Abstract: A press for compacting plastic explosive materials comprises a base plate, support column upstanding from the base plate, a tubular housing mounted on an upper end of the column and extending widthwise of the column, a slide member slidably moveable in the tubular housing substantially parallel to the base plate and an elongated handle pivotally mounted at a distal end thereof on the slide member. A press piston is slidably disposed in a bore in the slide member and is slidably moveable in directions normal to the slide member, a distal end of the piston being disposed over the base plate, the piston having at a proximal end thereof a handle housing through which extends the handle, the handle housing having first and second rollers therein with the handle disposed between the rollers. Pivotal movement of the handle is operative to move the piston reciprocally toward and away from the base plate.

Abstract: A compaction head of a production machine for reinforced concrete pipes has a smoothing cylinder, non-rotatably mounted on its drive shaft, for smoothing the inside of the concrete mixture that has been filled into a vertical mold. On a covering wall of the smoothing cylinder, the rolls, for the radial compaction of a concrete mixture, are mounted axis-parallel and orbiting on a circular path around and driven by the drive shaft at a specified orbiting speed about the axis of the drive shaft and about their own axis, such that the direction of rotation of each of the rolls about its own axis is opposite to that of the covering wall also driven by the drive shaft.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a molded concrete article which has a surface including zones at varying levels. The arrangement includes three groups of punches defining respective impression depths into the concrete article, and a molding device including three head plates, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the groups of punches. An upper head plate is connected to a group of punches having a deepest impression depth. A lower head plate disposed below the upper head plate is connected to a group of punches having a shallowest impression depth.

Abstract: A press ram for use in a pelleting machine for making tablets including a rod-shaped ram holder, having at one end a head for engagement with cams and at its other end an axial bore, a ram insert, having at one end a pressing portion shaped in conformity with the profile of a tablet and at another end a cylindrical shaft, which is substantially matingly received in the bore of the ram holder, a radial shoulder of the ram insert thereby engaging the facing end of the ram holder, and a mechanism for releasably holding the ram insert within the ram holder.

Abstract: Spacers or wedges are disclosed for use in combination with mold elements such as lens and/or reflex reflector pins in a pin block or matrix assembly. Such assemblies are used in the manufacture of molds for producing, for example, front and/or rear light units for motor vehicles. The wedges or spacers are selectively located between rows or banks of reflex or optic pins to provide required orientation to selected groups of the pins so that the necessary reflectivity of the finished product is provided in the curved portion thereof.

Abstract: An adapter for use in securing a plunger assembly to a screw threaded upper end portion of a piston rod in a parison forming mechanism in a glassware forming machine has a sleeve with a wall portion which is provided with a strip supported only at spaced end portions thereof formed by two segmental slots in the wall portion and screw device for deflecting the strip to lock the adapter in position.

Abstract: An automated trowelling system for providing a smooth, even finish to one or both sides of a wall. The present system smooths wet surface materials such as concrete or plaster quickly and consistently with minimum manual intervention. Horizontal brackets on the wall support a horizontally translating column and an associated vertically reciprocating trowel. A first motor propels the column and trowel laterally along the wall, while a second motor effects vertical motion. A forward scoop removes excess wall finishing material ahead of the reciprocating trowel, and a nonreciprocating finish trowel follows the reciprocating trowel to provide an enhanced finish to the wall. A processing unit enhances the ability of the system to operate with minimum manual intervention. Sensors provide input to the processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for compressing a material in a mold. The apparatus includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion. The apparatus also includes a roller coupled to the first portion of the frame for compressing the material in the mold, and a support plate coupled to the second portion of the frame for receiving the mold thereon to position the mold relative to the compression roller. The apparatus further includes an apparatus for varying the distance between the roller and the support plate so that the roller applies a compressive force to the material. A drive mechanism is coupled to the support plate for moving the support plate relative to the roller in a direction normal to the compressive force applied by the roller.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for introducing thick material into a small cavity, the apparatus in one aspect including a piston/cylinder device insertable into a block bore of a containment block, the block bore having the thick material therein for transfer to the piston bore, the piston then movable to expel the material from the piston bore into the cavity; in certain aspects the cavity of microscopic size and in other aspects thick material being a thixotropic chemical indicating material and the cavity extending through a fiber optic in a biosensor;

