Abstract: A mould (1) for forming spacers made of medical bone cement is described, comprising a female half-shell (11), provided with a hemispheroidal concavity (13) and a male half-shell (12), provided with a hemispheroidal convexity (14) and insertable in the concavity (13), to define with it an internal space for forming the spacer which has an acetabular shape.

Abstract: In one example, a system for loading a build material powder supply container for 3D printing includes a dispenser to dispense a build material powder into a supply container, a device to measure a density of the build material powder in the supply container, a compactor to compact the build material powder in the supply container, and a controller operatively connected to the measuring device and the compactor. The controller is programmed to control the compactor to compact the build material powder in the supply container until a measured density reaches a threshold density.

Abstract: An extruder system for degassing a mixture, comprising a first extruder, a second extruder arranged downstream of the first extruder and a transfer zone formed between these extruders, characterized by a pressure regulating device which can regulate the pressure at the outlet of the first extruder.

Abstract: A dough press includes a handle and a press unit that includes a base seat, a lower press-plate and an upper press-plate. The base seat has a first recess sub-unit and a second recess sub-unit, each having at least one recess. A depth of the at least one recess of the second recess sub-unit is different from that of the at least one recess of the first recess sub-unit. The lower press-plate has an engaging sub-unit removably engaged with the at least one recess of a selected one of the first and second recess sub-units. The handle is pivotable relative to the base seat to drive pivot movement of the upper press-plate toward the lower press-plate, thereby compressing and flattening a dough.

Abstract: A method of controlling or adjusting release of an active ingredient from a dosage form comprising the active ingredient and a polysaccharide derivative has been found. The method comprises the steps of a) providing a composition comprising a polysaccharide derivative and a controlled amount of a liquid diluent, based on the dry weight of the polysaccharide derivative, b) subjecting the composition to a dry-grinding operation to provide a dry-ground polysaccharide derivative, and c) incorporating the dry-ground polysaccharide derivative and an active ingredient into a dosage form.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: A die for producing pressed, fiber-reinforced plastic components, as well as a method for producing the plastic component, and the plastic component itself. The plastic components comprising at least two structural parts which overlap one another a pressing direction such that the die comprises at least one upper die portion formed with a pressing unit for applying a pressing force in the pressing direction, and at least one lower die portion which cooperates with the upper die portion to form a cavity in which the plastic component is formed. A die insert is fitted in the die and can move by and with the upper die portion and is designed to transmit the pressing force to the at least one structural part of the plastic component which is overlapped by the other structural part of the plastic component in the pressing direction.

Abstract: A mold and method for making a hollow core concrete block. The mold has two opposing side walls; a bottom wall; a front wall; a top side with an opening through which the block can be removed from the mold; a cover, and a rear side through which liquid, such as concrete, can be poured into the mold. Extending from the two side walls are a pair of trunnions about which the mold is rotatable, such that when the mold is suspended by the trunnions and the mold is empty, gravity rotates the mold from a block-removal orientation in which the top side faces upwards to a mold-filling orientation in which the rear side faces upwards. The trunnions are also positioned such that when the mold is filled with the liquid, gravity rotates the mold from the mold-filling orientation to the block-removal orientation.

Abstract: [Problem] To suppress the deviation of a synthetic resin to be fed to a metal mold and to enable the to-be-compression-molded synthetic resin to be easily molded into a shape of a pre-molded article that is to be molded. [Means for Solution] A female mold 31 includes a moving rod 34 and female mold body 33 surrounding the moving rod 34, the female mold body 33 forming a cavity 33a that is opened upward, the moving rod 34 moving up and down between a normal position and an elevated position above the normal position, and when a synthetic resin 8 is to be fallen down from the a synthetic resin cutting/holding unit 14, the moving rod 34 moves to the elevated position so that the synthetic resin 8 falls down on the upper surface of the center member.

Abstract: An ice shaping device with upper and lower mold parts with a mold cavity, the upper mold part being configured to move toward the lower mold part by gravity. The mold parts are formed of a material capable of rapidly conducting heat and together having a mass such that, starting at room temperature, the mold parts possess sufficient transferable heat to melt away portions of an ice chunk blank in contact with the upper and lower mold parts, the upper mold part having sufficient mass to apply a significant amount of pressure, under the force of gravity, to portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts. One of the mold parts has a predetermined exterior periphery and the other of the mold parts has an extension configured to substantially surround and slidably receive the external periphery of the first mold part.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for forming and texturing a comestible product are provided. In one aspect a machine includes a product hopper adapted to receive comestible product, and a product forming and texturing assembly. The assembly includes a plate defining a product opening therein, and a texturing unit coupled to the plate and including a plurality of projections extending therefrom into the product opening to form indentations in comestible product positioned in the product opening The machine also includes a knock-out mechanism adapted to engage comestible product positioned in the product opening in order to dislodge the comestible product from the product opening. The assembly is moveable between a first position, in which comestible product is adapted to be introduced into the product opening from the product hopper, and a second position, in which the knock-out mechanism is adapted to engage the comestible product positioned in the product opening.

