Abstract: The apparatus is for molding an article of elastomeric material which has circular symmetry and is open at both ends, particularly for the production of protective bellows for vehicles. The apparatus comprises a die comprising an outer portion and an inner portion between which a molding cavity and an injection region are defined. The article of elastomeric material which is formed in the molding cavity remains anchored to the die portion after the outer die portion has been opened. Before the article is removed automatically from the inner die portion, a waste cap formed by the material which solidifies in the injection region is removed by means of a member.

Abstract: A method of making processed mozzarella cheese that does not require any aging or refrigeration during storage is disclosed herein. This is accomplished by dicing cheese curd, adding emulsifier, and thermomechanically treating in an extruder to stretch and cook the curd. Fresh processed mozzarella cheese having functionality similar to the aged mozzarella cheese is achieved by addition of emulsifier to soften casein and inputting sufficient mechanical energy to establish the appropriate fibrous structure. Longer shelf-life and storage without refrigeration is achieved by application of suitable time-temperature combination to inactivate proteolytic enzymes and microorganisms.

Abstract: A mold for molding a disk substrate includes a stationary mold half having a first molding surface and a movable mold half having a second molding surface, which cooperate with each other to define therebetween a mold cavity. Each of at least one of the stationary and movable mold halves has at least one air supply passage for supplying compressed air, and a plurality of air blow passages having respective air inlets in communication with the at least one air supply passage and respective air outlets open to the mold cavity at respective circumferential positions of the mold cavity about a centerline of the mold, for introducing the compressed air from the air supply passage into the mold cavity, to facilitate removal of the molded substrate from the corresponding mold half or halves. The air supply passage and the air blow passages cooperate to provide a plurality of air passages ending at the air outlets which have a substantially same resistance to a flow of the compressed air therethrough.

Abstract: The separation of a lower mold from an upper mold in an injection molding machine is either temporarily paused or carried out at a lower speed so as to maintain deformation of a thin component within a permissible range, while a jet of air is applied to help remove the thin component from the upper mold. Also, the ejecting operation of the thin component is either temporarily paused or carried out at a lower speed before the deformation of the thin component exceeds the permissible limit while a jet of air is applied to help remove the thin component from the lower mold.

Abstract: An injection mold for optical discs has a stamper mounted on any one of mold surfaces defining a mold cavity, a cylindrically shaped center pressing member being inserted into and engaged with a center portion of the stamper, and a cylinder piston being placed at a center portion of the mold and movable in forward and backward directions by a fluid pressure in relation to the center pressing member so as to make the center pressing member in contact with the top of the cylinder piston whereby the stamper is detachably mounted on the mold by the center pressing member.

Abstract: A golf ball is prepared by mating upper and lower mold halves (21a and 21b) to define a mold cavity (22), feeding a golf ball-molding material into the cavity to mold a golf ball, separating the upper and lower mold halves, and ejecting the molded golf ball from the lower mold half. A gas passage (2) is formed in the lower mold half in communication with the cavity. Pressurized gas is injected into the cavity (22) through the gas passage (2) to pneumatically urge the molded golf ball (23') away from the lower mold half (21b), thereby ejecting the molded golf ball from the lower mold half. The invention ensures effective ejection of a molded golf ball from the mold, producing golf balls free from flaws and deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a Fresnel plate has a mold assembly comprising movable and stationary molds coupled with each other. The mold assembly includes a Fresnel forming face formed on the inside of the movable mold. Melted resin is injected into the mold assembly for forming the Fresnel plate. At least one movable slit is formed through, and arranged inside, the movable mold along a circle concentric with the Fresnel plate and in intermittent or continuous fashion. The movable slit is used for blowing compressed air toward the Fresnel plate. The slit closely surrounds the center of the Fresnel plate. Ejector pins surround the Fresnel plate outside its Fresnel forming face.

