Abstract: A bed step stool for assisting a user into and out of bed including opposite sides, a head, and a foot, comprising a first support to be disposed closer to the head of the bed; a second support to be disposed closer to the foot of the bed; wheels configured to allow the bed step stool to roll on a surface; a step assembly supported by the wheels and supported between the first support and the second support, the step assembly to enable the user to step thereon for assisting the user into and out of the bed; a seat assembly disposed above the step assembly, the seat assembly configured to be moved between a deployed position where the user can rest thereon and a stored position.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a container and at least one drive for rotating the container about its own axis and revolving the container about an axis of revolution and through a plane of revolution. At least one conduit extends from the container to a first or second side of the plane of revolution. The direction of rotation of the container is according to the left hand rule if the conduit extends to the first side of the plane of rotation, and according to the right hand rule if the conduit extends to the second side of the plane of rotation. The frequency of the container rotation is equal to the frequency of the container revolution. A centrifugal separator and a method for centrifuging a liquid are also disclosed. The invention provides for continuous centrifugation while prevent conduits into the container from getting tangled.

Abstract: A mold system for forming a multilevel block is disclosed which comprises a multilevel mold box insert for forming a multilevel block, a mold box frame adapted for receiving therein the multilevel mold box insert, a multilevel plunger assembly, and a press head plate adapted for receiving thereon the multilevel plunger assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting material has a die for receiving a compressive force, the die having a shaped-opening for receiving a die insert. The die insert has an exterior shape that is adapted to cooperate with and be received in the opening such that compressive forces impinging upon the die are focused upon the die insert such that tensile forces within the die and impinging upon the die insert are minimized.

Abstract: A mold system for forming a multilevel block is disclosed which comprises a multilevel mold box insert for forming a multilevel block, a mold box frame adapted for receiving therein the multilevel mold box insert, a multilevel plunger assembly, and a press head plate adapted for receiving thereon the multilevel plunger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes but is not limited to a specimen collection device that includes a chamber capable of collecting a specimen, a specimen passage slot, a reservoir, a reservoir seal, and a test device. A sample or specimen added to the chamber flows through the specimen passage slot into the reservoir. Flow into the reservoir may be limited by the reservoir seal. The test device positioned within the reservoir detects the presence or concentration of an analyte within the sample or specimen.

Abstract: A device for filling at least one mold with at least one powder. The device includes a mechanism to add at least one powder, at least one mechanism to eject the powder added into the device, in the form of a layer, and at least one deflector capable of locally intercepting at least part of the powder ejected in the form of a layer and redirecting the locally intercepted powder towards a determined location in the mold.

