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: An apparatus and a method of making brake pads (60) having the step of heat preforming a plurality of dosages (39) of a friction material for brake pads (60) to obtain a plurality of blanks (61) on which respective metal holders (53) are then placed, and the step of hot molding, individually and simultaneously, such blanks (61) to form a plurality of brake pads (60).

Abstract: A method for backing up vehicle mat comprising the steps of: applying the sol resin to a metal mold which is capable of being heated or cooled; filling the resin applied to the metal mold by degasificating the air in the resin applied to the metal mold; heating the bottom surface of the metal mold to obtain semi-gel condition of the resin; pressurizing the semi-gel resin with the fabric mat by pulling four corners of the fabric mat to exert tension stress over the entire surface of the fabric mat; cooling the bottom surface of the metal mold to obtain complete rubber like gel condition of resin after heat is applied directly to the bottom surface of the metal mold so that resin is completely bonded to the fabric mat; and removing the vehicle mat finished to be backed up from the metal mold.

Abstract: An in-mold label transfer apparatus. In a first embodiment transfer devices mounted on an extension device comprise a pair of label applicator heads which move transversely to receive labels and to deliver same to the mold surfaces. This transfer device comprises power actuated mechanical elements including rack and pinion, cam arm scissor and scissors arrangements. Another transfer device comprises a pair of side-by-side opposed piston and cylinder units. Other embodiments include transfer arms having label transfer heads at the ends thereof, the arms comprising rods movable from a first position placing the label applicator head at the mold and a second position completely outside of the mold, and whereat the label applicator heads are positionable relative to label magazines for receiving labels. A special label applicator head constructed resiliently to resiliently urge the label against the interior of a mold surface.

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 the manufacture of a foamed confection such as foamed chocolate, a confection in liquid form is mixed with carbon dioxide under pressure. The mixture is discharged from the depositor through annular outlet orifices which are opened and closed in turn by associated valves so that at any one time some of the orifices are discharging the mixture, and the number of orifices which are closed does not vary. Each annular orifice has a length which is not greater than its diameter. Each valve has an annular valve seat and a valve member movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: A machine for making ice creams, in particular ice creams of the stick-supported type, comprising a freezing tank through which parallel arranged rows of molds are made to progress intermittently under control of a pull chain, dosing, stick-inserting and product-lifting-up units. The pull chain is designed to be moved by an at least double step. The freezing tank is conveniently elongated in shaped, and the different units have double elements whereby a double productivity of the machine can be obtained, with the number of advances per minute being equal.

Abstract: A system for molding elongated ribbon-like products from thermoplastic materials utilizing a plurality of molds which are moved in tandem along a production line. As the molds are moved along the line at successive stations they are, while open, thermally adjusted to a temperature suitable for forming the product to be molded and then a ribbon of plastic is deposited in them. They are then closed and cooled and reopened and the molded product removed. The system utilizes only enough molding pressure to assure distribution of the plastic to all parts of the mold cavity and shaping of the molded product to the geometric design of the mold. The system includes a transfer means for the molds which returns the emptied molds for recycling through the molding process.

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: The tubular body is laid in a horizontal position on a tapered suction drum and pivoted thereby into a vertical axis which is in coaxial relationship with the axis of a mandrel with a punch. The tubular body is then pushed from the surface of the suction drum on to the mandrel by a thrust member. The mandrel and/or the die is mounted displaceably in a vertical direction, which permits particularly stable and precise guidance. A plurality of dies with mandrels and punches associated therewith is disposed on a rotary member. In the course of a revolution of the rotary member, the tubular body on the mandrel is connected to a squeeze moulding in the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing thin walled hollow parts such as automobile crash pads from dry thermoplastic powder includes a louver type valve system in the open end of a powder charge box and means for joining the charge box end-to-end with an open-ended heated mold for rotation so that the charge box will be inverted above the mold at the end of an upward swing movement during which the valve is closed to prevent flow of powder to the mold. Once the charge box is fully inverted the valve is opened to evenly distribute the powder into the mold by gravity flow to prevent excessive build-up of wall thickness on the mold surfaces.

