By Means Flexing Or Deforming The Mold Patents (Class 425/440)
  • Publication number: 20070295887
    Abstract: A lipstick making device includes an elastic mold device having a mold cavity for filling and molding a lipstick element, three or more curved mold pieces movably disposed above the elastic mold device for forming a hole in the mold pieces when the curved mold pieces are moved radially inward and toward each other, and for receiving the lipstick material to form a root portion of the lipstick element. The root portion of the lipstick element may be exposed when the curved mold pieces are moved away from each other for allowing the slide of the lipstick housing to be easily and readily engaged onto the exposed root portion of the lipstick element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Fu Chin Kuo
  • Patent number: 7276195
    Abstract: Shape memory polymers prepared by copolymerizing two monomers, which each separately produce polymers characterized by different glass transition temperatures in the presence of a multi-functional monomer whereby the copolymer formed is cross-linked during the polymerization to form a thermoset network. The transition temperature of the final polymers is adjusted by the ratio of the monomers selected, to from about 150° C. to about 270° C., while the degree of crosslinking controls the rubbery modulus plateau. The shape memory polymers can be processed as castable formulations in the form of bulk articles, coatings and films. The invention also relates to the articles of manufacture thereof and methods of the preparation and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group
    Inventor: Tat Hung Tong
  • Publication number: 20070216064
    Abstract: An embodiment of an adjustable molding apparatus includes a substrate including a negative molding surface, a layer of flexible material, and a vacuum source for drawing at least a portion of the flexible material into contact with at least a portion of the negative molding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Benjamin Logan
  • Patent number: 7159834
    Abstract: A stress-release mold is described for casting thermosetting compositions especially compositions designed for consumer use. At least one wall of the mold includes a stress-releasing-element characterized by having a more flexible region or regions than the remaining wall or walls of the mold and wherein the stress-releasing-element includes a region of lower curvature at least partially surrounded by a region of higher curvature. The stress-release mold greatly reduces or eliminates surface defects caused by shrinkage of thermosetting compositions as they cools. A system is also described that includes the inventive mold containing a thermosetting composition wherein the mold also serves as all or part of the package for the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed Husain Abbas, David John Lang
  • Patent number: 7140866
    Abstract: A self-alignment stage for compression-forming machines, which self-aligns an upper surface of a lower mold seated on an inner frame, thus compensating for a relative pose error of the lower mold with respect to an upper mold when the material is compression-formed between the upper mold and the lower mold. The self-alignment stage for the compression-forming machines, includes an outer frame comprising a body having a space therein, a plurality of outer connectors protruding from a side surface of the body of the outer frame so as to support the body on a support base of a compression-forming machine, and the inner frame placed in the space of the outer frame such that the inner frame executes a horizontal translational motion and a rotational motion with respect to the outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Kee-Bong Choi, Jae-Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 7128567
    Abstract: Machine for the manufacture of lipsticks or similar, comprising a mobile support (1) for a plurality of housings (8) for flexible moulds (14) that are fillable with cosmetic product, said mobile support (1) being movable through a plurality of working positions comprising a position (17) for heating the flexible moulds, a position (18) for filling the flexible moulds with poured cosmetic product and a position (19) for cooling said poured cosmetic product. Said heating position (17) comprises means for the introduction of warm heating air into said moulds and said cooling position (19) comprises mould cooling means that operate by convection of cold air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Intercos S.p.A.
