Means To Rotate Female Mold About Horizontal Axis Patents (Class 425/435)
  • Patent number: 5554394
    Abstract: A molding apparatus is provided which consists of three frames which are relatively pivotal with respect to one another. One frame (A) is cradled in a second frame (B) and provision is made for tilting the first frame relative to the frame in which it is cradled. The cradling frame and the frame cradled therein are made tiltable relative to third frame (C). The tilting operations are effected by hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements (170, 176). The method of the invention consists of cradling the first frame in a second frame, tilting the first frame relative to the second frame to a certain angle of inclination and thereafter tilting the cradling second frame along with the cradled first frame therein to a second angle of inclination relative to the third frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Rototron Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Feal, Stephen Bacskay
  • Patent number: 5529481
    Abstract: A mold is disclosed for producing two unjoined molded items in a single void during a single molding process. A divider ring is provided along the joining seam between mold halves. The ring has a central aperture and is formed of a stick resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Kelch Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Guzikowski
  • Patent number: 5507632
    Abstract: Multiaxis rotational molding apparatus includes a support portion, a molding portion, a mixing portion and a control portion. The support portion includes an arm member disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and having one end extending from an upstanding supporting section. The molding portion includes a mold supporting assembly pivotally connected to a free end of the arm member and an independently rotatable mold connector section. The mold supporting assembly includes a central passage therethrough from a pivotal connection with the arm member and through the mold connector section. A mold assembly includes at least two separable mold sections forming a substantially enclosed cavity. The mixing portion includes an elongated section extending axially within the central passage through the mold supporting assembly adjacent the mold connector section. The mixing section includes a plurality of deflector sections disposed along the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5505604
    Abstract: A rotary plastic molding apparatus having internal packing space is featured. A nozzle is divided into channels equal to the number of casting device disks. Grooves are disposed in casting disks for supplying the melt. The grooves are displaced relative to each other and slots are provided between them to introduce packing lintels. The mold is divided into sections. In each section, an accumulator and sockets for molding articles are provided. The components communicate among themselves and can be oriented at definite angles. The accumulator is disposed before the molds. Holes are provided to supply the melt from the accumulator to the molds. Certain holes can be closed to get a certain article drawing. The transition section of the accumulator is divided into sections for uniform division of the melt. The number of sections is equal to the number of sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Iosif N. Khibnik
  • Patent number: 5500178
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignees: Asahi Denka Kogyo Kabushikikaisya, Okamoto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hayashi, Hiroshige Kohno, Akinori Watanabe, Itaru Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 5498383
    Abstract: A slip casting process and apparatus for producing parts with graded properties across the thickness of the body of the parts. A number of slips is combined at a varying predetermined ratio and passed continuously through a casting mold between its inlet and outlet. The process can be carried out under elevated pressure. The casting mold can be positioned vertically or horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Basil Marple, Jean Boulanger
  • Patent number: 5484273
    Abstract: A cover for an air bag unit is disclosed having a patterned tear seam therein defined by an integrally bonded, thermoplastic filler strip as the cover material and comprising a material having properties different than that of the cover material, Apparatus for forming the cover includes a thin shell mold having an inner surface that is heated to melt thermoplastic material cast thereon, A powder box adapted to contain thermoplastic material therein for distribution onto the thin shell mold carries a gasket having a shape corresponding to the tear seam shape. The powder box and gasket are adapted to be connected to the thin shell mold for forming a sealed footprint on the inner surface during distribution of the cast material against heated surface portions of the thin shell mold to form a thermoplastic cover with an opening therein that have the tear seam pattern, The opening is later filled with the lesser strength thermoplastic material to form an integrally bonded thermoplastic filler strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Parker, Peter Iannazzi
  • Patent number: 5445510
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating and cooling a mold onto which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a finished article includes a plenum having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a fluid heating and cooling system and a mold box having a plurality of cavities for selectively receiving interchangeable tube bundles that are selectively positioned in a movably sealed relationship within the mold box and wherein each tube bundle has a mold and a tube array that are maintained in a fixed relationship during interchange thereof into and out of said mold box so as to maintain individually heat balanced molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5443777