Abstract: A mold for molding discs includes a outer stamper retainer with an outer peripheral retaining foot to closely contact on the surface of a stamper not to permit compressed air to lead outwards and an inner peripheral retaining foot to contact permit compressed air for releasing molded discs from the stamper to be blown through a groove located between the both feet resulting in increasing the performance of compressed air for releasing molded discs from the stamper.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially optical lenses, specifically contact lenses (CL), a starting material that is crosslinkable by the impingement of suitable energy is introduced into a mould (1) having a cavity (15), which mould is at least partially permeable to the energy concerned. The starting material is introduced into the cavity in a still at least partially uncrosslinked state, the mould cavity determining the shape of the moulding (CL) to be produced. By means of impingement of the energy concerned, the starting material is crosslinked to an extent sufficient for it to be possible for the moulding (CL) to be released from the mould. The filling of the mould cavity is carried out in the starting material that is still at least partially in the uncrosslinked state.

Abstract: An automatic glove stripping machine is disclosed comprising a drive unit that distributes power to one or more stripping assemblies, each comprising a conveyor unit, a plurality of dipping molds, a pressurized air distribution system, a brush set, a plurality of grip assemblies, and a cam assembly. Each grip assembly is moved into engagement with a set of dipping molds retaining dip molded articles such as latex gloves. As each grip assembly and corresponding set of dipping molds travel over the stripping assembly, the molded articles on the dipping molds are partially removed by action of the grip assembly and a stream of pressurized air directed at each mold. As the set of dipping molds reaches the end of the stripping assembly, the molded articles are completely removed from their dipping molds by the brush set.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically molding defined three-dimensional foam cushions. The apparatus comprises means for preparing a bag from plastic film material and for enclosing a foamable composition in the plastic bag, means for concurrently aligning a mold with the plastic bag and the bag preparing means, means for placing the bag containing the foamable composition into the aligned mold as the foamable composition begins to form foam, and means for maintaining the bag in the mold until the foamable composition has substantially finished forming foam in a shape conforming to the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method and apparatus for producing a cured elastomeric hose having an internal socket or other internal configuration formed therein. The invention also relates to the product produced according to the method and the apparatus. Cured elastomeric hose can be formed having an internal socket by mounting the hose on a mandrel assembly having the desired internal configuration formed therein. An end forming cap assembly is selectively mounted on the hose and mandrel assembly, tightly engages the hose and forces the hose to assume the shape of the mandrel assembly. The hose is cured and then the end forming cap is removed from the hose through the use of an air removal tool. The product produced according to this invention is suitable to receive a wide variety of articles such as an anti-splashback valve or a molded thermoplastic connector.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of a molded article, using a mold assembly including a mold having a cavity, for producing a molded article from a thermoplastic resin; an insert block formed of ceramic or glass having a thermal conductivity of 2.times.10.sup.-2 cal/cm.sec..degree.C. or less, the insert block being disposed inside the mold, constituting part of the cavity, and having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 10 mm; and a cover plate for covering a peripheral portion of the insert block. The cover plate is attached to the mold and constitutes part of the cavity, wherein a clearance between the insert block and the cover plate is 0.001 mm to 0.03 mm, an amount of overlapping of the insert block and the cover plate is at least 0.1 mm. The method includes filling a molten thermoplastic resin in the cavity, and then cooling the thermoplastic resin to solidness.

Abstract: A mold for molding an optical disk including a pair of mold halves which cooperate to form a mold cavity for forming the optical disk, an annular plate-like stamper and a stamper holding member. One of the pair of mold halves has an annular recess in a radially inner portion thereof. The stamper has a center hole and is positioned in the mold cavity. The stamper holding member is removably accommodated in the annular recess for supporting the stamper at an inner peripheral portion. The stamper holding member includes a first ring member having an annular collar portion extending radially outwardly from an axial end of the first ring member, and a second ring member removably fitted on an axial end portion of the first ring member. The stamper is positioned such that the inner peripheral portion is interposed between the annular collar portion of the first ring member and an inner portion of the second ring member.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus having a plurality of dies for forming a plurality of thin walled plastic articles in combination with an improved movable extractor plate assembly for moving an extractor plate between the plurality of dies of the thermoforming apparatus to remove formed articles is described. The movable extractor plate assembly includes an extractor plate having a vacuum chamber connected to the outlet end of a vacuum source and having at the inlet end of the vacuum source a pressure control valve and a vent valve between the vacuum source and pressure control valve. The assembly permits the control of pressure to the vacuum chamber to provide holding contact of articles formed onto the extractor plate without deformation of the thin walled articles. Additionally, the assembly permits the injection of air pressure into the vacuum chamber upon closing of the vacuum source to facilitate release of the formed articles from the extractor plate.