    Inventor: Nadia Avalle
  • Patent number: 7118701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for manufacturing a stick, in particular for cosmetic use. The side wall of said mold has zones of weakness for making the mold easier to deform radially, said zones of weakness being obtained by means of recesses formed in the side wall of the mold and extending longitudinally over substantially the entire height of the mold starting from its bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Francois Smolarek
  • Patent number: 6986855
    Abstract: The methods of manufacturing molds from shape memory materials and molds made thereby, in accordance with the present invention, provide numerous advantages for molding castable composite parts. The initial mold cost is low enough to accommodate economical production of as few as a single part incorporating high surface definition and intricate three dimensional detail. The preferred methods and molds made thereby are transparent, thereby, curing of the corresponding part by ultra-violet and infra-red light is made possible, as well as, visual inspection during injection and curing of the given resin. Removal of the cured part from within the mold is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hood, David Ernest Havens
  • Patent number: 6911165
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a concrete slab in a substantially horizontal slip casting process method, concrete mix is fed into a mold through a delimited cross section moving progressively in the casting process so as to form a concrete product of a desired shape. Onto the surface of the casting bed (1) is placed a core (3, 9, 10, 11) capable of delimiting the cross section of the concrete product (5, 5?) so as to provide an opening or a provision for an opening in the bottom surface of the slab. A core is provided for obtaining an opening or a provision for an opening. The structure and/or material of the core is/are such that the core is capable of yielding in vertical direction. A core may also be a multipart core, the outer part of which becomes detached from the inner part of the core in conjunction with lifting off the concrete slab from the casting bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Consolis Technology Oy AB
    Inventors: Tarmo Sahala, Aimo Seppänen, Lassi Järvinen
  • Patent number: 6808154
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a member, such as a column. The invention comprises inner and outer molds that are spaced apart forming a cavity for receiving a viscous material for making the member. A core is inserted within the inner area of inner mold when the viscous material is initially disposed within the mold. Once the material attains a gelled state, an extraction member is inserted within the inner area. A vacuum is applied to the inner area that causes the flexible inner mold to separate from the material and conform to the extraction member allowing for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Column & Post., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Koren
  • Patent number: 6702999
    Abstract: Disclosed are stable oral care compositions, preferably confectionery compositions, which provide enhanced oral malodour benefits combined with one or more additional oral care benefits, wherein the compositions comprise: (i) a polyphosphate material with an average anion chain length of 3 or greater; (ii) greater than about 10 ppm of a first metal cation selected from the metals of groups 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 of the periodic table; (iii) greater than about 10 ppm of a second metal cation selected from the metals of groups 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 of the periodic table; and (iv) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the molar ratio of polyphosphate anion to the total level of first and second metal cation combined is in the range of from about 10:1 to about 1:1 and wherein the molar ratio of the first metal cation to the second metal cation is in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1:50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Lawlor
  • Patent number: 6572811
    Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly forming a cementitious panel. A cementitious mixture is introduced into a mold configured to provide the desired surface appearance and profile of the cementitious panel. The cementitious mixture is then subject to an accelerated curing process by applying microwave energy to the cementitious mixture for a predetermined time period. After a relatively short resting or cooling period, the resulting cementitious panel is ready to be removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Custom Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Heirich
  • Patent number: 6565351
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for fabricating composite structures is provided that includes first and second tooling portions (110, 120) that are configured to support at least one layer (160) of composite materials during curing to form a composite structure. The apparatus (100) further includes a flexible hinge (140) that is disposed between and couples the first and second tooling portions (110, 120). The flexible hinge (140) couples the tooling portions (110, 120) such that they may be peeled away from the composite material after curing by bending the apparatus (100) at the flexible hinge (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrell R. Holsinger
  • Patent number: 6530764