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: The compression molding of sections, bars, molded articles, or similar, consisting of vegetable particles mixed with binding media was uneconomical, because the relatively short molding time was overlapped by the disproportionate curing time. In order to considerably improve upon this deficiency, the inventor proposes to feed the molded section, or similar, along its longitudinal axis into a curing unit, while the sections between the molding jaws should remain in clamped position. The molding jaws, together with the cured section, are then returned through the press and the section is ejected after the unlocking of the molding jaws. Within the framework of the cyclic work, the individual operating processes can be adjusted to one another.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for handling cheese, including a base and a turntable mounted on the base. The turntable has cutout recesses in the periphery thereof for moving molds in a circular locus. A platform is provided on the base for supporting the molds as they are being moved in a circular locus. The base includes stations. A filling and weighing station is provided on the base whereby curd is filled into the molds and weighed to a predetermined level. A compacting station is also provided on the base whereby the curd in the molds will be pressed to remove the air therefrom and packs the cheese within the molds. The recesses and the turntable are in registry with the stations on the base.

Abstract: This machine is in particular suitable for forming ice creams and/or popsicles or ice lollies with and without a holding stick, and comprises a freezing station and product metering and withdrawing units. The machine further comprises an intermittently advancing mechanism formed by at least one pair of frames movable with respect to each other and to a plurality of molds containing the product to be frozen to impress on the molds an intermittent forward movement. Preferably this mechanism comprises two pairs of movable frames arranged side-by-side and a transport member shifting the molds from one pair to the other. The metering and the withdrawing units are arranged side-by-side at two different pairs and the molds rest on the frames through support butts so as to ease substitution for other molds of different dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dividing, rounding and panning of doughballs. The apparatus includes a divider and rounder for dividing and rounding four doughballs simultaneously and an infeed gate having a central section and two outer sections for controlling the dispensing of the doughballs from two inner and two outer dough chutes into an apparatus for panning. For smaller doughballs and pans which accommodate four doughballs in a row, the three-section gate is operable to function as a unitary gate to dispense the four doughballs from the chutes at the same time. For larger doughballs and pans which accommodate only two doughballs in a row, the method of the present invention includes the dividing and rounding of four doughballs and the dispensing of the doughballs from the chutes two at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating porous samples for materials evaluation with an inert material which fills the pores of the samples. A plurality of samples are placed in mold cups on a rotatable table within a vacuum chamber, and a supply of impregnant or encapsulant material such as an epoxy resin is provided in a container mounted on a tiltable platform located above the rotatable table. A plurality of samples are thus mounted in respective molding cups spaced in a circle on the rotatable table, a supply of encapsulant material is provided in a cup placed in a cup holder on the tiltable platform, a vacuum is created within the chamber, and the table is intermittently rotated to position each molding cup with its sample in line with the tilt axis of the tiltable platform to permit tilting of the encapsulant cup to pour a supply of resin into the molding cup.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a foamed confection such as foamed chocolate, a confection in liquid form is mixed with carbon dioxide under pressure and passed still under pressure to a depositor. The mixture is discharged from the depositor through annular outlet orifices which are opened and closed in turn by associated valves so that at any one time some of the orifices are discharging the mixture, and the number of orifices which are closed does not vary. Each annular orifice has a length which is not greater than its diameter. Each valve has an annular valve seat and a valve member movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat.

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 method for manufacture of aerated concrete or other similar calcium silicate hydrate products. An optimal utilization of the investment for erection of the plant is achieved by keeping the time for the stiffening of one cast body shorter than the pacing time between two consecutive pourings of mix. A suitable way to achieve the short stiffening time is to use an extremely highly reactive binder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or system for the continuous manufacture of building element consisting of a self-supporting framework of tightly compressed solid particles and a foaming material in the shape of a foamed plastic material, includes the use of a filling station where mold bottoms are placed in series on a roller conveyor, assembled with sidewalls and passed along a guide section, wherein particle-shaped filler is supplied from a silo while premixed foam material is injected into the material through nozzle tubes and the components are mixed before being injected into the mold and compressed. After placing of a top wall on each of the molds, these are passed under a roller conveyor, and while the molds are moved ahead between the roller conveyors and possibly roller conveyors outside the sidewalls, the foam material binds the particles together to form a monolithic unit which will set before the molds leave the roller conveyors.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing building bricks from an earth-based material, comprises:providing an open topped variable volume mold (140) whose bottom face is constituted by a piston (156);placing the open top of the mold under a feeder (95) for supplying earth-based compressible material;lowering the piston to a predetermined level to gravity load the chamber with a predetermined volume of material;displacing the mold transversely (204) relative to the loading direction until the said opening is closed by a compression plate;driving the piston (156) by means of a pressure-controlled jack (160) to compress the contents of the mold chamber to a predetermined pressure;displacing the mold transversely a second time to disengage the said opening from the compression plate, and raising the said piston by means of the said pressure-controlled jack to eject the compressed-earth product.

