Abstract: A combined tool for edge-folding and trimming a rim of a panel includes a cutting blade rigidly secured to a tool holder frame, an edge-folding tool slidably received in the tool holder frame, and a biasing spring arranged in the tool holder frame to bias the edge-folding tool outwardly away from the holder frame. The tool is moved in a linear stamping direction, whereby the edge-folding tool folds back and then holds and compresses a margin of a panel workpiece. The tool holder frame and cutting blade are pushed farther in the linear stamping direction, while the edge-folding tool is pushed back into the tool holder frame and compresses the biasing spring, whereby the cutting blade cuts through and compresses the panel workpiece. This forms a back-folded, compressed, and trimmed rim of the finished panel in a single work step using an integrated edge-folding and cutting tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a sheet of polymeric material, such as polycarbonate. A forming mold is provided having halves that engage for forming a heated sheet therebetween. Each of the halves defines an interior cavity having a peripheral edge. The sheet is retained between the peripheral edges of the halves and a vacuum is generated within one of the cavities for drawing the sheet therein, whereby a sensing mechanism detects a draw depth for initiating a cooling mechanism to cool the sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the material. A series of retention mechanisms are provided about the peripheral edge of one of the halves, for biasing the sheet into engagement with the peripheral edge of the opposing half. A trimming mechanism is further provided for trimming the perimeter of the sheet to a desired form.

Abstract: Tampon applicator for feminine hygiene, comprising a cylindrical applicator barrel of paper-like material, having a front end comprising segments which are bent forwards and inward with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the applicator barrel, forming a dome whereby a weakening of the segments is provided for reducing their resistance to a spreading movement of the segments during the pushing out of a tampon from the applicator barrel. The bases of the segments are formed by the front, solid-cylindrical end of the applicator barrel and the weakening of the segments is provided on the inner surface and at an axial distance from the base of the segments. The tampon applicator reduces the ejecting pressure by means of the predetermined breaking lines at the inner surface of each segment while the smooth outside of the segments reduces irritations when in use. Additionally, the invention relates to a process and an apparatus for manufacturing said tampon applicator.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding apparatus for seal member in which a seal member being a molding is left on the moving side without fail when opening a stationary mold and a moving mold. In the injection molding apparatus for seal member according to the invention, a molten resin is injected by way of a gate 59 into a cavity 58, the injected molten resin is cut by a gate seal pin 66 provided on the moving side while sealing the gate, and under the condition that the moving mold is opened from the stationary mold, a seal member 35 remaining in the moving side is ejected by ejector pins 68 provided on the moving side, thus the seal member 35 is molded; wherein on the moving mold 54, convex portions for forming recesses of wall thickness is formed at portions not serving as sealing faces of the seal member 35.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a molded article having a substrate material and skin material may include a first die that receives and supports the substrate material and a second die that receives and supports the skin material. The first die is arranged and constructed to engage the first die. A cutter may be provided on the first molding die. The cutter can be actuated when the second die moves toward the first die in order to partially cut away the substrate material.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for forming a shaped laminate in one step are provided where the laminate includes a cladding layer and a foam backing layer. The apparatus includes a male mold half matable to a female mold half that define a mold cavity. An inlet is mounted on the mold apparatus for introducing foamable materials into the mold cavity. Edge folding members, carried by one of the mold halves, movable from a retracted position to an extended position, fold the cladding layer over at least part of the edge of the foam backing layer. Trim blades are located adjacent to the edge folding members movable from a retracted position adjacent the cavity to an extended position engaging the other mold half to sever the cladding layer to define the finished shape of the laminate.

Abstract: A molding/punching station for molding and punching containers out of a foil strip (2) of thermoplastic synthetic material, which station includes a molding table (5) for holding one half of a mold (4); a frame (9) in which the table (5) is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of rotation (26) transverse to a longitudinal axis (35) of the table (5); and a single guideway (27) that is mounted on the frame (9) and engages the table (5) for guiding the pivotal motion of the table (5), with the guideway (27) for pivoting table (5) being disposed between the plane of the foil strip (2) in the station and the pivoting point (26′) or axis of rotation (26) of the table (5), if necessary with sectional areas of the guideway (27) being opposite the foil strip (2).

