamp and injection functions while improving the electric drive performance for screw recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Van Dorn Demag Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bulgrin, Thomas H. Richards, George L. Eterovich
  • Patent number: 6045730
    Abstract: The temperature and/or moisture profile over time of gypsum boards is monitored as the boards harden, to facilitate effective curing of the boards prior to removing excess water therein in an industrial dryer. A substrate is moved by a curing conveyor beneath a gypsum slurry mixer, and the mixer pours slurry onto the substrate. Just prior to the substrate passing under the mixer, an operator places a monitor onto the substrate. The monitor can include a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a microprocessor that receives and stores the signals from the sensors. The monitor is configured such that the height of the sensor or sensors is equal to one-half the height of the hardening boards. The slurry that has poured onto the monitor hardens into a test board, and when the test board arrives at the end of the curing conveyor, an operator breaks open the test board, removes the monitor, and connects the microprocessor in the monitor to a computer via a serial port cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: AKI Dryer Manufactures, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Potter
  • Patent number: 5997779
    Abstract: The temperature profile over time of gypsum boards is monitored as the boards harden, to facilitate effective curing of the boards prior to removing excess water therein in an industrial dryer. A substrate is moved by a curing conveyor beneath a gypsum slurry mixer, and the mixer pours slurry onto the substrate. Just prior to the substrate passing under the mixer, an operator places a temperature monitor onto the substrate. The temperature monitor includes a temperature sensor and a microprocessor that receives and stores the signal from the temperature sensor. The temperature monitor is configured such that the height of the sensor is equal to one-half the height of the hardening boards. The slurry that has poured onto the monitor hardens into a test board, and when the test board arrives at the end of the curing conveyor, an operator breaks open the test board, removes the monitor, and connects the microprocessor in the monitor to a computer via a serial port cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: AKI Dryer Manufacturer, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Potter
  • Patent number: 5997780
    Abstract: A zero point adjusting method and apparatus for a pressure detector of an injection molding machine, capable of carrying out a zero point adjustment of the pressure detector when external loads acting on the pressure detector are completely removed without disassembling an injection mechanism. An advance limit position Qf and a retreat limit position Qb of a screw are detected by driving the screw with a low output to determine an intermediate position Pm. By moving the screw to the intermediate position Pm, a resin reaction force acting directly on the screw is removed. Reciprocating motion in which an amplitude decreases gradually is imparted to the screw, thereby causing a backlash, having equal plays in the advance and retreat directions, between a ball nut and a ball screw. Then, the zero point adjustment of the pressure detector is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Susumu Ito, Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko, Katsuyuki Yamanaka, Toshiaki Ichihara
  • Patent number: 5993185
    Abstract: A pin mold and pin bar assembly for use in a methylcellulose capsule-making machine includes a pin bar, an insulating strip, and a pin mold mounted to the pin bar and insulating strip. The pin mold has a shell composed of stainless steel and a copper core. The subject invention also includes a deck plate assembly for use with the pin mold and pin bar assembly. The deck plate assembly includes a deck plate, at least one heating element, a sensor, and a power supply. The deck plate assemblies may be arranged in a kiln section of a methylcellulose capsule-making machine and may be heated to desired temperatures independent of adjacent deck plate assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Farmacapsulas S.A.
    Inventor: Douglas K. Furr
  • Patent number: 5980793
    Abstract: For determination of the forces arising at a feeding means in an injection molding machine for plastic materials, a first static sensor is provided for determining at least the forces arising during the material preparation stage. A further force sensor detects in essence the forces arising during injection and, as soon as the first measured value reaches a limit value F1, the first static sensor passes on the further detection of the forces to the further sensor, wherein the limit value F1 at the same time serves as calibration value for the further sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 5942169
    Abstract: A method of over-molding used to produce a three-dimensional hollow molded article employs a core made of resin having a hollow portion. The core is placed in a cavity of a mold. Molten resin is injected into a space formed by the core and a cavity wall of the mold through a resin injection portion. In this way at least part of the outer surface of the core is covered with resin. Deformation of the core due to the pressure of the resin during injection is prevented in one of a number of different ways. The over-molding method is optimized by calculating a temperature distribution and a pressure distribution of the molten resin in the step of injecting the molten resin into the space by numerical analysis. The displacement distribution and for the stress distribution of the core caused by pressure applied to the core by flow of the molten resin is calculated by a numerical analysis on the basis of the calculated temperature distribution and pressure distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corp,