Abstract: A horizontal multi-material molding machine includes a rotary table having a rotation axis center in a horizontal direction, a multi-material molding metal mold mounted on the rotary table, injection plunger units disposed to advance to and retreat from the multi-material molding metal mold for injecting a molten resin into cavities of the multi-material molding metal mold, a servo motor for rotating the rotary table, and a brake mechanism mounted on the servo motor and actuated when the servo motor is stopped for maintaing the position of the rotary table.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated S020030, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S020030, to the plants of soybean S020030 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar S020030 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar S020030 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A convalescent bed for safely restraining a bedridden patient includes a bed frame with a mattress that is raised and lowered by a hydraulic or electric lifting arm. The bed frame includes a pair of opposing guard rails one of which includes pivotally connected panels that may be deployed when the mattress is in the lowered position thereby providing a ramp on which a patient safely lands in the event he or she rolls off the mattress while receiving treatment.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 0491732, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 0491732, to the plants of soybean 0491732 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 0491732 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 0491732 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a fire door core are provided. Hydraulic binder and resin are supplied from raw material bins and mixed to provide a submixture. Exfoliated vermiculite is then mixed with the submixture to provide a mixture that is deposited into a plurality of compression molds. Each of the filled molds are pressed in a press at a predetermined temperature at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to harden the mixture into a hardened slab. The hardened slabs are then removed from the molds, impregnated with water or steam in a water impregnation assembly and dried in a drying assembly.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a fire door core are provided. Hydraulic binder and resin are supplied from raw material bins and mixed to provide a submixture. Exfoliated vermiculite is then mixed with the submixture to provide a mixture that is deposited into a plurality of compression molds. Each of the filled molds are pressed in a press at a predetermined temperature at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to harden the mixture into a hardened slab. The hardened slabs are then removed from the molds, impregnated with water or steam in a water impregnation assembly and dried in a drying assembly.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a fire door core. Hydraulic binder and resin are supplied from raw material bins and mixed to provide a submixture. Exfoliated vermiculite is then mixed with the submixture to provide a mixture that is deposited into a plurality of compression molds. Each of the filled molds are pressed in a press at a predetermined temperature at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to harden the mixture into a hardened slab. The hardened slabs are then removed from the molds, impregnated with water or steam in a water impregnation assembly and dried in a drying assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for making molded articles of plastic material, in particular molded films of thermoplastic flakes, by using a slush molding process, includes a mold container having at least one interior space for receiving plastic material and a mold wall which can be heated and cooled in alternating sequence. The mold container is located within a support frame which is rotatable about a rotation axis, whereby the suspension of the mold container is so configured as to allow a movement of the mold container in three degrees of freedom. The suspension includes a combined swivel and shift arrangement, which is disposed between the support frame and the mold container and supports the mold container in such a manner as to effect a rotation of the mold container about a pivot axis, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a reciprocating motion in the direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: The rotational molding apparatus includes a main support member having at least one arm extending therefrom. Each arm of the apparatus is adapted to rotate enclosed articles being formed or coated about at least one axis. In order to cool the arms during operation, each of the arms includes a cooling channel extending down the length of the arm through which a cooling fluid is circulated. Each arm further includes a fluid return in communication with the cooling channel which receives the cooling fluid at the end of the arm and recirculates it back to the main support member so that the cooling fluid does not interfere with the rotational molding process.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming an integrally molded structure in a multiaxis rotational molding operation includes the steps of rotating a multisection mold assembly about at least three axes. A first freshly formed polymerizable mixture is flowed over surfaces of an enclosed mold cavity within the multisection mold assembly. The flowing of the first mixture over the mold cavity surfaces and formation of a first resin therefrom is monitored. A second freshly formed polymerizable mixture is flowed under pressure through an orifice into the mold cavity. A liquid stream of the second mixture is formed. The liquid stream is gelled as it advances through the mold cavity to form a continuous filament with structural integrity. The filament is contacted with the first resin formed within the mold cavity. The filament is distributed over the first resin in a preselected pattern. A third freshly formed polymerizable mixture is flowed over the filament pattern formed within the mold cavity with the second mixture.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing hollow molded articles having a beautiful surface at a low cost and by a simple and efficient process includes providing a hollow elastic molding die made of an elastic film and having an opening port, feeding a material to be molded of an amount smaller than the internal volume of the elastic molding die into the elastic molding die through the opening port, closing the opening port, solidifying the material to be molded while the elastic molding die is rotated to all directions, and parting the solidified hollow molded article from the elastic molding die. Arrangement for preventing the elastic molding die from being deformed while it is rotated to all directions includes holding it firm by a solid holding member conforming to the external shape thereof or by positioning it in a fluid or powdery material holding member.

Abstract: An improved combination counter rotating packerhead and vibrator assembly is provided. A counter rotating packerhead including counter rotating roller assemblies, longbottom assemblies or a combination thereof is disposed directly over an annular pneumatic vibrator. The coaxial drive shaft for the counter rotating packerhead passes through the vibrator thereby permitting the power transmission means to be located below, and isolated from, the vibrator. The vibrator is disposed below, but adjacent to, the counter rotating packerhead for faster pipe production.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively rotationally molding an industrial drum in either a closed-head configuration or an open-head configuration within a mold constructed for selective modification to accomplish molding of the drum in either selected configuration by inserting or deleting a separator between a first mold cavity for forming the body of the drum and a further mold cavity for forming the head of the drum, the further mold cavity being selected from alternate second and third mold cavities, such that both the body and the head are rotationally molded simultaneously within the mold during molding of either configuration of the industrial drum.

