Abstract: An improved heat tunnel is provided for use with a thermo-forming press. The heat tunnel includes a first oven body having a heat source therein for applying heat to a web of thermo-formable material as the web is supported therein. The tunnel includes a second oven body having a heat source therein for applying heat to a web of thermo-formable material as the web is supported therein. Furthermore, the tunnel has an adjustable length tunnel body carried between the first and second oven bodies and configurable to adjust the overall length of the heat tunnel so as to realize a desired delivery of heat to a web of material being passed there through.

Abstract: A tube reforming apparatus provides efficient mass production of reformed tube end portions. In a preferred embodiment, a tube reforming apparatus has a loading station, two heating stations, a forming station, and an unloading station. The loading station permits rapid loading of a series of laterally spaced apart tubes into clamping fixtures, and accurately meters a downwardly extending end portion of each tube. The heating stations permit accurate and evenly distributed heat to be applied to the end portions to make them pliable. The forming station reforms the end portions between a mating die pair, while compensating for any volume variation in the end portions. The unloading station automatically unloads the tubes from the clamping fixtures. Automation features of the apparatus permit these operations to be efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing plastics that includes a press tool which is adapted to be pressed against a press surface with the aid of pressure means. The press surface includes a flat surface which is common to a thermostat-controlled cold device and a thermostat-controlled hot device. The tool can be moved from one thermostat-controlled device to the other thermostat-controlled device while pressure is being applied to vary the temperature of the tool.

Abstract: A pair of plastic sheets is loaded directly into a pair of clamping frames. The sheets are then moved in the clamping frames into an oven where the sheets are heated, whereafter the sheets are transferred to a hot forming station where the sheets are formed into a pallet. This pallet is then transferred to a cold forming station where further processing of the pallet takes place, and then to an unloading station where the finished pallet is removed and a new set of plastic sheets is loaded into the clamping frames. At the hot forming station the sheets are delivered in side by side relation with one sheet overlying a female mold and the other sheet underlying a male mold, the sheets are molded respectively and simultaneously to the male and female molds, the female mold is shifted laterally to a position underlying the male mold, and the molds are brought together to fuse selected portions of the sheets together to form the twin sheet pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a cylindrical product of a fiber reinforcement-thermoplastic resin composite, which involves disposing a mandrel on a flexible guide sheet which can be formed in the shape of the letter U around the mandrel, heating a fiber reinforcement-thermoplastic resin composite sheet to a temperature not lower than the distortion temperature of the resin and lower than the thermal degradation temperature of the resin of the composite, disposing an end of the heated composite sheet at a line of contact of the mandrel with the flexible guide sheet, then rolling the mandrel on the guide sheet while moving the guide sheet, the guide sheet forming a shape of the letter U around the mandrel being drawn into the concave portion of the letter U, and the composite sheet disposed between the mandrel and the guide sheet being in intimate contact with the mandrel and the guide sheet, to thereby wind the composite sheet on the mandrel, and then recovering a cylindrical product made from the wound composite

Abstract: A method of forming blister pack packaging is provided including providing a thermoplastic material and placing the thermoplastic material between a pair of opposed male and female thermoforming dies, while cooling a portion of at least one of the dies. The cooled portion of the die is positioned to contact the area of the thermoplastic material in which it is desired to avoid distortion.

Abstract: A post mold curing apparatus for use in association with a molding line system for providing plastic encapsulated semiconductor chips mounted on leadframes is disclosed which includes a leadframe carrier having a rotary, substantially cylindrical shaped assembly for containing and moving a plurality of semiconductor chips and their associated leadframe strips into both an elevated temperature post mold curing region and into a lower temperature cool-down region. Each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are sequentially inserted into cavity regions located in the cylindrical assembly to assist in moving each of the plurality of leadframe strips through the elevated temperature post mold curing region, and subsequently, each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are removed from the cavity regions after passing through the lower temperature cool-down region.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming flanges and tubes of partical crystalline thermoplastics. The thermoplastics may comprise cross-linked portions and preferably are polyethylene. A heated tube end (2) is upset in a die (10) by a plunger (30) so as to arch and form a pair of conical regions which become disk-shaped and are folded together to form the flange (8).