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for underlaying a flexible top material with plastic inside a cavity, which is formed between a female mold core plate and a mold core, with a dipping edge on the female mold side and another dipping edge on the mold core side, which bound a dipping edge gap that adjoins the cavity, into which gap the top material situated in the cavity extends. The dipping edge on the female mold side is formed on a dipping edge slider that is movably mounted on the female mold plate.

Abstract: A method and a molding tool for producing containers from a thermoplastic plastic film. The method and tool permit the production of containers having a hollow floor and a double-walled standing base, with a seal between the two walls of the standing base. The method permits the production of such a container in large piece numbers, and with a high quality, and allows it to be transferred reliably into a stacking device. The components of the molding tool are subjected to low wear, and the molding tool is unsusceptible to contamination. These features are attained by a constant contact between the mold floor and the container floor between the shaping and stacking processes, and by the creation of a space between the inside wall of the standing base and the outside wall of the mold floor prior to the ejection of the container, the space also permitting the unmolding of a standing base that has a more pronounced undercut or a slightly conical shape.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing support materials in carrier frames in the manufacture of seat components for chairs including moving the support material to an openable mold press forming a mold cavity for the carrier frame when the mold press is closed, shaping the support material, and molding the carrier frame to capture the shaped material in the carrier frame. In one embodiment, the support material is stretched as it is moved to the mold press, and/or in the mold press before molding the carrier frame. Excess support material is removable from an outer side portion of the carrier frame after molding the carrier frame and before discharging the carrier frame and support material captured thereby from the mold press.

Abstract: To provide a method of manufacturing a sealant containing tire tube, which is capable of simply opening a sealant filling hole without use of any specialized jig, and a vulcanizing die therefor. A vulcanizing die includes an upper die, a lower die, and a filling hole opening device. The filling hole opening device includes a linear actuator, a drive shaft, and a cutter. The lower die has a cutter passage which passes through the vulcanizing die from outside to inside, and a cut piece recovery passage which extends from the outside of the vulcanizing die to a portion, near the inner opening end, of the cutter passage. The drive shaft of the linear actuator is inserted in the cutter passage, and the cutter is fixed to one end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming articles in a thermoplastic sheet, severing the articles in the sheet, and stacking the articles in a stacking receiver. The apparatus includes upper and lower molds moveable between closed positions in which the molds engage opposite sides of the sheet to differentially pressure form a part in the thermoplastic sheet. The molds in which the article is formed are moved toward each from the closed positions to article trim positions to sever the article from the sheet. The lower mold is then moved linearly away from the sheet in a vertical direction and then transversely moved in a second linear transverse path of travel to a remote discharge location. Apparatus is provided for reorienting the mold between its orientation in the first linear path of travel and its orientation in the second path of travel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for forming glass article from sheet glass. More specifically the apparatus comprises a mold, a plunger being cooperative alignment with the mold, wherein the mold and the plunger form a cavity exhibiting the shaped of the glass article, an outer trimmer for separating the glass article from the surrounding excess sheet glass, and an inner trimmer for forming the aperture in the glass article, and the method involves forming the aperture during the hot-forming process, therefore eliminating a post-formation step.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayered object by molding having the steps of placing a lining sheet in a mould, injecting a thermoplastic resin material beneath the lining sheet, distributing the thermoplastic resin material beneath the lining sheet to form at least one thermoplastic resin based inner layer by creating a reserve of the thermoplastic resin material in a peripheral portion of the object, holding the extending portion of the sheet in place on the mold during the step of injecting and after the step of injecting so as to retain peripheral tightness of the thermoplastic resin material on a sliding holding point on the punch during movement of the die, pressing the extending portion of the lining sheet against the mold, and sandwiching the reserve in a liquid state between the lining sheet and a portion of the mold until the injected resin material sets to thereby form the multilayered object.

