Abstract: Provided is a continuously operating pressing machine for the manufacture of biodegradable plates made from plant parts. The machine particularly relates to the continuous preparation of articles such as cups as cups, saucers, plates etc. from plant parts such as leaves/sheaths. The articles thus prepared are useful for various purposes, particularly for serving food or holding food particles.

Abstract: A process for injection-foaming a thermoplastic resin by using an injection molding machine with a two-stage-compression screw, injecting a physical foaming agent into the cylinder of the machine at a pressure lower than the storage pressure of the physical foaming agent, mixing it with a melted resin and expanding the volume of the cavity of the mold at the time of injection, and an injection molding machine and resin composition suitable therefore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a template in order to attenuate if not prevent distortions in an underlying pattern formed by the template. To that end, the system features a compression device that includes a pair of spaced-apart contact members to compress a perimeter surface of the template between the pair of spaced-apart contact members. The compression device includes first and second bodies, each has a contact member and an actuator arm. One of the actuator arms is coupled to the first body to reciprocate about an axis in response to variations of a volume of a bladder disposed adjacent to the actuator arm. In this manner, the distance between the two contact members may be varied.

Abstract: A transfer arm holds a plurality of preforms arranged in a single line and simultaneously drops and supplies the preforms downward. A positioning arm has a pair of arm split members split in its widthwise direction. The arm split members have positioning surfaces formed on their contact surfaces to be brought into contact with outer peripheries of the preforms. After the preforms are dropped and supplied from the transfer arm, the arm split members of the positioning arm are opened and closed so that the positioning surfaces are brought into contact with the outer peripheries of the preforms. Thus, the performs are properly positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing imprint lithography especially useful in creating patterns with ultrafine features on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a substrate having moldable surface carried on a first block, a mold having a molding surface carried on a second block, positioners for moving the first and second blocks relative to each other, a sensor of the relative positions of the blocks and a controller for controlling the relative positions of the blocks.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of forming articles includes a press having a pair of opposite platens. An articulated clamping frame is mounted between the platens, each of which are moveable toward and away from the clamping frame. Material to be formed is clamped into the clamping frames and the articulated clamping frame is wrapped around the die as the die forms the material. The formed article is extracted from the die by moving the clamping frame away from the die.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a resin material to an injection molder comprises a vessel for storing a resin material, gas supplying means for supplying an inert gas to the vessel which is not a super-critical state, and material supplying means for supplying the resin material from the vessel to an injection molder.

Abstract: A disk production apparatus has a movable-side metal mold and a fixed-side metal mold provided as facing the movable-side metal mold, the fixed-side metal mold having a center hole. Inserted into the center hole is a retainer to attach a stamper on the fixed-side metal mold. The center of an inner diameter of the retainer and the center of an outer diameter of the retainer are eccentric with each other. The retainer may be inserted into a center hole of the movable-side metal mold for attaching the stamper on the movable-side metal mold. A disk has a substrate having a center hole; a first zone formed on the substrate, data being recorded on the first zone; and a second zone formed on the substrate but outside the first zone. Labeled on the second zone is a marker indicating an amount of eccentricity applied to the retainer used in production of the disk by injection molding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a picking-up device and assembly for making a part made of a reinforced plastics material in a mold. The picking-up device includes at least one presser having a shaped front face and first needles mounted to have end portions that project beyond the front face in one position and retract so as to be set back from the front face in a second position. The picking-up device may have a base mounted to move relative to the picking-up device. A production line may be formed from use of two picking-up devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incorporating an additive material into a fibrous web to be bonded into an elongated porous element by heating the fibers in a confined forming die with a heating medium adapted to bond the fibers to each other at spaced points of contact. An additive material is admixed with the heating medium and then the web of fibers is contacted with the heating medium/additive material mixture whereby the heating medium simultaneously carries the additive material into the fibrous web and heats the fibers to bond them into the porous element. The apparatus includes an adjustable venturi assembly through which the heating medium passes to create a pressure gradient adapted to aspirate a quantity of additive material and entrain a metered quantity of same in the heating medium.

Abstract: A device for shape-forming at least one recess in a film-type material features a die with at least one opening, at least one shaping stem that can be introduced into the opening to create the recess by shape-forming, and a clamping facility for holding the film-type material fast between the clamping facility and the die. Counter-stems which are displaceable at least within the die openings are situated in the die, whereby shape-forming regions of the shape forming stems and the counter-stems for clamping the film-shaped material are, at least in part, superimposed on each other.