Abstract: Punch arrangement for a press, in particular a rotary press, comprising at least one press punch having a punch head, a tool region and a punch shank extending between the punch head and tool region, further comprising at least one punch guide having at least one guide bore in which the punch shank of the at least one press punch is guided in an axially movable manner and at least one variable length sealing sleeve at least partially surrounding the shank, which sealing sleeve is retained with its first end against the punch shank or against the tool region of the press punch, the sealing sleeve being retained with its second end against an inner wall of the guide bore, the second end of the sealing sleeve, with the punch shank located in the guide bore, being captured between the inner wall of the guide bore and the punch shank. The invention further relates to a press and a rotary press.

Abstract: A mold, for producing molded blocks with at least one lateral face which has a texture, comprises a mold lower part and at least one flexible belt, wherein the flexible belt surrounds at least one mold wall of the mold lower part that delimits a mold cavity of the mold lower part in order to act on the material for producing the molded block that is received in the mold cavity, to impress a texture on at least one of the lateral faces of the molded block, wherein the flexible belt is moveable relative to the mold lower part and is mounted in such a way that the flexible belt moves around the mold wall when the molded block is ejected from the mold cavity. The mold comprises an active auxiliary device by means of which a rolling resistance of the flexible belt can be varied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a lens molded in a cavity between posterior and anterior mold sections and adhered thereto. A post is configured to support a flange of the posterior section while the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin applied to an outer concave surface of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface rests on the post. A collar unit with gas channels presses against a flange of the anterior section while blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.

Abstract: A safety device for an apparatus for compression-moulding objects that includes a moulding carousel provided with a plurality of punches and with a plurality of corresponding moulding elements, each mould element being movable between a first position in which it does not interact with the respective punch and a second position in which it interacts with the respective punch to mould an object. Each punch is associated with an extracting device suitable for extracting from the respective punch a moulded object. The extracting device is driven by a cam track obtained in a fixed frame of the moulding carousel. The cam track includes a cam track portion that is movable between an operating position in which it interacts with the extracting device and a non-operating position in which it does not interact with the extracting device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate-molding apparatus. The substrate-molding apparatus includes a shell, a mold movably located in the shell, an upper pressing disc movably located in the mold, and a lower pressing disc movably located in the mold. The shell includes an internal space defined therein and two open ends in communication with the internal space. The mold includes an internal space defined therein. The upper pressing disc includes at least one cutout defined in the edge thereof. Powder is filled in the internal space of the mold. The powder is pressed and molded by the upper pressing disc driven by hydraulic pressure. The molded product is removed from the mold by hydraulic pressure. Thus, the removal of the molded product from the mold is easy and fast. The yield is high. Moreover, the substrate-molding apparatus can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: A die for producing pressed, fiber-reinforced plastic components, as well as a method for producing the plastic component, and the plastic component itself. The plastic components comprising at least two structural parts which overlap one another a pressing direction such that the die comprises at least one upper die portion formed with a pressing unit for applying a pressing force in the pressing direction, and at least one lower die portion which cooperates with the upper die portion to form a cavity in which the plastic component is formed. A die insert is fitted in the die and can move by and with the upper die portion and is designed to transmit the pressing force to the at least one structural part of the plastic component which is overlapped by the other structural part of the plastic component in the pressing direction.