    Abstract: A resin-sealing mold for encapsulating a semiconductor device includes upper and lower molds with a first cavity insert forming a cavity side face portion; a first elastic post supporting the first cavity insert; an elastic plate, built in the first cavity insert, forming a cavity bottom portion; a second cavity insert embedded at a position adjacent to the elastic plate on the side opposite to the cavity; a second elastic post supporting the second cavity insert; a retainer including the first cavity insert and the second cavity insert; and a backing plate to which the first elastic post, the second elastic post and the retainer are attached. Generation of thin burrs that tend to appear on the periphery of the package and in the vicinity of the cull section is prevented, and, consequently, a resin-sealing mold with high reliability is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Mishima, Tetsuya Hirose, Hideji Aoki, Hiromichi Yamada, Toru Ueno, Kiyoharu Kato
  • Patent number: 6508909
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing pre-cured parts of composite material with green-applied stiffeners, comprising the lamination of superimposed pre-impregnated composite material sheets to obtain a base part (1) and a second part (2) intended to be bonded with it; curing the base part (1); hot forming the laminate destined to form the second part (2); removing the second part (2) from the forming tool thereof and deposit it over the base part (1), intercalating a structural adhesive sheet between both of them; closing the assembly of both parts inside a vacuum bag and loading said bag in an autoclave, carrying out a curing cycle of the second part (2) under pressure and temperature, so that it is strongly adhered to the base part (1). The invention is applicable to the field of aeronautics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Cerezo Pancorbo, Rafael Dominguez Casado, Manuel De Castro Nodal, Augusto Perez Pastor, Aquilino Garcia Garcia, Manuel Huertas Garcia
  • Patent number: 6481235
    Abstract: An ice-making device includes a case, an ice tray having a plurality of ice cubes and being rotatably installed clockwise and counterclockwise in the case, and a rotation stopping unit provided at the case and the ice tray to limit a rotation of an ice tray if the ice tray is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise within a predetermined angle in a state that the ice tray is poised horizontally. Since the ice tray can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise according to a user's selection, the pieces of ice can be easily from the ice tray, ensuring that the user can separate the pieces of ice more conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyeok Min Kwon
  • Publication number: 20020145211
    Abstract: A method and a device for removing molded soft contact lenses, high-precision intraocular lenses and the like, from the individual molds in which they are produced. Provided is an infra-red radiation or heater device constituted of silicon carbide IR-emitters, and which employs an individual infra-red emitter for each individual mold, to impart a desired thermal gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen C. Pegram, Allan W. Kimble, Leslie A. Voss, Thomas P. Bingaman, Joseph W. Ricard
  • Publication number: 20020135090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a member, such as a column. The invention comprises inner and outer molds that are spaced apart forming a cavity for receiving a viscous material for making the member. A core is inserted within the inner area of inner mold when the viscous material is initially disposed within the mold. Once the material attains a gelled state, an extraction member is inserted within the inner area. A vacuum is applied to the inner area that causes the flexible inner mold to separate from the material and conform to the extraction member allowing for removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Koren
  • Patent number: 6428723
    Abstract: A method for separating one mold section from another mold section and a contact lens molded in the two mold sections provides improved reliability that the lens is not damaged during this operation and that the lens is retained selectively on the desired. Various embodiments of apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lesczynski, Mingway B. Wu, Christopher Bentley, Kevin D. Beebe
  • Publication number: 20020094356
    Abstract: Constituted by a single-piece body in which a cylindrical rod (1) is defined, which, after a weakening (3) ends in an expandable head (2), by way of pincer, centering its features on the fact that said head (2) adopts a configuration which is also cylindrical, coincident in diameter with that of the rod (1), allowing for easy machining of the ejector as well as the mold itself, in which an orifice which is also cylindrical and of constant section in its entire length will be necessary. The pincers of the head (2), after their obtainment, adopt, in a stable form, a divergent position, by means of a suitable thermal treatment, so that they close when the head penetrates the mold body and open automatically when said head (2) frees itself of the mold body and reaches the inside of the same. In the head (2) cavity, in correspondence with the confluence zone between the cuts which convert it into a pincer, a housing (9) coincident in shape and dimensionally with the negative to be obtained is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Alberto Navarra Pruna
  • Publication number: 20020090414
    Abstract: Embodiments of a memory material mold are disclosed in which the mold is made of shape memory material having one shape at one temperture and a second shape at a second temperature. The memory material mold may be used to shape molded articles through change in temperature and shape or to release a molded article after molding by changing shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Jaaron Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020086079
    Abstract: A lipstick making mold includes a base having one or more cavities for receiving one or more elastic mold pieces and for receiving the lipstick material. The elastic mold pieces have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cavities of the base, for forming a peripheral gap between each elastic mold piece and the base. A vacuuming device may be used to vacuum the peripheral gap and to draw the elastic mold piece to engage with the base, for allowing the lipstick material to be easily and quickly removed from the elastic mold pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Fu Chin Kuo