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling generally cylindrical molds with powder particles is disclosed. A stream of powder particles is fed into a mold, and the powder particles are compacted in spirally formed layers so that the particles are compacted continuously in localized adjacent areas. The powder filling apparatus is comprised of a blade means configured to direct powder particles to spread evenly in the mold and urge the powder particles to compact while the blade means is rotated about an axis. A shaft is attached to the blade means for rotation of the blade means about the axis. A chuck means is slideably mounted on the shaft means through an axial channel, the chuck means being configured for applying force to the shaft while permitting movement of the shaft axially through the channel. A drive means is operatively connected to the chuck means for applying force to rotate the chuck about the axis.

Abstract: A pinch-off clamp 20, built into a top 12 of a hollow core 11 within a blow molding machine 10, has jaws 21 and 22 that open to receive a leading end 18 of a parison 15, which descends into the hollow core. Then jaws 21 and 22 close together to pinch off and hold a leading region of parison 15 at top of core 11. Once parison 15 is pinched off and held closed, it can be ballooned and draped over core 11 and then blown into a double-walled box formed between the core and cavity mold parts closed around the core.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying constant amount of ceramic batches includes a cylinder having a cover adapted to be opened for receiving ceramic material in the cylinder and closed and locked when the ceramic material is compressed, a piston telescopically moving in the cylinder with a clearance therebetween, a taper portion provided on the cylinder and tapered toward a discharge opening of the taper portion to compact the ceramic material compressed by the piston toward the taper portion, and cutting means at the discharge opening. With this apparatus, the indefinite ceramic material is automatically transformed into constant shape and constant amount batches which are supplied into a predetermined apparatus simply in short time. The compacting and deaerating of the ceramic batches can be effected during the operation of supplying the constant batches.

Abstract: Shaped pieces of insulation having non-uniform thickness but substantially uniform density are formed by simultaneously compacting and consolidating at least first and second portions of a particulate insulation material in an independent manner so as to form a shaped piece of insulation in which the first and second portions have different thicknesses in the direction of compaction. The degree of compaction of the first portion is the same as the degree of compaction of the second portion so that the shaped piece of insulation has substantially uniform density.

Abstract: An optic for an intraocular lens with finished, molded radii on the anterior and posterior edges of the peripheral surface of the optic. The optic has a thin central optical zone and a surrounding annular ring having sufficient material to support haptics. The ring is thicker than the optical zone and, thus, recesses the posterior surface of the optical zone to provide a capsulotomy space. The present novel optic is produced by novel molding pins which are shaped to provide the finished molded radii on the edges of the optic so that the optic requires little or no post-molding finishing or polishing other than the degating and deflashing.

Abstract: A compaction evaluation apparatus for determining powder plug and compaction force parameters to produce a desired plug for encapsulation. A tamping pin is operated by a piston, and the force applied by the pin as well as its dwell on the powder plug can be accurately controlled. The powder plug may be released into an actual capsule body.

Abstract: Escape of the blow medium at the blow mandrel/HDPE contact surface is prevented during extrusion blow molding of HDPE with an aggressive blow medium if a blow mandrel with a movable sealing element is used.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for injection molding a generally cylindrical sleeve-like penile prosthesis from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material utilizing a male mold core and a pair of female mold halves in which the molded prosthesis has encased in a wall therein a portion of a pre-formed length of resilient tubing, the remaining length and free end of the tubing extending from the molded prosthesis as a length of free tubing projecting therefrom. The apparatus includes a mandrel for carrying the mold core and is adapted for mounting between the female mold halves, and means for anchoring one end of the preformed tubing at a selected position on the mold core.

