Including Traveling Mold Carrier Or Support Patents (Class 425/451)
  • Patent number: 6032491
    Abstract: Apparatus (32) and a method for heated mold changing at a forming station (24) in a heated chamber (22) where heated glass sheets are cyclically formed. A switching station (318) is located adjacent the forming station (24). An unloading station (320) and a mold preheating station (322) are each located adjacent the switching station. An unloading cart (324) is initially movable from the loading station (320) to the switching station (318) and then to the forming station (24) to receive one or more heated molds from the forming station and is subsequently moved from the forming station back through the switching station to the unloading station to permit unloading of each heated mold. A loading cart supports a second mold or a pair of molds for heating within the mold preheating station (322) and is movable from the mold preheating station to the switching station (318) and then to the forming station for mold loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Nitschke, Robert D. Caswall, Eustace Harold Mumford, David B. Nitschke
  • Patent number: 6027329
    Abstract: A platen to be operationally coupled to a plurality of tie bars and which is suitable for supporting a mold element in a clamping operation in which the platen is subjected to clamping forces. The platen includes a mold supporting section comprising a mold support member having a mold mounting surface for receiving the mold element. A plurality of tie bar engaging members are spaced apart from the mold supporting section. A flexible interconnecting structure comprises at least one interconnecting element which interconnects at least tie bar engaging member to the mold supporting section. The interconnecting element is placed under tension during the clamping operation to allow the tie bar engaging member to deflect upward relative to the mold supporting section in response to the clamping forces acting against the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: HPM/Stadco, Inc.
    Inventors: Izak Paviz Nazarian, John P. Caffrey
  • Patent number: 6009727
    Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Marty J. Grant, Joseph L. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5974835
    Abstract: An I.S. machine has a plurality of individual sections each having a blank station for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass in opposed pairs of blankmold halves supported by opposed mold carriers displaceable between retracted and advanced positions and a blow station for forming a parison into a bottle in opposed pairs of blowmold halves supported by opposed mold carriers displaceable between retracted and advanced positions. The drive assemblies for the four mold carriers are identical having the same transmission for converting a rotary input into a linear output, and motor having a rotary output connected to the rotary input of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Walter E. Lovell, John P. Mungovan, Joseph A. Borbone, Steven J. Pinkerton, Douglas J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5958101
    Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections each having a section frame having a top wall. A pair of mold support mechanisms are supported above the top wall of the section frame for linear displacement and displaced by a motor having, a rotary output, secured to the top wall, via a rotary to linear transmission supported above the top wall of the section frame horizontally adjacent the mold support mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Steven J. Pinkerton, Walter E. Lovell, Joseph A. Borbone, Douglas J. Roberts, John P. Mungovan
  • Patent number: 5938809
    Abstract: An I.S. machine has a plurality of individual sections arranged in side by side relation. Each section has a blank station for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass, and a blow station for forming a parison into a bottle. An invert and neck ring holder mechanism is located between these stations for transferring a parison between from one station to the other. Each station has a mold opening and closing mechanism which has a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms supported for linear displacement between a retracted position and an advanced position. Each mold support mechanism is supported by a first shaft on one side of the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, proximate the invert and neck ring holder mechanism, extending perpendicularly to the engagement plane, and by a second shaft on the other side of the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, remote from the invert and neck ring holder mechanism, extending perpendicularly to the engagement plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Glass SA
    Inventors: John P. Mungovan, Gary R. Voisine, Walter E. Lovell, Joseph A. Borbone, Steven J. Pinkerton, Douglas J. Roberts, Alexander H. Slocum
  • Patent number: 5925162
    Abstract: A mold support assembly (28) includes a support (164) located within a heated chamber (22) and having a construction that reduces thermal expansion. A vertical guide (170) located externally of the heated chamber has a vertically movable connection (172) to the support (164) to permit vertical movement thereof at a horizontally fixed location. A mold support (174) for supporting a mold that provides forming of heated glass sheets is supported on the support (164) by support mounts (176) and is positioned by positioners (178,180) that provide a thermally stable center. The support (164) is constructed as a tubular support having fluid inlet (166) and a fluid outlet (168) through which a liquid coolant flows to reduce thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Nitschke, David B. Nitschke, Eustace Harold Mumford
  • Patent number: 5900034
