Abstract: Improved balers may include a traveling chute that may reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve efficiency by reducing downtime. The traveling chute may include moving guides that include channels that engage tongues of stationary guide rails disposed on a baler. For example, the channels may be substantially rectangular channels that run the length of the moving guide. Similarly, the stationary guides may include substantially rectangular tongues and the moving guides may slide across the tongues and upper surfaces of the stationary guides as the traveling chute moves between various positions. The moving guides may include polyoxymethylene inserts in which the channels may be provided. The moving guides and stationary guides may be provided as a kit for attachment to various baling apparatuses. Additional features and components also are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: A machine and method to produce structural elements for the building trade made of cement material with one or more inserts made of polymer material. The machine comprises at least a molding member, a loading unit for loading the inserts and a depositing member to deposit the cement material. The molding member is open at the upper part and the loading unit and the depositing member are selectively positionable above the molding member in order to load and deposit from above, respectively, the inserts and the cement material into the molding member, in order to achieve the structural elements.

Abstract: A dry-cast concrete block molding machine including an apparatus which successively positions block mold trays into the mold box of the molding machine with the apparatus pushing a molded block from the mold box as an empty mold tray is moved into the mold box. The machine also includes a magazine-like structure which has empty tray molds stacked therein.

Abstract: A dry-cast concrete block molding machine for molding concrete blocks. The machine includes a weigh hopper system which senses when the proper amount of concrete, as determined by the weight thereof, has been placed in the weigh hopper to dump the weigh hopper. The machine also includes end plates in the mold box thereof which may be interchanged so that the configuration of the concrete block may be easily changed. The machine also includes a conveyor system which not only conveys mold trays into the mold box of the machine but which also is used to push the molded block outwardly from the compaction chamber of the mold box when the block has been molded.

Abstract: A molding station and method comprising a hopper having a mouth closable with at least a lower door and a mold to be filled, the hopper and the mold being movable to a filling position in which the hopper is closed by the lower door; the lower door then opening to allow an amount of moldable material to be released into the mold; the mold being made in a deformable material, so that an interior volume of the mold is temporarily reduced when releasing the moldable material into the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for highly controlled color composition and distribution within the face mix of semi-dry concrete mix paving stones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1; 1?) and a method for casting an edible product from a castable mass (M), particularly a fat mass such as chocolate. The casting device (1; 1?) comprises a mass container (2; 2?) for receiving the castable mass (M) and a metering unit (3, 4; 3?, 4?) having nozzles (32; 32?) in a fluid connection with the interior of the mass container. The metering unit (3, 4; 3?, 4?) has a nozzle block (3; 3) having nozzles (32; 32?) on the side facing away from the mass container (2; 2?) and a valve block (4; 4?) having at least one valve (42; 42?) on the side facing the mass container (2; 2?), a metering chamber (7; 7?) being delimited between the nozzle block (3; 3?) and the valve block (4; 4?) and having a metering chamber volume (V) that can be changed by a relative motion between the nozzle block (3; 3) and the valve block (4; 4?).

Abstract: An apparatus for highly controlled color composition and distribution within the face mix of semi-dry concrete mix paving stones is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete-block-making machine having a part which is displaceable via a linear drive, the linear drive comprising a drive unit and a linear guide for guide rollers, the drive unit comprising at least one linear motor and the linear guide comprising at least one guide rod for the guide rollers, the at least one guide rod and the guide rollers movable relative thereto being hardened, and guide rollers and guide rod being arranged with slight play relative to one another.

Abstract: A concrete block-molding machine having a concrete mix feed station, and a concrete molding and block ejection station adjacent to the feed station wherein the concrete molding and block ejection station has a vibratile plate having a plurality of holes in a pre-selected hole pattern, a mold having a mold interior positionable on the vibratile plate and having holes in the pre-selected hole pattern, and a support plate dimensioned and patterned to form a bottom face of a molded concrete block. An ejector plate having a plurality of projecting rods in the pre-selected hole pattern is positionable below the vibrating plate, with the rods of a diameter such that they pass through the holes in the vibratile plate and the mold. Means are provided for raising and lowering a pressure plate assembly so as to compress a concrete mix in the mold provided. Means are also provided for raising and lowering the ejector plate so as to contact and raise and lower the support plate out of and into the mold.