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: 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: A blank is formed out of plasticizable, heated plastic by means of an extruding-type material supply head. A somewhat lenticular profiling of the blank is obtained by appropriately controlling a closing member of the material supply head, which is built as a valve cone. When the closing member is closed off against the lower edge of a tube part of the material supply head, the blank is pinched off from the material supply. A flow of air emerging from the ring nozzle serves to ensure complete severance of the blank from the material supply head. After that has been accomplished, the blank enters an open shaping cavity of a die by free fall. By further movement of the die, which is located on a rotary table, the die removes itself from the permanently located material supply head, so that the blank lying in the cavity can be pressed into a molded article by a stamp. Cooling off too much in certain locations on the blank is prevented by the free fall of the blank into the shaping cavity.

Abstract: Process for producing polyurethane-foam moldings and apparatus for the same; the polyurethane-foam moldings are produced through the steps of pre-treating molds and injecting a foamable polyurethane resin reaction mixture into the molds; carrying the molds with the foamable polyurethane resin reaction mixture injected therein to a reservoir tank containing a heated liquid such as hot water or oil and dipping them into the liquid; and carrying the dipped molds out of the reservoir tank and opening them to take out the moldings thus produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for the molding of seals, packings and the like comprising a curing chamber, the curing chamber being heated by a gaseous medium circulated within, and being selectively, substantially closed to ambient temperatures during the curing process. Provision is made to dispose at least one mold in the curing chamber through a lateral opening and to place the mold under compression during the curing process.

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 plant including at least two parallel casting benches (1), each comprising a plurality of double-face moulds (3) which can be clamped together into a pack so as to define a succession of vertical cavities for casting shaped concave vitreous china objects (6); means (13) for rapidly drying the moulds of each casting bench; at least one vertical parking unit (4) in the form of superposed shelves lying between said two casting benches and arranged to accumulate the articles during their hardening stage; means (5) for transferring the articles, after being withdrawn from the moulds, from the two casting benches to a motorized holding table (11) provided at the base of said vertical parking unit; end lifting-lowering means (8), (88) for loading and unloading this latter; means (18), disposed at the discharge end of said vertical parking unit, for automatically loading the articles on to fork trucks (20); at least one rotatable platform (19) for these latter; a drier (23) through which the full fork trucks pass;

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for making diamonds. In one form, a plurality of shock waves are generated and are directed or focused against carbon particles retained in a cavity of a die such that the heat and pressure of the shock waves will heat and compress the particles of carbon to form one or more diamonds thereof. In another form, diamonds or particles of diamond dust are disposed in a cavity containing carbon particles and serve as substrates or nuclei on which carbon is converted to diamond forming larger diamonds thereof. Each of the diamonds disposed in the mold or die cavity is completely surrounded by carbon. A magnetic jack hammer of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,242 having a focusing horn attached thereto is employed to generate and transmit the trains of intermittent shock waves to the diamonds and carbon disposed in the mold.

Abstract: Samples of body fluids such as blood, urine, etc. are passed for analysis through separating columns to extract the desired component from the raw sample. Unwanted ingredients of the sample flow through the resin bed to a refuse cup. The retained desired component is later released from the resin bed by a solvent and collected in a recovery cup. Fluids passing through the resin bed are selectively passed to the refuse cup or recovery cup by flexing a disklike support for the resin bed. Preferably the support is flexed by applying a differential gas pressure across the support.An apparatus for implementing this method includes in a flexible disk, adapted to hold separating columns, suspended across an opening of a vacuum chamber. The outside edges of the disk form a seal for the chamber. The separating columns are in vertical alignment with waste receptacles disposed in a second disk positioned below the first disk.