    Abstract: A support and actuating mechanism (30) includes an actuator (244) mounted adjacent a vertical post (242) of a framework (236) and also includes a plurality of connectors (246) extending from the actuator to a mold support assembly (28) located within a heated chamber (22) of a housing (20) to perform forming of heated glass sheets. Each connector (246) includes a vertical connector rod (248) that extends upwardly from the actuator, an upper pivot link (254) connected to the vertical connector rod (248) and to a horizontal connector rod (258), a sector wheel (264) connected to the horizontal connector rod (258), and a flexible member (268) that extends from the sector wheel (264) to a mold support rod (270) that supports the mold support assembly (28) to provide vertical movement thereof under the operation of the actuator. The sector wheels (264) are preferably constructed as sprockets and the flexible members (268) are chains received by the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Eustace Harold Mumford, David B. Nitschke, Dean M. Nitschke
  • Patent number: 5891488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mold closing device without cross-beam for an injection molding machine having a C-shaped machine frame, a fixed tool mounting plate supported therein and an end plate, as well as a movable tool mounting plate longitudinally movable on antifriction guideways and guide bars. It is the object of the invention to provide an inexpensive and simple adjustment which assures the concentricity between the fixed tool mounting plate and the end plate during deformation of the machine frame as a result of the closing force and which eliminates the machining tolerances among the hinge points on the guide bars. The solution provides that the guide bars are horizontally frictionally attached to the machine frame, are vertically biasable via springs against the fixed tool mounting plate and against the end plate, and are supportable via springs between the end plate and the fixed tool mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Hemscheidt Maschinentechnik Schwerin GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Volker Wittstock, Klaus Fuller
  • Patent number: 5887450
    Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections. A pair of opposed mold holding mechanisms is supported on top of the section frame for linear displacement between a separated retracted position whereat each mold support mechanism is located at a start position and an advanced position whereat molds held by the mold support mechanisms will forcefully engage. A mold holding mechanism is secured to the free ends of a pair of round shafts which are slidably supported within horizontally separated bearings in a housing supported on the section frame and extending vertically upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Walter E. Lovell, Joseph A. Borbone, Steven J. Pinkerton, Douglas J. Roberts, John P. Mungovan, Gary R. Voisine
  • Patent number: 5866177
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Keith W. Ingram
  • Patent number: 5865868
    Abstract: A mold carrier assembly for use with a support housing having a pair of parallel, spaced, horizontally extending bores and located on the top wall of a section frame of an I.S. machine. The quick change mold carrier assembly has a mold support mechanism including an insert for supporting at least one mold half which is mounted on a carrier. First and second parallel round shafts are secured at one end to the carrier with the round shafts extending horizontally in parallel relationship and each of the round shafts have a free end remote from the carrier for slidable insertion into the bores of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Walter E. Lovell, Joseph A. Borbone, Steven J. Pinkerton, Douglas J. Roberts, John P. Mungovan, Gary R. Voisine
  • Patent number: 5843493
    Abstract: An inverter device is intended to operate on half-moulds which advance in alternate sequence on a conveyor line. The inverter device has inverter sets on both sides of the conveyor line, each of which comprises a fixed unit and a movable unit with respective engagement formations capable of engaging the half-moulds by the effect of a general approaching movement towards the conveyor line. Having achieved engagement of the half-moulds the movable unit is then driven to rotate by means of a mechanism actuated by a cam so as to obtain the desired inverting movement. The same configuration can be utilised equally well for causing book-like mould closure movement of adjacent half-moulds as for causing mould-opening motion of superimposed half-moulds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Piercarlo Scaliti
  • Patent number: 5824131
    Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Marty J. Grant, Joseph L. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5811139
    Abstract: In a device for fixing a ball screw/nut mechanism, including a ball screw and a ball nut, safe from turning. The ball screw/nut mechanism generates a linear movement to displace a first subassembly until it rests on a second subassembly. A blocking device is provided, which is adapted to fix the rotating part of the ball screw/nut mechanism, when both subassemblies are in contact, safe from turning through a reaction force originated by an external force and by overcoming the force of a first resetting means. When the parts are in contact, the blocking device is positioned in a determined distance from the first subassembly, and when the external force, generated by the drive device, arises the turnable part is safe from turning, until the determined distance between the first subassembly and the blocking device is compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 5803945
    Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections each having a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms displaceable between a separated retracted position whereat each mold support mechanism is located at a start position and an advanced position whereat molds carried by the mold support mechanisms will forcefully engage. The drive which is operatively associated with each mold support mechanism includes an electronic motor. A predetermined torque is applied to the motors for a period of time when the opposed pair of mold support mechanisms are at the advanced position. To return the mold support mechanisms to the start position the electronic motors are operated to displace the mold support mechanisms at a slow velocity for a predetermined period of time and then operated to displace the mold support mechanisms to rapidly displace the mold support mechanisms to the start position following the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Marty J. Grant
  • Patent number: 5800846
    Abstract: An upper thermoforming mold is positioned above a lower thermoforming mold on a platen. The platen is provided with an array of position-controlled hydraulic cylinders. A controller drives the array of cylinders to uniformly advance the two molds together once heated sheets of thermoplastic material have been formed thereon. By controlling the position of each actuator, forces may be applied at different levels to the platen to bring about uniform molded parts and reduced deflection of the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: TriEnda Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Hart
  • Patent number: 5756131
    Abstract: A continuous moulding device for producing building materials includes two pairs of drive sprockets (22) oppositely positioned at the inlet and the outlet of the device, a pair of chain conveyors (24) wound on the drive sprockets (22), with each chain conveyor having a connecting part (24a) on each of its links. A series of bottom plates (26) are connected to opposite connecting parts (24a) of the links. Side wall members (27) are pivotably connected to the sides of each bottom plate to form a transverse unit mould, and end pieces (30, 30') are connected to each bottom plate (26) to resiliently contact the ends of the unit mould. The unit mould can also be formed by separate side wall members (127) and bottom members (128), or by integrally formed bottom walls (210a) and side walls (210b, 210c) defined by a moulding conveyor belt (210). The device is used to form moulded products such as concrete beams, door frames or aluminum blocks with a high degree of dimensional tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Kun Hee Suh
  • Patent number: 5738920
    Abstract: The present invention is a plastic container coated with a multi-layer barrier coating. The multi-layer barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Christopher John Knors
  • Patent number: 5720175
    Abstract: A system and method for making a frozen confection having a plurality of differently flavored or colored sections are provided. After creating in a mold a frozen outer layer comprising the ingredients for a first flavor or color, a carving means, such as a heated tool or a nozzle ejecting high-pressure gas, removes a portion of the frozen outer layer in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The ingredients for a second flavor or color then are added, and the mold is subjected to freezing to form the final product. Alternatively, a tool having protrusions contacting portions of the inner surface of the mold is inserted into the mold, before or after insertion of the first ingredients, the first ingredients are frozen, the tool is removed, and the second ingredients then are added and frozen. In another embodiment, a first flavor or color is sprayed onto the inner wall of the mold in a pattern and frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventors: Neal Edwin White, Kenneth D. Margolis
  • Patent number: 5698241
    Abstract: A rotary plastic blow molding machine (10) includes a rotary wheel (14) mounted on a base (12) and having a plurality of mold stations (30) with mold supports (34) that are mounted by inner and outer slide supports (32a,32b) and moved by an operating cam mechanism (56) in association with a lock mechanism (62) and an unlocking cam mechanism (64) to provide blow molding of an extruded parison. The inner and outer slide supports (32a,32b) are preferably aligned radially with respect to the rotational axis of the wheel (14) and the operating cam mechanism preferably includes a pair of gas springs (98) for providing uniform pressure in the closing of the mold supported by the mold supports (34). A mold recompression mechanism (128) removes mold closing pressure from the lock mechanism (62) prior to operation of the unlocking cam mechanism (64) in preparation for mold opening after completion of the blow molding cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Kitzmiller
  • Patent number: 5695792
    Abstract: A blow-molding machine for producing hollow plastic articles comprises a blow mold having a plurality of cavities corresponding to the shape and dimension of the finished hollow articles. The blow mold has at least two closely adjacent and separate blow molds and an opening and closing system operatively associated with each blow mold. The machine is provided with a tube station and a blow station. The tube station has a plurality of tube-shaped parison-forming heads located parallel to and next to each other for filling each cavity with a parison. The number of cavities corresponds to the number of parisons. The blow station is offset relative to the tube station and thereat the parisons in closed blow molds are inflated to the finished hollow articles. A joint transportation system for moving all of said blow molds between the tube station and the blow station is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: BEKUM Maschinenfabriken GmbH
    Inventor: Gary Carr
  • Patent number: 5645870