Abstract: A moulding plant, notably intended for the production of electrodes, includes a hopper, at least a first mould and a second mould, two compression devices, each device including a working table and a pressing form. The plant is characterized in that there is fixed intermediate laying plane, interspaced between the compression devices, and vertical to the hopper, and there is a displacement device to position each either at a working table, or at the intermediate laying plane.

Abstract: A block forming apparatus comprises a frame, a compression case and compression bodies. The compression case is movably engaged with the frame in a manner enabling movement of the compression case along a longitudinal reference axis of the compression case. The compression case has a compression body receiving passage extending between opposed end faces thereof along the longitudinal reference axis. The compression case includes a media fill opening within an upper wall thereof and a block discharge opening within a lower wall thereof. The media fill opening and the block discharge opening are each communicative with the compression body receiving passage. The compression bodies are movably mounted within the compression body receiving passage of the compression case in a manner enabling movement of said compression bodies along the longitudinal reference axis of the compression case.

Abstract: A device for applying a thin layer of a powder on a support means (14) includes a device (12) for storing the powder, a screed (30) that includes a shoe (36) with a working surface, as well as a device (28) for guiding in translation in a direction of movement F. The shoe (36) is rotatable and includes a device (32, 34) for inclining the to take at least two positions, the first in which the working surface is parallel to the support (14) for the layers to take up a predetermined volume of powder and a second in which this working surface is inclined at an angle ? relative to the support.

Abstract: A powder molding apparatus comprises a mold comprising a die having a powder molding space and upper and lower punch units, and a compression driving mechanism for performing compression molding by driving the upper and lower punch units independently, wherein molded articles formed by the compression molding are held by engaging lower first and second punches serving as a formed article holding mechanism at the time of transporting the molded articles. Thus, the molded articles can be prevented from falling or shifting while being transported between stages, thereby providing a powder molding apparatus capable of high speeds.

Abstract: A dough dividing apparatus for dividing dough into substantially equal portions. The dough dividing apparatus includes a bin portion for receiving dough in an interior space of the bin portion. A cylinder is coupled to the bin portion whereby a lumen of the cylinder is in fluid communication with the interior space of the bin portion. A piston assembly is slidably positioned in the lumen of the cylinder. The piston assembly is for drawing dough into the cylinder and extruding dough from the cylinder when the piston assembly is slid in the cylinder. A dividing assembly is coupled to the cylinder for receiving and dividing dough extruded from the cylinder. A driving assembly is operationally coupled to the piston assembly and the dividing assembly for actuating the piston assembly and the dividing assembly.

Abstract: A resin material supply apparatus and a method thereof ensuring the supply of a predetermined amount of resin material and improved molding quality. The resin material supply apparatus includes a weighing unit which allows a predetermined amount of resin material to be loaded into weighing pots, an agitating unit which receives the resin material from the weighing pots into agitating cups for agitation using rotating plungers, a traveling unit which allows the agitating unit to travel back and forth between the weighing unit and a molding die, and a supply unit which permits resin material which has been agitated and molten in the agitating cups to be extruded into a mold pot of the molding die by movement of the plungers via a vertically traveling motor rotatable in both forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate having an opening aligned with a cavity overlies the mold parts. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: A machine makes blocks from pressed earth. A feed drawer having an open lower end and filled with loose earth is moved laterally across a planar surface into registration over a breech. A press foot is lowered to a level in the breech to receive loose earth from the feed drawer. The press foot is raised to a third level against a bucking foot to compress the loose earth in the breech into a block. Upon moving the feed drawer laterally into registration over the breech, the block will be pushed out of the path of the bucking foot. The feed drawer, and likewise a screed, having a lower edge notched to pass over a three dimensional surface of the press foot for pushing the block out of registration and for clearing above the three dimensional surface of the press foot.