    Inventors: Norio Narazaki, Yutaka Shiraishi, Osamu Kakinoki
  • Patent number: 5869108
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a motor-driven injection molding machine that comprises an injection unit driven by a servo-motor and a speed feedback control loop for controlling the servo-motor, an amplifier produces a command signal indicative of a torque command value for the servo motor in accordance with a difference between a sensed speed value obtained by a rotation speed sensor and a speed command value. A pressure sensor senses a pressure of resin within a mold to produce a sensed pressure signal indicative of a sensed pressure. A correction amplifier amplifies the sensed pressure signal to produce an amplified signal as a correction value for a torque command value. An adder adds the torque command value and the correction value to produce an addition result to a motor drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 5866175
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a stretch blow molding machine includes devices for monitoring the position of a stretch rod with respect to a mold, an air pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure introduced through the stretch rod, and a sensor for monitoring temperature of fluid within a fluid cavity for chilling the mold. The system includes a display for monitoring position data, pressure data, and temperature data generated by the respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Greig S. Latham
  • Patent number: 5851559
    Abstract: Real time distance and pressure data of a plunger (35) relative to a mold compound is provided by a compensation assembly (29) in a mold press (10). The compensation assembly has a sliding block assembly (30) which moves substantially in the same direction as the plungers (35). The sliding block assembly (30) has pressure control cylinders (33) which limit the pressure plungers (35) can apply. If the pressure on the plungers (35) should exceed this limit, the plungers (35) retract towards the sliding block assembly (30). A sensor (37) is coupled between the sliding block assembly (30) and the plungers (35) to measure the distance the plungers have moved towards the sliding block assembly (30). In one application, the sensor (37) is formed from a linear voltage displacement transducer (LVDT) so the mold press (10) can have real time pressure and distance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Cliff J. Scribner, Albert J. Laninga
  • Patent number: 5843483
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a foot orthotic is provided including a housing for an inflatable bladder. The bladder is inflated with a hand held compressible bulb. A heat softened orthotic blank is positioned between a patient's foot and the bladder which is inflated to conform the blank to the bottom surface of the foot. The shaped blank is allowed to cool to render it nondeformable at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gleason's Orthotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip G. Theriault, Walter J. Subsick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5784283
    Abstract: A database of reversion cure constants is provided by measuring a physical property of a rubber formulation at two different temperatures as a function of time, calculating a set of cure constants for the rubber formulation which account for reversion, and storing the constants for later use either to optimize cure for a given process or of a given compound, or to assure quality of a raw compound. The invention also provides a curing press for optimizing cure including a mold, a heater, a temperature transducer, a computer and the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Pirelli Coordinamento Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Rimondi, William James Toth
  • Patent number: 5680315
    Abstract: A database of reversion cure constants is provided by measuring a physical property of a rubber formulation at two different temperatures as a function of time, calculating a set of cure constants for the rubber formulation which account for reversion, and storing the constants for later use either to optimize cure for a given process or of a given compound, or to assure quality of a raw compound. The invention also provides a curing press for optimizing cure including a mold, a heater, a temperature transducer, a computer and the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Pirelli Coordinamento Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Rimondi, William James Toth
  • Patent number: 5645869
    Abstract: Improvements in a machine for shaping hamburgers, which include a table-frame with a horizontally displaceable mold into which mold the ground meat enters directly and which has an element for detecting the pressure of the meat. The element, when it is drawn back, produces a signal for starting up the machine. A device is provided for expelling the freshly shaped hamburger, which device has structure for preventing the hamburger from sticking. This structure includes a chamber inside the expelling device, through whose periphery atmospheric air escapes, a knife provided on its base with a conduit with openings, through which air escapes in order to detach the edges of flexible sheets enveloping the hamburger, and upper and lower rolls for supplying flexible sheet, which rolls have inertia brakes including a pair of motorized rollers, above which rests the respective coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Industrias Gaser, S.L.