Abstract: A disk production apparatus has a movable-side metal mold and a fixed-side metal mold provided as facing the movable-side metal mold, the fixed-side metal mold having a center hole. Inserted into the center hole is a retainer to attach a stamper on the fixed-side metal mold. The center of an inner diameter of the retainer and the center of an outer diameter of the retainer are eccentric with each other. The retainer may be inserted into a center hole of the movable-side metal mold for attaching the stamper on the movable-side metal mold. A disk has a substrate having a center hole; a first zone formed on the substrate, data being recorded on the first zone; and a second zone formed on the substrate but outside the first zone. Labeled on the second zone is a marker indicating an amount of eccentricity applied to the retainer used in production of the disk by injection molding.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.

Abstract: A device and method for forming tableware from biodegradable vegetable fibers includes a device for punching a sheet of vegetable fibers into a preset shape and forming final products from the vegetable fibers. The device and method include a humidifier for humidifying the vegetable fibers, a bender for bend-drawing the vegetable fiber into an intermediate article, a warm-air dryer for keeping and drying the intermediate article, a cool-air dryer for further drying and cooling the intermediate article into a finished article.

Abstract: A tablet rotary compression press for the manufacture of multi-layered tablets, comprising a rotationally driven rotor which has a die-plate with die-plate bores and top and bottom rams aligned towards the die-plate bores which are guided in ram guides of the rotor and are axially actuated by stationary control cams, an insertion device for a portion of the tablet-forming compacts which has two or more arms guided in a radially movable manner at the each end of which a compact is held and can be aligned towards a die-plate bore, wherein said rotor has circumferentially included thereon a support ring or support surfaces on which the compacts can be deposited in the positions approximately aligned towards the die-plate bores, the radial arms are disposed in the rotor, rotate therewith, and have radially movable gripping portions adapted to be radially moved to each other, and the rotor has provided therein a stationary guide with first and second guide cams the cam followers of which are interacted with by the

Abstract: A trim component (1) includes a substrate (2) and two different cover materials (3, 4), which are not spliced together but are independently adhesively bonded onto the substrate (2) by a hot-melt contact adhesion. The junction (7) is received in a valley (6) of the substrate that is pinched closed using a molding apparatus that includes a horizontally movable pinching stamp (13) which forms a pinching gap (16) relative to a protruding edge (11A) of a fixed mold tool (11). A tucking blade (22) cooperates with a counter-clamping blade (26) to clampingly hold and then press the substrate and junction of the cover sheets into the pinching gap. The tucking blade is then retracted while the pinching stamp pinches closed the pinching gap, to form a tightly closed valley in the substrate with the junction cleanly pinched therein.

Abstract: A resinous die for press-shaping a blank material into a desired configuration, which comprises a die member and a mating punch, both having respective shaping portions. Each shaping portion is formed of an epoxy resin layer provided at portions thereof where a relatively low surface pressure is applied, and a plurality of reinforcing pieces provided in an embedded fashion at portions thereof where a relatively high surface pressure is applied, for reinforcing the shaping portion. This arrangement imparts increased durability to the shaping portion and hence the die while keeping the cost of manufacture of the die to a minimum.

Abstract: A surface skin holding means in a lower mold for holding a folded part of a surface skin member includes a planar support frame and a support post for supporting it and prevents the folded part from a load by elevation of the support post with the elevation of an ejector plate. Also, when the support post moves upward to the uppermost position at the support frame, the support post is retained with a support-post retaining means including ball plungers to facilitate placing the surface skin member.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine utilizes two clamping frames to advance cut sheets through heating and forming stations, with the clamping frames returned via an overhead path above the oven in the heating station. Pneumatic cylinders arranged about the inner perimeter of the frames are operated to grip the sheet and release the sheets, which are pressurized and released via fluid connections established when the frames are lifted from a transfer bar structure at the loading and forming stations. The clamping frames have pivoted end sections which are engaged by extendible gear posts at the forming station to bend the clamped sheet into greater conformity with the tooling shape prior to forming.