Abstract: A plastic part forming apparatus includes a mold tunnel into which molten plastic is fed to form the plastic part. The mold tunnel is made from thermally conductive material and has a part shaping interior face which is non-reflective such that the interior surface has high capacity to absorb heat energy from the plastic fed into the mold tunnel. The thermally conductive material then dissipates the heat energy from the mold tunnel.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoactive binder composite product is performed by injecting a hot dry gas to activate the thermoactive binder. In the preferred embodiment, the hot dry gas is air. The method is particularly beneficial as applied to forming thermoplastic composite products and particularly thermoplastic/cellulose composites. Also part of the present invention is a two stage pressing process in which hot gas is injected during the first stage and the press charge is precompressed. The press charge is then placed in a second consolidation press where the hot gas is no longer injected and it is consolidated and cooled. Machinery for practicing the method includes a platen with a platen press which includes upper and lower platens with a plurality of hot air injection jets disposed on the surface of each platen. The platens are spaced apart and surrounded on the sides by an air-permeable containment shell structure to form a compression chamber to hold the base material to be pressed.

Abstract: Method and devices for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel includes an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. The forcing over the mandrel is achieved by exerting a pushing force on the tube upstream of the expansion part of the mandrel by a pushing device acting upon the outside of the tube, and by exerting a pulling force on the tube downstream of the mandrel. The pushing device acts upon the tube at a distance upstream of the mandrel, and the tube is supported between the place where said pushing device acts and the expansion part of the mandrel.

Abstract: A device for the encapsulation of syringes and other hazardous plastic waste having needles or other sharp elements, the device having a melt chamber with a reciprocating compaction head, the weight of the compaction head providing the force to conform molten plastic into a puck covering the needle points. Flow release apertures allow for escape of gases and provide an overflow conduit for excess molten plastic. The puck adheres to the compaction head and is ejected back into the melt chamber for removal and disposal.

Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool core on which photo film (14) wound in a form of a roll. A disk (19, 20) has an axial hole (19a, 20a) formed therein, and is secured to each of ends of the spool core, for regulating ends of the roll of the photo film in the cassette. A sheet (74) of thermoplastic synthetic resin is supplied one after another. There are plural disk-like portions (65) and a positioning portion (66) formed on the sheet. A positioning pin (112) is fitted on the positioning portion of the sheet being supplied, for positioning the sheet. An upper blade group (106) includes 12 upper blades (110, 111). An lower blade group (107) includes 12 lower blades (114, 115). The upper and lower blade groups squeeze 12 of the disk-like portions while the sheet is positioned by the positioning device, for punching the axial hole and a contour of the disk, to obtain 12 disks. A vacuum pump (152) is caused by a valve (156) to suck the 12 disks on the upper blade group, to remove the 12 disks from the sheet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from a thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel is an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. Downstream of the mandrel an axial pulling force is exerted on the tube, and the biaxially oriented tube is cooled down. At a distance downstream of the mandrel, the tube is drawn through a calibration opening bounded by a calibration device, the calibration opening being such that it produces a reduction in the external dimensions of the tube. Accurate regulation of the external dimensions of the tube is provided by regulating the distance between the mandrel and the calibration device, in particular depending on the external dimensions of the tube measured downstream of the calibration device.

Abstract: A method of shaping a catheter tip and an apparatus for shaping a catheter tip are disclosed. A hollow tube is radically preheated, which is non-contact thermoforming. The heated tube is then extent outwards and next cooled. After cut, at least two catheters with taper-shaped tip are formed. The apparatus for shaping the catheter tip includes a twin taper-shaped mold wound by heating coil, a tube extending device, a cooling device and a cutting device.

Abstract: Calibrators (10-16) are pre-aligned on a base (18) that is positioned on a table (60). A guide (82) includes a first section (84a, 84b) connected to base (18) and a second section (94) connected to table (60). First section (84a, 84b) cooperates with second section (94) to laterally maintain base (18) on table (60) while allowing thermal expansion of base (18) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (22).

Abstract: A tire tread that is applicable to retread a worn tire carcass. The tire tread includes a cured tread portion having a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A first uncured wing portion extends from the first shoulder and a second uncured wing portion extends from the second shoulder. Further, an end section at each end of the tire tread portion is uncured. When the tire tread is wrapped around the tire carcass to be formed to the tire carcass and form a tire retread, the first and second wing portions extend down the side walls of the tire carcass and the uncured end sections of the tire tread contact each other. The tire carcass is placed within an autoclave, and the autoclave is heated under pressure such that the tire tread is cross-linked to the tire carcass. During the autoclaving step, the uncured wing portions are cured and cross-linked to the side walls of the tire carcass, and the uncured end portions are cured and cross-linked to each other.

