Abstract: A method for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine used in the method is a single apparatus having an indexing device with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The method involves advancing sleeves around the closed manufacturing path to form tubes from the sleeves.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a cylindrical object such as a paint roller cover. The apparatus includes a shuttle and a rotatable shaft on the shuttle. The rotatable shaft includes two ends, with one end accepting a paint roller cover and with the other end being toothed for engagement with a gear rack. As the rotatable shaft is drawn in one direction by the shuttle, the toothed end engages the gear rack and rotates the rotatable shaft, thereby also rotating the paint roller cover. As the paint roller cover rotates, it is drawn by the shuttle over a die transfer plate having a design formed therein, and such design is transferred to the paint roller cover. The die transfer plate is heated to the desired temperature, and the speed of the shuttle is controllable so that time and temperature is controlled. Another controlled parameter is pressure. A method for embossing cylindrical objects is also disclosed.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel so the sleeve has an exposed portion. While rotating the forming mandrel which holds the sleeve, the inner surface of the exposed portion of the sleeve is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the sleeve. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, the rotation of the mandrel is stopped and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve.

Abstract: A feed roller mechanism for a lip rolling machine for thermoformed containers, in which simultaneous adjustment of both the roller feed angle and the trim diameter are each carried out using separate systems of slides and linkages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of agglomerates of a sterically hindered phenol antioxidant such that the agglomerates have a balanced hardness so as to resist abrasion during conveyance yet being readily dispersed in a host plastic. Such novel agglomerates are achieved through the use of a processing aid consisting of a solvent selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, chloroform, toluene, acetone, methylethylketone, xylene, cyclohexane, styrene, methylcyclohexane and hexane having at least one gram of antioxidant dissolved therein per 100 mL of solvent and from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and thereafter using the resulting solution of solvent, alcohol, and antioxidant to form a paste of additional portions of the antioxidant which is thereafter agglomerated and dried.

Abstract: An improved former assembly which can be used in the manufacture of plastic pipe with the former assembly comprising a plastic pipe former assembly having a housing, a center tube supported on the housing, and a plurality of rollers oriented about the center tube, with the improvement comprising a plurality of universal joint assemblies each having a first end and a second end, each of the first ends being connected to the housing and each of the second ends being connected to one of the rollers.

Abstract: A high speed plastic-forming process forms a curved wall section with a compound radius along the outer edge of a sheet of plastic foam material. The process includes first die cutting the flat sheet material to a shape having an initial edge curvature, followed by securing the die cut piece to a carousel which passes the curved outer edge section of sheet material past heaters that controllably heat the top and bottom surfaces of the moving curved edge section. The carousel then passes the pre-heated edge section into contact with an elongated stationary curved forming shoe along the outer edge of the carousel to progressively bend the pre-heated section into a curved wall section of compound radius. The carousel then passes the formed wall section into contact with an elongated stationary curved cooling rail extending around most of the outer edge of the carousel downstream from the forming shoe.

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 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 topsheet for use in body fluid absorptive articles is so improved that collapse and clogging of liquid passages therein may be reliably avoided. The topsheet includes an upper sheet, provided with skin-contacting areas and liquid passages, and a lower sheet provided with skin-non-contacting areas, areas welded to the liquid passages, and exposed areas. The exposed areas are welded to each of the liquid passages around lower openings thereof so as to protect the liquid passage against collapse and clogging. The exposed areas define a skin-contacting surface which rises up into each of the liquid passages without extending above the upper surface of the skin-contacting areas. The upper sheet cooperates with the lower sheet to define cavities extending in the direction of the topsheet thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member. The apparatus includes first and second members. The first member is capable of holding the tubular member and has an external shoulder beyond which the first end of the tubular member extends a set amount. The second member is coaxially aligned with and is engageable with the first end of the tubular member. The second member includes a pilot which is sized to be inserted into the first end of the tubular member. The second member also includes a sleeve which surrounds the pilot and cooperates with the external shoulder when the second member engages the first end of the tubular member to form a curling chamber. The second member further includes a curling element positioned between the pilot and the sleeve which is capable of contacting the first end of the tubular member. The apparatus further includes means for rotating one of the members and means for moving the members into engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a rolled tab on a roll of plastic film including a trunion roller-type conveyor apparatus and a traction device having a tractional surface wherein a roll of plastic film contacts the traction device such that the leading edge of the roll of plastic film is grabbed and rolled back to form a rolled tab for the roll of film when a roll of plastic film comes in rotational contact with the traction device.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a rolled tab on a roll of plastic film comprising a traction member or device such as an elongated support member adapted to be inserted in a parallel position between roller members of a trunion-type conveyor apparatus, said support member having a tractional surface for grabbing and rolling the leading edge of a roll of plastic film such that a rolled tab for the roll of film is formed when a roll of plastic film comes in rotational contact with the traction member.