    Abstract: A rotary plastic blow mold machine including a cylindrical hub rotatably mounted about an axis. A plurality of mold assemblies including an upper mold and a lower mold movable axially toward one another are removably mounted on the machine with each lower mold on the periphery of the hub. Mounting construction is interposed between the lower mold and the hub. Each mounting arrangement has an arcuate surface engaging a portion of the periphery of the cylindrical hub such that the lower mold can be removed and replaced on the hub by different size molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: W. Bruce Larsen
  • Patent number: 5516540
    Abstract: Articles of ice confectionery are prepared in a cavity formed by a complementary countermould and master mould assembly into which a composition for forming an ice confectionery is introduced. The assembly is cooled for freezing the confectionery composition which then is demoulded in two steps wherein the countermould is heated and removed first and the master mould is heated second for removal of the frozen article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Philip I. Cathenaut
  • Patent number: 5510071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of smooth or corrugated small and large diameter thermoplastic tubing and composite tubular structures. The apparatus includes a supporting framework, a plurality of mold carriages mounted on said framework for reciprocal linear travel therealong, at least one mold block mounted on each of said mold carriages, each said mold block comprising a pair of opposed semi-cylindrical segments mounted on a carriage for transverse linear reciprocal travel therealong for closing and opening of said mold block, an actuating mechanism for moving said opposed mold segments towards and away from each other, and a single actuating mechanism for selectively moving said carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Big "O" Inc.
    Inventors: Lenard Van Wonderen, Joseph F. Bengough, Carl D. Chapman, Frederick A. Kime
  • Patent number: 5507634
    Abstract: A molding machine has a mold material supply device, a die setting device, a separating device and a deburring device. The supply device includes a mold material feeding device, an extruding device for receiving a mold material from the mold material feeding device and extruding the mold material so as to form an extruded mold material, a cutting device for cutting the extruded mold material, and a transfer device for receiving the extruded mold material from the cutting device and transferring the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Kato, Shigeru Morita, Kiminori Sato
  • Patent number: 5496166
    Abstract: A mold section carrier assembly is provided for use in an injection stretch blow molding machine. The assembly permits highly accurate position adjustment of mold sections on the platens of the machine, and includes a back plate on which each mold section is secured, and a pair of side rails secured on opposite sides of the mold section on each back plate. A block is provided for each side rail, and includes a planer engagement surface that is parallel to and bears against an engagement surface of the rail. A force transmitting mechanism moves each block relative to the corresponding side rail in a direction that is angled relative to the engagement surfaces in order to adjust the position of the mold section relative to the platen within a plane transverse to the support surface of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: R & D Tool and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Vogel, David H. Wescoat, Ronald W. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 5471853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mass production device for ice carvings mainly for the automatic production of ice carvings. The invention has a conveyor belt, molding dies, a cooling water tank, a freezing mixture tank, a boring device, an injection device, a temperature rising device and a stripping device. Filtered and cool water is poured into the dies, and the dies delivered into a freezing mixture tank through the conveyor belt for freezing the surface of water in the dies first. A boring hole is used for injection of coloring liquid and decorative objects to be embedded in the frozen carvings. When the dies exit from the freezing mixture tank, they enter a temperature rising device to slightly raise their temperature to facilitate removal of the dies by means of hydraulic cylinder of the stripping device. Ice carvings are thus accomplished through automatic production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Wen-Fang Shih
  • Patent number: 5460497
    Abstract: In a machine for moulding of composite plastic material, in particular of foamed polystyrene coupled with rigid polystyrene sheet, the rigid material (2) is preformed at a performing station, with the preformed portion being simultaneously separated from the starting material, and the preformed shaped portion is transferred from the preforming station to a moulding station, in which the foamed material is moulded by sintering and pulsed steam action on the preformed rigid material. The resulting piece is brought back to the preforming station (1) and a further portion of rigid material (2) is preformed on the foamed material, and this portion is then thermoset inside the moulding mould (3) on the foamed material, thus generating an article with two opposite surfaces made of a rigid material, between which the foamed material is sandwiched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Devi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Vismara
  • Patent number: 5454709