Abstract: To postform the region of transition between the initial part and the end part of a section piece forming a closed frame and applied to window glass (1) by extrusion, use is made of a mould (14) which pivots about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extruded section piece and which is situated in the region of the surface of the window glass (1). The axis of pivoting of the mould (14) coincides with the cutting ridge (15) of a protrusion (16) which limits the calibrated cavity of the mould (14) on the internal face of the extruded section piece. As the mould (14) pivots, the excess polymer material is pushed back in the direction of the periphery of the window glass and beyond this periphery.

Abstract: A method of preparing pizza includes rolling dough, placing the dough in a pizza pan, and placing a lid over the pizza pan to compress, shape, conform and trim dough about a rim area of the pizza pan and lid. The method may be used to produce single-crusted, fold-over or double-crusted pizzas with consistent reproduction of aesthetically pleasing pizza shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a decorated molded product includes a first clamping device for pressing an insert film to a parting face of a fixed mold to enclose a cavity and an injection gate. The fixed mold has a vacuum suction port and the injection gate for a molten resin. A movable mold has a runner facing the injection gate and communicating with the cavity. The insert film is held between the fixed mold and movable mold, so that a pattern of the insert film is formed to a molded product simultaneously when the product is injection-molded. The insert film after being pressed to a surface of the fixed mold by the first clamping device is brought into tight contact with the fixed mold by vacuum suction, and the molten resin is injected from the injection gate to pass through the runner of the movable mold from a hole formed in the insert film to finally reach the cavity and fill a gap between the insert film and movable mold.

Abstract: Equipment for producing a component obtained from two sheets of thermoplastic material joined together includes an upper die, a lower die and a passage for delivering a compressed jet of air between the two sheets. The equipment further includes a slide which can move at right angles to the closure direction of the two dies and has a working sheets are urged against a shaping surface formed by the working surfaces of the upper and lower dies and of the slide by the effect of the delivery of compressed air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing insert molded articles. The involves the steps of preforming a patterned insert material clamped at end parts thereof by a clamping device into a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of a cavity formation face of a male die or a female die of an injection molding die by a preforming device, and trimming an unnecessary portion of the preformed material by a trimming device so as not to project from the peripheral edge of the surface of a cubic molded article to be formed of molding resin. The method further involves setting the trimmed material at the cavity formation face of the male or female die of the injection molding die, clamping the male and female dies to form a cavity by the cavity formation faces, injecting molding resin into the cavity, and removing the insert molded article from the injection molding die after the molding resin is cooled and softened.

Abstract: A mold assembly for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article laminated with a skin material comprises: a first mold having a first cavity face; a second mold having an indentation whose bottom surface forms a second cavity face; a driving unit for reciprocating the mold connected thereto; and a cutting blade, attached to the first mold, having a cutting edge opposed to the second cavity face of the second mold, the cutting edge being relatively moved, at closing operation, along an inner peripheral side surface of the second mold with a predetermined clearance with respect to the inner peripheral side surface.

Abstract: A process for forming the tips on catheters is described in which the catheter is placed on a mandrel and molded in a mold. The mandrel may then be removed and a second mandrel inserted. The second mandrel having a larger diameter and adapted to contact inner surface of the mold to thereby cut any flash formed at the end of the catheter and separate the flash from the catheter tip. Alternatively, the mandrel and catheter are inserted into the mold to mold the outer surface of the catheter thereafter removed and inserted into a die to punch the flash from the tip of the catheter material. The punch process may be carried out by either the same mandrel or a second mandrel adapted to the purpose of cutting or punching the flash from the catheter.

