Abstract: An endless conveyor transporting a plurality of juxtaposed shaping plates containing apertures therethrough is positioned such that a lower horizontal run of the shaping plates is positioned above and in alignment with a portion of an upper horizontal run of a belt conveyor and such that a lower surface of the plates abut the upper run of the belt conveyor for forming, by reason of the plate apertures and belt conveyor surface, article shaping cells. Means are provided for filling the cells with material to be formed into individual articles. The plates containing material in the cells are transported to a movable ejector unit having pistons which correspond in number, arrangement and shape with the number, arrangement and shape of the apertures of the plates.

Abstract: Concrete elements, such as blocks or bricks, are molded or cast by forming in a primary mold cavity a secondary mold made of a portion of a thermoplastic film which has been contacted with a flat heater surface to assure a uniformly heated film portion which is then sucked into the primary mold cavity without wrinkles and filled with concrete mix. The secondary mold with the concrete mix in it is withdrawn, for example, sucked out of the primary mold cavity well before any effective hardening of the concrete mix, so that curing and hardening takes place in the secondary mold outside the primary mold cavity. This early withdrawing is important because it avoids expansion of the curing mix in the primary mold, whereby removal from the primary mold is facilitated. Additionally, the early removal with the aid of the secondary mold assures a more efficient use of the primary molds which are used again while the hardening is still going on in the secondary mold.

Abstract: In a closed loop system for making ice confections having a holding stick embedded therein, there are provided: dies for the ice confections, rigid plates each supporting plural rows of dies, guide means for moving the plates along a closed loop path coplanar with the plates, the path including two straight, side-by-side main sections and two minor sections disposed between the main sections and extending at least partway along a semicircular arc, filling and shake-out stations, and chilling means acting on the dies, the minor sections of the flat die travel path defining areas of intervention on the dies and being engaged by at least the shake-out station.

Abstract: A plastic molding device for a semiconductor element for plastic molding a semiconductor element on a lead frame, which comprises: an upper platen, a lower platen, and a movable platen movably provided at a tie bar which is provided between said two platens; an upper metal mold and a lower metal mold provided at the upper platen and the movable platen, respectively; a motor for applying a raising force for driving the movable platen; a driving force conversion mechanism for converting the rotation force of the motor into a reciprocal force; and a double toggle mechanism for giving the reciprocal force to the movable platen.

Abstract: A device for filling in a single operation of several mould spaces in a mould tray with a thick fluid substance such a chocolate, creme, fondant, and similar. The device consists primarily of a tank; a distribution vessel with filler openings; a transport pipe between the tank and the distribution vessel; a constant-flow pump connected to the tranport pipe and intended for pumping the substance from the tank to the distribution vessel and for pumping the substance out of the filler openings; at least one mould tray located under the distribution vessel with filler openings; a means which switches on and off the pump for pumping the substance; and a means which switches on and off the pump for withdrawing and retaining the substance in the filler openings once the mould tray is filled.

Abstract: A plant for the continuous and agglomerated manufacturing of articles obtained at least in part by compression of material. The plant comprises a carousel of working sectors equal to a number of fixed sectors with which the carousel operates. A frame supports the entire plant to allow the movement of the transfer elements for the mold and the products with respect to the working units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing flat bodies in a continuous linear process. This is attained by the intermittent forward movement of the moulds on a closed circuit static runway, passing through the various operative steps for forming the pieces. The runway defines a rectangular trajectory and the moulds are square with bevelled vertices forming vertical channels for the actuation of centering elements. The moulds cover the totality of the circuit with the exception of two spaces at the diagonally opposed angles. Each straight section is provided with a pusher facing a buffer for the simultaneous and combined action until each mould reaches the end of the circuit. At a point of the circuit there is a fixed hopper beneath which there reciprocally moves a carriage bearing a metering hopper. Once the pieces have been formed they are removed by a pneumatic extractor having a multiple suction head.

Abstract: A machine for making concrete pipe in which multiple-form sets can be coupled into one module so as to increase production output of the machine without an increase in machine manpower. The multiple-form modules are provided with adapters that make them compatible with conventional single-mode form sets and all cycles of production so that multiple-form modules can be used simultaneously with single-mode form sets. The multiple-form sets also utilize core vibration throughout the fill cycle, but unlike conventional core vibration systems, the amplitude and direction of vibration are continuously varied to distribute the vibration uniformly throughout the length of the pipe being formed.