    Abstract: An injection-moulding machine with a movable and a stationary mould-clamping plate (1, 2), wherein struts (4) are mounted in the stationary mould-clamping plate (1, 2), the struts connecting together the movable and stationary mould-clamping plates (1, 2) during the injection operation. The movable mould-clamping plate (2) is able to travel on rails (9) by way of a bracket-like running shoe (14), and, on opening the mould, is able to be released from the struts (4). Carriages (17) with rollers (18) are provided which are pivotally mounted to the movable mould-clamping plate (2) and which are tiltable about a horizontal axis (19) relative to the mould-clamping plate (2) and relative to the running shoes (14). Each running shoe (14) has a front roller (15) which can be raised from the rails (9) and lateral guide rollers (20) with vertical axes of rotation which roll down smooth guide surfaces (30) of the rails (9) and which are likewise raised from the rails (9) during the injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Heinrich Leonhartsberger, Werner Kappelmuller, Stefan Eppich
  • Patent number: 5451151
    Abstract: A foam molding apparatus with improved seal for sealing the mold lid to the bowl. The bowl and lid include inclined sealing surfaces surrounding the mold cavity with the bowl sealing surfaces being concave and the lid sealing surface being convex. Both the bowl and lid are resiliently supported on frames so that the lid can self align upon the bowl as the convex lid sealing surface engages the concave bowl sealing surface. Adjusting screws are carried by the lid carrier frame and engage the lid to apply pressure to the lid forcing the lid against the bowl sealing surface with the bowl being resiliently carried on a supporting frame allowing the bowl to float relative to the frame to achieve an even pressure distribution about the mold cavity at the sealing surfaces. The lid and bowl are both formed with fluid passages to enable hot water to be circulated through the mold maintaining the mold at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Russell
  • Patent number: 5401157
    Abstract: A molding machine has a mold material supply device, a die setting device, a separating device and a deburring device. The supply device includes a mold material feeding device, an extruding device for receiving a mold material from the mold material feeding device and extruding the mold material so as to form an extruded mold material, a cutting device for cutting the extruded mold material, and a transfer device for receiving the extruded mold material from the cutting device and transferring the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Kato, Shigeru Morita, Kiminori Sato
  • Patent number: 5401158
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically exchanging a stamper unit with another one for an injection molding machine which is operated for injection-molding a disc or the like includes a case conveyance section and a stamper unit infeed/outfeed section wherein the case conveyance section includes a slide table adapted to move in the longitudinal direction with the aid of a driving unit mounted on a housing, a pair of inside and outside conveyance platforms each adapted to be raised and lowered and a vertically postioned preheating member arranged sidward of the inside conveyance platform. The stamper unit infeed/outfeed section includes an infeed/outfeed path arranged at the fore end part of a driving unit mounted on a platform at the upper part of a frame upwardly extending from a housing and an infeed/outfeed unit arranged behind a suspension unit for provisionally suspending a unit case, the suspension unit being located at the rear part of the infeed/outfeed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suinobu Kubota, Kaoru Yanagisawa, Haruo Okada, Yoshiharu Yanagimachi
  • Patent number: 5394599
    Abstract: A method for automatically exchanging a stamper unit with another one for an injection molding machine which is operated for injection-molding a disc or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suinobu Kubota, Kaoru Yanagisawa, Haruo Okada, Yoshiharu Yanagimachi
  • Patent number: 5374177
    Abstract: A mold closing unit for use in an injection molding machine for processing plastic materials for removal of moldings is provided with a device for actuating at least two first identical parts of an injection mold, which are transferred alternately into the space between the mold carriers of the mold closing unit on a guideway that runs transversally with respect to the closing direction for creation of an injection mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 5372774
    Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus for molding tube (20) utilizing a travelling mold tunnel. The tunnel is made up of mold blocks (16) each comprising parts (13, 15) which are hinged together to be closeable to form the tunnel and openable to release tube from the tunnel. The opened mold blocks (16) from the downstream end of the tunnel are opened and returned to the upstream end without change in their orientation to reform the tunnel about an extrusion nozzle (18) for thermoplastic extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Corma
    Inventor: Manfred A. A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 5370515
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing polystyrene foam products, whereby a mold comprising a first half and a second half mold defining a molding chamber when closed, is loaded, with the two half molds locked in the closed position, onto the machine and into an operating position wherein the mold is connected automatically to granular polystyrene and utility fluid supply lines. In this operating position, the two half molds are rendered mutually mobile with the first half mold, connected to the utility supply lines, remaining locked to a fixed frame on the machine, and the second half mold remaining locked to a mobile frame on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Bazzica Engineering di Carlo Bazzica & C. S.A.S.