    Inventor: Narcis Garganta Riubrugent
  • Patent number: 5624696
    Abstract: An extruding apparatus for intermittently supplying a predetermined quantity of highly viscoelastic fluid material, e.g. food material. The apparatus has a supply pump, one end of which is connected to a hopper containing the food material and the other end connected to an extrusion valve covered with a housing via a supply pipe and a pressure sensing means mounted in the housing or in the supply pipe, thereby always sensing the pressure of the food material in the valve to keep the pressure to a predetermined value by operating or stopping the supply pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Watanabe, Michio Morikawa
  • Patent number: 5611975
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine which performs movement control such that the rotation and axial movement of a screw (1) in a cylinder (10) are controlled in accordance with set injection molding conditions and executes an injection process for injecting a plasticized resin, for use as an injection object, into a mold (12), an injection molding condition setting method for the injection molding machine comprises: information detection process for detecting information on a time-based pressure acting on the resin in the injection process by means of injection pressure sensors (4, 13, 14), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Fanuc, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko
  • Patent number: 5558824
    Abstract: Tooling and method for gas assist injection molding of plastics material into a hollowed part in which a mold chamber formed between stationary and movable mold tools is initially charged with an inert gas to provide a resistance force against the flow front of a short shot of plastics melt subsequently injected into the cavity and supplied with a pressurized assist gas so that the velocity of the flow front of the short shot expanded by the assist gas in the mold chamber is modulated by the controlled release of the retarding chamber charge gas to prevent blow out of the short shot while eliminating flow hesitation lines to improve molded part appearance and uniformity of part wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh D. Shah, Carl H. Visconti
  • Patent number: 5553481
    Abstract: A pressure detecting apparatus of an injection molding machine is utilized for always keeping an accurate zero adjustment point and accurately and precisely detecting pressure without being influenced by temperature drift. The pressure detecting apparatus includes pressure sensors for detecting the oil pressures of hydraulic cylinders such as injection cylinders. Correction value computing sections are provided for obtaining detected pressure values according to the outputs of the pressure sensors in a period in which the oil pressures theoretically become zero as correction values. Correction value storing sections are provided for storing the obtained correction values. Pressure correcting sections are provided for correcting the detected pressure values by the correction values according to the outputs of the pressure sensors at a time of pressure detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tyuyoshi Arai
  • Patent number: 5549857
    Abstract: An injection pressure monitoring method in which the correlations between a screw position, injection pressure, and cavity fill for an injection molding machine are monitored and displayed on a screen. The pressure for the position of a screw is graphically displayed on the screen, and a picture of a cavity is also displayed on the screen. By inputting the screw position, the pressure for the screw position is monitored, and at the same time, the resin filling state in the cavity corresponding to this screw position is displayed as an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguchi, Noriaki Neko
  • Patent number: 5518672
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extruding a polymer which is subject to periodic surges. The apparatus includes a barrel with an upstream portion for receiving polymer, a downstream portion and a discharge port near the downstream portion. The apparatus also includes a shaft mounted for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis within the barrel as well as drive means connected to rotate the shaft. The apparatus has a surge suppressor for urging polymer upstream toward the discharge port while permitting a portion of polymer to flow downstream into the surge suppressor. A sensor is positioned within the apparatus to detect surges in the polymer and a controller is connected to the sensor and to the drive means for adjusting shaft rotation in response to polymer surges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Randcastle Extrusion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Luker
  • Patent number: 5505599
    Abstract: Continuous 3-D forming machine using upper and lower revolving endless, flexible, forming belts produces three-dimensional patterned products from heated thermoplastic material. The mold belts revolve synchronously in elongated oval paths around their respective carriages moving in opposed face-to-face relationship defining one or more travelling mold channels progressing from an entrance to an exit. Formable heated thermoplastic material feeds into the entrance, and attractive 3-D products proceed from the exit. Revolving mold surfaces are operated at least 25.degree. F. above room temperature, for example in a range of 110.degree. F. to 140.degree. F., for providing aesthetic surface qualities on products having content which may be foamed to densities in the range of about 0.9 to about 0.4. Thermoplastics in such travelling mold channels are appropriately chilled when differentials .DELTA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kemcast Partners-1989
    Inventors: W. James Kemerer, Clyde W. Vasser, deceased
  • Patent number: 5453000
    Abstract: A toy apparatus and method for making vacuum formed articles wherein a thin sheet of plastic is secured on a mold in a first position the mold is moved to a second position adjacent a heater for heating and softening the plastic sheet and a vacuum is applied to the mold and heated sheet either while it is in the second position or after it is moved back to its original first position. The apparatus includes a transparent safety cover and a shuttle lever which in combination reduce the possibility of a child operator of this toy from burning his or her fingers. The safety cover, if open, bars movement of the mold to the heater and bars entry of fingers toward the heater, and if closed, bars touching the mold, plastic sheet or heater. Following closure of the safety cover a first lever may be moved to drive the mold to the heater and a second lever may be moved to actuate the vacuum pump. The safety cover cannot be re-opened until the shuttle lever is returned to its start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Toymax Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Lebensfeld
  • Patent number: 5407338
    Abstract: A resin extruder for supplying resin to flaws in laminated glass includes a casing forming a resin reservoir from which resin is dispensed through a nozzle by screwing inward a ram partially received in the casing and carrying a pressure gauge communicating with the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventors: Michael J. Callahan, James A. Fikse
  • Patent number: 5380181
    Abstract: A control device for an electric injection molding machine designed to advance and retract a screw in a heating cylinder by an injection motor includes a screw position detector for detecting a screw position to output a screw position detection signal, a speed pattern generator for generating a speed setting pattern signal which indicates relationship between time and screw speed. An integration unit integrates the speed setting pattern signal to obtain a moving stroke of the screw. And a generation unit generates a position instruction signal on the basis of the moving stroke and a screw position when injection is initiated. To generate a speed instruction signal, the screw position detection signal is subtracted from the position instruction signal as a manipulated variable of feedback and the speed setting pattern signal is applied to the position instruction signal as a manipulated variable of feed forward. Thus, accuracy at the speed changing positions can be improved, thus improving operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraoka, Katsuhiko Taniguchi