Abstract: A waste plastics compacting apparatus has a tubular accommodating container for accommodating waste plastics, a bottom plate sliding up and down inside of the accommodating container for varying an inner volume of said accommodating container, a bag provided beneath said bottom plate, an air pump for inflating or deflating said bag, an outer container provided outside of said accommodating container, a lid for loading and unloading the waste plastics provided above said accommodating container, and a hot air generating part having a heater and a blower.

Abstract: A method for making a flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of electronic components by an advancement mechanism is disclosed. The tape includes a strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism; and a plurality of aligned pockets for carrying the electronic components. The pockets are spaced along the strip portion and opening through the top surface. The device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism includes a plurality of hollow protuberances that are spaced equally along the strip portion, open through the strip portion, and extend outwardly from the strip portion. The protuberances are adapted to receive the advancement mechanism within the hollow portion. The method includes simultaneously thermoforming the pockets and the protuberances to provide excellent registration therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a composite article comprising an autoclave having a platen, a work tool located in the autoclave and supported by the platen, and a composite article on the work tool. The platen is heated to transfer heat from the platen to the work tool and from the work tool to the composite article to cure that article; and a heat conductive, flexible mat is positioned between the platen and the work tool to maintain a desired thermal conductivity between the platen and the work tool as the work tool is heated.

Abstract: A mechanism for forming a distal face of a fiber-optic core uses a motor to drive a lifter which has an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion. A first seat having a fiber-optic core-securing clamp provided thereon and a second seat having a heater are forced to move upward and downward, respectively, by the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion until the heater and core engage a mirror plate with a plurality of recesses provided therein. By virtue of moving the first seat and the second seat with the lifter, the heater heats the mirror plate and, after the first seat descends and engages the core with the mirror plate, a distal face of the fiber-optic core is formed as a male equivalent of the recesses of the mirror plate.

Abstract: Open-cell plastic foam sheets with smooth, closed surfaces are heated up to a predetermined temperature after extrusion, are thermoformed in a thermoforming unit with the aid of a vacuum on both sides and are thermoset. One of the two closed surface skins of the plastic foam sheet is perforated with the aid of needles 4 arranged movably in a mold block 11. The mold block 11 is a component part of a thermoforming unit 10 and, together with a further mold block 9, forms the mold of this thermoforming unit. The mold block 11 for the inner side 13 of a plastic foam sheet 16 comprises a male mold 1, a cooling plate 2, a vacuum plate 3, the movable needles 4, a needle plate 5, springs 6 for the return of the needle. plate and also diaphragms 7 and a mounting plate 8, which are held together by screws 30.

Abstract: A method for producing a pultrusion product having a variable cross-section using a specially adapted temperature controllable pultrusion die includes the steps of pulling reinforcing fibers which have been impregnated with a heat curable thermosetting polymeric resin composition through a temperature controllable die, heating the temperature controllable die to a temperature sufficient to effect curing of the thermosetting resin, cooling the temperature controllable die to a temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent any significant curing of thermosetting resin passing through the pultrusion die, pulling the cured material and a predetermined length of uncured material from the die, reshaping the uncured material, and curing the reshaped material. The reshaping step can be used to provide off-sets, flanges, bosses and the like.

Abstract: A heating mechanism for zipper forming machines includes a mold base, a support seat, a seat cover, a screw sleeve and a heating element. The support seat has a clearance at a central portion and a heat insulation pad is fitted into the clearance for dividing the support seat into a heating area and a cooling area. The heating element is disposed in the heating area and a cooling element is disposed at the cooling area for enhancing heat energy efficiencies and reducing noise.

Abstract: A vacuum forming process is provided for molding a thin sheet of thermoformable plastic into an accurate three-dimensional relief reproduction of an original artwork. The sheet of plastic has printed on one side thereof a permanent image of the original artwork.