Abstract: A mold is for molding DVD discs to be joined together, back-to-back, to make a single disc. The mold includes a movable moldhalf and a stationary moldhalf. On one of the half-molds an inserting block extends a small distance into the mold cavity, so that the central part of the cavity is thinner than the outer part. The inner part and the outer part correspond approximately to the outer information band and the inner portion of the disc which is grasped. The mold is preferably used in a method using first a lower compression force during resin injection and then an increased force.

Abstract: A molded parison handling apparatus for removing hollow plastic parisons used in the manufacture of oriented plastic bottles from an injection molding machine includes a base having an arm coupled to the injection molding machine. A carriage mounted on the arm moves in a first dimension into and out of the space between the molding elements of the molding machine. A frame cooling unit coupled to the carriage engages the body portion of a set of parisons as they are released from the molding machine. A first motor moves the cooling apparatus to any of three preselected positions along the first dimension located outside the molding machine. A transfer assembly includes three sets of grabbers mounted on a gantry for movement with respect to the base. One set of grabbers grabs the finish portion of the parisons from the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: A method for stripping a resilient bellows part from an injection mold has a step of injection molding a resilient bellows part around a colinear core pin and a stripper rod, surrounded by a split cavity. The bellows part has two open ends, one of which is substantially rigid and is closed by the stripper rod passing through it. The second open end is resilient. Another step opens the split cavity to permit the bellows part to be stripped from the core pin. Yet another step expands the bellows part radially outward from the core pin. Simultaneously with expanding the bellows part, a step of pushing the substantially rigid open end of the bellows part by the stripper rod causes the resilient portion and resilient open end to be stripped off the core pin. Finally, the substantially rigid open end of the bellows part is ejected from the stripper rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for de-molding sanitary ware castings from porous molds, and in particular, from synthetic resin molds, comprising a carriage capable of traveling on rails parallel to the plane of the opening of a mold. The carriage moves to and from a position between separated mold parts of the mold and a position outside of the mold. The carriage includes an upper frame structure capable of displacement in a direction at right angles to the rails, on which is mounted at least one form capable of matching, at least in part, the outward shape of the piece to be molded. The mold is connected to the upper structure by an intermediate means of variable geometry so as to allow a range of motion. A pneumatic means is included to retain the form in contact with the cast piece.

Abstract: Improvements in a machine for shaping hamburgers, which include a table-frame with a horizontally displaceable mold into which mold the ground meat enters directly and which has an element for detecting the pressure of the meat. The element, when it is drawn back, produces a signal for starting up the machine. A device is provided for expelling the freshly shaped hamburger, which device has structure for preventing the hamburger from sticking. This structure includes a chamber inside the expelling device, through whose periphery atmospheric air escapes, a knife provided on its base with a conduit with openings, through which air escapes in order to detach the edges of flexible sheets enveloping the hamburger, and upper and lower rolls for supplying flexible sheet, which rolls have inertia brakes including a pair of motorized rollers, above which rests the respective coil.

Abstract: A lens mold cavity is formed and then evacuated via a vacuum channel contained within a mold member. A fluid valve is opened to expose the lens mold cavity to liquid lens material, whereby a vacuum of the lens mold cavity draws the liquid lens material to fill the lens mold cavity. The fluid valve is then closed and the liquid lens material within the lens mold cavity is cured to obtain an opthalmic lens such as a contact lens.