Abstract: A moulding machine for the production of caciocavallo, provola, scamorza and similar plastic curd cheeses, comprising a thrust section for the plastic curd, and an actual moulding section fed by the thrust section and comprising: (a) a fixed plate provided with apertures for receiving the plastic curd supplied by the thrust section; and (b) a stepwise-rotating plate provided with a series of moulds which have an inlet alignable with said aperture and are removably connected to the relative plate to allow extraction of the moulded whole cheese.

Abstract: A rotary cheese molder especially adapted for consumer size cheese pieces is disclosed. The molder includes a stationary cooling head having enclosed sides and a bottom wall with a fill opening and a discharge opening. A mold body is rotationally driven within the head and includes an upper plate and a lower plate. Two circular rows of mold sleeves extend between the upper and lower plates. The mold sleeves overlap the fill and discharge openings so that cheese can fill the sleeves and be discharged therefrom. A mold plunger in each of the mold sleeves determines the size and shape of the cheese pieces and cams along a discharge ramp to eject the cheese pieces from the molder. A manifold pipe around the periphery of the mold body and a central pipe which extends into the central portion of the mold body spray cooling liquid onto the sleeves between the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: A production line for bitumen cakes comprising sequential processing stations, i.e. a station whereat hot bitumen is cast into basins or pans, a station whereat the bitumen is air cooled, a station whereat the solidified bitumen cakes are shaken out, a station whereat the cakes are packaged in a heat-shrinkable plastic material, and an optional palletization station. The production line is set up to accommodate a plurality of pans which are carried in groups on a plurality of platforms or supporting frames adapted to be cyclically passed through the casting, station, cooling station where they are piled, and shake-out station. The cake shake-out station includes an extraction apparatus equipped with a pusher intended for acting on the outside of the pan bottoms to produce resilient deformation of such bottoms and twisting of the pans to separate the pan from the bitumen cake contained therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for making one or more consumption units of coffee, comprising coffee container, means for metering a portion of coffee at a metering station immediately prior to use, means for compacting the coffee in a compacting space at a compacting station, as well as means for transferring the coffee from the metering station to the compacting station and furthermore means for transferring the compacted coffee to an extraction unit connected to a hot water source. Extraction is effected more efficiently by compacting the coffee at a pressure on the coffee of about 1,000 kg/cm.sup.2.

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: A method and system are described for manufacturing molded packings used in the shipment of articles such as computers, typewriters and the like. The system employs a plurality of mold plugs positioned on a rotating platform whereby the mold plugs are alternately moved between work stations. At one work station a separator sheet is manually placed over a mold plug. At another work station a foaming material dispensing gun is automatically operated in a predetermined pattern over a mold which encloses the mold plug. The pattern is manually adjustable to fit any particular mold plug. Control over the system is obtained with a microprocessor programmed to operate with sensors and actuators associated with the system.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a carousel carrying a plurality of peripherally distributed cups and slidable supports, respectively aligned with the axes of the cups, pick-up and metering assembly forming a spoon member facing in the direction of rotation of the carousel and adapted to be selectively placed in communication with suction and blowing means. The apparatus further includes an extruder nozzle for the plastic material which is stationary relatively to the carousel and opens at the pick-up and metering assembly so as to allow withdrawal of a metered amount of plastic material by said spoon.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting device and method employing a rotatable polymerization column adapted to accommodate a plurality of vertically aligned molds and being associated with an arrangement of advancing means and mold feeding means which are synchronized to intermittently and automatically advance a mold containing a polymerizable or curable composition in the mold cavity over the polymerization column and then automatically force feeding said mold into the polymerization column.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of mixing a comminuted food material and a liquid to form a solid food article includes a rotary measuring wheel for dispensing the food material from a storage bin in discrete measured quantities and a rotary peristaltic pump for dispensing the liquid from a storage tank in respective discrete measured quantities. The wheel and pump are coaxially joined for unitary dispensing rotation and a micro-processor controlled arrangement actuates and deactuates a predetermined number of revolutions thereof to effect simultaneous dispensing respectively sequentially of respective predetermined pluralities of the discrete measured quantities of food material and liquid. A chute arrangement receives the dispensed quantities and directs the food material gravitationally downwardly through a central passageway while directing the liquid through apertures arranged to sprayingly emit the liquid convergingly toward the gravitational path of the food material.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously and rapidly forming trays of highly uniform elastomeric soil plugs comprises means for continuously mixing a water-containing soil slurry with a water-reactive pre-polymer compound, means for supplying the soil slurry and the pre-polymer compound to the mixing means at respective controlled rates, and means for delivering the mixed soil slurry and pre-polymer compound to a dispensing station for dispensing into mold receptacles; the receptacles are disposed in a closed path and carried by transport means seriatim past the dispensing station. Releasable bias means biases a tray mold member against a base mold member within each receptacle so as to extrude soil-pre-polymer mixture into plug-molding cavities of the tray mold member. The bias means is released after the plugs within the tray mold member have cured.

