Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for deep-drawing a tray (1) from a blank of sheet material (2). The blank is provided with score lines, which determine the location of wrinkles formed in the process. The apparatus comprises a female moulding tool (3), which comprises a cavity (7) for forming the tray bottom outwardly, a male moulding tool (4), which comprises a plunger (11) for forming the tray bottom inwardly, the plunger being movable with respect to the cavity for forming the tray, and clamps (6, 15) with an interface for holding the sheet material and forming a tray rim flange. According to the invention by laterally distancing at least one of the moulding tools (3, 4) from the sheet material leeway is pro-vided for free forming so that wrinkling of the tray side walls is achieved in a controlled manner. Spacer plates (13) may be positioned behind the plunger (11), to adjust its position in relation to the cavity (7) of the female moulding tool (3).

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for creating a curvature on a medical device during a medical procedure, for example, selecting a curvature from a curve database, customizing the curvature for a specific patient anatomy, and applying the curvature to the medical device during the medical procedure.

Abstract: A method for producing a structural component from an organometallic sheet includes a first step in which the organometallic sheet is preheated. introduced into a tool and subsequently re-formed. In a second step, a region of the re-formed organometallic sheet is heated. In a third step at least the heated region of the re-formed organometallic sheet is re-formed further in such a way that it enters into a material bond with a further region of the organometallic sheet to form an at least partly closed hollow profile. A device for carrying out the method for producing a structural component from an organometallic sheet and a structural component produced by the method also are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part includes positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a female tool, and covering the fibers with a sealing layer. The method further includes pressing a portion of the covered fibers against an interior transition region (e.g., an internal radius) of the mold surface. While the portion of covered fibers is pressed against the interior transition region, air is removed from between the sealing layer and the mold surface to draw at least a partial vacuum between the sealing layer and the mold surface.

Abstract: A cup thermoforming machine includes a frame, a movable upper platen, a clamping grid and a movable lower platen. The movable upper platen is supported for vertical reciprocation by the frame, and carries a male die. The clamping grid is carried by the frame above a sheet of thermoformable material and has a clearance aperture for the male die. The lower platen is supported for vertical reciprocation by the frame beneath the clamping grid and carries a female die.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface. According to the invention, the muscle elements comprise two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface. The invention provides a new shape change sheet structure, which can be made thin, accurate and durable for various uses.

Abstract: A cooked rice molding method includes a first supplying step of spreading cooked rice in a plate form on rolling-up plates deployed horizontally, a second supplying step of placing a dried laver sheet and ingredients on the cooked rice, a first pressing step of folding a first rotating plate and a second rotating plate disposed on two sides of a base plate in a direction to erect at approximate right angles with respect to the base plate, and a second pressing step of folding the third rotating plate rotatably attached to the first rotating plate at a side opposite to the base plate, to a base plate side. Then, the method includes a repositioning step of deploying the rolling-up plates in the horizontal state, and rotating the cooked rice about 90 degrees on the rolling-up bamboo plate. Finally, the first pressing step is repeated again.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum thermoforming and printing plastic articles from a continuous web of plastic material in which a rotatable vacuum thermoforming drum has a plurality of vacuum thermoforming dies mounted on circumferentially surfaces. The drum further comprises a gear path and a cam path, each with a plurality of substantially flat and curved sections. A print structure in a frame includes a device for imparting ink to the articles after they are formed, and a linear bearing adapted to allow the printing cylinder to move in a constrained motion substantially normal to the central axis. The printing cylinder comprises a shaft with a pinion gear to engage the gear path and a cam roller to engage the cam path. As the drum rotates, the articles are formed, printed and separated in substantially a single operation.

Abstract: A shaping tool is constructed for producing a substantially shell-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic part. The shaping toll includes and upper die and a lower die. A material blank made substantially of fibrous material is placed into the lower die the shaping tool brought into shaping engagement with the material blank. At least one of the dies is segmented into shaping segments for being brought into shaping engagement with the material blank in segments or in groups of segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.