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a cover for an air bag deployment opening, the cover having a tear seam defined by a reduction in thickness of the cover. The cover can be formed as an unitary part of an outer skin layer for an automobile interior trim structure. The apparatus includes a thin shell having an inner surface upon which a thermoplastic material is cast to form the outer skin. A multiplicity of pins are disposed on and extend away from a backside thereof to transfer heat to the inner surface. The density of the pins is reduced on the portion of the backside of the shell proximate the portion of the inner surface upon which the tear seam of the outer skin is to be formed. The shell can be heated or cooled by using a plurality of nozzles to impinge heated or cooled air onto predetermined locations of the backside. A cover and tear seam construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel H. Mills
  • Patent number: 5397229
    Abstract: A mold assembly for molding thermoplastic material into a solid thin shell includes a metal mold with an outer surface exposed to a heat source and an inner surface on which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a thin layer thermoplastic shell. A plurality of elongated generally planar fins are connected to the outer surface at predetermined spaced areas for transferring heat from the heat source to predetermined spaced areas of the inner surface. The fins are metal sheets, preferably copper, each having a discontinuous flange at one end secured to the outer surface at spaced points along the discontinuous flange. The discontinuous flange is formed by slitting or cutting one end to form spaced projections and then bending adjacent projections in opposite directions generally transversely from the elongated metal sheet. The projections arc secured to the outer surface by TIG welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: FET Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru Kitano
  • Patent number: 5385460
    Abstract: An apparatus for making an endless, flat, flexible belt of pourable plastics include a core, especially a multiple core, as tension bearer, for example in a conveyor belt of polyurethane. The apparatus includes a drum-like frame adapted for use in a centrifugal casting mold utilized for casting an endless, flat, flexible belt of pourable plastic material having a multiple strand core as a tension bearer at the generally center plane of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Balatros GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5380183
    Abstract: A venting device for a rotocast shell mold body having a neck and a flanged neck plate thereon. The venting device is a tube formed of black iron pipe of a predetermined diameter and length and mounted in an opening formed in one of the neck or a cover mounted on the neck plate, and extended for approximately half its length into the interior of the mold. When used with the neck of the mold, the tube is welded in place, and when used with a mold cover, the tube is threadedly mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Davidson Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Piazza, Edward E. Therrien
  • Patent number: 5374180
    Abstract: A device for producing synthetic plastic molded sheets including a mold rotatable about at least one axis and receiving a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder which is sequentially heated and cooled by liquid heating and cooling medium admitted into a hollow chamber of the mold, and a housing formed with a housing wall provided with a plurality of bulges for compensating thermal stresses resulting from different materials of the housing wall and a wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Krauss Maffei Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Adolf Bauer
  • Patent number: 5356589
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotationally casting a plastic tank liner having a molded-in access fitting and for ensuring a uniform thickness of plastic in the wall of the liner and on the fitting. A hollow mold having a mold cavity surface conforming to the surface of the liner is provided. An access fitting is removeably mounted on the mold so that the interior surface of the fitting may be coated with the molding plastic and so that the molded liner and the filling may be removed from the mold as a unit. The mold is rotated about orthogonal axes while the mold is heated to a resin liquifying temperature. Additional heat is supplied to the fitting at a rate proportional to the mass of the fitting so that the temperature of the inside surface of the fitting is increased at a rate substantially corresponding to the inside surface temperature of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Sugalski
  • Patent number: 5354526
    Abstract: To eliminate the fluctuations in the precision of the material distribution which could not be avoided when manufacturing pipes in the centrifugal moulding process with the prior art installations, a new process and an installation for carrying out the process is proposed. This has at least two cylindrical centrifugal drums (1) serving as moulds and an injection carriage (12) which is displaceable in two directions perpendicular to each other, with a feed arm (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Hobas Engineering AG
    Inventors: Ralf Jost, Reinhart Ratheiser
  • Patent number: 5340512