Abstract: Method for loading ceramic moulds presenting a die plate having at least one forming cavity in which a die is slidingly received, comprising the following operative steps for each complete loading cycle: preparing a powder layer at least the upper part of which has properties conforming to the required aesthetic characteristics of the exposed face of the tile; transferring said layer to above said at least one forming cavity; depositing into said at least one cavity a powder layer having a thickness greater than that necessary to obtain the desired tile thickness, and before pressing removing, by a mechanical cutting action with simultaneous removal of the thus separated material, the surface layer of the powder contained in the mould cavity, without appreciable mixing of the powder present at the interface between the surface layer and the underlying layer.

Abstract: A machine for making building blocks from compactible materials such as earth, in a rapid and facile manner. A mold is provided in which the blocks of desired configuration, typically rectangular, are formed. A hydraulic ram, assisted by a pressure intensifier, is utilized to exert tremendously high pressures on the compactible material in the mold so that the particles of the materials are substantially bonded together to produce a solid block.

Abstract: A powder box, an arrangement for a powder box comprising an insert and a method for filling powder into a cavity formed in a die. Gas is supplied to a powder box, which is movable toward and away from a position just above the cavity. The gas is supplied through a permeable plate, which is arranged on at least one insert and which faces the interior of the powder box, so that particles of the powder in the powder box are movable relative to each other. The fluidisation of the powder shortens the filling time and results in an even particle size distribution in the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate overlies the mold parts and is formed with an opening aligned with a cavity. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head which are moved to close the bottom and top of the cavity during vibration of the mold. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate communicate with problem areas of the recessed mold parts which are prone to accumulate residual block material. Pressurized clean-out fluid, such as air is directed through the outlets onto such problem areas to cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus for color blending an agglomerating flowable material from a differently colored individual batches, to mold a mottled heterogeneous product with material from at least two batches so that mottled products (i.e. with irregular arrangement of spots or confluent blotches of color) are produced from a relatively dry concrete mixture (zero slump concrete), which agglomerates into clumps that tumble randomly from individual hoppers containing individually colored concrete batches. By controlling positioning of a filling tray relative to a hopper outlet, the time sequencing and quantity of material released from each hopper outlet, it is possible to fill the filling tray in a large number of seemingly random mottled patterns where clumps of each of the individual colors remain visible in the molded product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing zero-defect pressed articles with minimal, remote operator intervention. The apparatus includes a programmable logic controller, controlling a powder feeder portion having a dump bucket which is weighed by an electronic scale. Desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a first location and conveyed to the press. Non-desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a second location and may be recycled. The invention provides for precise weighing of powder and avoids waste of powder in the event of improper powder dispensing and provides for complete automatic logging of production and testing data, and rejection of defective articles, avoiding the need to manually test each produced article. This method and apparatus are particularly useful in the pressing of energetic materials into pellets or casings, where manual operations are restricted for safety reasons.

Abstract: A makes blocks from pressed earth. A press foot is raised to a first level even with an open upper end of a breech. A feed drawer having an open lower end and filled with loose earth is moved laterally across a planar surface into registration over the breech. The press foot is lowered to a second level in the breech to receive loose earth from the feed drawer. The feed drawer is withdrawn laterally across the planar surface out of registration with the breech to screed excess loose earth from the breech. A bucking foot is lowered to close the upper end of the breech. The press foot is raised to a third level to compress the loose earth in the breech into a block. The bucking foot is raised to a level higher than the top of the feed drawer to permit vertical ejection of the block from the open upper end of the breech into the lateral path of the feed drawer. Upon raising the press foot to the first level, a previously-made block will be raised into the lateral path of the feed drawer.

Abstract: A cementitious composition for the molding of ultra-lightweight, durable, large structural units comprising Portland cement, coal combustion byproducts, expanded or extruded polystyrene and water, and a modified block machine used in the manufacture of such structural units.