Abstract: A vulcanizing apparatus including a cylindrical vulcanizing drum for winding and molding unvulcanized rubber belt materials thereover, the vulcanizing drum being removably and rotatably supported on a transfer mechanism. A pair of endless pressurizing bands are arranged to oppose each other with the vulcanizing drum between, the pressurizing bands arcuately surrounding and pressing the corresponding portions of the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum. While the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum is heated inside, and the respective pressurizing bands are opposingly pressed against the vulcanizing drum, the respective pressurizing bands are synchronously rotated so as to turn the vulcanizing drum and continuously vulcanize the unvulcanized rubber belt molding on the drum.

Abstract: A process for forming a rolled tab on a roll of plastic film including a traction member or device such as an elongated support member adapted to be inserted in a parallel position between roller members of a trunion-type conveyor apparatus, said support member having a tractional surface for grabbing and rolling the leading edge of a roll of plastic film such that a rolled tab for the roll of film is formed when a roll of plastic film comes in rotational contact with the traction member.

Abstract: In a first forming stage, the bottom portion of a mono-molded plastic syringe (a type wherein the whole portion, i.e., a main syringe body and a needle portion, is molded unitedly in a cast) is heated and then stretched to a certain length, forming the edge portion like a needle, while the syringe is intermittently moved. Then the sryinge is carried to a second forming stage, where the syringe is moved intermittently and the needle portion is heated, then it is bent at a certain angle and is cut in a certain length, forming a completed syringe.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a thin-walled tube of fluorinated resin, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene, in which a ribbon of fluorinated resin obtained by lubricated extrusion and calendaring, is wound into a tube on a mandrel, the winding of the ribbon being performed in a plurality of layers, and the thus-wound ribbon on the mandrel being brought to a temperature above the sintering temperature of the fluorinated resin for sufficient time to produce sintering. The wound tube and the mandrel are cooled; while on the mandrel the thin-walled tube is rolled to elongate the tube, to reduce the thickness of the tube, and to increase the inside diameter of the tube; and then the mandrel within the tube is extracted.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for rapidly laying up and curing thick complex shaped resin matrix composites connected to a rotatable and alterable male mold to wrap a plurality of continuous and intermittent layers of uncured laminate around the male mold when said mold is in a closed position; moving the male mold into a female mold and thereafter severing all layers on the male mold and articulate the male mold to an open position which shapes the upper regions of the composite and thereafter transferring the resin matrix composite to a female mold which shapes the composite in a desired configuration and thereafter heat cures the composite lay-up while being subjected to a vacuum. A second embodiment of the invention uses a non-rotatable male mold.

Abstract: An apparatus engages pre-cut lengths of heated thermoplastic pipe against a pair of eccentric wiper arms bending the pipes into elbows. The eccentric wiper arms have an eccentric portion and a constant radius portion. A bending form has an arcuate die adapted to hold a pre-cut length of pipe. Four such bending forms are radially connected to a rotation shaft which is journalled at each end to a support frame. A continuous supply of pre-cut lengths of pipe are transported through a heating chamber by a set of endless chains. Each pipe is then transferred to a bending form which is rotated by the shaft so that the cold end portions of each pipe engages the spaced apart and substantially parallel eccentric wiper arms. The wiper arms urge the end portion of each pipe length slightly beyond the outer edges of each arcuate die to compensate for the effect cooling has on each pipe length. Once the pipe is bent, the rotation of the bending form causes the pipe to drop into a tank of water.

Abstract: Process of manufacturing a cryogenic regenerator including a plurality of channels for conducting a working fluid, including the steps of providing a cylindrical forming member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of peripheral slots displaced axially and oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical forming member, or having a continuous spiral peripheral slot of sufficiently small pitch such that the convolutions thereof are oriented substantially parallel to such longitudinal axis; providing epoxy which is relatively flexible upon hardening, loading the epoxy with thermally conductive material for enhancing the radial thermal conductivity of the cryogenic regenerator, and applying the epoxy to the periphery of the cylindrical forming member to fill the plurality of slots or the spiral peripheral slot with the epoxy and to form a radial layer of the epoxy of a generally first radial thickness allowing the epoxy to harden and thereafter reducing the radial thickness of the