Abstract: A method and machine for sealing at least one cut edge of a foam board is disclosed. The foam board has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one cut edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The cut edge is passed over a heated roller to soften the edge and then passed over a second roller having a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first roller which seals the edge. The cut edge may be milled to square the edge relative to the top and bottom of the board before the cut edge is passed over the heated roller. Additional pairs of rollers may be provided to seal the top surface and the bottom surface of the foam board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids. The method and apparatus include the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors. The step of imparting printing to the lids is done while the lids are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: A forming machine for fabric slats provides a strip material to be formed with hot ironing and cold ironing according to temperature in a complete procedure of hot working, wherein an entire surface of the strip material is contacted and the strip material moves linearly. The forming machine stably forms a slat of a curved cross section and includes a hot ironing module and a cold ironing module which are assembled as a linear hot-working assembly. The fabric strip impregnated with an adhesive agent is fed in at an end of the hot-working assembly through a feed device. The strip material is first thermally fused and ironed with surface contact when passing through the hot-working assembly and then is executed with cold ironing and shaping, thereby stably forming the slat of the curved cross section, which is outputted from a take-up device at the other end of the hot-working assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: A balloon folding system specifically configured to reduce a side branch balloon of a bifurcated balloon catheter assembly includes a die that defines at least one chamber for receipt of the sidebranch balloon, and at least one pin sized to fit into the chamber and reduce the balloon to a substantially flattened state. The system also may include a housing for the reduction and folding of a primary branch balloon. The system is configurable to fold and reduce both branches simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for curing a composite assembly may include a base tool, a growth control apparatus, and at least one engagement filling. The base tool may have a different thermal expansion growth rate than a composite assembly to be cured using the apparatus. The growth control apparatus may have a different thermal expansion growth rate than the base tool. The engagement fitting may be movably disposed relative to the base tool and connected to the growth control apparatus. The engagement filling may hold a composite assembly being cured against the engagement filling. The growth control apparatus may grow a pre-determined amount during curing of a composite assembly to produce a cured composite assembly having a pre-determined design dimension.

Abstract: A stretching apparatus for thermoplastic synthetic resin improved so as to ensure that a web can be easily stretched over its entire width. The stretching apparatus 2 for a thermoplastic synthetic resin web 1 comprises a plurality of first stretching members L arranged in a circumferential direction on a peripheral surface of a drum 6 rotating in a machine direction M. The drum 6 is provided around its rotating shaft 8 with rotatable members 7 adapted to rotate in synchronization with the drum 6 in the direction in which the drum 6 rotates. The rotatable members 7 are respectively provided with a plurality of second stretching members U operatively associated with the first stretching members U.

Abstract: A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately one hundred eighty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.

Abstract: A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately three hundred sixty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.

Abstract: A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw sheet plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately one hundred eighty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.

Abstract: A method for producing highly dimensionally accurate, deep-drawn half shells with a base region, a body region and a flange region, includes firstly forming a pre-formed half shell from a blank and then shaping the pre-formed half shell into a finally formed half shell, wherein the pre-formed half shell has excess blank material due to its geometric shape and wherein, owing to the excess material during the shaping of the pre-formed half shell into its final shape the half shell is compressed into the finally formed half shell by at least one further pressing process. The method requires that the pre-formed half shell has excess blank material in a transition region between the body region and flange region.