    Abstract: An improved electrical insulator for high voltage transmission lines is formed from certain polymer-based concrete compositions. An apparatus provides for the molding of the polymer-based mixture to form a highly degassed product. The method and apparatus include the ability to combine the constituents of the mixture in a mixer. A vacuum is applied to the mixture to degas the mixture. A mold is filled with the degassed mixture without introducing air thereinto in the absence of a vacuum. The resulting insulator has highly reduced air entrainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: John Slocum, Peter N. Kiproff, Daryl Gibson, Will Merritt
  • Patent number: 5328349
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mold having a mold face with color zones delimited from each other on the mold face by separation fins, a powder pan which contains at least two different colored powders so as to not intermix, coupling means to couple the mold and the powder pan during a powder-slush process, means for rotating the mold to distribute and deposit the powder onto substantially an entire surface of the mold including all color zones; and cutting means for cutting a slush skin extending over a different color zone. The cutting means is slidably contactable with the separation fins in a direction of the longer axis of the separation fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Benecke-Kaliko AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Minke, Roland Wolff, Axel Bruder, Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 5316715
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing multiple thin walled hollow shells for parts such as automobile door panels, arm rests, and instrument panels from thermoplastic plastisol includes a pair of plastisol charge boxes each forming a separate compartment and members for joining the charge boxes with an open ended mold. The mold has a divider rib thereon that is inaccessible by straight vertical engagement of a seal assembly on the divider. An indexable divider wall is operatively connected between the charge boxes so that the divider wall can be selectively extended and retracted at an angle with respect to the vertical and against the mold at the divider rib thereon for allowing separation of the casting surfaces having different colors fixed thereon and the subsequent fusing of the casting surfaces to one another at the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Gray
  • Patent number: 5316701
    Abstract: A method of continuously forming an integrally molded structure in a multiaxis rotational molding operation including the steps of rotating a multimold section 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 assembly. Flowing of the first mixture over the cavity surfaces and formation of a first resin therefrom is monitored through optical fibers extending through the mold sections. Second and third freshly formed polymerizable mixtures are flowed over resin formed within the mold cavity. Flowing of the second and third mixtures and formation of resins therefrom are monitored through optical fibers extending through the mold sections. The rotation of the multisection mold assembly is continued throughout the modling operation. Each axis rotation of the multisection mold assembly is monitored individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5306137
    Abstract: A formwork, a device for clamping the formwork and a mechanism for actuating the clamping are taught. The formwork includes two molds, which mount together. The clamping device secures the mounted molds and allows the formwork to operate. The clamping device includes a movable member and a tension member, which locks the movable member to protruding sections of each mold. This clamping device is duplicated along the length of the protruding sections. The mechanism for actuating the clamping exerts force upon the movable member to secure it between the tension member and the protruding sections. This same mechanism can withdraw the movable member from the clamp. By this, the clamping is accomplished and a more efficient formwork is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5306458
    Abstract: In a process known of per se for manufacturing plastic pipes, in which a liquid resin, a catalyst and sand and glass fibres are introduced into a centrifugal drum where the pipe is formed as the plastic sets, it was previously customary to start or stimulate the thermosetting process by blowing hot air into the centrifugal drum. The air escaping thereby from the inside of the drum contains solvent vapours which pollute the environment. The improved process consists in that the heat required to start the thermosetting process is no longer supplied from the inside by means of hot air, but by means of hot water which is sprayed onto the outside of the centrifugal drum and is fed through a hot water circuit and, after the exothermic thermosetting begins, heats up again in the latter to at least the original temperature, thereby drawing off heat released by the process. Further cooling is achieved by a cold water circuit, which can be switched on selectively to spray the centrifugal drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Hobas Engineering AG
    Inventors: Borge Carlstrom, Ralph Jost
  • Patent number: 5290499
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for molding a thin-wall plastic shell includes a powder box (12) and a mold box (14). The powder box (12) is positioned to an operative position wherein an opening (18) in the powder box (12) is brought in proximity to the mold surface (20) of the mold. A contoured selective charge application panel (36) has a gasket (30) about the end thereof and the selective charge application panel (36) is extended vertically from the opening (18) at variable heights to perfect a sealed surface at the opening (18) and the periphery (22) of the mold surface (20) to mask vertically extending waste surfaces (14a, 14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Tischler
  • Patent number: 5277861
    Abstract: Method 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Bergen Barrel & Drum Co.