Abstract: An apparatus for making a dental root canal filling point is provided, wherein provision is made of a rotary member having its outer processing surface in the form of a curved plane in parallel with its axial direction and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined speed and a moving member in which at least its processing surface is located in parallel with the processing surface of the rotary member and adapted to move at a speed substantially identical with a peripheral speed of the rotary member in the same direction as the rotational direction of the rotary member in a gap portion in which a minimum distance is defined between the processing surfaces of the rotary member and moving member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes a hollow rotatable drum having a plurality of filter rod receiving channels formed in its outer peripheral surface for receiving filter rods to be grooved. The device includes filter rod indexing devices which engage the filter rods in the receiving channels. As the drum rotates about its central axis, the filter rod indexing devices are individually and selectively activated to incrementally rotate selected filter rods about their longitudinal axes through an angle corresponding to the angular spacing between adjacent grooves to be formed in the peripheral surface of the filter rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a resin tube comprising: (a) a support means; (b) a central support by the support means and extending therefrom; (c) a pair of operating means supported by the central shaft at two separate positions; (d) a plurality of rotatable forming rolls each supported by the operating means at both ends thereof in such a manner that the rotatable forming rolls are arranged circularly around the central shaft and that a cylindrical envelope formed by the rotatable forming rolls has a radius changeable by operation of the operating means; and (e) a plurality of flexible link means each connected between one end of each rotatable forming roll and a driving means for simultaneously rotating the rotatable forming rolls in the same direction at any radius of the envelope. Because of this structure, the apparatus can manufacture a resin tube of any size simply by operating the operating means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rolling dough including rotatable support disc in cooperation with a rotatable obtuse conical roller, means being provided to hold the conical roll spaced above the disc and thereby determine the thickness of the rolled product.

Abstract: A three piece die is provided for making an access-hole frame and includes a bottom die piece and two top pieces that are bolted together to form an integral top die piece that fits over the bottom die piece. The access-hole frame is formed using the three-piece die by placing the three-piece die in stages upon rotatable table and spraying the nonmetal moldable material onto the rotating bottom and top die pieces. The access-hole frame so produced may be used for the construction of a spherical tank made of nonmetal moldable material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus adapted for use on a conveyor line to form a rolled tab in the tail end portion of a roll of plastic film wound on a core. The tail end portion initially extends around the surface of the roll to which the tail end portion adheres and terminates at a tail edge. The apparatus includes a bucket which is connected to the conveyor line for movement thereon and has a floor and wall extending therefrom. The floor of the bucket has a tractional surface supporting the roll and the wall has a substantially frictionless surface pushing the roll in the direction of the conveyor line. The apparatus further includes a drive, extending in stationary position substantially parallel to the conveyor line and having a resilient tractional surface being compressed into rotational contact with the roll, for rotating the roll.

Abstract: To produce a pipe in a centrifugal molding process in a rotating mold, axially parallel oriented fibers are fed in parallel to the axis of the mold, decelerated in the mold, and accelerated, without a change in their orientation, transversely to their feeding direction. A device for performing this process comprises a chamber (3) which can be introduced into a rotating mold (14) and has an outlet opening (10) for cut fibers. In the chamber (3), a rotatable vane (5) is provided which is connected a disk (9) oriented transversely to the axis of rotation (8) of the vane, this disk lying in opposition to the feed conduit (1) for fiber material (2) terminating in the chamber (3). The surfaces of the vane are parallel to its axis of rotation, and so the orientation of the fibers parallel to that axis is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the positive drawing to great lengths of lumps of dough already pre-lengthened. This device is inserted between the shaper-lengthener and the chute in the automatic sequence of the different phases of treatment of an industrial manufacturing line for long loaves.This device is characterized by having a turning group formed of a drive shaft driving in rotation, two series of discs diverging either side of the median plane and whose volume determines a drum, this turning group being subject to a continuous movement of rotation, and taking in the pre-lengthened lumps of dough and giving them back drawn after a trajectory of approximately a semicircle across a partial annular space making them roll against a fixed shell.The invention concerns installations for the automatic shaping of long loaves.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending flat thermoplastic laminates into structural shapes such as angles, channels, Z sections, J sections and I sections. In order to bend the laminate into the desired shape by appropriate tooling, heat is applied in a localized manner only to the area that is to be bent. The application of heat is sufficient to heat the laminate to its softening temperature in the bend area, and the plies of the laminate can thus slip in the bend area only as bending force is applied so that the bend can be made without the need to heat the entire laminate to the softening temperature.