Abstract: A tabletting machine having a ring-shaped die table rotatable about a generally upwardly extending axis and having dies arranged at a die surface. Punches supported in the die table and reciprocably driven with respect to the dies co-operate with punches semi-rigidly mounted on a rotatable hub to form and eject tablets from the dies. The hub is rotated to move the punches mounted thereon in a circular path to enter and exit the dies in a predetermined sequence. Individual pump means associated with the punches in the die table and means for catching and extracting loose tabletting material falling from the dies serve to reduce contamination of the many parts of the machine by the tabletting material.

Abstract: A toy casting machine including a base which has mounted thereon a crucible into which plastic materials may be placed for melting. The crucible is rotatably mounted to a sidewall and may be duped by an actuating mechanism which also moves a predesigned mold into position below the crucible. The crucible and machinery are entirely covered by transparent material to allow viewing the operation and to protect a child operating the machine. An isolating loading apparatus is provided to allow the machine to be loaded with raw material and molds without endangering the operator.

Abstract: Improvements in molding apparatus and method for forming a plurality of patties from a mass of agglomerable edible material such as, chopped meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or the like. The molding apparatus includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of mold cavities positioned therein with a piston reciprocably mounted in each cavity. Upward piston reciprocation forms a mold in the lower portion of the cavity. An improved food-feeding mechanism having an enlarged end opening in communication with the cavity pushes the edible material into the mold over a wide portion of the turret rotation. The piston reciprocates upwardly while in communication with said food-feeding mechanism to draw food material into the mold and avoid air pockets in same. As the turret rotates and the piston reciprocates downwardly to expell the patty, an improved continuous wire band patty cut-off mechanism cleanly separates the patty from the piston to which it typically sticks, without deforming the patty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of molded meat or meat-like products, for example sausages. The surface of the product is treated with a fluid, which could be for coloring or flavoring purposes, but is advantageously e.g. an edible acid adapted to react with protein in the product to form a cohesive surface and enable the use of a separate skin to be avoided. The mold includes a permeable wall, for example of sintered stainless steel, through which the fluid can be introduced. In a preferred embodiment the wall is defined by a hollow cylinder disposed in a non permeable housing containing the fluid. An end cap closes one end of the cylinder and a plunger compresses the material to form the product. At the same time additional fluid is injected through a nozzle into the housing, to cause a corresponding quantity of fluid to pass through the cylinder wall and treat the surface of the product.

Abstract: A molding press for soap cakes is provided which comprises a vertical plate rotating about a horizontal axis and having mold cavities on one or both front surfaces thereof.The rotating plate is driven step by step in three different stations, i.e. a first station in which soap blanks are pressed into the form cavities, a second station in which the soap blanks are molded and a third station in which the molded soap cakes are withdrawn. In order to anchor the soap blanks to the mold cavities through holes are provided intermediate each pair of cavities in which the excess soap material is pushed by the operation of the pressing means.

Abstract: A station for running foam-plastics material into shut molds has a mixing head with first and second driving systems, the one for moving the mixing head sideways to an inlet opening of each mold, and the other for moving the mixing head downwards into and upwards out of the inlet opening. The mixing head and the first driving system together with the second driving system are supported by a slide or carriage, which is guided along a section of the transport way of the smoothly moving molds. By way of a driving connection, the slide may be joined up with the mold which is to take up the plastics material and cleared from it again when the mold is full.