    Inventor: Carlo Bazzica
  • Patent number: 5358398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing molded articles from a continuous, nonsynchronous system using multi-section, self-clamping molds. The apparatus is a mold separator-assembler having an elevator, and a horizontal position mover for disassembling the mold into sections, tracks for receiving sections of the self-clamping molds, and a track mover for moving the mold sections along their respective tracks to parallel, co-planar work stations. Once the molded article is removed at one of the work stations using an intermediate mechanism, the main sections are pretreated and then reassembled using a second elevator and second horizontal position mover, for the next injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, David E. Baxter, Gregory L. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5340426
    Abstract: A ribbon adhering apparatus for a photographic film cassette has a turntable, which has holders fixed circumferentially at a regular pitch. Slidable supporters are mounted on the turntable in correspondence to the respective holders, at positions inward therefrom. Initially in rotation of the turntable, a cassette half of a film cassette is set on an empty holder. Ribbon web is lapped on to support surfaces of supporters arranged adjacently. The web is cut between the supporters to separate ribbons. Sucked and held on the supporter, the ribbon is then heated to activate hot-melt adhesive agent. By advancing the supporter to a holder corresponding thereto, the ribbon is pressed against the cassette half via the adhesive agent. The supporter then stops holding the ribbon. After cooling the adhesive agent, the supporter is withdrawn from the holder, from which the cassette half is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Takahashi, Haruo Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5328350
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastics molding device including two lateral molding chambers separated by a form setting chamber within a casing, a plurality of mold carriers respectively and horizontally supported on horizontal supports in each molding chamber and the form setting chamber at different elevations, reciprocating mechanisms respectively disposed in the molding chambers and the form setting chamber at the bottom and controlled to move the mold carriers in either chamber toward a top stop for permitting the mold carriers with molding dies thereon to be closely attached in a stack; and a shifting mechanism controlled to move molding dies from the mold carriers in either molding chamber to the mold carriers in the form setting chamber for quick setting of the moldings shaped in respective molding dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Chen-Kuo Chu
  • Patent number: 5314323
    Abstract: A stripper plate locking device for use with the mold in a molding machine (e.g., injection, compression or transfer) is presented. The mold has openings in each of the plates of the mold for accepting the stripper plate locking device. The device includes a release pin, a body member and a collet member. The pin has a shaft with a head disposed at one end and a first pair of camming surfaces with a shaft portion therebetween disposed at the other end. The body members has a second pair of camming surfaces with a cylindrical portion therebetween disposed at one end thereof and an opening therethrough wherein the shaft of the pin passes. The collet member has a plurality of expandable resilient fingers which define an opening. The collet member includes a third pair of camming surfaces with a first cylindrical section therebetween for expanding the fingers in cooperation with the first camming surface and the shaft portion of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Precision Plastic Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gene Bolles
  • 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: 5273418
    Abstract: A molding machine has a mold material supply, a die setting assembly, separating and de-burring assemblies. The supply includes a mold material feed, an extruder for receiving a mold material from the mold material feed and extruding the mold material so as to form an extruded mold material, a cutter for cutting the extruded mold material, and a transfer assembly for receiving the extruded mold material from the cutter and transferring the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Kato, Shigeru Morita, Kiminori Sato
  • Patent number: 5249951
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine having a machine frame, a stationary mold mounting plate, a movable mold mounting plate and a support portion on the machine frame, which carries a mold closing mechanism, the support portion and the stationary mold mounting plate are connected exclusively by way of the machine frame. The closing force which occurs during the closing phase and the expansion force which occurs during injection, as between the support portion and the stationary mold mounting plate, are carried only by way of the machine frame. The mold mounting plates are mounted tiltably about a respective horizontal axis while a guide means is provided between the two mold mounting plates or the movable mold mounting plate and the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Heinz Leonhartsberger, Helmut Naderhirn, Werner Kappelmuller, Otto Urbanek
  • Patent number: 5240718