Abstract: A disc of synthetic resin used for signal recording/reproduction by a head having floating slider, in which the disc substrate is deburred to removed defects in appearance and is improved in strength and quality, and the manufacturing apparatus for the disc substrate. The manufacturing apparatus includes a worktable for supporting the disc substrate in rotation, a positioning unit for positioning the disc substrate at a pre-set position on the worktable and a laser light source for illuminating the laser light on the disc substrate supported for rotation by the worktable. On the outer rim of the disc substrate is formed a raised portion not larger than 15 &mgr;m in height. The raised portion has a thickness larger than that of the outermost portion of the disc substrate.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a web clamp arrangement for thermoforming processes, the web clamp arrangement including: first and second web clamp assemblies to be disposed, respectively, at front and rear ends of a mold base to clamp a web of thermoforming material against a pressure box disposed above the mold base; each of the first and second web clamp assemblies including a normally horizontal clamp bar attached to two vertical rods, which rods force the clamp bar against a lower surface of the web to force the web against an edge of the pressure box; and the normally horizontal clamp bar being movably attached to distal ends of the vertical rods, such that vertical misalignment of the clamp bar during clamping of the web against the edge of the pressure box is accommodated by relative movement of the normally horizontal clamp bar and the distal ends of the vertical rods such as to prevent damage to the first and second web clamp assemblies.

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: A method of forming plastics which comprises the sequential steps of cutting a plastic piece from a sheet of plastic, heating both sides of the plastic piece by contact heating, molding the heated plastic piece into its end-shape by press-molding, and cooling the heated and molded plastic piece into its end shape by air cooling means. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic piece, which may be laminated on one or both of its sides, is heated by use of a heating press which compresses the plastic piece thereby preventing "wrinkling" or warping of either side of the plastic piece. Thereafter, in the preferred embodiment, the heated plastic piece is positioned in a press-molding mechanism which comprises specially made male-female dies. Preferably, the air cooling step of the method takes place during the latter part of the press-molding step whereby both steps are, at some period, occurring concurrently.

Abstract: A method by which to easily and inexpensively make a matched set of male and female embossing dies so that articles can be embossed in an arts and crafts environment. Upper and lower sheets of adhesive are applied to opposite faces of a substrate, and each adhesive layer is covered with a paper backing to form a sandwich with the substrate secured between the upper and lower sheets. A design to be embossed is then cut through the sandwich. A portion of the backing covering the upper adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a first die plate is bonded to the upper sheet. A different portion of the backing covering the lower adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a second die plate is bonded to the lower sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of pile-up lids, each of which comprises an upper wall (1) and an element (2) arranged around the perimeter of said upper wall (1) and which forms a lip (3) protruding above said upper wall (1), and skirt (4) extending below said upper wall (1). The apparatus is used for carrying out a process which includes bringing together in a synchronous manner external sector elements (9) and internal sector elements (10) in radially opposite directions so that, owing to the forced approach of the contact surfaces of the external and internal sector elements (9, 10) with said upper lip (3) of said lid interposed between them, a reeding pressure-moulding is obtained on both the inner and the outer surfaces of said upper lip (3), giving said lip (3) an outline to allow piling up on other similar lids.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine utilizes two clamping frames to advance cut sheets through heating and forming stations, with the clamping frames returned via an overhead path above the oven in the heating station. Pneumatic cylinders arranged about the inner perimeter of the frames are operated to grip the sheet and release the sheets, which are pressurized and released via fluid connections established when the frames are lifted from a transfer bar structure at the loading and forming stations. The clamping frames have pivoted end sections which are engaged by extendible gear posts at the forming station to bend the clamped sheet into greater conformity with the tooling shape prior to forming.

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: A thermoforming machine for thermoforming thermoplastic sheets wherein molding dies are used to apply pressure to a sheet to be thermoformed. A rectangular carriage carries a frame adapted to clamp the peripheral edge of a thermoforming thermoplastic sheet. One side of the frame that is positioned downstream of the carriage is adapted to open so as to have the carriage pass through the molding dies. The carriage is removed from the sheets so as to be pulled back upstream of the molding dies while the operation of the molding dies is carried out for the sheet. The fully pulled back carriage can be used for the following sheet.