Abstract: A rib forming apparatus has an elongated support table, a supply of thermoplastic sheet material over the table, a transporting means having at least two transverse carriages mounted on the table to slide along longitudinal edges thereof, a thermal means mounted on one of the carriages for locally heating the sheet material in preparation of a molding press, and at least one press module mounted on another carriage and having a reciprocating press blade positioned at one flat side of the sheet material and a couple of swiveling press blades positioned at the opposite flat side of the sheet material and movable toward the reciprocating press blade to mold the heated section of the sheet material by closing the above three press blades toward each other, whereby a series of vertical rib folds are formed transversely of the sheet material and advanced by the transport means through the closed press blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for the artificial ageing of blocks, in particular concrete blocks, clinker bricks and natural stone blocks, has a base on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that their surfaces to be treated and the adjoining edges are exposed. Essentially freely movable striking bodies are used for treating the surfaces and the adjoining edges of the blocks. A vibrating device sets the blocks and the striking bodies in motion relative to one another in such a way that the striking bodies act on the surfaces and the exposed edges of the blocks. In this case, the striking bodies are movably fastened to a retaining device in such a way that the striking bodies are freely movable within a defined region of the surface of the blocks.

Abstract: These inventions provide a method and an apparatus for rolling food dough without causing slipping between the food dough and rolling rollers and without causing twisted shrinkages in the food dough, and disk-shaped food dough manufactured by the method. Further, these inventions relate to the disk-shaped food dough manufactured by the method and the apparatus. The apparatus used for the method is comprised of a cradle that can relatively ascend away from and descend toward a table, and conical-shaped rolling rollers rotatably disposed at the cradle, which rollers can swivel. When the food dough is rolled by means of the rolling rollers by pressing the food dough, the rolling rollers rotate so that the speed of the rotation is higher than that when they are passively rotated by the swiveling motion. The relative speed of the descent of the rolling rollers toward the food dough is controlled so that the speed gradually decreases from the initial speed.

Abstract: An imprinting method which is capable of forming desired concave/convex patterns on opposite surfaces of a substrate with high accuracy while making it possible to easily peel both stampers off the substrate after completion of a pressing process. As one stamper formed with one concave/convex pattern and the other stamper formed with the other concave/convex pattern for transferring the respective patterns to opposite surfaces of a substrate, there used are one stamper and the other stamper which have similar shapes in plan view and plane areas larger than that of the substrate. The one and the other stampers are pressed against opposite surfaces of the substrate, respectively, such that at least part of an outer periphery of one of the two stampers does not overlap the other in a direction of a thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming EVA comprises the steps of: injection-molding; mold-exchanging; thermosetting molding; product-taking out and mold-returning. An EVA-forming mold structure comprises a first mold assembly and a second mold assembly. The molds, at the same side of the first mold assembly and the second mold assembly, can be exchanged with each other. By such arrangements, after the two material members each with different material characteristics are, respectively, formed in two mold assemblies by injection molding, a thermosetting molding of the two material members will be performed in another mold assembly, thus forming an EVA product with two material characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring a necked-down end of a plastic core includes molding and curing stations and a core handling system having a carriage for sequentially positioning the core adjacent the stations. The molding and curing stations are heated and cooled, respectively, by heating elements and a chilled coolant. A core handling system includes a core-supporting carriage slidably supported on first rails for engagement between the core and the stations. The first rails are slidably supported on perpendicularly oriented second rails to provide for sequential alignment of the carriage with the molding and curing stations. A control system includes motor drives controlled by a programmable logic controller having a processor. Sensors communicate signals to the processor representing the position of the carriage with respect to the upper rails and the position of the upper rails with respect to the lower rails for actuation and control of the motor drives.

Abstract: An apparatus for roughing edges of solid concrete casted blocks that includes a block support conveyor for supporting and conveying a series of blocks and at least one roughing device disposed at a given distance from a block to be roughened; the device includes at least one impacting arm having a first end connected to a drive shaft having an axis and a second end connected to an impacting element; the shaft is connected to a drive element allowing the shaft to define an arcuate reciprocating motion causing the impacting element to impact the block and to crumble concrete from an edge of the block. The arm impacts the edge at an angle of about 45° relative to the axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for shaping a corner of a printed circuit board are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment includes a carrier configured to releasably contact a printed circuit board, a curved contact surface positioned to roll against a corner of the printed circuit board. Optionally, another curved contact surface can be positioned to roll against another corner of the printed circuit board. The contact surface can be rotatable relative to the carrier about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to at least a portion of the curved contact surface. The contact surface can be continuous or discontinuous, and can shape the corner of the printed circuit board with a reduced tendency for damage to the printed circuit board. Multiple contact surfaces can be rotatable about different rotation axes.