Abstract: An integrated plastic injection mold and blow mold machine includes an injection mold assembly having a cooled exterior mold assembly connected to a plastic injector for injecting plastic. A cooled core assembly is positionable within the cooled exterior mold assembly to define a mold cavity for accepting injected plastic from the plastic injector to form a parison. To allow transfer of the parison to a blow mold assembly, the cooled core assembly is movable with respect to the cooled exterior mold assembly. A thread split holds the parison and is used to first form the neck of a parison, and then move the parison from the injection mold assembly to the blow mold assembly. In addition, the parison is formed by use of a removable cooled core that is movable with respect to the thread split.

Abstract: In a mold for molding data discs having a stationary cylindrical member and a movable cylindrical member fixed to a stationary moldhalf and movable moldhalf respectively, in each of which a stationary mirror plate and a movable mirror plate are fixed, an outer peripheral ring is set on the outer peripheral surface of the movable mirror plate, having a protrusion in the lower portion of a small inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral ring for preventing leakage of air blowing into a cavity to release the discs from the stamper.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for removing articles cut from a sheet of flexible material includes a gas transmissive conveyor belt that is brought into proximity to the exposed surface of the articles, a suction roll which backs the conveyor belt and has an internal vacuum and passageways for exposing said vacuum to the outer surface of the suction roll in configurations corresponding the leading portions of the articles, and means for causing the passageways to register substantially with the leading regions of the articles. Embodiments may also include passageways which are arcuately arrayed in groups, a cylindrical cutter roll for cutting out the articles from the sheet as it is being transported by a carrier surface, and/or a carrier surface in the form of a roll face.

Abstract: A mold assembly having at least one mold body with at least one cavity formed therein. The mold includes at least one mold insert coupling portion formed on the mold body; at least one mold insert being of substantially complementary size and shape with respect to the mold insert coupling portion, each insert being provided with a tapered guide surface for guiding the mold insert into the mold insert coupling portion; at least one means for clamping the mold insert in a predetermined position within the mold insert coupling portion. The mold insert is reciprocally movable within the mold insert coupling portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the parting line of the mold assembly.

Abstract: A method for stripping an open ended bellows part from an injection mold has as a first step the injection molding of a bellows part. The bellows part has a resilient portion located between a core pin and a first split cavity and a substantially rigid portion located between the core pin and a second cavity. The substantially rigid portion has a first open end and an external undercut portion, and the resilient portion of the bellows part has an inner surface and a second open end. The first split cavity opens laterally to permit the resilient portion of the bellows part to be stripped from the core pin. Compressed gas passes through the core pin to the inner surface of the resilient portion of the bellows part while both open ends of the bellows part are closed off by the second cavity and the core pin.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing containers that are suitable for containing materials that are to be heated by microwave radiation or other heating equipment includes making a dilute liquid dispersion of quartz and/or glass fibers (very preferably microfibers), depositing them on the interior of a permeable female mold or form, from the dispersion by way of a pressure differential across the female mold, with the liquid passing through the mold, moving a male mold or form which matches the female mold, into and against the container in the female mold, terminating the pressure differential across the female mold, applying a pressure differential across the male mold to release the container from the female mold and press it against the male mold exterior, withdrawing the male mold, with the container held to it, releasing the container from the male mold and sintering the container, to make it form retaining.

Abstract: Method for tempering a moulding tool intended for production of products of natural or synthetic polymers, which moulding tool includes one or more moulding parts made of sintered metal with communicating pores obtained by pressing at a high pressure and sintering at a high temperature of a powdered material, in which moulding part or parts a moulding cavity has then been made, whereby preferably the outer envelope surface of the moulding tool is tight. The method comprises tightly connecting one or more channels, capillary tubes or the like through the tight outer envelop surface to the mould material of the moulding tool situated inside, which material contains a large number of small communicating pores and feeding a gas having a suitable state and a suitable temperature through the channels thereby causing a rapid tempering of the moulding tool to a desired extent.