    Inventor: Seymour Zilbert
  • Patent number: 5244371
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plastic lens element having a gradient index of refraction is disclosed in which first and second monomer-containing compositions, each having a different index of refraction, are injected into a centrifugal mold. Precise control of the gradient index is achieved by varying the ratio of the two monomers over a predetermined number of steps during the filling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James L. Bello, David P. Hamblen
  • Patent number: 5238384
    Abstract: The components forming the layers of a composite pipe are successively introduced into a rotary drum (1). Initially, a plastic reinforcing layer (8), including a fibre reinforcement, is introduced into the drum, the ends of the drum (1) being bounded by rings. A concrete core layer (16) is then introduced and the length of the core layer (16) is shortened relative to that of the drum (1) by shaping rings fixed to the drum ends. The shaping rings are then replaced by other shaping rings (20, 21) so that, on either side of the core layer (16), two annular spaces (22, 23) are formed which are filled by a socket material (24, 25) of the same composite as the reinforcing layer (8). Thus, at one pipe end a socket end (28) is formed and at the other pipe end a spigot end (30) is formed, each such end being located within the composite pipe wall thickness. After introducing a second reinforcing layer (26), the production of the composite pipe is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Peter Hartmann, Bernhard Bergmann
  • Patent number: 5238379
    Abstract: Mobile structural unit molding and assembling apparatus includes a support portion, a raw material supplying portion, a molding portion, a unit transferring portion and a control portion. The support portion includes at least one base section with a wheeled carriage. The raw material supplying portion includes a plurality of reservoirs disposed on the base section. The molding portion includes at least one rotatable mold assembly disposed on the base section including at least two separable mold sections. A mixing chamber adjacent the mold assembly connects with raw material reservoirs through independent conduits. The unit transferring portion includes a tiltable unit positioning assembly selectively movable with respect to the molding portion. The control portion includes a programmable memory, a coordinator, sensors, actuators, a unit orienter and circuitry therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5225214
    Abstract: An assembly (10) for molding a two-tone color plastic shell (12) includes a divider wall (42) having first and second sections (42a) and (42b) that are interconnected for lateral adjustment therebetween for controlling the position of a seal gasket (60) with respect to a divider rib or division surface (36) on a heated mold (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Filion
  • Patent number: 5222543
    Abstract: An apparatus for centrifugal casting of hollow articles in particular pipes. The apparatus has an elongate generally cylindrical hollow mould with a center conductor extending along the longitudinal axis so that the combination acts as a coaxial waveguide. A microwave source and waveguide system are provided to direct substantially TEM mode radiation into one end of the mould. The mould and center conductor are terminated at the other end by a short circuit to microwave radiation so that standing waves are established in the mould. The invention also provides a method for centrifugal casting of such articles in which a casting composition is placed in a hollow rotating mould and microwave radiation is directed into the mould to heat the casting composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: James Hardy & Coy. Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Bengt I. Carlstrom, Barry G. Seach, Joseph Sanegor, Geoffrey E. Beard, Warwick R. Belcher
  • Patent number: 5221539
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of molded shells and bodies of plastic material by a rotational molding procedure within an electroplate mold includes a double-walled hollow body which is heated up and cooled down by a heating and cooling medium. A box which contains plastic material can be fitted on to the mold. The mold and the box are jointly pivotable so that the plastic material can pass into the mold and fuse at the wall of the mold. At its rear wall, which is remote from the internal contour which produces the molding action, the double-walled hollow body has a multiplicity of intake and discharge openings for the heating and cooling medium so that heating and cooling can be effected specifically and quickly. The total discharge cross-section is greater than the total feed cross-section whereby the hollow body remains substantially pressure-less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Peguform-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Pallerberg, Detlef Lackmann
  • Patent number: 5211900
    Abstract: A eutectic beam, and method of constructing same, which includes a plastic housing, a eutectic solution, and a generally U-shaped evaporator tube having first and second spaced leg portions, ends of which extend outside the housing. The leg portions of the evaporator tube are supported by spaced plastic support elements which include cylindrical portions which snugly but slidably encircle the leg portions, and which further include support legs which extend outwardly from the cylindrical portion and are bonded to the housing. In a method step, the plastic support elements are positioned within a rotational mold at the time the plastic housing is formed, with the plastic support elements locating and supporting the evaporator tube within the mold cavity, and with the outer ends of the support legs becoming embedded in walls of the housing during rotational molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5188845
    Abstract: Multiaxis rotational molding apparatus includes a raw material supplying portion including a plurality of reservoirs connected independently with a mixing portion through conduits. A supporting portion includes a plurality of frame members disposed between upstanding end sections and rotatably supported thereon. A molding portion rotatably supported within the frame members includes at least one rotatable mold assembly with at least two separable mold sections. The mold sections include at least two optical fiber elements extending through the mold sections with one end of each optical fiber element terminating at a mold cavity forming surface of a mold section and an opposite end of each optical fiber element terminating at a remote second surface thereof. A signal generator disposed adjacent a remote surface end of one optical fiber element and a signal sensor disposed adjacent a remote surface end of another optical fiber element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5180602
    Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for making confectionary or other shell goods by the method of filling a mold with a desired media and then inverting the mold to drain the media from the mold while leaving the mold coated by a layer of the media, thereby forming a hollow shell inside the mold. The mold travels through the apparatus on a conveyor. A sliding table is used to provide a turning point which defines the mechanism by which the mold is inverted. The sliding table receiprocates back and forth between extended and retracted positions along the direction of travel of the conveyor so that the speed of inverting the mold can be increased as the sliding table is retracted or decreased as the sliding table is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: APV Baker Inc.