Abstract: A method for roughing surfaces and edges of concrete casted blocks, comprising a block support surface having a plurality of surface sections. A first of the surface sections has a rear end thereof above an adjacent front end of a second of the surface sections to create a ledge for projecting a leading edge portion of concrete blocks conveyed over the first surface section. A first roughing device has a plurality of impacting elements thereon for roughing concrete blocks. The first roughing device is disposed generally above the rear end of the first surface section for abrading a projecting leading edge portion of each concrete block as they are conveyed over the rear end. A conveyor displaces concrete blocks over the first and second surface sections, the blocks being tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge to avoid being abraded by the roughing device.

Abstract: A method for treating the surfaces and edges of a block to mimic the appearance of natural stone. The apparatus and method can treat up to four sides of a block, can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of surface and edge treatment, and useful in high volume block production equipment. Blocks are produced having a natural, weathered appearance without the damage, breakage, dust, or expense associated with conventional splitting and tumbling methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating blocks, having a conveying arrangement for transporting the blocks one after the other along a treatment station in which there is arranged at least one tool holder which can be driven in circulation by means of a drive, has a longitudinal axis and on which there are fastened flexible, elongate treatment tools which have two ends and come into contact with predetermined regions of the blocks as the tool holder circulates. The flexible treatment tools are fastened in loop form, by way of the two ends, on the tool holder such that they are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the latter, with the result that they sag when the tool holder is at a standstill.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughing surfaces and edges of concrete casted blocks, comprising a block support surface having a plurality of surface sections. A first of the surface sections has a rear end thereof above an adjacent front end of a second of the surface sections to create a ledge for projecting a leading edge portion of concrete blocks conveyed over the first surface section. A first roughing device has a plurality of impacting elements thereon for roughing concrete blocks. The first roughing device is disposed generally above the rear end of the first surface section for abrading a projecting leading edge portion of each concrete block as they are conveyed over the rear end. A conveyor displaces concrete blocks over the first and second surface sections, the blocks being tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge to avoid being abraded by the roughing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughing surfaces of concrete casted blocks are provided. A horizontally disposed surface roughing device, having impacting elements secured thereto, is driven to impact on blocks supported thereunder on a support table. The support table has a flat support upper surface. Block tilt support pins project from the upper surface at predetermined locations for supporting some of the blocks tilted at a predetermined angle. The block tilt support pins are displaceable from a retracted position below the upper surface to a projecting block tilting position above the upper surface. A displacement mechanism imparts translationary displacement between the impacting elements and the support table to abrade the blocks.