Abstract: Thermal forming of objects made from plastic material if performed by machine which has first, second and third sectors. The first sector includes structure for unrolling a coil of plastic sheet material. The second sector receives and transports the plastic sheet from the first sector and also heats the plastic sheet as it is moved through the second sector. In the third sector, there is a rotating die which has a plurality of die faces. Each of the die faces is an object form. A first stage of the rotating die receives the heated plastic sheet from the second sector and deforms the heated plastic sheet around the object form to create the object shape. A second stage of the third sector cools the deformed plastic and removes the object from the die faces.

Abstract: A porous mold for manufacturing ceramics comprises a porous mold body including a mold central portion and a mold outer peripheral portion and having mold surface of a shape corresponding to an outer shape of a suspension insulator and other similar ceramics to be manufactured having a small diameter hollow cylindrical central core portion with a closed head portion and a large diameter shed portion extended from the core portion in a radial direction, wherein water absorption percentage of a mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral portion is larger than that of the mold central portion. The water absorption percentage of the mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral is 20-30%, and that of a mold head portion of the mold central portion is 10-20%. A difference of the water absorption percentage between the mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral portion and the mold head portion is 5-20%.

Abstract: An improved patty forming apparatus (20) is provided with a removable piston face plate assembly (150) adapted to be removably coupled to each piston associated with a cavity head (78) and adapted to move between a retracted meat-filling position wherein respective patty forming cavities (90) are filled with patty material to an extended patty-discharging position wherein formed meat patties are ejected; the piston face plate assembly (150) includes three concentrically nested planar plate members (154, 158, 162) having mating sidewalls (170, 178, 230, 250) with air passageways (270-279) formed between the sidewalls for delivery of air from an aperture through the piston center to the patty material-engaging face of the face plate assembly; interference zones (284) formed between the air passageways (270-279) are provided for releasably securing the assembly members (154, 158, 162) together for permitting disassembly for quick cleaning.

Abstract: An optical storage disk consists of a glass substrate (1) into which guide tracks (3) for servo-controlling the focussed light beams are directly stamped by a hot stamp process. After stamping, the glass substrate is thermally quenched in the stamping device to increase its breaking resistance through thermal curing. In order to achieve uniform guide tracks over the entire surface of an optical storage disk, flexible stamp stencils (35) in a flexible holder (34) are used whose curvature can be changed by applying hydro-static pressure. Suitable stamp stencils consist of monocristalline silicon disks with surface hardening, or of metal disks, structured in photolithographic processes. The stamp lands are made with bevelled edges to facilitate the separating of stamp and glass substrate after cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting a molded product wherein the molded product, specifically, a shutter molded of a synthetic resin with a very small thickness, from an injection molding die at a high speed without malfunction or deformation of the molded product. The apparatus includes as essential components an opposing pair of chucking members for supplementarily supporting a molded product in the clamped state while restrictively locating it at a predetermined position, and a suction pad located in alignment with the predetermined position of the molded product for grasping the latter by the action of suction. In an alternate embodiment, two chuck arms having respective suction pads at their ends are moved into contact with the shutter from opposite sides. With the invention the molded product can completely be extracted from an injection molding die in cooperation of the chucking members with the suction pad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating a mandrel having a tapered end portion from an article formed thereon comprising: (a) providing the mandrel having an opening in the tapered end portion; (b) plugging at least a substantial portion of the opening with a member which presents a deposition surface for the formation of the article; (c) forming the article having a tapered end portion on the mandrel, including on the deposition surface of the member; and (d) pushing the member against the inside surface of the tapered end portion of the article to move the article away from the mandrel, thereby forming a gap between the article and the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermoforming plastic sheet material which has a frame and complementary mold halves mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from one another. The apparatus has an indexing means which moves along a vertical path to pull the plastic material through the mold and a clamping means disposed between the mold halves which operates with the mold to clamp the plastic sheet around the edges of the forming tool of one mold half. The indexing means and clamping means operate to reduce sag of the plastic material and improve uniformity of the finished article. Operation of the apparatus is enhanced by the use of air pressure, vacuum and cooling during molding and release.