    Inventors: Ross S. Bainbridge, Gordon Steels
  • Patent number: 5178887
    Abstract: A compound fluted mold segment for casting prestressed concrete lamp poles includes three 120.degree. circumferential sectors wherein each sector contains a mold form made of a thin gauge sheet metal in which are locaed flutes formed by a press-brake operation. A plurality of circumferential flanges are welded on the outside of the sheet meal for stiffening the mold form. Longitudinal gates extend radially outwardly from each edge of the circumferential sectors for connecting the sectors and stiffening the mold segment in a longitudinal direction. Mating annular shoulders are incorporated to maintain concentricity between the fluted mold segment and additional mold segments attached at the ends of the fluted segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ameron, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. O'Conner, William A. Muller
  • Patent number: 5169652
    Abstract: A molding machine for casting a product is disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The molding machine includes a stationary support system and a rotatable apparatus, an opening and a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the opening. Rotational means rotate the rotatable apparatus 180 degrees from a load and unload position to a casting position. A hoisting means is fixed to the reverse side of the opening of the rotatable apparatus for raising or lowering a transporter coupled to the opening of said rotatable apparatus. The mold includes a configuration form, having a ring-shaped floor, which cooperates with exterior wall forming panels. The mold also includes an inner core assembly which cooperates with the configuration form and has corner forming panels, interior wall forming panels and a floor forming panel. The corner forming panels move against the configuration form and the floor forming panel angularly to the configuration form and the floor forming panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Ernest J. Del Monte
  • Patent number: 5156818
    Abstract: Hazardous radioactive waste is compacted and cast into safely handled monolithic castings having a radiation barrier wall completely enclosing the radioactive waste by centrifugal casting processes in which the barrier wall may be either a pre-formed shell transported to the jobsite or it may be formed by biaxial centrifugal casting and curing of the barrier wall in a mold. When a pre-formed shell is used, means are provided for thickening the radiation barrier if necessary by biaxial casting of additional barrier material inside of the shell. Castable radioactive material is cast inside the barrier wall before removal of the casting mold from the finished cast monolith. The cast monolith is supported for rotation as the mold is removed therefrom so that additional impact resisting and radiation barrier material can also easily be applied to the exterior surface monolith if radiation leakage exceeds tolerance levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Alternative Technologies for Waste, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Manchak, Jr., Frank Manchak, III
  • Patent number: 5147660
    Abstract: A device for filling molds with a casting resin or the like. An elastic casting container, with at least one fill and discharge opening, is arranged in the pressure box, which casting container selectively receives the casting resin therein from a feed pipe and delivers the casting resin to the mold through a fill pipe. The casting container is emptied by a pressure buildup inside of the pressure box, either by means of a gaseous or a liquid pressure medium. In this manner, the casting container can be loaded with the casting resin such that a renewed gas loading of the already degassed casting resin prior to the filling of the mold no longer occurs, while simultaneously limiting cleaning operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Wilhelm Hedrich Vakuumanlagen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Steindorf
  • Patent number: 5127818
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for molding a thin-wall plastic shell includes a powder box (12) and a mold box (14). The powder box 12) is positioned to an operative position wherein an opening (18) in the powder box (12) is brought in proximity to the mold surface (20) of the mold. A bellows member (34) having a gasket (42) about the end thereof is extended from the opening (18) to perfect a sealed passageway between the opening (18) and the periphery (22) of the mold surface (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Tibbetts, Stuart Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5120343
    Abstract: An apparatus of producing an optical glass element of the present invention comprises the steps of displacing a gob of optical glass on a first heat working jig to a second heat working jig by making the gob of optical glass to adhere to the second heat working jig on the basis of the difference in wettability with high temperature glass between the first heat working jig and the second heat working jig, thermally deforming the gob of optical glass on the second heat working jig to form an optical glass preform, and forming the optical glass preform under heating and pressure by using pressing moulds to form an optical glass element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Sumita Optical Glass, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideto Monji, Kiyoshi Kuribayashi, Masaaki Sunohara, Tadayoshi Yonemoto, Noriyuki Kawata, Tadao Shioyama, Makoto Umetani
  • Patent number: 5116213
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Bergen Barrel & Drum Co.