  • Publication number: 20020086081
    Abstract: A lipstick making device includes a mold piece having one or more mold cavities for receiving a lipstick material, and one or more reinforcing plates engaged in the mold piece and each having one or more ears that are preferably extended from the ends of the plates. One or more rods are engaged through the ears of the plate for stably moving the plate in a direction radially away from the mold piece to uniformly expand the mold piece. One or more actuators are attached to one or more of the rods for expanding the mold piece with the rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Fu Chin Kuo
  • Publication number: 20020070481
    Abstract: A one piece mold, having a cavity into which fluid material is fed through an input port, to result in a seamless, cast icon. At least the input port portion of the mold is sufficiently elastic so that it can be stretched open: (a) by the hardened icon, when positive pressure is applied into the cavity, remote from the input port; (b) by negative pressure applied around the mold, at least proximate to the input port; or (c) by a combination of such applied positive and negative pressures; to demold through the input port, the then hardened icon. An endless conveyor system carries the molds past several stations, including an icon demolding station, which applies the mold stretching pressure for the icon domolding. The applied pressure(s) does not exceed the elastic capability of the mold, so that it can be reused repeatedly, without deterioration as to form and shape of the icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Luis Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20020056928
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: DAVID J. LUNDIN, KEVIN M. ELIASON
  • Publication number: 20020012716
    Abstract: In a resin-sealing mold of a semiconductor device, each of the upper and lower molds is provided with: a first cavity insert for forming a cavity side face portion; a first elastic post for supporting the first cavity insert; an elastic plate, built in the first cavity insert, for forming a cavity bottom portion; a second cavity insert embedded at a position adjacent to the elastic plate on the side opposite to the cavity; a second elastic post for supporting the second cavity insert; a retainer including the first cavity insert and the second cavity insert; and a backing plate to which the first elastic post, the second elastic post and the retainer are attached. It becomes possible to prevent the generation of thin burrs that tend to appear on the periphery of the package and in the vicinity of the cull section, and consequently to provide a resin-sealing mold with high reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Mishima, Tetsuya Hirose, Hideji Aoki, Hiromichi Yamada, Toru Ueno, Kiyoharu Kato
  • Patent number: 6245275
    Abstract: A method for fabricating composite structures is provided that includes providing a skin (20) that has at least one layer (160) of uncured composite material, and providing a flexible hinge tool (100) that has first and second tooling portions (110, 120) coupled with a flexible hinge (140). The first and second tooling portions (110, 120) of the hinge tool (100) each have a molding surface (112, 122), and the tooling portions (110, 120) are configured to form at least a portion of a stiffening member (10). The method further includes laying up at least one layer (160) of uncured composite material on the molding surfaces (112, 122) to form the stiffening member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrell R. Holsinger
  • Patent number: 6139308
    Abstract: Multilayer meltblown fibrous webs, as well as apparatus and methods of forming the webs. The webs are produced on a rotating collector that also moves parallel to its longitudinal axis. The webs are thus formed in a helical process, and the resulting tubular web is separated in a direction parallel to a helix angle. By separating the tubular web in a direction parallel to the helix angle, a flat multilayer meltblown fibrous web is provided that allows for incorporation of feathered edges formed during the article's manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, James F. Dyrud, Stanley C. Erickson, Luther E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6139786
    Abstract: A method of forming a flexible mold (12) and resulting article is provided where a model (10) having the contour of the article to be molded is provided. The model (10) is partially encapsulated within a flexible and substantially liquid impervious layer (14). The combined model (10) and liquid impervious layer (14) is immersed into a curable liquid composition and handle members (36, 38) are inserted into the curable liquid composition. The curable liquid composition (34) is cured having the handles (36, 38) embedded within the composition (34) and subsequent to curing, forms a solid flexible mold encompassing structure (44). Handle members (36, 38) are actuated to release the model (10) from the layer (14) to form the flexible mold (12) for the article to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Arthur A. Corry
  • Patent number: 6113726
    Abstract: A method by which an elastomer is applied to a model (1) with relief marks to be reproduced. The purpose of the elastomer once set is to form a mold membrane (14) and incorporate within its own material the shape of the marks on the model. The mold membrane is then separated from the model and filled with a setting material, and the mold membrane is applied to a support in order to transfer the marks after preliminary pasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Promatec Systems S.A.