Abstract: According to the method of the invention, molds charged with a monomer mixture are arranged into columns with precisely coaxial casting surfaces inside these columns, namely, in tubes of cylindric shape with openings only 0.01 to 0.03 mm larger the diameter of the outer cylindric surface of the mold or the diameter of a hypothetical cylindrical surface circumscribed to any other, preferably a parallel outer surface of the casting mold. The tube with the inserted column of molds is provided with airtight seals at both ends whereas at least one seal is provided with a valve for alternating evacuation and refilling with an inert gas. The invention also provides apparatus by which a complete sequence of required operations including column tilting and rotation is carried out with the tubes charged in this way until the polymerization is completed without transferring the molds from sealed tubes from one apparatus to another or into intermediate magazines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for spreading monomer mixture in molds for the centrifugal casting of contact lenses, wherein the said molds containing a monomer mixture are rotated around their axis with the frequency 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute and, at the same time, the axis of molds is periodically tilted between extreme positions, the angle to the vertical direction of which is in the first extreme position 30.degree. to 60.degree. and in the second extreme position 70.degree. to 100.degree. and the frequency of tilting is twice to ten times lower than the frequency of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a spindle arm for use in batch-type rotational plastic molding machines. The invention herein includes two cylindrical arms, one end of each arm attached to a gear housing and extending therefrom in a common axis. The gear housing contains gears for providing connection between and transmission of rotation from, a driving shaft, extending from the gear housing, to a driven shaft, extending through the gear housing in an axis perpendicular to the driving shaft. The end of the driving shaft extending from the gear housing is attached to a drive sprocket, the sprocket providing for releasable connection to a drive motor of the molding machine. The driving shaft is contained within one of the cylindrical arms and is rotatably supported therein. The other cylindrical arm is attached, on the end extending from the gear housing, to a second drive sprocket for providing releasable connection to a further drive motor of the molding machine.

Abstract: Rotational molding apparatus and methods for rotationally molding castable material such as polymers and other materials. In one form, a shuttle or wheeled carriage containing a mold fixture for holding one or more molds, which fixture is both pivotable and rotatable on the carriage, is operable to move along a fixed path into and out of an oven and a cooling chamber. Two of such mold fixture containing carriages may be automatically moved between the oven and one or more cooling chambers, alternately to permit the oven and cooling chamber or chambers to be operated substantially all of the time during an operating shift.

Abstract: A rotational apparatus for molding dolls including an automatic control mechanism, a mold holding mechanism, a robot mechanism having a mold cover opening and closing means for opening and closing the mold, mold releasing means for releasing a molded product from the mold, mold release detecting and cleaning means and a raw material charging means, a heating means and a cooling means.

Abstract: A rotational moulding machine comprising a heat-insulated enclosure mounted to rotate on a frame about a substantially horizontal axis, which enclosure comprises means for receiving and driving in rotation at least one mould about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the enclosure, wherein said enclosure further comprises, inside, radiating elements located in front of the walls of the enclosure whose radiations are reflected by reflector means towards the central part of the enclosure where the mould is located in order to heat said mould by radiation.