Abstract: Input food is extruded or otherwise deposited between a pair of counter-rotating wheels whose outer surfaces define mold cavities. The deposited input food is molded into pieces having desired shape (e.g., simulating pitted prunes or berries) by compression between aligned, counter-rotating mold cavity pairs. Preferably, the input food is heated prior to molding to prevent irreversible set up before compression between the mold cavities, and the wheels are chilled to cause deposited food to set up as it is compressed and carried between aligned, chilled mold cavities from a loading station to a release station. Preferably, the mold cavities are maintained at low temperature (e.g., in the range from about -10.degree. F. to 32.degree. F.). After the input food is molded and set up into pieces, the rotating cavities separate at a release station, allowing the molded pieces to fall away from the wheels.

Abstract: A nylon cable tie having a head and a strap terminating in a tip is formed in a mold cavity defined between a first mold part combined wish a second mold part by injecting molten nylon material into the mold cavity through an insulated runner system and a gate that converges from the runner system toward the mold cavity and does not have a hot tip adjacent thereto. The mold parts are separated while retaining a portion of the head in a head region in the first mold part and a portion of the tip in a tip region in the second mold part, in order to separate the head from the second mold part, to separate the tip from the first mold part, and to separate a major portion of the strap from the first and second mold parts. The mold parts are further separated while retaining said portion of the head in the head region to thereby remove said portion of the tip from the second mold part. The head is ejected from the head region by protracted ejector pins that penetrate the head region from within the first mold part.

Abstract: An air-operated knockout device for plastic molds for assisting ejection of molded plastic parts from a mold. The knockout device has a body in which is installed a knockout pin. The knockout pin is normally retained within the body, but can be axially shifted to an extended position to physically eject a molded part from a mold. The knockout pin also includes an air bypass to assist the knockout pin in the ejection of the molded part.

Abstract: An injection molded piece is removed from a mold by thrust pins. A jet of fluid is directed toward a surface of the piece during removal so as to hold the piece in a proper position on the thrust pins without damaging the piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mold with gas ejection of pieces formed in the mold. The mold includes a female body part and a male body part. The male body part includes a male molding surface with a surrounding plastic injection shut off face and a reciprocable gas controlling blow off pin slideably trapped within a pin recess at the shut off face. The pin has an enlarged bottom portion and a narrowed upper portion with a gas passage starting upwardly through the lower bottom portion into the upper portion and opening sideways through the pin which has a solid top surface above the sideways opening. The pin receiving recess has an undercut configuration including a small diameter upper region and a larger diameter base region with clearance for sliding of the pin in the recess. The clearance is at a minimum near the solid top surface of the pin and increases downwardly from the upper to the lower portion of the pin.

Abstract: A high speed, light weight molded article retrieval device for an injection molding machine having a reciprocating trolley.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an edible, hand held food product which may be used as a container for ice cream and other frozen confections in which the apparatus includes, in combination, a baking mold for baking the food product and a vacuum removal plug which is selectively insertable into a female portion of the baked food product for removing the food product by means of vacuum. The removal plug has an exterior surface with a configuration corresponding substantially to the inner surface of the container and includes a plurality of vacuum ports opening to the exterior surface. The apparatus also includes a vacuum assembly for creating a vacuum within the vacuum ports.

Abstract: A cap is attached to a mold core with a T-shaped connector instead of screws. The core cap has an air distribution channel and the core has cooling fluid distribution channels which are maximized by using the T-connector. The fluid distribution channels promote maximum cooling of the core, and, along with the air distribution channel, facilitates ejection of small articles from the mold.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method is used to form a solid injection molded plastic part having no internal voids, a Class A finish, a sink-free exterior appearance surface, and unevenly distributed structural detail extending from the opposite surface, the detail including free-standing reinforcement ribs, attachment bosses, and the like. In the method the mold portions of the mold apparatus are closed, charges of molten thermoplastic and pressurized gas are sequentially injected into a mold cavity defining the shape of the desired part, and the mold portions are sequentially separated and closed. The pressurized gas forces the hot plastic away from one mold half and against the other mold half, and separation of the mold portions ensures uniform distribution of the pressurized gas behind the hot plastic, which pressure is maintained during cooling.