Abstract: A press for compacting raw material into compacted elements is disclosed. The press has a vertically movable platen and a feed shoe on the platen. The feed shoe is urged against the platen by a pair of force-transmitting devices and lever arms. The lever arms are also connected to a frame. The frame is vertically fixed, and the lever arms pivot on the frame as the feed shoe and platen move vertically. The feed shoe is movable horizontally on the platen between a feed position overlying a bore and die in the platen and a press position horizontally spaced from the bore and die. The frame, force-transmitting devices and lever arms all move horizontally with the feed shoe. The assembly is moved horizontally by a linear drive mechanism. A pair of supplemental support rods are connected to the frame to relieve stress on the linear drive mechanism and to stabilize the frame.

Abstract: A mold box is flexibly mounted to a product forming machine having upper and lower vertically displaceable beams. A feed drawer dispenses concrete material into the mold box while a vibration system vertically vibrates the mold box while dampening horizontal vibration. The vibration system is driven by a single drive shaft that actuates first and second vibrator rods while at the same rotating a counter-weight in a counter-rotating direction. A set of alignment brackets lock the mold box into a predetermined aligned relationship while being mounted in the product forming machine. The bottom side of each mold box is mounted to the product forming machine in the same relative position to reduce machine readjustments. A set of telescoping legs hold the feed drawer assembly variable distances above the mold box. A unitized pallet feeder quickly moves pallets one at a time from an “on-deck” position to a “receiving” position underneath the mold box.

Abstract: A molding apparatus includes stops which move with a compacting press during penetration of the press into a mold cavity. The stops abut on a mold table and arrest movement of the compacting press so that the compacted shape has a predetermined height. A programmed logic controller integrated with the apparatus measures the time of compaction and is operable to adjust mold filling time so as to control density in the final compacted shape.

Abstract: A pressurized feed shoe for delivering particulate materials to fill a die cavity is provided. The feed shoe includes a feed shoe body comprising a vessel for receiving a quantity of particulate material. The feed shoe body has at least one bottom egress opening for registering with the die cavity and a top ingress opening for receiving particulate material. A pressure generator for generating supra-atmospheric pressures within the vessel and the die cavity is also provided. The pressure generator communicates with the vessel via a conduit sealingly engaged thereto. A shuttle selectively moves the feed shoe body to and from a position whereby the bottom egress opening registers with the die cavity.

Abstract: An improved die retaining element has a highly efficient, durable and wear and abrasion resistant flange portion surrounding an opening for securing a die mold therein. The flange portion may have practically any geometric configuration, such as round, but is most effective when in a continuous plane with the powder feed box in sliding contact with a feed box. In particular, the flange portion may selectively have either a high precision tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic or zirconia-alumina ceramic composite, depending on the surface material of the feeder box in sliding contact therewith. In one embodiment, the flange portion has tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic and the feeder box has zirconia-alumina ceramic composite sliding surface. In another embodiment, flange portion has a zirconium-alumina ceramic composite sliding portion and the feeder box has a tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic sliding portion.

Abstract: A pressurized feed shoe for delivering particulate materials to fill a die cavity is provided. The feed shoe includes a feed shoe body including a vessel for receiving a quantity of particulate material. The feed shoe body has at least one bottom egress opening for registering with the die cavity and a top ingress opening for receiving particulate material. A pressure generator for generating supra-atmospheric pressures within the vessel and the die cavity is also provided. The pressure generator communicates with the vessel via a conduit sealingly engaged thereto. A shuttle selectively moves the feed shoe body to and from a position whereby the bottom egress opening registers with the die cavity.

Abstract: In a powder feed apparatus and a control method thereof, a powder molding press feeds powder from a hopper of the powder feed apparatus to a feeder slidably disposed on a die plate of the press proper. Powder is charged into a die in the die plate. The feeder is electronically controlled to a correct position on the die. Powder is fed from a powder feed apparatus into a feeder slidably disposed on a die plate of a press proper and a feeder drive motor is servo-controlled by an output obtained by comparing detection outputs from a position detector for detecting the vertical position of the die plate of the press proper and a position detector for detecting the position of the feeder in its sliding direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid the trouble of changing cams or inserting insert cams every time the shape of the compact being molded changes. It is also possible to easily make changes to the movement speed of the feeder in correspondence with changes to the compact.