Abstract: A flashless catheter beveling process in which a beveling catheter mold has an internal cavity which defines the external beveled shape of the catheter and also has a circular hole centrally located therein. In the beveling mold, one end of a distal endmost interior bevel terminates at the surface of the beveling mold, with the distal endmost bevel and the surface forming an angle at the edge of the circular hole. A cylindrical support pin is inserted into a hollow extruded unbeveled catheter tube. The beveling mold is heated and positioned relative to and around the extruded catheter tube with the cylindrical support pin positioned in the circular hole of the mold. This arrangement melts the extruded catheter tube to allow it to flow within and assume the shape defined by the internal cavity of the beveling mold, and the molten catheter material flashes through a narrow annular gap defined between the cylindrical support pin and the circular hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing patterned molded articles includes an injection mold composed of a first mold and a second mold, an unwind roll for unwinding a continuity of pattern film, a film introducing device for introducing the pattern film unwound from the unwind roll to between the first mold and the second mold, and a main clamp for pressing the pattern film against a surface of the first mold. A cutting device is provided on the upstream side of the surface of the first mold and serving for cutting off the pattern film, and a sub-clamp provided on the downstream side of the surface of the first mold and serving for fixing a cut-off end portion of the pattern film. The film introducing device has a pinch device for grasping the cut-off end portion of the pattern film and a driving device for reciprocatingly moving the pinch device.

Abstract: A method for producing chocolate articles having an outer shell (5) of solid chocolate, wherein a mould cavity (2) is filled with a tempered chocolate mass (3). Then a "supercooled" cooling member (1) is immersed into the chocolate mass (3) and lifted clear of it again after a residence time of 2 to 3 seconds. The produced chocolate shells (5) have a completely uniform wall thickness and an accurately predetermined shell volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a food product such as tamales is provided in which a template for forming the shape of the tamale dough is provided together with a forming tool for anchoring down the tamale wrapper and leveling and pressing dough or masa into a predetermined shape for making tamales. The novel template apparatus is placed over a corn husk to flatten and anchor the corn husk before adding the dough composition and forming the dough composition into the template apparatus. The template apparatus is then removed from the formed dough and the remaining ingredients are added and the tamale is rolled with the corn husk for freezing, shipment or cooking. The novel method and apparatus includes the step of utilizing a special dough composition having a predetermined density for flowing into the tamale template opening. The preferred dough composition has a density in the range of about 1.10 to about 1.12 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A bread loaf retainer and slicing knife guide comprising a horizontal support surface and a surrounding vertical rim, the support surface having a plurality of spaced, upwardly projecting, bread loaf penetrating protrusions to retain the end of a loaf of bread in fixed position on the support surface, the vertical rim extending above the support surface a specific amount substantially equal to the desired bread slice thickness, and having an upper edge forming a coplanar guide for engagement by a bread knife in continuous contact therewith to cut a slice of uniform thickness. In one embodiment, a ring telescopically interfits with the rim and has a height greater than the rim to extend above the rim, and has an upper edge forming a guide surface for the bread knife to allow slicing of a bread slice to a uniform thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for making hard sided luggage shells and other containers by vacuum forming or pressure forming thermoplastics. An apparatus for making shells and containers with integrally molded frames is disclosed. An apparatus for manufacturing differential pressure formed containers with framed openings, without the need for later attachment of a separate frame element to the molded shell. An apparatus also is disclosed for reducing the undesirable stretching of shell material that occurs during differential pressure forming, particularly the thinning of corner portions of the shell or container. The apparatus of the invention more efficiently utilizes the thermoplastic material by moving material from otherwise offal portions into the molded product. An improved device for severing the offal material from the final product is disclosed.