    Inventor: Seymour Zilbert
  • Patent number: 5106285
    Abstract: A delivery system for dispersing either hot air or water uniformly to the outer surface of a shell mold used for forming a thin molded shell, for the respective fusion and cooling phases thereof. The delivery system includes a plurality of distributors, each having a central water inlet surrounded by an axially adjustable outer shell, with the latter having a frusto-conically shaped upper end which cooperates with the upper edge of the central water inlet to selectively close off or vary the annular opening therebetween for controlling the flow of air at a predetermined temperature form the space intermediate the central water inlet and the surrounding outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Preston
  • Patent number: 5098628
    Abstract: A centrifugal molding method which can smooth the inner surface of the resin concrete layer of a resin concrete pipe or of a composite pipe having a resin concrete layer even without using any special sand conditioning mechanism and which is high in productivity includes producing a composite pipe having a resin concrete layer or producing a resin concrete pipe by moving an arm member of a pipe material feeding device forward and backward axially through a pipe forming outer mold rotating about an axis thereof and by feeding pipe materials from a discharge port formed in a front end of the arm member. The resin concrete layer is formed by feeding resin and aggregate to a mixing portion provided at the front end of the arm member through separate feed routes, mixing the two in the mixing portion and discharging the resulting mixed resin concrete material from the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okamoto, Takaaki Kawano, Toshiyuki Tsujiuchi, Hidenori Katayama
  • Patent number: 5094608
    Abstract: A shell mold support apparatus for rotationally casting thermoplastic polymer particles onto a heated casting surface to form a thin polymer shell conforming to the shape of a heated casting surface includes a base framework that supports a bottom shell mold; a cover carrier is supported on the base framework so as to either open or close a cover or top shell mold with respect to the bottom shell mold; and a hinged support couples the cover carrier to the base framework for movement against an opening stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Piazza, Edward E. Therrien
  • Patent number: 5094607
    Abstract: A plastic mold (A, B) for rotational molding are disclosed. The plastic mold, used in lieu of a conventional metal mold, is constructed from a fiber (52) reinforced thermoset plastic resin (50) having a heat distortion point above the melt point of the thermoplastic polymeric material from which an article is molded. Metal (64, 70, 74) or other dissimilar material may be used to provide different coefficients of heat transfer at preselected portions of mold (A, B). The entire mold may include a thermal coefficient modifier to increase the heat transfer rate of the mold uniformly over the entire mold in addition to the preselected portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: William E. Masters
  • Patent number: 5090884
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming hollow concrete structures or shells in which the top, bottom and sides are formed into an integral unitary structure by rotating an assembly of reinforcing members to enable the concrete forming the top, bottom and side to each be finished in a substantially horizontal position with a minimum of forms. Openings for doors and windows may be formed by using suitable blanks that are prepositioned prior to pouring the concrete. Also, suitable end closure members can also be formed in a flat or horizontal position inside the unitary structure for subsequent erection in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Samuel W. Beaman
  • Patent number: 5074773
    Abstract: An assembly (10) for molding a two-tone, thin-walled plastic shell (12) for parts such as automobile door panels, control and instrument panels and the like includes a charge box (24) for supplying dry thermoplastic material to separate casting surfaces (30, 32) on a heated mold (22) selectively connected to the charge box (24) during the casting process. A pressurized inflatable seal gasket (60) is connected to the charge box (24) for sealing a division surface (36) on the heated mold (22) which surface (36) separates the casting surfaces (30, 32) of the mold (22). The seal gasket (60) is attached to the charge box (24) on a divider wall (42) via a sliding member (80) which positions the seal gasket (60) longitudinally along the divider wall (42). The sliding member (80) is secured to the divider wall (42) via threaded pins (86). The gasket seal (60) may be removed and reinserted in the slider member (80) providing automatic adjustment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Tischler