Abstract: A transversely stretched nonwoven fabric is manufactured by transversely stretching a nonwoven fabric. First, an original web comprising a plurality of un-oriented filaments is heated to a temperature higher than its stretch suitable temperature by 5° C. or more. Next, the heated original web is stretched at a rate of 1.2 to 3 in its transverse direction to stretch the filaments of the original web with almost no molecular orientation involved. Then, the original web stretched transversely at a rate of 1.2 to 3 is heated to the stretch suitable temperature and the original web is further stretched transversely at the stretch suitable temperature. With these steps, a transversely stretched nonwoven fabric in which the original web is stretched transversely at a rate of 7 times or more in total as compared with the state of the stretch thereof is manufactured with a high tensile strength of 132.5 mN/tex (1.5 g/d) in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A transversely stretched nonwoven fabric is manufactured by transversely stretching a nonwoven fabric. First, an original web comprising a plurality of unoriented filaments is heated to a temperature higher than its stretch suitable temperature by 5° C. or more. Next, the heated original web is stretched at a rate of 1.2 to 3 in its transverse direction to stretch the filaments of the original web with almost no molecular orientation involved. Then, the original web stretched transversely at a rate of 1.2 to 3 is heated to the stretch suitable temperature and the original web is further stretched transversely at the stretch suitable temperature. With these steps, a transversely stretched nonwoven fabric in which the original web is stretched transversely at a rate of 7 times or more in total as compared with the state of the stretch thereof is manufactured with a high tensile strength of 132.5 mN/tex (1.5 g/d) in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A machine and method for providing a folded liner for insertion into a pipe, comprises an upper section and a lower section. A flattened heated thermoplastic liner is fed downwardly through the upper section to the lower section, where it is redirected and fed substantially horizontally from the lower section. The flattened liner introduced to the upper section is broadly indented at one side of the liner and is then more acutely indented to provide loops disposed side-by-side in a substantially horizontal direction. The lower section reorients the loops so that they are stacked side-by-side in a substantially vertical direction. The liner is cooled as its leaves the lower section to maintain its cross-sectional configuration. The upper section is separable from the lower section, and portions of the upper and lower sections are displaceable and removable to facilitate insertion of the liner into the machine and removal of the machine from the liner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughing surfaces of concrete casted blocks are provided. A horizontally disposed surface roughing device, having impacting elements secured thereto, is driven to impact on blocks supported thereunder on a support table. The support table has a flat support upper surface. Block tilt support pins project from the upper surface at predetermined locations for supporting some of the blocks tilted at a predetermined angle. The block tilt support pins are displaceable from a retracted position below the upper surface to a projecting block tilting position above the upper surface. A displacement mechanism imparts translationary displacement between the impacting elements and the support table to abrade the blocks.

Abstract: A machine and method for providing a folded liner for insertion into a pipe, comprises an upper section and a lower section. A flattened heated thermoplastic liner is fed downwardly through the upper section to the lower section, where it is redirected and fed substantially horizontally from the lower section. The flattened liner introduced to the upper section is broadly indented at one side of the liner and is then more acutely indented to provide loops disposed side-by-side in a substantially horizontal direction. The lower section reorients the loops so that they are stacked side-by-side in a substantially vertical direction. The liner is cooled as its leaves the lower section to maintain its cross-sectional configuration. The upper section is separable from the lower section, and portions of the upper and lower sections are displaceable and removable to facilitate insertion of the liner into the machine and removal of the machine from the liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lay-flat and removal device for a plastic tube film web produced by means of a film blowing head arranged in a stationary manner, whose lay-flat plates (10) and squeezing rolls (9) may be rotated in a reversing manner around the axis of the supplied film tube (17), having a subsequent fixed winding device or device for further processing as well as at least two reversing pneumatic reversal rods (6, 106) and at least two reversing deflection rolls (19, 119), with one reversing, non-rotational pneumatic reversal rod (6, 106) each and one adjacent reversing, rotating deflection roll (19, 119) each forming one functional pair (1, 101), with a motor (11, 111) being assigned to each functional pair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a multi-layer pad of a non-woven fiber batt and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces and to a multi-layer pad incorporating a non-woven fiber batt and foam layer. The process of forming a non-woven batt layer and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces comprises transporting each layer along its longitudinal dimension while compressing each layer along its lateral dimension. Concomitantly with compression, each layer is cut transversely along its lateral dimension to separate each layer into an upper segment and a lower segment and to provide conforming convoluted surfaces on the segments of each layer, the convoluted surfaces comprised of upstanding projections and depressions.

Abstract: A method of curing large endless track rubber belts uses a multi-platen mold assembly with a pair of fully supporting indexing wheels, non-preformed lug preparation and a post-forming cavity pressure reduction to provide cured tracks with non-deformed reinforcing members while avoiding the extrusion of rubber compound out of the ends of the molds. Also provided is an apparatus for curing large endless track belts having fully supported indexing wheels.