Abstract: Continuous hollow object casting machine comprises a plurality of chucks with means to convey the chucks through a helical path along a longitudinal, preferably a closed longitudinal, path, in the course of which the chucks are also rotated about an axis perpendicular to the primary helical path and the rate of movement there along being devised to permit substantially complete hardening of a molding material in molds carried by the chucks so that casts, with molten material therein, may be loaded at one end of the path and unloaded, with a hollow object molded therein, at the other end of the path.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling flat molds for slabs and the like carried on a conveyor belt is disclosed. The molds are displaced by the conveyor belt from a filling unit to a finishing unit. The filling unit comprises a vibrating table imparting vertical vibrations to the mold and a distributor member extends transversely of the conveyor for spreading the molding material supplied immediately ahead of the distributor member in the mold at the filling station. Horizontal vibrations are imparted to the distributor member parallel to the path of movement of the conveyor belt. The finishing unit has a smoothing member to which horizontal vibrations are imparted. The smoothing member is reciprocated transversely of the path of movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Improved method for manufacturing a spherical hollow body are disclosed. The spherical hollow body has a use for a core member for manufacturing a football or a volleyball and is manufactured by cooling a thermoplastic resin contained in a spherical hollow mold which is forcedly circulated along a constant locus simultaneously with the rotary motions on two axes orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rotational molding of thin-walled articles. The method is comprised of the steps of introducing a predetermined amount of plastic material into a mold, rotating the mold about a first axis at a predetermined speed, while simultaneously rocking the mold through a selective arc about a second axis which is normal to the first axis, heating the mold for curing the plastic material during the rotation and rocking, and cooling the mold and plastic material whereby the plastic material is molded to form a thin-walled object in conformance with the interior surface of the mold. The rotational molding apparatus is comprised of a heat insulating housing comprising a bottom half and a top half which may be disassociated for access to the interior of the housing. The interior of the housing contains a first frame which may be rocked about a first axis and a second mold-carrying frame which is attached to the first frame and rotates about a second axis normal to the first axis.

Abstract: A rotational molding system is disclosed in which a pair of large boat molds carried on separate carriages are alternately heated in a double open-ended oven having opposing cantilevered side sections for receiving concentric drive arrangements wherein the molds may be driven about two perpendicular axes in a rocking or full rotational motion.

Abstract: A machine having two packer heads operable to simultaneously make two concrete pipes. A pair of jackets mounted on a turntable are located in vertical alignment with two packer heads. A gear box mounted on a cross head is connected to downwardly directed shafts operable to rotate the packer heads. The cross head is movably mounted on an upright frame to lower the packer heads into the bottom area of the jackets. Separately controlled conveyors discharge concrete into the jackets above the packer heads. Separately rotatable funnels and stationary wiper blades are used to control the movement of concrete into the jackets. The packer heads are simultaneously rotated and elevated in the jackets to build up the cylindrical walls of the pipes. A dual bell packer is moved into engagement with the pallets at the lower end of the jackets to rotate and vibrate the pallets to form the bell sections of the concrete pipes. A pallet positioner is used to locate the pallets on the turntable.

Abstract: A rotational moulding machine comprises six mould carriers mounted at 60.degree. intervals about a horizontal main axis of the machine on a turret which can be indexed about the main axis so as to bring each of the carriers in turn to loading/unloading, heating, and cooling stations of the machine. The machine comprises first and second driving wheels mounted for rotation about the main axis, and each mould carrier comprises first and second driven wheels rotatable to rotate a mould mounted on the carrier about first and second rotational axes. Each mould carrier is pivotally mounted on the turret, and the machine comprises clutch means whereby each carrier can be moved pivotally between a first position in which the two driven wheels of the carrier frictionally engage the two driving wheels for rotation thereby, and a second position in which the two driven wheels are out of engagement with the two driving wheels.

Abstract: A molding apparatus which is provided with a frame including a bar acting as a mold support. The bar is pivoted between two angular limits and carries a gear wheel to be pivoted therewith. Planetary gears are engaged with the gear wheel and are displaced pivotally around the gear wheel to be rotated by the same. Molds are coupled to the planetary gears to be rotated therewith. Heating devices are located below the molds to heat the molds as they are being rotated simultaneously about their axes and about the axis of the gear wheel.

Abstract: A rotary casting apparatus for molding hollow articles of synthetic plastic is described employing a plurality of hollow molds which are heated and rotated within a fixed oven. The molds and molded articles therein are cooled rapidly while they remain within the oven by injecting cool, moist air into such oven from an external blower fan and a sprayer which sprays water into the air inlet of such fan. Improved rotation and support means are provided for the molds, including a common tubular drive shaft which rotates all of the molds about a common axis and a plurality of rotor means for rotating each of the molds about another axis perpendicular to such common axis. The rotor means are coupled by bevel gears to a second drive shaft extending through the common drive shaft. Each of the molds is rotationally mounted on bearings which are supported on the common drive shaft.