Abstract: In a slush molding process for producing a boot or shoe from a plastisol, a mold in the shape of the article of footwear is filled with liquid plastisol, the mold is heated to form a skin, the mold is tilted to pour out excess plastisol, and, after filling the heel cavity of the mold, the skin and heel filler are cured or hardened, and the skin is removed from the mold and trimmed for further processing. Instead of filling the heel cavities of the molds with a specially formulated heel filling composition, the skin trimmings, which were previously discarded as waste, can be ground, if necessary, mixed with additional stabilizer and injected into the heel cavities using an injection unit. With the molds travelling along a straight line path of travel, it is necessary to cause the nozzle end of the injection unit to move in synchronism with the molds.

Abstract: A molding device 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 including a peripheral arcuate edge, a supply passage means for supplying pressurized material to the mold opening from the supply passage, the supply passage having an arcuate exit end at the arcuate edge of the mold opening and this arcuate exit end including means for projecting the food material directly into the mold opening in a thin ribbon of a thickness that is only a fraction of the spacing between end surfaces defining the mold opening and the projecting being at an obtuse angle to an adjacent one of the end surfaces.

Abstract: The preforming press of the type having a rotary die disc cooperating with a stationary filling device including a housing provided with a filling funnel for charging the molding material, comprises cooling conduits surrounding the filling funnel and the walls of the housing to cool the molding material immediately before its compression in the die. A separate cooling device is provided for introducing cooled air into respective dies in the disc.

Abstract: A pipe insulation is made between an inner and outer mold core from a liquid which foams and then forms a solid. The foaming action may cause movement in the inner mold which is detected and then adjusted accordingly to maintain concentricity between the inner and the outer wall of the pipe insulation. The insulation may be used alternatively as pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a bath sponge having incorporated therein a core of detergent substances is disclosed, comprising a plurality of containers 2 for receiving a sponge, apertured at their bottom; means for advancing the containers while swinging the containers in a plane substantially parallel to the advancement plane; a cutting station having a rod-like blade rotatable about its longitudinal axis, for insertion through the apertured container into the sponge; a station for feeding a detergent in paste-like condition, downstream of the cutting station and provided with a delivery nozzle for insertion through the apertured container into the sponge.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of multilayer articles has a plurality of female dies mounted in a rotary disc. A plurality of feeding devices equal in number to the number of layers in the articles to be manufactured is distributed about the rotary disc. Each feeding device admits a quantity of material into the female dies as these travel by. A compressing device is arranged downstream of each feeding device as seen in the direction of movement of the female dies. The compressing devices compress the material admitted into the female dies by the respective feeding devices and also cause the various layers of material to adhere to one another. When the required number of layers has been formed, the resulting article is ejected from the respective female die. One or more of the feeding devices is movable to an inoperative position in which it is unable to feed the female dies. This movement may be effected while the female dies rotate.

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: Apparatus for and method of making products, such as pastry cups, ice cream cones and the like, by baking batter in split molds carried by mold bars, the molds cooperating with removable cores carried by core bars selectively latched to the mold bars. The mold bars are mounted on a continuously operating conveyor by which they are progressively carried through an oven, a core bar removing station, a mold opening and product removing station, mold closing and mold charging stations, a core bar replacement station, a core bar jogging station, and a core bar latching station. When the core bars with their cores are removed from the mold bars, they are temporarily stored on and carried by the conveyor.

Abstract: A brick press is disclosed having a turntable carrying a plurality of molds angularly spaced from each other and having equipment associated therewith establishing a plurality of series of operating stations, each series including at least a precompression station, a compression station and an ejection station. A material handling and feed system is also disclosed, providing for preparation of particulate or granular materials to be charged into the molds.

Abstract: A tabletting machine having continuous cam tracks to operate the punches, and including means for "in motion" adjustment of one of the cam tracks to control the dose of powdered material which is compressed by the punches in the dies to form the tablets and also the thickness of the tablets so produced. To assist in feeding the powdered material into the dies, a concave cylindrical die table is used, the punches operating radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the die table.