Abstract: A disc molding apparatus capable of satisfactorily accomplishing release of a molded disc without any trouble to eliminate deformation of the disc during the release and improve quality, reliability and productivity of the disc. In the disc molding apparatus, an air inlet port is provided in proximity to an outer stamper holder of an outer ring for supplying air toward a central region of a disc molded in a cavity of a mold body from a periphery of the disc and a communication passage communicating with the air inlet passage is provided at the outer ring, so that air may be more uniformly blown against the disc during release of the disc from a stamper.

Abstract: A PET bottle forming machine used to mold clear plastic bottles of the type now widely used for mayonaise jars, cosmetic jars, perfume jars and the like, is modified to reduce the potential damage to such jars or containers at the time they are released from the machine. The machine includes an ejector pad, which enters into the open end of the container to center the container at the time a lip spreader operates to part the lip forming portion to release the container. The ejector pad is mounted on the end of a hollow rod, which extends through the pad. When the ejector pad is inserted into the open end of the container at the time of release, a vacuum is applied through the hollow rod to cause the container to be secured to the ejector pad. The hollow rod, with the ejector pad and container releaseably secured to it, then is lowered to place the bottom of the container on a support surface, at which time the vacuum is removed to release the container from the ejector pad.

Abstract: In a mold for producing a disc having a stationary mold half and a movable mold half, an air passageway is provided in the stationary mold half to feed air into a cavity between the mold halves approximate the center of the disc being molded. Further, two air passageways are provided in the movable mold half to feed air into the cavity between the mold halves. One of the air passageways in the movable mold half feeds air into the cavity proximate the center of the molded disc while the second air passageway feeds air into the cavity proximate the outer periphery of the disc on the side toward the stationary disc. The air fed from the second air passageway of the movable mold half flows around the outer periphery of the disc and behind the disc to assist in separating the disc from the movable mold half.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for injection molding thin-walled plastic articles. The apparatus includes a mold cavity and a mold core defining a cavity space in the shape of the article. The cavity space has a circumferentially extending region having a thickness greater than the thickness of a sidewall defining portion. This circumferentially extending region is preferably located at the approximate mid-point of the sidewall defining portion. At least two gates directly and simultaneously introduce plastic material initially into the circumferentially extending portion in a manner so as to minimize the creation of side loads and core shift. After the circumferentially extending region is filled, the plastic material fills the entire cavity space. The plastic material is thereafter cooled to form the desired article.

Abstract: A ramp for the physically challenged includes three different types of sectional portions: a slab disposed at the interface of a level surface such as a floor or earth ground; one or more ramp portions, each having a sloping upper surface, disposed adjacent to one another; and a switch platform having a level upper surface. Forms used to fabricate the three different types of sections are provided. A form for fabricating the sloping ramp portion includes a bulkhead, outer panels, and a set of inserts having varying height. The inserts are used to vary the resulting depth of the side panels of the concrete ramp portions. An upper surface of the bulkhead is sloped downwardly in a plane parallel to that of the upper surface of the concrete ramp portion. Apparatus is provided to elevate the front portion of the assembled form so as to place the upper surface of the bulkhead in a horizontal plane that is parallel to the plane of the level surface upon which the form rests.

Abstract: An elastic mold consists of a product molding section in which a fluidized charging material is charged and solidified to form a molded product, and a mold holding section formed integrally with a take-out opening which is contiguous to the product molding section and which is smaller in size than the molded product. The take-out opening contiguous to the product molding section and the mold holding section is of uniform thickness and is curved smoothly.