Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the flow of a powder from a source, such as a large hopper, to the intake of a conventional machine wherein such powder is compressed into tablets. Devices are arranged along the route of powder flow so as to restrict, decelerate and depressurize such powder flow and thereby prevent its surging, compaction and/or bridging. These devices are also arranged to maintain the powder in a loose condition of uniform density.In the preferred embodiments, said devices include most or all of a return duct to the powder source, an upper filter to atmosphere, an upper baffle against which the powder is directed, a restriction, an elongated powder tube through which the powder flows, a lower baffle and a final pressure relief filter to atmosphere. Mechanism in the tableting machine receives the thusly prepared powder and forms it into tablets much faster than previously possible.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically mixing dry powder supplied in a quantity determined by a size of a pair of dental molds with liquid to form a slurry, dispensing the slurry to the dental molds and for cleaning the apparatus after the slurry has been dispensed comprises a mixing chamber, a movable dispensing chute to selectively deliver the slurry to the molds and to position the chute over a drain for cleaning, a timer circuit for measuring the amount of liquid supplied to correspond with the amount of the dry powder used, for apportioning the slurry between the two molds and for controlling the supply of liquid for cleaning the apparatus.

Abstract: An injection control apparatus for controlling the quantity of extrudable material dispensed by the screw of an extruder into a series of molds includes a code device attached to each mold or the mold carrier, the code device including magnets indicative of the volume of the mold cavity to be filled; sensors in the form of Hall effect switches for triggering by the magnets when in close proximity thereto and for generating a code signal which is fed to and stored in a controller; a rectilinear position transducer mechanically coupled to the screw of the extruder for sensing the position of the screw and producing a position signal; a logic circuit for receiving the code signal from the memory; potentiometers for receiving a signal from the logic circuit and feeding a reference signal via the logic circuit to a null point detector for comparison with the position signal from the transducer to produce a command signal, which controls dispensing of extrudable material by the screw, i.e., the shot size.

Abstract: A machine for compacting particles of ice to form a composite block in which a volume of ice particles in measured amount is delivered from a feed hopper into a tubular member in advance of a compacting ram for displacement of the ice particles by the ram to a compacting section which is closed at the open dispensing end of the tubular member by a second ram which forms one wall of the compacting chamber when in blocking position and which enables the displacement of the formed block of ice for delivery when in unblocking position.

Abstract: A device and method for molding food articles of raw finely divided beef and similar tissue containing food material that is normally subject to uneven shrinkage during cooking comprising supply means for the material, a mold having a mold opening to form the articles and means for projecting the material under pressure across the mold opening from one edge thereof to fill the mold opening with pressurized material and shape said article.

Abstract: A simplified molding apparatus comprising a hopper adapted to contain ground meat or any other moldable food product which is fed into an intake in a movable portion of a mold for forcing the meat through a passage into a molding cavity, the cavity being aligned vertically with a knock-out punch which descends from above the cavity and knocks the formed patty downwardly onto a paper wrapper moving thereunder on a conveyor, the operation of the mold, the movement of the conveyor and the up and down movement of the knock-out punch being coordinated by appropriately proportioned linkages connected to a common drive source.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure molding a shaped article from moldable material comprising a pressured supply of material to a mold opening with vent means controlled by a normally open but automatically closed valve for venting air from in front of the material advancing into the mold opening together with means operated by the advancing material for closing the valve means after the air is vented, thereby aiding in preventing the entrapment of air within the mold opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a slurry of calcium silicate crystals comprising: a base plate provided with drain passages on the upper surface; a net conveyor having meshes for dewatering the slurry and disposed on the upper surface of the base plate in contact therewith; a frame-shaped lower mold placed on the net conveyor and immediately above the base plate; an upper mold provided on the low surface thereof with dewatering means for dewatering the slurry and movable into the lower mold to press and dewater the slurry in cooperation with the lower mold and to thereby form a shaped product; drive means for raising and lowering the lower mold; drive means for raising and lowering the upper mold; and lower mold holders movable with the upper mold and also movable upward and downward independently of the upper mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressure molding a shaped article such as a food patty from moldable food material comprising a supply means such as a hopper for the material, a pressure chamber, a movable ram in the pressure chamber to pressurize the material therein, a receiver chamber such as a cylinder communicating with the pressure chamber to receive the pressurized material, a wall member such as a piston movable in the receiver chamber displaced by the force of the material entering thereinto, a mold having a mold opening adapted to register with the material in the receiver chamber, and mold filling means for forcibly moving this wall member to apply pressure to the material in the receiver chamber thereby forcing the moldable material into the mold opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bar of soap from leftover pieces includes a hopper for holding pieces until enough are collected to form a new bar. Then a weight sensor causes the activation of a heater which melts the collected soap. The molten soap runs into a mold, thus producing a new bar.

Abstract: Plasticizable material is pressure molded into articles free from flash in mold cavities of specialized molds defined by separate mold sections with removable cores. Prior to and during molding, the sections are held clamped together to fully confine the material which is pressurized by reducing the volumetric capacity of each cavity. This pressurization is maintained until the material is set or cured, and may be increased before final set to forge or densify the material further. The method employs a conventional press and two gangs of specialized two-piece, multi-cavity molds. The molds of each gang are supported in a horizontal row, with their juxtaposed flat faces and parting planes disposed vertically, for movement of each mold section flatwise endwise of the row to open and closed positions. The mold sections are clamped closed by power means which apply extraneous clamping pressure independently of the press operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cyclically metering charges of a granulated wax-like or resinous material from a bulk supply and feeding such metered charges into a heated, pressurized reservoir. Each charge of the granulated material is fluidized with a stream of air under pressure to insure flow of the granules. The stream of air also serves to pressurize the reservoir and prevent the escape of hot air therefrom. Cooling of the reservoir inlet to prevent agglutination of the granules also is contemplated.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming articles and especially edible patties from such moldable materials as ground meat, fish and the like in which the apparatus includes a movable mold having a shaping portion therein, pressure means including a pressure chamber for applying pressure to the material therein for forcing the compressed material into the mold and pressure operated seal means communicating with the pressurized material for providing pressure operated seals that substantially prevent escape of the pressurized material from the pressure cavities of the apparatus.