Abstract: An improved molding equipment includes highly efficient, durable, and wear and abrasion resistant sliding elements. In particular, the equipment has a feeder box and a ware plate arranged for sliding contact each comprising high precision tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic or alternatively zirconia-alumina ceramic composite. Moreover, a die cavity arranged along the ware plate has a ceramic die retaining element to enable high efficiency as well as wear and abrasion resistant sliding contact with the feeder box.

Abstract: A machine for pressing earth into blocks has a rectangular breech and a press foot vertically reciprocally drivable in the breech. A bucking block is horizontally reciprocally drivable into and out of registration with an open upper end of the breech. Portions of the upper surface of the bucking block are tapered upwardly from front to rear and a horizontal bucking bar extends across the breech and bears downwardly against the tapered upper portions of the bucking block when the bucking block is in registration with the breech. The bucking bar can be supported at selectively variable levels above the breech and assures a firm positioning of the block against the force of the earth being compacted by the press foot. A rod extending vertically from and movable with the press foot cooperates with a sight line device fixed to the machine to facilitate visual determination of the elevation of the press foot within the breech.

Abstract: A mold box is flexibly mounted to a product forming machine having upper and lower vertically displaceable beams. A feed drawer dispenses concrete material into the mold box while a vibration system vertically vibrates the mold box while dampening horizontal vibration. The vibration system is driven by a single drive shaft that actuates first and second vibrator rods while at the same rotating a counter-weight in a counter-rotating direction. A set of alignment brackets lock the mold box into a predetermined aligned relationship while being mounted in the product forming machine. The bottom side of each mold box is mounted to the product forming machine in the same relative position to reduce machine readjustments. A set of telescoping legs hold the feed drawer assembly variable distances above the mold box. A unitized pallet feeder quickly moves pallets one at a time from an "on-deck" position to a "receiving" position underneath the mold box.

Abstract: Method for continuously forming concrete blocks or pavers includes a frame for defining a supporting structure with a mold box flexibly mounted thereon, the mold box having internal cavities contoured to define preselected block patterns, wherein a feed device for receiving concrete material is operable for selective positioning over an upper surface of the mold box for investing concrete material into the cavities. First and second sets of vibrators are mounted, respectively, generally at opposite ends of the mold box means and are operable for being selectively driven by associated first and second power drives. The first and second power drives are selectively operable for synchronizing or independently actuated the first and second sets of vibrators, respectively, so that concrete material invested into the cavities of the mold box may be vibrated so that the concrete material is evenly distributed in substantially equal masses throughout the cavities in the mold box.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously forming concrete blocks or pavers comprises a frame for defining a supporting structure with a mold box flexibly mounted thereon, the mold box having internal cavities contoured to define preselected block patterns, wherein a feed device for receiving concrete material is operable for selective positioning over an upper surface of the mold box for investing concrete material into the cavities. First and second sets of vibrators are mounted, respectively, generally at opposite ends of the mold box means and are operable for being selectively driven by associated first and second power drives. The first and second power drives are selectively operable for synchronizing or independently actuated the first and second sets of vibrators, respectively, so that concrete material invested into the cavities of the mold box may be vibrated so that the concrete material is evenly distributed in substantially equal masses throughout the cavities in the mold box.

Abstract: A molding machine preferably for molding blocks from a premixed concrete, has a rotating mold table and a receiving conveyor that raises and lowers for ultimate transfer of the molded block to a conveyor and finally to a curing area.

Abstract: A material supplying apparatus for a powder molding machine including a press table, a charger frame movable to reciprocate on the press table, a device for reciprocating the charger frame, a material inputting device provided on the charger frame into which a powder material is supplied, a scaling device for previously scaling the powder material to a predetermined weight, the device for scaling including a load cell, and rotary blades attached to a vertical shaft positioned in order to stir the material supplied to the material inputting device. The reciprocating device for the charger frame coupled to the material inputting device comprises a first cylinder which is reciprocated on the press table. A shutter plate is arranged between the material inputting device and the table in slide contact with both the material inputting device and the table through dust seals for opening and closing openings of the material inputting device.