Abstract: A baking pan and method of use for baking plural stuffed pizzas and/or plural stuffed sandwiches therein. Each of the pizzas and/or sandwiches includes a dough shell and a stuffing within the shell. The pan basically comprises a base panel and four cavities. The base panel is a planar sheet of circular profile and having a rounded flanged peripheral edge. Each cavity is frusto-conically shaped and includes a generally planar bottom wall and a frusto-conical side wall flaring upward and outward therefrom. Each sidewall terminates at its upper end in a rounded top peripheral edge which is disposed slightly above the base panel. The rounded top edge of each cavity is arranged for joining a respective portion of baking dough disposed within its associated cavity to a sheet portion of baking dough disposed over the base panel and on top of its cavity along the periphery of the rounded top peripheral edge to form a stuffed dough shell having a joined seam extending about the periphery of the shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold apparatus and a process for forming a lid latching mechanism in a thermoplastic container. The lid latching mechanism features a large, trapezoidally-shaped opening hole. The trapezoidal shape has been found to reduce the amount of tearing that can occur along the edges of an opening formed during the thermoforming process. The opening is created by the engagement between a fixed shear key mounted in a first mold member and a movable shear key which has a trapezoidally-shaped cutting surface and is mounted in a second mold member. The movable key travels along an inclined path as the mold members close on a preheated thermoplastic sheet to form a container.

Abstract: Apparatus for the thermoforming of hollow objects at a base comprises thermoforming of the objects from a sheet of thermoplastics material in a half of a double female mould that can be moved between a forming area against a male die and a discharge area to one or the other side of the forming area. The thermoformed objects are transferred from the discharge area onto a plurality of receiving formers moving sequentially stepwise along a track. One or more processing or handling operations are performed on the objects while the formers are stationary.

Abstract: A method and mold apparatus are provided for forming and trimming a vehicle inner door panel. The panel is a shaped laminate including a vinyl cover layer and a structural foam backing layer having a glass fiber reinforcing substrate. Upper and lower mold members have peripheral seals which define a mold cavity when the mold is closed. A plurality of movable trim blades are carried by the lower mold member adjacent the seal. The trim blades move among retracted, intermediate and extended positions. Hydraulic rams open and close the mold and move the trim blades. Sheets of vinyl and substrate are placed across the lower mold member and the mold is closed to seal the substrate and vinyl layer about their periphery. As the mold closes, abutment surfaces on both mold members advance the trim blades to an intermediate position to pinch the cover layer against the substrate inwardly of the peripheral seals. A two-part polyurethane liquid foam system is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: A thermoforming technique for making a shaped article from a web of polystryrene foam sheet or the like, with simultaneous forming and perforation of the article. Serrated cutter and spaced mandrel elements mounted in opposing mold sections provide a perforated pattern in the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for degating an injection mold high aspect ratio injection mold plastic article includes a pair of spring biased mold inserts locatable against opposed sides of a runner following initial mold opening movement and wherein one of the pair of mold inserts has a cutting edge and a first operative position engageable with the part following solidification thereof for supporting the part within the mold along an edge portion thereof that is joined to the runner; and wherein the other of the pair of mold inserts has a cutting edge that cooperates with the cutting edge of the one mold insert following mold opening to cut the runner from the part during the ejection of the solidified part.

Abstract: An automatic filling machine for forming, sizing, transferring and inserting a food product portion into a container. The machine has forming chambers that are expandable to facilitate receiving a food product in bulk and are contractible to define a column having a cross section mating that of a container to be filled. The chamber is expanded to receive a quantity of a food product that is to be inserted into a container. The chamber is contracted to form the food product received therein into a column as defined by the contracted chamber. An upper plunger is provided to force and compress the formed food product column into a sizing apparatus. A pressure switch controls the compressive force applied to the food product column to provide consistency between sized portions of the food product.

Abstract: A molding method for molding a shaped plastic trim panel from a wet moldable composite includes a blade for trimming the molded plastic trim panel while it is still in the molding apparatus. The lower mold member has an annular severing slot and annular clamping shoulders inwardly and outwardly of the severing slot. The upper mold member has an annular slot that is aligned with the severing slot of the lower mold member and annular clamping shoulders on either side of the slot. These shoulders cooperate with the clamping shoulders of the lower mold member to clamp the margin of the molded plastic trim panel that is shaped in the molding members. An annular cutting blade having a serrated cutting edge disposed in the slot of the upper mold member moves down vertically into the severing groove to cut through the clamped margin and trim the molded plastic trim panel.