Abstract: A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer in accordance with the present invention has an upper clamp ring for holding the upper opening end of a bladder, a lower clamp ring for holding the lower opening end of the bladder, a lower ring on the lower mold side supporting the lower clamp ring, a spacer installed to the lower ring and having a ventilating portion, and a center post elevating cylinder installed to the spacer. The extending portion of piston rod of the center post elevating cylinder is made a center post, the center post is inserted, in such a manner as to be movable vertically, into a through hole formed in the center of the lower ring and the lower clamp ring, and the upper clamp ring is fixed to the upper end portion of center post protruding upward from the through hole of the lower clamp ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for compression molding thermoplastic backed carpeting in deep draft molds wherein carpeting is precut into sheets, heated, positioned between the mold parts, clamped at selected locations around its periphery, differentially prestretched by tensioning actuators, compression molded, cooled and removed from the mold. Tensioning actuators draw the sheet material downwardly into the deep draft of the mold and further stretch the material in the region of shallow draft, uniformly thinning the material. Stretching of the material by the mold during the compression molding step is minimized in this method. Prestretching allows sheets to be precut to a smaller size than the mold for more efficient use of material and provides control of product thickness independent of mold draft.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article including: (a) projecting a sheet-holding member from a cavity face of a lower mold towards a cavity face of an upper mold, (b) placing a heated fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet on the sheet-holding member, (c) closing the upper and lower molds, (d) in the step of closing the upper and lower molds, putting the sheet-holding member into the lower mold before the cavity face of the upper mold contacts with the resin sheet, (e) maintaining the upper and lower molds in a closed state, and (f) opening the upper and lower molds and removing the molded article. A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article which has a good surface appearance and, if any, whose protrusions such as ribs and bosses are sufficiently filled with thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers, can be produced, without using an additional thermoplastic resin sheet and without repeating the molding process.

Abstract: A compression molding process for forming an article, preferably a preform or closure, is provided. The process includes the steps of forming thermoplastic resin into a precursor, wherein the precursor fits in a compression mold and has a shape for allowing the precursor to be supported in a predetermined or dimensionally preheld manner in a cavity of the compression mold prior to being compressed into a final shape, which shape is the shape of the compression mold; heating the precursor; and compression molding the precursor into the article while said precursor is heated. The step of forming may include the steps of extruding the resin into sheets; cutting discs from the sheets; and stacking the discs to form the precursors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a thermoplastic container-shaped intermediate or article having biaxially oriented side walls and a bottom having an unoriented portion surrounded by a biaxially oriented transparent portion. In the method, a sheet of thermoplastic at its orientation temperature is secured over the mouth of a forming tube. A plunger having a circumscribing sharp edged lip and a plunger follower sandwich the thermoplastic sheet and the plunger and plunger follower are driven into the forming tube while preventing the circumscribed portion of the thermoplastic from becoming oriented. Thereafter the thermoplastic is blow formed to yield a container-shaped intermediate. The final container is formed by heat shrinking the intermediate onto a male form having a predetermined size, shape and texture. The apparatus includes the forming tube, plunger, plunger follower and pressurized air for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.

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: A method of manufacturing three-dimensional parts using sheets of a thermoplastic resin high-performance fiber-reinforced composite material includes the steps of supplying the sheet of the high-performance resin-reinforced composite material which uses as a matrix a thermoplastic resin and in which reinforcing fiber is oriented, clamping an end portion of the sheet by a sheet clamping device, conveying the sheet to a heating/forming zone, heating the sheet to a predetermined temperature, clamping the sheet by upper and lower frames by driving cylinders, forming the three-dimensional part by operating a mold and thereby deep drawing the clamped sheet inwardly according to a stroke of the mold, and repeating the above-described series of steps continuously.

Abstract: A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. In one form the second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. In another form, the second portion comprises a second continuous flange portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional parts using sheets of a thermoplastic resin high-performance fiber-reinforced composite material. The apparatus includes a sheet clamping device for clamping an end portion of the sheet and conveying the sheet to a heating/forming zone, a heater for heating the sheet to a predetermined temperature, upper and lower frames driven by cylinders for clamping the sheet and a male mold member for forming the three-dimensional part by deep drawing the clamped sheet inwardly through a stroke of the mold member.

Abstract: Apparatus for the quality control of individual, one-piece receptacles, which are open at one end. The individual, one-piece receptacles are preferably aligned, in several groups, side by side, similarly with respect to their spatial orientation. The receptacles are turned over to a conveyor line where they pass through at least one testing station at which measurement results specific to each type of receptacle are obtained. The analysis of these results indicates the structural integrity and accuracy of shape of the respective receptacle. The receptacles, as a function of the receptacle-specific measurement results, are removed from the conveyor line if defective; and only the structurally integral and shape-accurate acceptable receptacles are stacked and further advanced as a stack.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a thermoforming machine in which successive sections of a thermoforming web are formed includes the steps of continuously feeding a thermoformable web of plastics material into the entry of the thermoforming machine from an exit support roll of a substantially horizontal run portion of a conveyor, the exit support roll being movable forwardly in the direction of movement of the web and rearwardly in the opposite direction so as to respectively extend and retract the length of the horizontal run portion of the conveyor with the web flow speed at which the web is deposited initially on the conveyor and with the movement of vertically opposed male and female forming tools which are part of the thermoforming machine and which are able to advance and retract horizontally respectively in and against the web movement direction and to move vertically perpendicular to their horizontal movement.