Abstract: A tool for installing a corrosion barrier ring into its groove behind the threads of a tapered box end comprises a tapered metallic liner for covering the threads and a suitable mandrel for carrying the ring to its location through the liner. A suitable seating tool may be used for the final seating of the ring in the groove. The tip is notched to permit axial deformation of the ring, but not appreciable radial deformation, so as to allow the ring to be positioned to the location of the groove. The tip of the mandrel is sized to prevent the ring from sliding over the mandrel as the mandrel is pushed through the liner. Rotating the mandrel starts the ring into the groove by straightening out the ring deformations and permits removal of the mandrel and the liner. The seating tool is then subsequently used for the final seating of the ring in its groove. Stacked tip pieces permit adjusting the contour and size of the seating tool tip to accommodate to a variety of ring shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A machine for molding and curing a mass of resilient material into a desired shape in one operation and, if desired, bonding the resilient material to another material in the same operation; generally in the class of molded rubber or rubber-like goods and particularly in the class of self-cooling airless wheels for vehicles, which wheels contain holes that taper inwardly from the periphery of the tire to and/or through the rim. The machine is characterized by fin compressor boxes that impel fins into a mold cavity to cause a compressive reaction on resilient material therein, thereby expelling excess air from the mold through escape holes. An air passage may penetrate the fins for air or water to be circulated therethrough to aid in heating, cooling and/or curing the product. Withdrawal of fins from mold cavity permits easy removal of cured product.

Abstract: A tabletting machine having a ring-shaped die table rotatable about a generally upwardly extending axis and having dies arranged at a die surface. Punches supported in the die table and reciprocably driven with respect to the dies cooperate with punches semi-rigidly mounted on a rotatable hub to form and eject tablets from the dies. The hub is rotated to move the punches mounted thereon in a circular path to enter and exit the dies in a predetermined sequence. Individual pump means associated with the punches in the die table and means for catching and extracting loose tabletting material falling from the dies serve to reduce contamination of the many parts of the machine by the tabletting material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compensating uneven gravity filling with powder material of a die cavity formed on the top of a punch reciprocable in a bore in a die plate, the punch having an end face normally parallel to the surface of the die plate. The punch is mounted on an adjustable support member split into portions having each an end face disposed parallel to the end face of the other portion. The two portions have a common surface of junction disposed in a plane at an angle to the parallel end faces. The two portions are rotated together to orient the surface of junction in the direction of inclination of the punch, and the two portions are independently rotated the same amount in opposite directions as a function of the desired angle of inclination of the punch.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a process for forming building blocks by consolidating a mixture of cement and fibrous material. The process involves placing a charge of the mixture into a mold, compressing the mixture within the mold, inserting rotors into the mixture within the mold to consolidate and displace the mixture while forming hollow cores through the formed block, and removing the rotors from the formed block and the block from the mold. The apparatus includes a mold, a mold cover, means that apply pressure to the mold cover to compress the material placed within the mold rotors, means for spinning the rotors as they are lowered into and raised from the mixture by raising and lowering means. The block is formed on a removable pallet resting on lips within the mold. The pallet defines apertures substantially aligned with the rotors; the apertures allow for release of pressure when the rotors are withdrawn from the formed block.

Abstract: Mandrel for making a coupling which coupling comprises a body of fiber glass reinforced plastic which has a rubber sleeve embedded therein. The rubber sleeve is a one piece unit which includes specially shaped sealing gaskets on either end and has a rubber liner spanning the area between these sealing gaskets. This rubber sleeve is stretched onto a steel and plastic molding mandrel. This stretching places the rubber liner under tension which reduces the cross-sectional area of the liner and compensates for thermal expansion of the liner during curing. The mandrel/sleeve combination is rotated in order to wind a thermosetting resin impregnated fiber glass roving around the outer circumference of the mandrel/sleeve combination, thus embedding the sleeve in the fiber glass reinforced resin matrix. The thermosetting resin is cured at elevated temperatures, hardening into a rigid coupling with the embedded rubber sleeve integral therewith.