Abstract: A mold equipment comprising a first lift chamber at the outlet portion of a material pouring station, a heating chamber containing a curing atmosphere and connected to the outlet of the first lift chamber, a pull-in means for drawing a metal mold from the outlet of the material pouring station into the first lift chamber, a second lift chamber at the outlet portion of the heating chamber, a mold releasing work station adjacent to the second lift chamber, a third lift chamber at the outlet portion of the mold releasing work station, a cooling chamber connected to the outlet of the third lift chamber, a pull-in means for drawing the metal mold from the outlet of the mold releasing work station into the third lift chamber, a fourth lift chamber defined between the outlet of the cooling chamber and the material pouring work station, and push-in means for forcing the metal mold into the heating chamber, mold releasing work station, cooling chamber, and material pouring station, respectively.

Abstract: To mix two or more fluid plastic components, which react with one another, intimately and abruptly, the components are injected under high pressure and at high velocity into a mixing chamber. To provide greater control of the type of mixing, i.e. to allow control of the spread of the jet and/or the jet volume and the jet energy losses, the components are guided so that they impinge on one another at an angle, preferably an angle which can be varied. To achieve this, and in particular to allow the point of impingement of the jets to be varied, the injection nozzles can be slid or pivoted at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the mixing chamber, and may also be adjustable in the direction of the said axis, and in respect of their distance from the axis.

Abstract: A mobile brick molding machine includes a rectangular frame with a mold therein, the mold being a grid with open top and bottom ends for receiving a brick-forming composition when resting on the ground. The frame is provided with a wheel at its front center and a pair of wheels at the rear end thereof. The front wheel supports a jack, which is connected by a cable to a lever supporting one of the rear wheels whereby raising of the front end of the frame and mold using the jack results in virtually simultaneous upward movement of the rear end of the frame leaving the molded bricks.

Abstract: A mold equipment comprises a water tub having a metal mold transfer conveyor therein, a first lift chamber for placing the metal mold onto a first lift from the outlet side of said conveyor and lifting it to an upper stage of the first lift chamber, a first push-in cylinder for transferring the metal mold from the outlet of the first lift chamber into a ceiling oven including a conveyor and held in an atmosphere of curing, a second lift chamber for placing said metal mold onto a second lift from the outlet of the ceiling oven and lowering it to a lower stage outlet, a second push-in cylinder for transferring the metal mold from the outlet of the second lift chamber into a mold release work station including a conveyor, a third lift chamber for placing the metal mold onto a third lift at the outlet of the mold release work station and lowering it to the position of the mold transfer conveyor in the water tub, and a third push-in cylinder for transferring the metal mold into the water tub from the outlet of sai

Abstract: Pellet molding apparatus for molding pellets from a powder material which includes a rotary index table upon which are placed a plurality of hollow cylindrical mold members spaced at equal radial and arc distances one from another. A mold filling station assembly is provided to fill the molds and a vertically operating hydraulic press at a pressing station compresses the powder in the cylindrical molds into pellets. A pivoted mold bottom operates upon a cam surface to maintain the bottom ends of the molds closed through the filling and pressing stations and swings open at an ejection station. An ejection station is provided and includes rams operating through the top of the mold member to force the compressed pellet out of the mold member through the open bottom end of the mold member.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a crystalline blast furnace slag, which comprises: endlessly connecting at prescribed intervals a plurality of rectangular metal cooling bodies each with a hollow for cooling water, to form a plurality of cooling grooves with a width at the top end thereof of from 40 to 80 mm corresponding to said prescribed intervals and a depth of from 100 to 300 mm and becoming narrower toward the depth thereof, each between two adjacent ones of said cooling bodies; continuously pouring a molten blast furnace slag sequentially into said plurality of cooling grooves in an atmosphere of an inert gas and/or a reducing gas, while moving said plurality of cooling bodies endlessly connected in circulation in the connecting direction thereof; and, circulating a cooling water through said hollows for cooling water of said plurality of cooling bodies during the pouring of said molten blast furnace slag into said plurality of cooling grooves, to cool said plurality of cooling bodies, there

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: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for effecting the severing of successive gobs from a continuously extruded rod-like formation of organic thermoplastic material, followed by the successive transfer of the gobs to successive molding units which are continuously movable relative to the free-fall path of the gobs. Severing means are provided which are operative upon a vertically extruded rod-like formation of hot organic thermoplastic material. A plurality of molding members, each having an open top molding cavity, are moved in timed relationship to the gob severing means along a horizontal path adjacent to the free fall path of the severed gobs. Each gob is caught by a transfer device which is movable under the free-fall path of the gobs in timed relationship to the gob severing and the movement of the molding members.