Abstract: A machine for molding bonded plastics material, in particular expanded or foamable polystyrene in combination with rigid sheet polystyrene, wherein the rigid material (2) is preformed in a preforming station (1) in a preforming mold (33, 36) while simultaneously separating by a cutter (40) the preformed portion from the rigid sheet of starting material to produce separate preformed pieces, the preformed pieces are moved by a transfer table (27) to a molding station (3) while retained on preforming half-mold (33), foamable material (44) is fed to molding mold (41) and molded and bonded on the preformed pieces with sintering by pulse action of steam (45) and, the final molded articles (P) are discharged at discharge station (6). The half-mold (33) is moved alternately between the preforming station (1) and molding station (3), and cooperates with respective counter-molds (36, 41). The scrap is recovered without being involved in the molding stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for differential pressure forming an article in a sheet of thermoplastic material having a pair of opposed differential pressure molds at a forming and trimming station moveable between open positions and closed positions engaging opposite sides of the sheet of thermoplastic material for differentially pressure forming an article in the sheet. Mechanism is provided for severing the article from the sheet and includes a pair of opposed trim dies mounted on the molds for movement therewith between spaced apart positions and sheet engaging positions when the molds are moved between open and closed positions. After the part is formed, wedge mechanism is moved transversely of the relative path of travel of the dies for incrementally indexing one of the dies toward the other of the dies to sever the article at the forming and trimming stations.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a laminated body consisting of an upper layer member which covers a hardened synthetic resin is disclosed. The process includes the compression, resulting from a female mold and a male mold approaching each other, of the layer member and molten resins. The final engagement of the molds permits the cutting of the layer member so as to form or shape the ultimate laminated body.

Abstract: This invention relates to an injection moulding process for the manufacture of multi-layered articles, especially articles having barrier properties. The process includes clamping a thermoplastic film over the cavity of a mould of an injection moulding process, the film being capable of being stretched. The film is then stretched within the mould by inserting the core of the mould, preferably using a core in which a central part enters the mould and partially stretches the film prior to the remainder of the core entering the mould. The mould is then closed, excess film is trimmed off and polymer is injected into the mould cavity. The resultant article is a multi-layered injection moulded article which, depending on the characteristics of the film and injected polymer, may have barrier properties to oxygen, liquids or the like that are superior to articles moulded from only the polymer. The process is particularly useful in the moulding of containers having a depth:width ratio of at least 0.5.

Abstract: A method for forming structural injection molded parts includes the steps of positioning a closed-loop cutting blade in surrounding relation to one of a male and female mold which together define a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of a part to be molded, positioning reinforcing material over the female mold, moving the male mold into the female mold to position the reinforcing material in the mold cavity, thereafter moving the cutting blade independently of the mold which it surrounds to trim the reinforcing material, and injecting resin into the mold cavity to produce a structural injection molded part. The cutting blade and the mold which it surrounds are part of and movable with a common die set assembly having a lost motion drive connection between the mold and the cutting blade, such that the trimming step is accomplished by lost motion movement between the mold and the cutting blade after the male and female molds have been mated.

Abstract: A spring-oriented rotary shear key is used in a mold for forming a container with a latch opening, from a sheet of deformable material. The mold has upper and lower mold portions with die surfaces disposed facing each other and configured to press the sheet of deformable material inserted therebetween into a container. Upper and lower keys, each having a shear surface, are mounted in the upper and lower mold portions, respectively, such that the shear surfaces face each other in substantially parallel alignment to form an opening in the container as the mold portions travel towards each other. The lower key is mounted such that its shear surface rotates along an axis normal to a path of travel of the mold portions.