Abstract: To provide a metal mold for forming a preform decreasing the hitting of metal molds at a portion where a slide insert metal mold and a cavity metal mold undergo the sliding yet maintaining the pressure. The metal mold (33) for forming the preform includes a slide insert metal mold (36) split into at least two for forming at least a nozzle portion of the preform, wherein a pressure is maintained by using a fitting portion which includes a preform-forming portion of the slide insert metal mold (36) coupled together from the split state and a cavity metal mold (34). Auxiliary fitting portions (40a, 40b) where the slide insert metal mold (36) and the cavity metal mold (34) undergo the sliding is formed at a position of not forming the preform separate from the fitting portion that includes the preform-forming portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press for pressing glue-coated wood chips for forming a beam having at least one substantially U-shaped cross-sectional portion. The press comprises a master tool (6), in which an elongate groove with parallel side surfaces is provided, and an elongate forming tool (7) which is vertically displaceable in the groove of the master tool. The side surface of the forming tool (7) and the groove (9) are located at a distance from another for forming a gap (10) between them and comprise each at least one carrier surface (11, 12) which is oriented in the pressing direction of the forming tool, a forming insert (13) which during pressing of the glue-coated wood chips, will move with the carrier surface (11) of the forming tool and contribute to pressing together the wood chips. During retraction of the forming tool, the forming inserts will be obstructed by the carrier surface (12) of the master tool, thereby disengaging the beam from the forming tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a lens moulded in a cavity between posterior (21) and anterior mould (22) sections and adhered thereto. A post (30) is configured to support a flange (20) of the posterior section whilst the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin (40) applied to, an outer concave surface (29a) of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens (10) drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface (29a) rests on the post. A collar unit (50) with gas channels (53) presses against a flange (200) of the anterior section whilst blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring (11) formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.

Abstract: A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for thermoforming articles. The apparatus includes an in line series of processing stations including heating, forming, cutting and separating stations. A stacker is provided to receive formed articles and form an x-y array of stacks of formed articles. A stack picker is provided that is operable to pick up the stacks of articles during a sheet pause cycle portion and move the picked stacks from a storage magazine to a deposit area. The movement of the stacks for depositing and the picker assembly back to the stacker can occur while the apparatus is producing and stacking additionally formed articles.

Abstract: This invention is related to a moulding device (90; 92; 95; 98; 100; 110) arranged to be positioned inside a tubular member (17). The moulding device (90; 92; 95; 98; 100; 110) comprises a second closing part (1), a shaft (6) loosely connected to the second closing part (1) and able to glide snugly through an opening in a first closing part (7, 8). When inserted into the tubular member (17), the moulding device (90; 92; 95; 98; 100; 110) defines a chamber together with the inner surfaces of thereof. To form a cast, this chamber is filled with moulding material which thereafter cures. To remove the cast and the moulding device (90; 92; 95; 98; 100; 110) from the tubular member, a drawing force is applied to the first closing part (7, 8), which provides a pulling out of the rest of the moulding device (90; 92; 95; 98; 100; 110) and the cast.

Abstract: A mold core includes a forming pin having a hollow interior and an end wall. A passage, preferably in the form of a hollow tube, extends into the hollow interior of the forming pin and has an end sealingly secured at a position spaced from the end wall of the forming pin. A poppet valve is disposed on the end wall of the forming pin. The poppet valve is responsive to air pressure within the passage to open and permit flow of air through the end wall of the forming pin to assist stripping of molded articles from the mold core. The poppet valve includes a valve element having an outer end at the end face of the forming pin and an inner end adjacent to the end of the passage. A spring preferably biases the valve element to a closed position. The spring preferably comprises a coil spring captured in compression between the valve element and the forming pin.

Abstract: A device for the production of confectionery, in particular, pralines, in moulds, with at least one upper die which may be lowered relative thereto, mounted on a die plate whereby the die plate has a flexible mounting.

Abstract: A press-molding machine is taught that may include an extrusion apparatus (10), a transfer apparatus (30), and a molding apparatus (40). The extrusion apparatus (10) may extrude a melted resin into a sheet shape. The transfer apparatus (30) may receive and transfer a sheet material that is extruded from the extrusion apparatus and cut in a predetermined length. The molding apparatus (40) may press and mold the sheet material transferred from the transfer apparatus. The extrusion apparatus (10), the transfer apparatus (30), and the molding apparatus (40), are allowed to be independently arranged and constructed.

Abstract: A molding tool is provided for forming solid ink sticks. The molding tool comprises a vessel having at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving molten phase change ink material. The molding tool includes a lid for covering an opening over the cavity of the vessel. The lid has an interior surface for at least partially enclosing the cavity. The enclosed cavity has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of an ink stick shape. The at least one sidewall of the vessel and/or the interior surface of the lid are configured to flex to facilitate release of an at least partially solidified ink stick from the cavity.

Abstract: A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes a lightweight knockout assembly having a long and narrow ejection member positioned within a slotted adapter plate. The provision of a lightweight knockout assembly reduces frictional wear-related maintenance and downtime.