Abstract: An apparatus, for making a lens from thermoplastic material in the form of a monolithic preform mass, having a press; and a pair of lens molds positioned in said press. The monolithic preform mass has at least one or more radii and is disposed between the lens molds such that said one or more radii make point or line contact with said lens molds. Means are provided for closing the pair of lens molds, and pressing the molds toward each other and against said preform mass to a predetermined pressure; and for heating up the molds until the preform mass begins to soften with the predetermined pressure varying slightly therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for plug-assisted thermoforming of a cup or other hollow article has a concave well or cone region machined into its top with a series of small holes drilled near the deepest part of the well and connected to a port inside the plug which is connected to a specifically sized manifold system. The manifold has a source for positive (pneumatic) and negative (vacuum) pressure air. During the machine cycle, a vacuum is introduced into the plug, which draws the hot plastic sheet into the plug well to stretch it. The vacuum is replaced by compressed air to transfer the pre-stretched sheet into a mold. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug is shaped to provide stretching in both the central well and in peripheral regions concentric with the well. Controlled air pressure in the mold may be used to provide the concentric prestretching.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a differential temperature vacuum forming tool having differentially heated sections. In a specific application, vacuum formed plastic buttons with indicia thereon are produced without distortion of the print indicia. The vacuum forming tool accepts a printed plastic overlay for shaping; and the shaped printed plastic overlay can be used to produce back-lit buttons.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for forming glass articles from molten glass involving differentially cooling a plunger for press forming glass articles in a cooperative forming mold. More specifically, the method involves introducing cooling fluid into an inlet cooling cavity located in the upper portion of the plunger and causing the cooling fluid to flow from the inlet cooling cavity into a cooling passage located along the periphery of the nose portion and thereafter to flow into a outlet cooling cavity located in the upper portion of the plunger and thereafter exhausting the spent cooling fluid from the plunger.

Abstract: A post mold curing apparatus for use in association with a molding line system for providing plastic encapsulated semiconductor chips mounted on leadframes is disclosed which includes a leadframe carrier having a rotary, substantially cylindrical shaped assembly for containing and moving a plurality of semiconductor chips and their associated leadframe strips into both an elevated temperature post mold curing region and into a lower temperature cool-down region. Each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are sequentially inserted into cavity regions located in the cylindrical assembly to assist in moving each of the plurality of leadframe strips through the elevated temperature post mold curing region, and subsequently, each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are removed from the cavity regions after passing through the lower temperature cool-down region.

Abstract: A four-station rotary thermoformer has a rotary carriage which transports a sheet of thermoplastic material clamped on a subframe through a load/unload station; a heating station; a forming station where the sheet is molded; and a cooling station removed from the mold where the part is cooled on the subframe. The molded sheet is cooled in a cavity which has a lower portion mounted on a lift which travels vertically to engage against an upper portion and enclose the sheet for cooling. A multiplicity of air vents discharge cooling air into the cavity. Cooling air leaves the cavity through recirculation duct. The supply of air within the cooling cavity results in a uniform current of air against the article's surface, thus providing uniform cooling. A programmable controller controls the supply of cooling air and receives input from an infrared sensor which detects the temperature of the thermoformed article and also receives information from a sensor of the cooling air temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an ovenable shaped article of polyethylene terephthalate wherein the polyethylene terephthalate is heated to a temperature in which it is in a thermoformable plastic state, formed as a sheet, locally cooled to form a skin on the surface of the sheet whale maintaining the sheet as a whole in the thermoformable plastic state and vacuum forming the shaped article within cavities on a rotating drum. The cavities are additionally provided with controlled heaters to heat the shaped article to impart thereto a degree of crystallinity of at least about 20% and the sheet is laterally and longitudinally tensioned after removal from the drum to prevent distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for widening a foam sheet S obtained immediately after heating and foaming a foam sheet which has not been yet widened, while the foam sheet S is continuously received or supplied. The sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises: a pair of chains 2 constructed in the form of endless chains composed of links 22 having pin parts 21 and a driving device 3 meshing with these chains 2 and driving the chains 2 along such loci as to widen the space between the chains 2 from sheet receiving start points to sheet receiving end points. A method for widening a foam sheet by the sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises the steps of piercing both the side parts of the foam sheet S with the pins 21 at the sheet receiving start points; widening the space of width between the pins 21 along gently curved loci by drying the chains 2 while the pins 21 penetrating the foam sheet; and receiving the foam sheet S from the sheet receiving start points to the sheet receiving end points while the foam sheet is widened.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for press forming a sheet blank (5) of the type including a die formed by a pad (2) composed of an elastic material disposed in a retaining box (1), a lower blank holder (3) which rests on the upper part of the box (1) and on which the sheet blank (5) rests, structure for preforming the sheet blank (5) constituted by an outer slide (6) carrying an upper blank holder (6a), structure for forming the sheet blank (5) constituted by a central slide acting on a plunger (7) and, in the region of heating zones of the elastic pad (2), structure (20) for regulating the temperature of the elastic pad (2) in the course of the press forming of the sheet blank (5).