    Inventor: Georges-Andre Leschot
  • Patent number: 6077462
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 6033603
    Abstract: A method for separating one mold section from another mold section and a contact lens molded in the two mold sections provides improved reliability that the lens is not damaged during this operation and that the lens is retained selectively on the desired. Various embodiments of apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lesczynski, Mingway B. Wu, Christopher Bentley, Kevin D. Beebe
  • Patent number: 6027327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming thermoplastic containers having a male locking member. The apparatus includes a cavity defining a shape of the container, a stripper movable in a longitudinal direction relative to said cavity, and a retractable lock adjacent to an edge of the cavity. The retractable lock is movable in a transverse direction relative to the cavity between a retracted position and an unretracted position and movable in a longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The containers are formed through a process in which the apparatus is sequentially placed in a ready mode, lift mode, disengage mode, and back to the ready mode. In the ready mode, the retractable lock is placed in the unretracted position and first position in order to receive a sheet of plastic material and form a locking member thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Felder
  • Patent number: 6022209
    Abstract: A lipstick making device includes a mold piece having one or more mold cavities for receiving the lipstick materials and having a pattern extended inward of the mold cavity for forming a corresponding pattern in the lipstick material after the lipstick material is cured. One or more actuators are attached to the mold piece for expanding the mold piece and for disengaging the pattern of the mold piece from the lipstick material and for allowing the lipstick material to be easily removed from the mold piece without damaging the pattern formed in the lipstick material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Fu Chin Kuo
  • Patent number: 5820895
    Abstract: Demolding apparatus for reliably and repeatedly mechanically separating contact lens mold assemblies without damaging the contact lens formed therebetween. The mold assembly includes a frontcurve mold having a central mold section with a surrounding flange, and a corresponding backcurve mold also having a central mold section with a surrounding flange, with a contact lens being molded therebetween. The demolding apparatus includes a conductive heating probe which contacts the backcurve mold of the lens mold assembly to conductively heat the backcurve mold. Heat is conducted by the backcurve mold to cause a temperature gradient between the backcurve mold and the lens being demolded. The temperature gradient causes a differential expansion and shifting of the surface of the backcurve mold relative to the surface of the lens to lessen the adhesion therebetween to assist in separation of the molds, while leaving the lens in the frontcurve mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Widman, Henri A. Dagobert
  • Patent number: 5783135
    Abstract: For use in manufacturing concreted building products in polyurethane molds, a demolding apparatus provides a clamping bar which clamps on to a lip of a mold (22) and is then moved with pivotal arms (32,34) forward and upwardly to effectively strip the edge of the mold (22) form the front end of the respective product (24). The reciprocating mold (22) passes below a roller (66) which moves into engagement with the upper surface of the mold (22) to apply a downwardly directed pressure onto the mold and product, thereby to retain the product (24) on a conveyor (12) and rollers (68), and facilitate stripping of the mold (22) from the product (24). The stripped product (24) moves onto an offtake conveyor (70) and, in the uppermost position of the arm (32,34), the clamping jaws are released to allow the stripped mold (22) to thereafter fall onto the conveyor (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Camas UK Limited
    Inventors: Alan John Smith, Maurice Roy Sims, Leslie Richard John Allen
  • Patent number: 5690973
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies that each contain a contact lens mold between a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each of the mold halves having annular circumferential flanges, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first device for applying steam at a first temperature to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient ranging from about 2.5.degree. C. to 6.0.degree. C. between the back curve mold half relative to the front curve mold half, and, a second device including a set of pry tools that are inserted between the circumferential flanges of the front mold and back mold halves of the contact lens mold assembly, the pry tools including a first set of pry fingers for retaining the front curve mold half and a second set of pry fingers for biasing the back curve mold half upwardly at a predetermined force with respect to the front curve mold half to effectively remove the back mold half therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ture Kindt-Larsen, Stephen Robert Beaton, Wallace Anthony Martin, Stephen Craig Pegram, Craig William Walker
  • Patent number: 5643522