Abstract: Methods and equipment for forming beveled edge(s) around the core opening in a concrete block are disclosed. The formation of the beveled edge(s) minimizes feathering along the block edges that are beveled as the block is stripped from a mold. Any feathering that does occur is shifted away from the bottom surface of the block to allow the block to lay flat on other blocks when dry stacked in a wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mold for the manufacture of holders, comprising at least two mold halves moveable relatively to each other in a first direction of movement and a mold cavity, the mold being substantially defined by a female part and a matching male part, while at least the female part and/or the male part is arranged so as to be moveable such that within the mold, the male part and/or the female part can be brought into a first position wherein between a forward end, facing, in a first direction of movement, towards the mold cavity, and an opposite bottom part of the female part, there is a relatively large, first distance, and a second position wherein between said forward end and said bottom part there is relatively small second distance.

Abstract: An assembly, for stripping a medium from a mold cavity according to one embodiment of the present invention, may include a stripper shoe, a head structure, and a plunger component attaching the stripper shoe to the head structure. The plunger component may have an elongated body, a first portion with a first end, and a second portion with a second end. The second portion may be substantially perpendicular to the first portion and have an opening configured to facilitate fastening the stripper shoe to the second portion of the plunger component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating a cast lens from shell molds, whereby a separating tool exerts pressure on the lens but a height of the separating tool is guided along the interface between the lens and the shell mold to be separated from the lens. In a preferred embodiment the composite consisting of the lens and the shell molds is fixed on a holding device that can be rotated on an axis of rotation. The holding device is rotated by means of a first motor and the height of the separating tool is tracked by means of a second motor in relation to the height of the interface depending on the angle of rotation.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an uncured concrete block using the dry-cast manufacturing process includes a mold box having a pair of side walls, a pair of side plates, an open top side and an open bottom side defining a mold cavity. One or more end liners are disposed within the mold cavity and are selectively shiftable within the mold cavity with hydraulic cylinders between a first position and a second position. The end liners can be provided with a three-dimensional textured face to impart a decorative face to a side surface of the concrete block formed in the mold or can also provide blocks with a tapered face when disposed in the second position while the mold is filled with concrete. Before the block is stripped from the mold, the end liners are returned to the first position, so that the side surfaces are not damaged as the block is released.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a lens moulded in a cavity between posterior (21) and anterior mould (22) sections and adhered thereto. A post (30) is configured to support a flange (20) of the posterior section whilst the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin (40) applied to, an outer concave surface (29a) of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens (10) drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface (29a) rests on the post. A collar unit (50) with gas channels (53) presses against a flange (200) of the anterior section whilst blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring (11) formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.

Abstract: Apparatus for compression molding an annular closure shell having a base wall with a center opening and, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, includes male and female mold sections having associated male and female mold surfaces that generally oppose each other. The female mold section includes an opening in the female mold surface and a mold pin extending through the opening. The male and female mold surfaces cooperate to generally define the base wall of the annular closure shell and the mold pin cooperates with the male mold section to generally define the center opening of the annular closure shell. Closure of the male and female mold sections forms an annular mold cavity for receiving and compression molding a mold charge into the annular closure shell having the base wall with the center opening, which at least partially surrounds the mold pin.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a moulding unit having a punch and a mould cavity movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said mould cavity are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said mould cavity interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept not above said cavity along said path.

Abstract: The device for thermoforming an object presenting an undercut portion. The device may include a thermoforming mold having a base portion and at least two undercut-forming portions in the vicinity of an end; a countermold; and a moving thermoforming piston. The device further may include holding means suitable for holding the rim of the object relative to the countermold, and, in order to unmold the object, said portions of the mold and the holding means are suitable for being controlled in a sequence in which the undercut-forming portions are moved apart, the holding means are active and hold the object against the countermold, and at least the base portion of the mold is spaced apart from the countermold while the holding means are active.

Abstract: A trim press article ejector is provided having a support base, a linear actuator, at least one article ejector and a drive mechanism. The linear actuator is carried by the base. The at least one article ejector is carried by the linear actuator for axial movement to-and-fro. The drive mechanism is configured to reciprocate the linear actuator in order to move the at least one article ejector to-and-fro. A method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention shapes a thick slice of green or ripened plantain into an open rectangular bowl that can be filled with various edible foods such as, but not limited to, chicken, shrimp, beef, and custard, and also pushes the plantain out mold by the use of a very simple, yet efficient, mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a megapixel multi-focus lens. The lens manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a loading means for supplying a mold body, in which a blank, interposed between upper and lower molds, is placed, to a forming position, a compression-forming means, which preheats, compresses and cools the supplied mold body such that the blank is formed into a multi-focus lens having an aspherical surface, and a discharge means, which discharges the multi-focus lens formed by the compression-forming means. Therefore, processes from loading to discharging can be automated, so that the productivity of the apparatus for manufacturing the multi-focus lens can be markedly enhanced. Furthermore, because the lens manufacturing apparatus is covered with a cabinet, a superior appearance thereof is ensured.