Abstract: This device ensures insertion of a film into the entrance of a transverse drawing machine, leaving a longitudinal drawing machine. This device includes a fixed cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, located upstream of the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, whose lower generatrix is located in the film travel plane in the transverse drawing machine, a chest whose axis is perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, mounted on a movable support, so that it can be displaced between a retracted position and a position in which the chest is located between the fixed cylinder and the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, the upper surface of the chest then being disposed substantially in the plane in which the film travels in the transverse drawing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing cold formed shaped forms of packaging having at least one recess from a metal-plastic laminate. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The apparatus is such that the laminate is held between a retaining tool and a die. The die exhibits at least one opening and a stamp is driven into the die opening causing the laminate to be shape-formed into a packaging, correspondingly exhibiting one or more recesses. The die and the retaining tool exhibit facing edge regions and the die, within the edge region, exhibits a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening or openings. The surface of the shoulder region lies 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating selected at least partial surfaces of a masonry block, including at least a flail having a shaft with an axis of rotation in a vertical plane, at least a moving mechanism for moving one of the masonry blocks parallel to the vertical plane and the flail, mechanism for holding the masonry blocks with the selected surface to be treated at a distance from the shaft to be impacted by the flail.

Abstract: Flanging or curling apparatus particularly for hollow articles obtained by thermoforming from thermoformable sheet material for use in a thermoforming plant equipped with template or mask conveyor for transfer of the thermoformed objects. The apparatus comprises a support frame which delimits at least one workstation for a sequence of masks supporting hot thermoformed objects carried by the conveyor or at least one head for simultaneous curling of all thermoformed objects in the or each workstation.

Abstract: Roll-forming apparatus and method for more precisely shaping an extruded-plastic Fresnel lens. A drive/support roller is rotatably mounted to the support frame and the surface of which engages and rotates to support the smooth outer surface of an extruded arcuate, elongated linear Fresnel lens. A tooth-forming roller is rotatably mounted to the support frame and has an external profile with tooth-forming projections formed thereon for engagement with the grooves on the inner surface of the extruded sheet, said tooth-forming roller being positioned on the inner surface of the Fresnel lens opposite the drive/support roller and being loosely mounted on the support frame to track the grooves formed in the Fresnel lens to improve the profile of the lens section by sharpening the root radius and flattening the optical face of each lens section.

Abstract: An autoclave for retreading and/or repairing pneumatic tires by vulcanization, including a cylindrical container with an opening located at one end provided with a closure element, and a plurality of individual units carrying tires for vulcanization, to each unit there being connected a compressed air source and a vacuum-generating air evacuation source by a series of respective pipes extending between cover portions enclosing each tire and the compressed air and vacuum-generating evacuation sources. The tire-carrying units are movable between a position external to and a position within the container along a runway suspended from the container roof. The pipes being flexible hoses and are connectable to a fixed first connector-half positioned in proximity to a closed end wall of the container, using a movable second connector-half positioned at one of their ends when all the tire-carrying units have been completely inserted into the container.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization apparatus in which an encaser 3 makes it possible to introduce a tire into a mold 1 and, by means of inductors 42, transfers to the mold heat energy necessary for vulcanization and in which a chamber 5 receives several molds 1 and makes it possible to maintain each mold insulated from the environment in order to limit heat losses during the time necessary for the vulcanization.

Abstract: A toroidal semifinished product (5) made of raw elastomeric material is semivulcanized in a semivulcanization chamber (4) defined between two half-molds (2, 3) disposed close to each other. A pressure, preferably equal to the pressure exerted by the gases generated in the semifinished product (5), is created in the mold (1a). The half-molds (2, 3) are moved apart from each other and pressure in the mold is gradually reduced, thereby giving rise to the expansion and consequent transferring of the semifinished product (5) from the semivulcanization chamber (4) to a surrounding final vulcanization chamber (6). When the inner diameter of the semifinished product (5) is larger than the inner diameter of the final vulcanization chamber (6), said chamber is closed at its inner circumferential edge and then, after possible pressure increase in the mold, at its outer circumferential edge, in order to integrally enclose the semifinished product and enable completion of the vulcanization process.