Abstract: A reference electrode is rapidly automatically applied to the interior of tapered vitrified zirconia thimbles for an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The coating is consistently smooth and predetermined in physical and electrical characteristics. In a specific example, a hollow elastomeric finger is nested within the thimble after dispensing a measured quantity of conductive ink into the thimble bottom. A gas jet applied to the ink from the finger lower end flows the conductive ink throughout a coating cavity below a shoulder in the finger after the ink quantity is substantially all applied to cavity walls, it no longer blocks a cavity vent, and allows the gas to flow freely through the cavity. Gas flow is then discontinued, and the finger withdrawn from the thimble.

Abstract: A frusto-conical trowel apparatus for smoothing mortar or plastic lining material in a pipe or conduit or other such object which has a generally cylindrical inner surface. The trowel body consists of a plurality of laterally overlapping plate members which are mounted onto an inner frame at the small end of the trowel body; such inner frame and it's support bars being enclosed in a conical device to prevent mortar from entering the trowel body; having small rods connecting a spring member to the inner frame while allowing the spring member to reside at the large end of the trowel body and provide pressure against the trowel plate members in order to establish compressibility diametrically of same, creating needed radial troweling pressure.

Abstract: Relatively light gauge thermoplastic sheet material is pierced by a hot punch to provide a bearing aperture. The hot punch is held in sheet-penetrating position long enough to cause plastic flow of displaced material and formation of a collar-like hub surrounding the aperture. The hot punch is withdrawn and replaced by a cool punch to retard further plastic flow of the displaced material, thereby fixing the aperture in desired size and shape. There results a bearing aperture having an axial length greater than the starting thickness of the sheet material, and consequently a larger bearing surface integrally formed locally in the sheet material. Apparatus for forming the bearing aperture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic wing nut with an internal thread, a mold therefor and a method of molding such a wing nut in which the wing nut is molded so as to have only a single internal thread thereby greatly simplifying the molding process is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a so-called drag trowel which is drawn through a pipe or the like to trowel a layer of mortar or other plastic lining material therein. The trowel is frustoconical, having a small leading end of relatively fixed diameter and a larger trailing end which is adapted to expand and contract in the direction of its diameter. The present disclosure provides a novel means within the trowel for exerting a resilient expansive force thereagainst in a circumferential direction fairly close to the large end of the trowel. The expansion means comprises resilient means extending lengthwise along the inner surfaces of the trowel with means for translating the force of the resilient means to a circumferential expansive force and with means for adjusting the effective force of the resilient means.

Abstract: An equalizing plate for use in a vulcanizing press or the like comprises a base plate, a top plate and a low-melting point metal alloy hermetically sealed therebetween. The two plates are flexibly joined at their periphery and at least one of the plates has a membrane-like transition in the outer periphery thereof having at least one single U-shaped profile whose axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the surface of the equalizing plate.

Abstract: Coal is pounded in a pounding box to form it into a cake which is then introduced into a coke oven. The pounding is effected by members that are repeatedly lifted and then allowed to drop onto the coal in the pounding box. When the coal is thus formed into a cake, the members are retained in lifted condition by a locking-cam mechanism so that the cake can be pushed from beneath the members.

Abstract: A device for compressing a wax-type material comprising a piston disposed within a chamber wherein channels are provided along the lateral surface of the piston for venting gases during the compressing operation.

Abstract: Oriented articles such as jars and the like having wall sections of exceptional uniformity are thermoformed from sheet by heating the sheet to orientation temperature and stretching it with a plug assist which has a concave surface with a flat face around the periphery thereof terminating in a radius of 1/64 to 1/4-inch. This configuration allows a controlled amount of slippage to occur as the plug advances to stretch the sheet.