Abstract: A method of forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover comprising means for engaging portions of the sheet of material and forming pleats in predetermined portions of the sheet of material having a predetermined shape whereby the formed flower pot or flower pot cover has pleats in predetermined portions and of predetermined shapes.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic-backed carpet blank to a desired shape uses a minimum of work force and carpet material. The method utilizes a portable frame assembly having an open rack with yieldable holding clamps. The holding clamps are used to suspend a plastic-backed carpet blank in the rack. The frame assembly has a set of wheeled legs which allows it to be readily transported between work stations such as a heating zone and a molding zone. The yieldable holding clamps maintain the carpet under constant tension during the molding zone to result in a high quality molded carpet.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: A process for the production of shaped lined panels, of the type wherein the lining is positioned on a frame including a series of reference and adjusting pivots capable of being reversibly engaged by a pluality of corresponding reference holes provided on the lining. The process positions the pivots on the frame according to an arrangement which is a function of the arrangement of said plurality of holes in the covering and the shaped and correctly lined panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that engages a lid to a container by the formation of interlocking waves of lid material and container material. The interlocking waves are geometrically aligned relative to the interior of the container so as to maximize the burst strength of the container, and also to minimize the force required to peel the lid from the container. An unheated clamp head of the apparatus is used to clamp the lid structure immediately adjacent a heated seal head used to form the interlocking wave structure about the inside rim of the container, so as to prevent any melted portions of the container or lid from flowing to or toward the outside rim of the container, so as to prevent the formation of similar interlocking waves about the outside rim of the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of paperboard tray forming machines which typically consist of an upper and lower die which interlock to deform a paperboard blank. The invention is an arcuate yoke having a pair of legs to which locating stops and side guide plates are rigidly attached. The die is angled to the earth so that a blank deposited onto the die is gravity biased toward the locating stops. The yoke is vibratingly driven and the blank is vibrated into position on the lower die by contacting the locating stops and side guide plates and vibrating to the blank's lowest position on the die.

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing machine equipped with four kinds of hydraulic cylinders, lower end portions of a plurality of rods are made insertable into holes provided in a beam to transmit a pressing force generated by a pressurized hot medium to stoppers through the respective rods upon vulcanization of a tire. Upon completion of vulcanization of the tire, the stoppers are made to swing to lower the respective rods.

Abstract: A center mechanism for a tire mold comprising a mushroom-shaped bladder, a clamp ring for clamping a lower opening edge of the bladder, a post cylinder for extending and contracting a height of the bladder, a movable stopper for receiving a depressing force against the clamp ring which is generated by heating medium introduced into the bladder upon vulcanizing a tire, and a bladder elevator cylinder for elevating and lowering the clamp ring upon loading and unloading a tire.

Abstract: One method of forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes the steps of: (a) supporting a raw workpiece on a suspension tray; (b) moving a pair of relatively hot forming dies into position above the workpiece; (c) closing the hot forming dies against the workpiece to heat the workpiece and to form and shape the workpiece into the desired configuration; (d) opening the hot forming dies and removing the hot forming dies away from the workpiece; (e) moving a pair of relatively cold forming dies into position above and below the workpiece; (f) closing the cold forming dies against the workpiece to cool the workpiece while maintaining the workpiece in the desired configuration; and, (g) opening the cold forming dies and removing the finished workpiece form the suspension tray. Other methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a compression molding machine to secure the position of a mass of hardenable plastic compound from which a compression molded object can be produced by upper and lower mold halves which are driven so as to be movable relative to one another. In order to prevent undesirable displacement of the plastic compound mass during closing of the mold, the apparatus includes holding pins at the lower mold half. The holding pins project beyond the mold surface of the lower mold half during charging and also during part of the compression molding process. The height of the holding pins relative to the mold surface is dimensioned to be less than the thickness of the plastic compound mass in the region of the pins.