  • Patent number: 5075045
    Abstract: Hazardous radioactive waste is compacted and cast into safely handled monolithic castings having a radiation barrier wall completely enclosing the radioactive waste by centrifugal casting processes in which the barrier wall may be either a pre-formed shell transported to the jobsite or it may be formed by biaxial centrifugal casting and curing of the barrier wall in a mold. When a pre-formed shell is used, means provided for thickening the radiation barrier if necessary by biaxial casting of additional barrier material inside of the shell. Castable radioactive material is cast inside the barrier wall before removal of the casting mold from the finished cast monolith. The cast monolith is supported for rotation as the mold is removed therefrom so that additional impact resisting and radiation barrier material can also easily be applied to the exterior surface monolith if radiation leakage exceeds tolerance levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Alternative Technologies for Waste, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Manchak, Jr., Frank Manchak, III
  • Patent number: 5046941
    Abstract: An apparatus (40) for molding a thin walled plastic shell includes a mold box (42) having an inner mold surface (48). A powder box (52) includes an internal chamber and first divider wall (54) for separating the internal chamber into at least two sections (56,58). A carrier framework (60) is removably mounted on the mold box (42) and includes a peripheral seal for perfecting a seal between the mold box (42) and the powder box (52) when the same are connected thereto. A second divider wall (64) is connectable to the first divider wall (54) separating the inner mold surface into two chambers continuous with the two sections of the powder box (52). The carrier framework (60) further includes a mold surface seal (66) for perfecting a seal between the second divider wall (64) and mold surface (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Batchelder, John D. Gray
  • Patent number: 5039297
    Abstract: Rotational molding apparatus for molding a kayak and the like in a mold (12). The apparatus includes an oven (A) having an oven chamber (40). A frame (B) pivotally supports oven (A) above a ground floor (10). Mold (12) rotates about a roll axis (123) on a carriage (C) while in oven chamber (40). Oven (A) pivots about a pivot axis (72) in counter-pivotal movement. Oven pivot axis (72) is spaced a distance "d" from roll axis (123) of mold (12). This causes a pendular motion to be imparted to the mold (12). Mold (12) thus swings to and fro in an arc as oven (A) pivots. Mold (12) rotates about its roll axis (123) at the same time. A well-controlled, even distribution of plastic material in the mold occurs by this combination of motions. A desired pattern of heat distribution is applied along the length of mold (12) by a series of hot air openings (50a-50d) and a like number of openings on an opposing side of a hot air plenum (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: William E. Masters
  • Patent number: 5035601
    Abstract: A hollow forming machine capable of rotating moulds in both horizontal and vertical directions wherein a motor is used to drive sleeves to rotate in both vertical and horizontal directions, and through the engagement of outer gears of the sleeves and the drive gear shaft, a horizontal mandrel is driven to rotate in the same direction as the sleeves, and through the engagement of two bevel gears, the rotation of the horizontal rotation of a vertical mandrel to drive a mould seat to rotate in both horizontal and vertical directions. An air pipe is disposed in hollow pipes of the horizontal and vertical mandrels to communicate an air extractor and the mould for performing air extracting and air blowing so that the molded product has fine quality and uniform wall thickness without bubbles on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Chao-Tung Lin
  • Patent number: 5033954
    Abstract: A tool for manufacturing the two tone plastic shell includes an electroformed mold (28) having a first surface (29) for forming a front of a shell; a second surface (32) for forming the side edge portion of a shell; and a third surface segment (34) for forming a return flange on a door shell and the third surface segment has a cut-out opening (36) therein and a runout surface (40) providing for entry and removal of a seal and divider wall assembly to seal against a sealing rib (38) in the mold which separates the first, second and third segments into first and second casting surfaces. The divider rib and runout surface are sprayed with thermoplastic material to form a joint between material cast on the first and second casting surfaces and a skin return flap for sealing the cut-out opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Reza Kargarzadeh