Abstract: A dryer is disclosed, adapted for use mounted on a plastic mold, extruder or the like. A compact rectangularly shaped drying chamber hold a porous drying basket with free air space surrounding the base of the basket to provide quick drying. An air flow system includes a blower, a removable filter and a removable heater. The dryer includes a removable desiccant cartridge and means for signalling cartridge replacement.

Abstract: In front of a hot horizontal calender roll there is provided a system of suction cups held on arms which can rock about a horizontal pivot parallel to the axis of the roll, to set the suction cups down on an edge portion of a hot calendered sheet. The arms are then rocked back to lift the suction cups and thereby the edge portion of the sheet from the roll. The suction cups thereafter deliver the edge of the lifted-off sheet portion to a system of grippers. The grippers, aided by draw-off roller means rotatable about said pivot, then draw the sheet horizontally away from the calender roll to deposit the sheet on a vertically adjustable table.

Abstract: A molding apparatus to provide composite plastic articles within the mold is provided. The apparatus includes upper and lower sections which when in a closed position, form a mold cavity divided into two separated chambers by partitions in the upper section. Elements of a desired configuration are formed in the chambers by injecting molten plastic therein and cooling. After formation of the elements, the upper section of the mold is removed and with it, the partitions separating the cavity into chambers. The elements, which are now at opposite ends of an unblocked cavity, are then driven into engagement with each other by a driving means while still in the mold. The joined elements are then ejected from the mold as a composite article. In the preferred embodiment, the elements are interlocked "E" shaped devices which form a solid cube when joined.

Abstract: While a series of hollow moulded articles interconnected by waste portions are successively moulded by a rotary moulding machine and are continuously conveyed by a pair of conveyors, the waste portions are removed from one end of each of the articles by applying a twisting force to the waste portions by means of cutter means. The waste portions are removed from the other end of each of the articles, and then such ends may be sealed.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: For producing a copy in settable material such as plastic of an object, for example for repairing one side of a vehicle such as an automobile, truck or boat to correspond to the shape of the other side, a tracer mechanism is provided which is secured on one side and a copying mechanism on the other side, the two being connected by a plurality of flexible tubes. On the tracer side there is a frame on which is longitudinally slidable a carrier in which is secured a tube with a piston slidable therein, and a support connected to the piston. Secured at their ends in the support and slidable through openings in the carrier are a plurality of tubes, in each of which is slidable a piston connected to a spline which extends below the support. The free ends of the splines carry a shaping member formed of flexible material. The support on the tracer side is provided with wheels which roll on the surface to be copied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously molding plastic parts. Basically, the apparatus comprises a pair of spaced, rotatable, indexable trunnion transfer units or wheels having a plurality of cradles thereon for receiving and transporting carrier bars. The wheels are indexable to a number of stations at which various activities take place and are positioned on either side of the mold area of a conventional molding machine. A carrier bar having affixed thereto a plurality of cores for the part to be molded, for example, is transported by the rotating wheel from the bottom of the first wheel to a first station where an insert may be added to the core and thence to the top position of the wheel where the carrier bar is transferred to a conveyor which in turn transports the carrier bar to the mold. After completion of the molding cycle, the carrier bar with the molded parts thereon, is transported by the conveyor to the top of the second wheel where it is inserted thereon.