Abstract: An assembly device of a support mat for a ceramic catalyst carrier includes: a push-in device provided in a vertically movable tool base and capable of pushing a ceramic catalyst carrier together with a support mat into a recession of a shaping die; a first and a second pressing unit pressing both end portions of the support mat from side faces so as to curve the both end portions of the support mat along an arc-shaped upper surface of the ceramic catalyst carrier; first pressing pieces and a second pressing piece provided in tip portions of the first and second pressing units; and a push-up unit provided on a bottom of the recession and capable of pushing up the ceramic catalyst carrier together with the support mat.

Abstract: A compression molding machine, for compression molding a closure shell having a base wall with an opening and in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, includes a male mold section and a female mold section having associated surfaces that oppose each other to form a cavity for compression molding the base wall of the closure shell. An annular bead on one of these surfaces cooperates with the opposing other surface to compression mold a disk connected to the base wall by a thin frangible web. The disk and the shell are stripped separately from the mold so that the shell emerges from the machine with the opening formed in the shell base wall by removal of the disk within the machine.

Abstract: A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes a lightweight knockout assembly having a long and narrow ejection member positioned within a slotted adapter plate. The provision of a lightweight knockout assembly reduces frictional wear-related maintenance and downtime.

Abstract: A compression-moulding press for moulding plastic containers (P) consisting of a moulding cavity formed by a plunger (5), a female mould (14), and two separable lips (7, 8). A cylinder (16) slides inside a sliding slide (22) to keep the lips (7, 8) closed. The plunger (5) slides inside the cylinder (16), with respect to both the cylinder (16) and the slide (22), when moulding the containers (P). Finally, a method for making plastic containers by means of compression moulding using said device is also described.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of flexible moulds is described, in particular for the obtainment of lipsticks or the like, which comprises a female mould including at least one moulding cavity fillable with a plastic fluid, a male mould including at least a male stem and means to insert said male stem into said cavity of the female mould after the same has been filled with said plastic fluid and to extract it from the same after a prefixed cooling period suitable to transform said fluid plastic into a flexible mould.

Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A concrete block-molding machine having a concrete mix feed station, and a concrete molding and block ejection station adjacent to the feed station wherein the concrete molding and block ejection station has a vibratile plate having a plurality of holes in a pre-selected hole pattern, a mold having a mold interior positionable on the vibratile plate and having holes in the pre-selected hole pattern, and a support plate dimensioned and patterned to form a bottom face of a molded concrete block. An ejector plate having a plurality of projecting rods in the pre-selected hole pattern is positionable below the vibrating plate, with the rods of a diameter such that they pass through the holes in the vibratile plate and the mold. Means are provided for raising and lowering a pressure plate assembly so as to compress a concrete mix in the mold provided. Means are also provided for raising and lowering the ejector plate so as to contact and raise and lower the support plate out of and into the mold.

Abstract: A food patty-forming apparatus for forming food patties from pressurized food product includes a mold plate that is guided to reciprocate longitudinally between a fill position and a discharge position. The mold plate has a cavity that is open to the source of pressurized food product when in the fill position. The cavity is exposed when in the discharge position. A mold pattern having open areas and solid areas is arranged adjacent a first face of the cavity, and indented from a second face. A knockout plunger has open areas corresponding to the solid areas of the pattern and solid areas corresponding to the open areas of the mold pattern. The knockout plunger is shaped to allow the solid areas of the plunger to penetrate into the cavity past the first face of the cavity around the solid areas to displace a patty formed in the cavity.

Abstract: A modular press assembly for performing multiple position pressing with a single press. The modular press assembly includes a floating mount attached to the upper platen of the press, a hydraulic cylinder, and a press ram coupled to the cylinder which automatically guides itself precisely into axial alignment with a die situated on a lower platen and containing material to be pressed. A plurality of such press assemblies are mounted on the upper platen and are connected through respective flow control valves to an independent hydraulic control system to allow adjustment of the travel of the multiple press rams. This configuration facilitates multiple position pressing and equally divides the total press force from the single hydraulic press, distributing it among each of the multiple positions independent of the final height of each pressed body.