Abstract: High-speed, rotary tablet-forming apparatus wherein dies are filled with product material to be compressed on one turntable and are thereafter transferred to one or more turntables where the said product material is formed into tablets between upper and lower punches. The dies are then returned to the filling table in a closed-loop arrangement. Vacuum is introduced under empty dies on the filling turntable to facilitate rapid filling and elimination of tablet capping and laminating. Further means are provided for direct-die lubrication, eliminating the need for incorporating a lubricant into the product itself, to further enhance cohesiveness of material being compressed and increase the life of the punches and dies involved.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of formed edible products from moist edible pieces. Pneumatic suction draws the pieces into a mold or die cavity. A binder such as a gel solution is applied to the pieces in the cavity to cause adherence between the pieces. Thereafter contact with a chilled surface serves to attach the formed mass to the surface. The die is then withdrawn, leaving the form attached to the chilled surface. The preferred source material is onion pieces, with the method being carried out to produce onion rings. Also apparatus for carrying out the method and products resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A depositor deposits cooked toffee into a series of advancing moulds by means of a pump which pumps the toffee through the outer nozzle of a pair of concentric nozzles. After each discharge stroke of the pump, a pulse of heated compressed air is blown through the inner nozzle to separate the deposited portion of toffee from the toffee remaining in the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the discontinuous production of block foam comprising a mixing unit, a means for moving the unit approximately vertically into and/or out of a mold with the unit having reaction component feed lines, a stirring means, and a mixing container having a plate with feed openings for the reaction components characterized in that(A) a distributing device is arranged below the feed opening for one of the components and(B) the mixing container comprises a bottomless cylindrical shell, the lower rim of which can be placed on the bottom of the mold.

Abstract: A process for molding a cheese piece of a desired shape comprises filling a mold having a hollow interior of the desired shape with softened, uncured cheese, cooling the mold to harden and partially cure the cheese, and then opening the mold to release the cheese piece under the surface of a cold brine so that the fluid pressure of the brine prevents the shape of the partially cured cheese piece from being distorted. An apparatus for automatically performing the described method is disclosed.

Abstract: A provolone cheese molding apparatus constituted by a fixed, horizontal table having a single circular hole within the table, a chute depending from the table and aligned with the circular hole, and means for pressing warm cheese upwardly within the chute. A slide on the upper face of the table reciprocates horizontally and includes spaced circular holes within the slide for selective alignment with the table holes. Cylindrical provolone cheese loaf forming tubes are vertically mounted to the slide coaxial with the holes and receive the cheese when aligned with the chute to form cylindrical provolone cheese loaves. The tubes are formed of lightweight light transmitting plastic, and each bears a plunger disc of a light contrasting color which moves with the cheese as it rises internally of the tube to indicate the extent of filling of the tube.

Abstract: An arrangement for filling an upwardly open cavity of a mold with bulk material includes a feeding receptacle which has an open bottom and is mounted for relative movement along the mold from a receiving position in which bulk material is introduced thereinto, towards a discharging position in which the bulk material is discharged from the feeding receptacle through its open bottom.

Abstract: An improved molding apparatus is provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material, particularly meat in frozen flake cut form. The apparatus includes a rotating turret with a plurality of mold cavities and reciprocable pistons. The turret rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into the mold cavities and a discharge station where the formed patties are ejected and separated by a continuous cut-off band. An improved cut-off band is also provided in which the band is disposed at a slight angle to facilitate its entry into the interfaces between the bottom surfaces of the pistons and the formed patties. The leading corners of the pistons are chamfered to receive the blade. The band is looped between a pair of pulleys on adjustable supports for providing the desired inclination of the band. Scrapers and spray nozzles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of the band and the pulley grooves.

Abstract: An improvement in the generation of foam from a mixture of foam-forming material in a structure having a preferred configuration. Conveying means are used to convey the structure along a horizontal path. A plurality of foam gun heads are mounted in spaced relationship to each other over and transverse to said horizontal path. Each foam gun head includes a foam dispensing outlet and valve means for controlling the discharges of the foam-forming materials therefrom. First, sensing means are provided upstream of the foam dispensing outlets for sensing the passage of the structure thereby. A plurality of second sensing means are positioned upstream of the foam dispensing outlets in spaced relationship to each other in a direction transverse to the horizontal path, each one of the second sensing means being associated with one foam gun head for sensing the presence of the structure in a vertical direction.

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.