Abstract: A bending process including both preliminary and following steps takes place in one apparatus. A plastic pipe (6) is heated to a temperature in which it can be plastically deformed. The heated pipe is thereafter shoved into a pipe-shaped bending channel (27) of a bending tool, with the bending tool comprising two dies (9,10), each respectively defining a groove (14,13) which together form the bending channel. Finally, a cooling agent is allowed to flow through the bent pipe which is still in the bending tool. The thusly cooled pipe is removed from the bending tool after the dies are separated from one another. The apparatus to bend the plastic pipe comprises heating, bending, and cooling stations (1,2,3). The heating station comprises two heating fixtures, and the cooling station comprises a supply line (21,22) with a coupling joint (20) which can be coupled to an end of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and/or decurling a strip of photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers and a drum. A belt is wrapped about the plurality of rollers and are positioned such that the belt forms a receiving pocket for holding and retaining the drum and for rotating the drum about its axis. At least one of the plurality of rollers being connected to a drive mechanism so as to move the belt about the rollers so as to cause the drum to rotate about its axis of rotation. The belt is in direct contact with the outer surface of the drum for a predetermined distance about the circumference of the drum forming a first film path. The first film path has an entrance for receiving film and an exit for allowing film to leave the film path. A heater may be provided which is associated with the heating drum for heating the drum to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An internal cooling air supply assembly has a lower annular member mountable on an annular die so as to be within extruded tubular plastic film as the film leaves the die. An intermediate annular member is positionable above the lower annular member with an air removal chimney extending upwardly therethrough, the intermediate annular member forming a first chamber with the lower annular member and having an annular lower edge spaced from and co-operating with an annular upper edge of the lower annular member to form a first cooling air outlet from the first chamber. The intermediate annular member has a transfer passage for transferring cooling air from the first chamber to the interior of the intermediate annular member.

Abstract: A method, process and apparatus for generating complex shapes without the use of dies, molds, or other fixed tooling. A continuous length or flow of a malleable or fluent material is provided to a forming apparatus which shapes the material, producing a contiguous series of smoothly blended, properly contoured portions of the desired shape. The formation of a shape relies on continuous control of shape-determining variables: the instantaneous cross-section of the shape in a virtual transition surface between the formable and formed material, the rate-of-change of cross-sectional dimensions between sequential cross-sections, the instantaneous angle of movement of the material at any point on the cross-section in the transition surface, and the rate of movement away from the transition surface of the just-stabilized portion of the shape. The material is stabilized as these shape-determining variables achieve the proper values in each portion of the material.

Abstract: A mold apparatus has a plurality of sets of mold block parts which move to and from a product forming mold tunnel along the apparatus. Each set of mold block parts has at least one liquid receiving channel and a liquid supply is provided for supplying cooling liquid to the channel. The ends of the channel are open for feeding the cooling liquid into one end and draining the cooling liquid from the other end of the channel when the set of mold block parts is in the mold tunnel and seals are provided to prevent leakage of any cooling liquid trapped in the channel when the mold block parts are away from the mold tunnel.

Abstract: A process for producing a formed article by heating a thermoplastic resin sheet and then thermoforming a part to be formed involves heating the part to be formed by placing in contact with a heating plate while at least a part of a non-formed part of the thermoplastic resin sheet is not heated by placing in contact with the heating plate, and then heating the part to be formed and at least a part of the non-formed part by placing them in a non-contact state with a heating means is disclosed.

Abstract: A roll with an axially extending core having a central portion and two end portions. A shell member that has a central portion and two distal end portions surrounds the core and is attached to the core at their respective central portions such that the distal end portions of the shell member are unsupported to enable them to deflect in relation to the adjacent end portions of the core. The core has a duct therein that communicates with at least one substantially annular passageway provided in the shell member for permitting a temperature controlling fluid medium to flow to the passageway from a source that is attached to the duct.