    Abstract: A system for curing composite structures. A hollow bladder having opposing open ends is secured within a metal pressure vessel so as to define an annular space within the vessel surrounding the bladder. The open ends of the bladder are sealably attached to opposing entrances formed in the pressure vessel so that the bladder is sealed from communication with the vessel and is accessible through the opposing openings. An uncured composite part can be inserted into the bladder. Preheated and pressurized fluid is circulated through the annular space and thus around the bladder in order to cure the composite part. The composite part may also be encapsulated within a forming bladder member which is then removably inserted into the pressure bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: James F. Park
  • Patent number: 5639416
    Abstract: A process for molding dimensionally accurate plastic articles using a low pressure injection molding technique. The process utilizes a two-piece silicone rubber mold having a cavity representative of the shape of the article to be molded. The mold is substantially encased on all sides in a rigid mold box to prevent deformation of the cavity during the molding process (10). The mold box and the encased mold are placed in a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the chamber to evacuate the cavity (20). A predetermined amount of a reactive mixture is simultaneously mixed and injected under pressure into the mold to form the plastic article (30). The amount of material injected is sufficient to fill the cavity but not sufficient to distort the cavity. The chamber is vented (40) and the mold is removed from the mold box (50). The mold is flexed in order to remove the plastic article from the mold (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Pennisi, Gregory D. Jackson, Glenn F. Urbish, Louis D. Megleo
  • Patent number: 5630977
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus method and system for molding a plastic article having inward or outward projections on the exterior surface. The injection mold has a first and second mold part adapted to move between a closed, molding position and an open, article-recovering position and which defines a mold cavity for an article to be molded. The first expandable cavity mold part has a base with an opening therethrough and a plurality of outwardly tapered arms extending from the base to an open end that extends into the mold cavity where it is held in place by a striker plate during the injection molding process. The second inner mandrel mold part has a one and other end adapted to move reciprocally and longitudinally within the base and arms of the expandable cavity element, the top end threaded to form the interior threaded surface of the injection molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Roehr Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Catalanotti, Sassan Tarahomi
  • Patent number: 5433418
    Abstract: A selectively-flexible, selectively-rigid, reusable, one-piece mold is used to fabricate a composite part having a complex shape on an outer surface of the mold. Disposed within the interior of the shell is a grid-type support truss structure having a plurality of individual support members attached at one end to headers that are attached by clips to the inside surface of the shell at predetermined locations. The support members are locked in place relative to each other by the use of pins placed in holes formed at various locations in the support members. When locked in place in this manner, the shell is stiffened, thereby facilitating the fabrication of the composite part on the mold. When the pins are removed, the shell is allowed to flex, thereby facilitating the removal of the cured composite part from the outer surface of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nowak, Stephen R. Norko
  • Patent number: 5431942
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method of sealing and/or shaping a food product and apparatus for use in performing the method. Food product is placed on a support surface (10), and a molding surface--comprising a flexible diaphragm (25) is lowered over the food product. Air pressure acting on the diaphragm applies a force to the food product for the purpose of sealing and/or shaping the food product. The arrangement produces a more random appearance to the resulting food product. A plurality of food products are acted on by a respective molding surface which are carried from a common framework. The support surface is preferably a conveyor belt and the framework is mounted for reciprocal movement so that molding pressure can be applied to the food product during an indexing movement of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Moy Park Limited of the Food Park
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Baird
  • Patent number: 5417557
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method for removing a molded ophthalmic lens from between the mold portions in which it is produced. A source of intense electromagnetic radiation, preferably a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser of about 80 Watts at a wavelength of 10.6 .mu.m, is applied to at least one of the mold portions. The exposure of the mold portion to the laser is between one half and one second. Differential expansion of the heated mold polymer relative to the cooler polymer shifts one surface with respect to the other, and the shear force breaks the polymerized lens/polymer mold adhesion and assists in the separation of mold portions. The greater the temperature gradient between the surfaces of the mold portions, the greater the shearing force and the easier the mold portions separate. The heated back mold portion is promptly removed so that very little energy is transferred to the polymer lens, avoiding the possibility of thermal decomposition of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Denwood F. Ross, Craig W. Walker, Olin W. Calvin, Thomas G. Davis