Abstract: The invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: Blocks with a casing composed of upper and lower parts are produced by inserting the upper and lower parts in an inserting device above and below pushing elements between upper and lower pressing dies of a press, displacing by the pushing elements the lower part in a chamber of a mold towards the lower pressing die and the upper part towards the upper pressing die with self-releasable holding on the latter, withdrawing the inserting device from a pressing region between the upper and lower pressing dies, and cyclically repeating these steps in synchronism with a working stroke of the press.

Abstract: A system for die casting of concrete goods such as block stones comprises a cellular casting mould having a plurality of cells and a device for supplying concrete for filling the cells. A dolly including a common base member with protruding pistion portions having load plates of a shape corresponding to that of the cells, is used for compressing the concrete in the cells. Each of the piston portions includes a resilient compressible material arranged between the load plates and the common base member for obtaining uniform density and strength in the goods in the respective cells.

Abstract: A compaction device for a concrete block molding machine, comprising a mold formed with cells opened at the top and at the bottom, and filled with a no-slump concrete mix. The mold freely rests either on a pallet or vibrating table, which acts as bottom wall for the mold. Compaction shoes, equal in number to the number of cells in the mold, are sized, configured and positioned above the mold so that they may snugly fit into the mold cells. The shoes are mounted at the lower ends of power jacks which are connected to a same fluid pressure source or, alternatively, are altogether in fluid communication. The power jacks are operative to move the compaction shoes over the concrete mix in the cells so as to apply to the mix in each cell, preferably, in the final cycle of vibration, an equal compaction pressure suitably selected to produce concrete blocks having a maximum equal density or more uniform desired or selected physical properties.

Abstract: A method of producing a cracker from a raw material such as grain such as unhulled rice, or artificial rice, composite raw material formed in a chip-shape, or the like is disclosed. It comprises steps of compressing and heating for a predetermined time the raw material already processed to some extent to advance and contained within a hermetically closed chamber defined in upper and lower baking molds heated, moving instantaneously the upper mold finely up and down to spread the raw material on a bottom surface of the lower baking mold, and in the foregoing state, compressing and heating the raw material again, and expanding instantaneously the compressed and heated raw material at a time when the upper baking mold starts moving upwardly to remove the compression, thereby shaping the material in a cracker of a desired form in a self-sustaining structure. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic press for non-refractory material consisting of a rigid framework and a vertically moveable press pad and horizontally moveable box section. A mold cavity is defined within framework and the press pad is contained within. Moveable box section delivers stock to mold cavity, forms cover over mold cavity during manufacture, and ejects formed unit from framework. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for movement of press pad during compression of unit and to raise unit for ejection from framework. A separate hydraulic cylinder is provided for movement of box section through framework. Both cylinders are fixedly connected to the framework. Hydraulic fluid, directed by solenoid-activated valves, provides movement of cylinders. Control means include an electrical circuit using relays, timmer, pressure actuated valve, and mechanical trip switches.

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: An apparatus for carrying out a method of producing a cracker from a raw material such as rice or the like comprises steps of compressing and heating for a predetermined time the raw material contained within a hermetically closed chamber defind in upper and lower baking molds, expanding instantaneously the compressed and heated raw material by opening the baking molds and concurrently discharging steam produced within the chamber during the compression under heating, and compressing again the expanded material by means of the baking molds thereby shaping the material in a cracker of a desired form in a self-sustaining structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding concrete block products is disclosed, in which a surface layer and a back layer are formed by supplying different concrete aggregates into a molding box, pressure and vibration are applied to the concrete aggregates in the molding box to mold a concrete block, the molding box is then turned upside-down for curing and the concrete block is ejected from a lower portion of the inverted molding box.