    Abstract: A plastic blow molding machine (40) having a wheel (44) rotatable on a base (42) about a horizontal axis (A) includes a plurality of mold stations (90) mounted on the wheel about the rotational axis and having a pair of mold supports (94) movable toward and away from each other in a parallel relationship to the rotational axis at closing and opening stations (114,116). Operating cams (120,124) of the closing and opening stations cooperate with operating cam followers (110) of the mold stations to provide closing and opening mold movement, and locking cam followers (122,126) of the closing and opening stations cooperate with locking cam followers (112) of the mold stations to lock and unlock a lock mechanism (102) that operates directly between the mold supports (94) of each mold station so that there is no loading of the frame (46) of the wheel during the machine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Michael C. Kitzmiller
  • Patent number: 5211970
    Abstract: A hydraulic clamping apparatus for use with injection molding machines and including a first hydraulic actuator having a first cylinder and a first hollow, cup-shaped piston with a closed head portion disposed for reciprocating movement within the first cylinder, and a foot portion axially spaced from said head portion and defining an opening; a second hydraulic actuator having a second piston, a rod extending axially through the opening into the first piston and connected between the first and second pistons, and a second cylinder mounted for reciprocating movement on the second piston and through the opening between a recessed position substantially within the first piston and an extended position substantially outside the first piston; and a clutch operable in the extended position of the second cylinder to produce engagement thereof with the first piston. The overall length of the apparatus is minimized by placement of the second actuator cylinder within the first piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakurai, Yong Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 5211966
    Abstract: A press having a U-shaped mold table and a removable mold block insertable therein. The mold block is wedged upward against limiting guide members of the mold table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Bucher-Guyer AG Machinenfabrik
    Inventors: Gerhard Raudies, Walter Steinmann
  • Patent number: 5173234
    Abstract: According to the invention, calibrated rings are obtained by superficially vulcanizing extruded or profiled extrudate at the exit of an extrusion head (T), then by cutting this vulcanized extrudate into portions by means of a conical cutting device (C), subsequently by butting the two ends, in the respective form of a conical tip and a funnel, of each portion (t) together under hot conditions and under a controlled pressure, in order to obtain a ring blank which is then engaged between the half-cavities of a mold (Mo), where it undergoes shaping and vulcanization by the heating of the latter and thereafter deburring as a result of a shearing action produced by a push device (D) causing the half-cavities to slide in the closed position in the frame of the mold, before causing the opening of the latter by means of a device (G) and the release of the calibrated and superficially clean ring obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Eropol Finance et Developpement
    Inventor: Blaise F. Figuereo
  • Patent number: 5145353
    Abstract: A molding press for simultaneously operating a pair of molds, each having a pair of mold sections (M1, M2; M3, M4), including a base for mounting two horizontally displaced mold sections (M1, M3), each constituting one section of one of the pair of molds, a first bolster for mounting a mold section M2) in alignment for mating engagement with one mold section M1) on the base, a second bolster for mounting a mold section (M4) in alignment for mating engagement with the other mold section (M3) on the base, rod assemblies for interconnecting the first bolster and the second bolster in fixed space relation, for guiding relative movement between the base and the bolsters during opening and closing of the pair of molds, and for mounting pistons operatively interrelated with cylinder assemblies on the base, and an auxiliary cylinder assembly for effecting relative movement between the base and the bolsters for opening of one of the pair of molds while closing the other of the pair of molds and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Paul Zakich
  • Patent number: RE35783
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine having a machine frame, a stationary mold mounting plate, a movable mold mounting plate and a support portion on the machine frame, which carries a mold closing mechanism, the support portion and the stationary mold mounting plate are connected exclusively by way of the machine frame. The closing force which occurs during the closing phase and the expansion force which occurs during injection, as between the support portion and the stationary mold mounting plate, are carried only by way of the machine frame. The mold mounting plates are mounted tiltably about a respective horizontal axis while a guide means is provided between the two mold mounting plates or the movable mold mounting plate and the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Heinz Leonhartsberger, Helmut Naderhirn, Werner Kappelmuller, Otto Urbanek