Abstract: Increasing the wall strength of a cup having a closed cell foam wall and a solid plastic coating on at least the outer surface thereof by contacting said surface of the cup with a heated mandrel. Apparatus is also shown.

Abstract: A method of sizing thermoplastic foamed cigarette filter rods and apparatus therefore. The apparatus comprises a rotating drum member having a plurality of stationary heated block members mounted about the periphery thereof. The block members are positioned such that a specific gap is created through which the thermoplastic polymeric filter rods are rolled and compressed to a uniform circumference.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing croquettes from a source of elastic food mass continuously discharged from a nozzle assembly having a reciprocating chopper controlled by sensors for severing the mass into croquettes, a plurality of conveyors for moving said croquettes through tunnel assemblies for compressing said croquettes into a desired shape and a shaker assembly for breading said croquettes and providing a frictional means for rolling said croquettes through said tunnels.

Abstract: A rotatable mandrel for making cylindrical molded articles has a plurality of aligned identical and collapsible cylindrical mandrel sections supported upon a cantilevered shaft, the cylindrical sections having a truss supported relatively thin exterior wall and retractable segment to permit circumferential contraction of the wall, the composite segmental cylindrical segment being supported by a central cantilevered rotatable shaft in turn supported by a rotatable bearing assembly on a vertical support tower, the collapsible contraction of the composite cylindrical mandrel being controlled by internally mounted power units connected to the retractable segment and the other portions of the cylindrical mandrel sections.

Abstract: In the packaging field certain types of packages are manufactured from pre-shaped, cylindrical casings made from a heat-shrinkable laminate. The casings are formed by winding a material sheet around a mandrel and subsequent sealing together of the overlapping ends of the sheet. However, because of the stiffness of the material the leading end of the sheet protrudes tangentially from the mandrel during the winding and prevents an accurate adaptation of the material sheet to the surface of the mandrel.According to the method and arrangement of this invention this disadvantage is avoided in that the leading end of the sheet is pre-heated on the side facing the mandrel to such a degree, that the shrinking is initialled. The shrinking of one side only results in that the leading end of the material sheet is given a curved shape with a radius that coincides with the radius of the mandrel, and consequently the leading end is no longer an obstacle to the winding.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine having a plurality of stations arranged in a circle, i.e., a charging station for insertion of a plate or sheet of thermoplastic material, a heating station, a forming station and a discharging station for the finished part (which discharging station may be the same as the charging station) and a like plurality of clamping frames for the thermoplastic material which frames can be pivoted from station to station, and with the forming station being provided with a height adjustable mold table for accommodating a deep drawing mold and a height adjustable blow box. To raise and lower the mold table, a pair of hydraulic cylinders are symetrically arranged on the respective sides of the mold table with the cylinders being essentially vertical in the interior of the blow box. Each of the cylinders and its associated piston rod is connected between a stationary support plate for the mold table and the mold table.

Abstract: An improved seal is provided at the entrance of a de-airing chamber, which removes air from abrasive particulate matter as it is fed to an auger that forces the same though an extruder die to form an extrusion. The seal includes a sealing die whose wall is coaxial to the travel direction of the particulate matter entering the chamber and a sealing core that has flights for directly forcing the particulate matter through the die into the chamber while the particulate matter cooperates with the sealing die and sealing core to block the escape of vacuum from such chamber. Steam or other lubricant may be injected into the particulate matter at or upstream of the seal to facilitate the flow of particulate matter through the seal. Fluid, such as steam, also may be injected directly into the particulate matter at the pug mill as an additional lubricant and/or as an activator to enhance the binding characteristics of a binder material combined with the particulate matter.

Abstract: The circumferential wall of a round soap bar is polished by pressing a pair of polishing cloths against substantially diametrically opposite portions of said circumferential wall and rotating the soap bar.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a container or like product having an end face and a tubular skirt extending from it. The container or like is made from a length of tubular thermoplastic material. This length is sleeved over a mandrel, with one end portion projecting from it. This end portion is heated to soften it, constricted inwardly and then moulded between the end of the mandrel and a presser cap. The end face may have a central hole or nozzle formed by moulding around a stem projecting from the end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A bread dough rounder bar for use with conventional dough dividing equipment to convert a dough piece into a rounded dough ball which may be subsequently processed into a bread bun or roll or the like. The rounder bar includes a work surface which varies in cross-section between an entrance section, a compression section and a rounding section.