Abstract: A pair of male and female mold parts in association with a closure for forming orifices during the thermal formation of a structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding pieces of soap or other soft and pasty substances having at least a central rotor (2) capable of a reciprocating rotating motion supporting two half-molds (4, 4') placed at 90.degree. and at least two lateral rotors (1, 1') capable of a reciprocating rotating translating motion, each supporting a half-mold (3, 3'), the three rotors (1, 1', 2) having their axis of rotation parallel to the feeder and discharge conveyor belts (6, 6', 7, 7', 8). Between each lateral rotor (1, 1') and the central rotor (2) an elevator/lifting device (5, 5') or other apparatus lifts/raises the pieces (19, 19') to be shaped from the feeder belt (7, 7') and brings them to the molding area, each lateral rotor (1, 1') capable of a rotating translating motion, translating in a radial direction towards the central rotor (2) molds the piece and then moves away with the molded piece (10, 10') and while rotating deposits it on the discharge conveyor belt (6, 6') of the molded pieces.

Abstract: A hot knife assembly for cutting excess organic polymeric material from a thermal forming mold includes a blade-like knife in the form of a thin flat plate having an inner edge connected to a heater and an outer edge with a cutting surface thereon. The thin flat plate has two flat surfaces substantially encapsulated by a refractory wedge. The refractory wedge in formed silicone material and extends coextensive and adjacent the blade-like knife for preventing stringing or re-welding of the cut material.

Abstract: A mold for forming a container from a sheet of deformable material has upper and lower mold parts with die surfaces in conforming relation to one another. Upper and lower keys, each having a shear surface, are mounted in said upper and lower mold parts, respectively, so that the shear surfaces confront each other to form an opening in the container as the mold parts close. At least one of said keys is mounted so that its shear surface pivots on a plane normal to the motion of the closure of the mold parts.

Abstract: A female die part has an upwardly opening die cavity for receiving a male die plunger, a supporting surface around the cavity for a porous batt of fibrous reinforcing material overlying the cavity, and a first shearing edge defining the periphery of the opening for the cavity. Peripheral portions of the batt are clamped to the supporting surface, whereupon the die plunger presses portions of the batt into a mold formed between the male plunger and the sidewalls of the cavity to completely fill the mold. A cutter having a second shearing edge cooperates with the first shearing edge to shear peripheral portions of the batt from the portions overlying the die cavity. The shearing edges in cooperation with the die plunger seal the mold to enable injection of reactive chemicals that impregnate the porous batt within the mold.

Abstract: A pair of male and female mold parts for forming orifices during the thermal formation of a structure.

Abstract: A male and female mold parts combination for forming a latch opening in a container molded from a softened sheet of plastic having a female mold key member arranged on the female mold part; a male mold key member arranged on the male mold part; a cutting edge adjacent to a planar face of one key and a vertical surface having a bevelled edge surface on the other key. The keys being normally registered so that on closure of the mold parts, initial contact will involve the cutting edge, the bevelled edge surface and the plastic therebetween. One of the keys is fixed in one of the mold parts and the other of the keys being located in the other of the mold parts and free to move independently of its mold part so that on closure of the mold parts the cutting edge will ride off the bevelled edge surface and slide across the vertical surface piercing and enlarging a latch opening in the plastic.

Abstract: An arrangement for the thermoforming of molded plastic articles from a continuous web of a thermoplastic material, and more particularly, a trim in place thermoforming arrangement in which the plastic articles are simultaneously molded and at least substantially or completely separated from the remaining thermoplastic web material. A high degree of alignment and precision is obtained between cooperating cutting blades employed in the trimming of the thermoformed articles, because of a unique self-aligning or floating support structure of at least one of the cutting blades operating in conjunction with the thermoforming apparatus. The self-aligning action provided for between the slidingly contacting cutting blades allows for an automatic compensation for any temperature changes and blade wear encountered during operation, and with only one movable part being required for the trim in place device.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method as provided for releasing sheet material press-formed in a die assembly between mating male and female dies from the die assembly. A first air supply system is provided for injecting air between the male die and sheet material in the die assembly to break any vacuum existing between the male die and the sheet material. Subsequently, a second air supply system is provided for injecting air between the female die and sheet material in the die assembly during ejection of a press-formed article from the female die so as to break any vacuum existing therebetween. A system is provided for discharging excess trim waste severed from the press-formed article and routing the trim waste toward a scrap collector while permitting the article to be routed in another direction toward an article collector.