Abstract: A device for melting matter by immersion in a heated vat which includes a basket articulated with respect to a base containing the vat. The basket is resiliently urged upwardly from the vat as a lid covering the basket is raised and members are provided for retaining the basket in its raised position, wherein the basket obstructs access to the vat.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite tows of uniform width comprises a tow tensioner mechanism which carries a reel having a length of tow of non-uniform width, a tow sizing unit, a drive roller unit and a tow winding device. A single tow is fed from the tensioner mechanism to the tow sizing unit where the side-to-side or width dimension of the tow is sized, and then the sized tow is transmitted through the drive roller unit to the tow winding device which winds the sized tow onto a reel. The tow sizing unit includes a rotatable sizing wheel having a circumferential flanged groove, and a presser roller, which cooperate to confine the tow on all four sides, i.e., top, bottom and opposed side edges, as the tow is pressed therebetween to form a finished, sized tow having a substantially uniform width.

Abstract: A tipping device and processing for medical catheters, the device including a pneumatic mechanism, two fixtures controlled by the pneumatic mechanism to hold two opposite ends of the catheter, a nozzle controlled to heat or cool down the catheter, and hydraulic cylinder controlled to pull the catheter during the heating. When the front part of the catheter is heated and pulled, the outer diameter of the front part of the catheter is gradually reduced toward the middle, then the catheter is cooled down and removed from the device and then cut into a tapered tip.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoformed article having a first portion with a first wall thickness, and a second portion with a second wall thickness, the first portion having a thicker wall thickness than the second portion, the process including selectively cooling the first portion during a thermoforming cycle so that thermoformable material from the first portion is prevented from migrating to the second portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus and a novel method for manufacturing an endless rubber track for large vehicles such as tractors or earth-moving machines. A plurality of sprocket-engaging core bar inserts are disposed in the inner portion or inner diameter of the endless rubber track to engage the power drive mechanism of the vehicle. Rubber tread is disposed on the outer portion or external diameter of the rubber track. Although the rubber track is made in segments, it is completely vulcanized, and does not have discontinuous, unvulcanized regions between vulcanized segments. Rubber track is formed using at least two different mold assemblies. In the first mold assembly, the interior and exterior portions of the rubber track are molded onto a green belt to form a first segment, and a central portion of the segment is vulcanized.

Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a press (10) with a top mold (12) and a bottom mold (14). The top mold (12) has a die (32) with a contoured die surface (34) and gas passages (36). The bottom mold (14) has a die 44 with a contoured die surface (46). The die (44) is made from either a solid piece of material with gas passages or from a porous material. During operation of the molding apparatus, a workpiece (26) is placed in a mold cavity between the top mold and the bottom mold. The mold cavity (24) is closed to shape the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by hot gas supplied by a gas supply and recirculation system (52) when the diverter valves (68 and 70) are opened and gas flows from gas circulation fan 56 to the gas heater chamber (54) to the bottom mold (14), through the die 44, through the workpiece (26), through the die 32 and back to the inlet side of the gas circulation fan (56).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending plastic pipes in which a plastic pipe section is heated at the bending point. The feature of the invention is that the pipe section (4) is first heated in a water bath at about 80.degree. C. and then laid around one or more bending plates (3), depending on the desired shape, whereupon the bending plates are subjected to a heat source (5), for example a hot air blower, and partially heated, depending on the pipe material used, to a maximum of 160.degree. C. for 10 to 15 seconds, whereafter the pipe section is subjected to a first cooling process from inside of the pipe using cold compressed air for 10 to 15 seconds. The pipe section is then placed in a cold water bath.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacturing of plastic pipes has half shells of which two at a time combine as a pair to form a mold. It is provided with a temperature-regulating bell. Supply lines are formed as flexible supply hoses of temperature-resistant plastic material. A line conduit accommodating them is provided with a protecting tube, which accommodates the supply hoses and which is provided with a heat insulation towards an injection head.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for molding and curing a curable composite patch used for repairing damaged contoured surface structures. The molding apparatus has a fluid impermeable outer container having a flexible outer wall. A flexible, fluid impermeable inner container containing a moldable granular material is positioned within the outer container and has a flexible molding wall on which the composite patch can be placed. Inner and outer ports are located on the inner and outer containers for evacuating the inner and outer containers. A model of an undamaged surface is formed by positioning the molding wall of the inner container against an unaffected surface and evacuating the inner container so that the granular material is rigidly held in a molded form. The patch is placed on the molding wall and the outer container is sealed with the outer wall positioned over the patch and molding of the inner container.