  • Patent number: 5387389
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus method and system for molding a plastic article having inward or outward projections on the exterior surface. The injection mold has a first and second mold part adapted to move between a closed, molding position and an open, article-recovering position and which defines a mold cavity for an article to be molded. The first expandable cavity mold part has a base with an opening therethrough and a plurality of outwardly tapered arms extending from the base to an open end that extends into the mold cavity where it is held in place by a striker plate during the injection molding process. The second inner mandrel mold part has a one and other end adapted to move reciprocally and longitudinally within the base and arms of the expandable cavity element, the top end threaded to form the interior threaded surface of the injection molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Roehr Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Catalanotti, Sassan Tarahomi
  • Patent number: 5332190
    Abstract: An elastic molding die is composed of an elastomer laminate film, of which the innermost layer is formed of an elastomer not containing fillers. The innermost layer elastomer is preferably an oil-resistant elastomer. Alternatively, an oil-repellent agent may be contained in the innermost layer elastomer. The outer layer may be formed of an elastomer containing fillers. Furthermore, an oil blocking layer can be provided between the inner layer and the outer layer. A master model is dipped in an elastomer solution not containing fillers, heat dried to form a gelled elastomer film, the film is coated with a coagulant, dipped again in an elastomer solution, taken out, gelation treated, and the elastomer film is peeled from the master model to obtain an elastic molding die. In another method, a once-formed hollow elastic molding die is turned inside out, pressed in with a gas to swell, the swollen die is coated with an elastomer solution not containing fillers, heat dried, and turned it again inside out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Okamoto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Akinori Watanabe, Itaru Horiguchi, Tsuguyo Ando, Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 5263844
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Akutagawa Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuji Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 5244377
    Abstract: Dies for posteriors and anterior curves. A spherical surface is formed in the end of a body member, the side walls of which are compressed to change the spherical surface geometry to toric shape. The side wall is cylindrical and provided with two elongated slots which define two opposite ribs. A bolt passing through the ribs is tightened to provide the compressive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Standard Antiseptic, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Danker
  • Patent number: 5198232
    Abstract: A mould for an injection moulding apparatus, the moulding including at least two mould parts which mate to form the mould cavity and which separate to permit removal of the moulded article, each mould part including a relatively rigid body having an abutment face which abuts with an abutment face of the other mould part when said parts mate, the body of at least one mould part including a recess in its abutment face which is filled with a resilient material defining a portion of said mould cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Games Workshop Limited
    Inventors: John B. Thornthwaite, Robert Naismith
  • Patent number: 5176866
    Abstract: A core for producing a molded resin product having a bent hollow portion, including two-forked and multi-forked products used as parts for automobiles, and a process for producing the aforesaid resin product having a bent hollow portion by using said core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Tanaka, Kiyoshi Tanada
  • Patent number: 5154937
    Abstract: An elastic forming die with an aperture section through which a molding material is charged, including a main mold section in membrane form which acts as a female mold for the molded product; a conical section in membrane form which is connected to the aperture section and expands outwardly in the shape of a cone; and an aperture roll section provided at the outer peripheral edge of the cone section, and a method for manufacturing this elastic forming die. Because the elastic forming die is provided with the conical section which is connected to the aperture section and expands outwardly, the release of the molded product from the mold is extremely easy and the elastic forming die can be used to manufacture molded products such as chocolate, jelly, and the like. The molding method using the elastic forming die features the release of the molded product utilizing said cone section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignees: Okamoto Industries, Fujino Syouko Co., Ltd., Toshiya Fujishima
    Inventor: Toshiya Fujishima