Abstract: Apparatus for uniformly preheating sheet material between opposed, spaced, parallel, heated members movable relative to each other into heat-transferring engagement with the sheet material, characterized in that one of said members has a uniformly-flat, unyielding surface and the other a yieldable surface embodying a plurality of uniformly-distributed protrusions between which there are recesses.

Abstract: A heat sealing apparatus for bonding plastic tubular members includes a seamless, tubular, elastic heating element encircling the plastic members. In one form, an annular inflatable bladder filled with hydraulic fluid encircles the heating element, and includes a rigid outer wall and an elastic inner wall that is bonded to the outer surface of the heating element. When the bladder is pressurized the heating element is compressed inwardly to a bonding position against the plastic members. The plastic members are then heated to a bonding temperature by the heating element resulting in a fusion bond along their interface. When the bladder is evacuated the heating element opens outwardly to be spaced from the plastic members to allow removal of the sealed members. The heating element includes a uniform dispersion of susceptor particles that will generate heat when exposed to the high frequency magnetic field of an induction heating coil. A method of heat sealing tubular plastic members is also disclosed.

Abstract: Long lengths of a heat-shrinkable sleeve for use in splicing electrical cables and the like are made in a continuous process. The sleeve is formed around a permeable core, and the core and sleeve are advanced together in an axial direction, the leading end of the advancing sleeve being hermetically sealed. The core and sleeve pass through a heating station, thereby heating a portion of at least the sleeve, and a fluid is introduced under pressure into the core, thereby internally pressurizing the sleeve to effect a radial expansion of the heated portion thereof. The core and sleeve then pass through a cooling station, thereby cooling the expanded sleeve to stabilize it. A stress graded compound also for use in splicing electrical cables and the like is made by heating a dimethyl silicone liquid to remove entrapped gas and mixing the liquid with a silicone carbide powder having a particle size capable of passing through a 400 mesh screen.

Abstract: Apparatus for accepting preheated or ambient containers in single file to an eighteen-head handling turret that will carry the containers through a generally circular path by their necks. The containers are transported through 320.degree. of the circle described by the chuck-carrying turret. The other 40.degree. of the circle is the zone where the chucks are open and the containers that are labeled move away from the turret and heated containers are entering. The chucks are rotated about their axes by a chain-driven mechanism, and while rotated, pass between spaced ovens to shrink theremoplastic sleeves about the containers.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing flat multi-conductor cable having two cable members and peelable internal lamina utilizes a pair of dies which simultaneously align conductors, laminate internal lamina, and extrude external lamina thereon. Each die has a conductor aligning surface with parallel linear conductor-receiving recesses therein an adjacent extrusion surface. Conductors and internal lamina are drawn between aligning surfaces of mated dies and then between extrusion surfaces where vinyl is extruded through an aperture in each die to form external lamina. A knife-edged die insert adjacent one side of the aligning and extrusion surfaces provides a V-notch in one edge of the cable to facilitate peeling apart cable members for termination to a two-sided connector.

Abstract: A method of making an energy-absorbing shock cell for mounting bumper devices on legs of offshore oil rig structures having inner and outer metal tubes connected by an intervening vulcanized rubber sleeve maintained under compression adhesively bonded to the inner and outer metal tubes. The shock cell is made by a series of operations in which portions of the metal tubes are coated with adhesive material, and the rubber sleeve is bonded to the adhesive coated areas by vulcanization and post-vulcanized heating.

Abstract: A hand-operated thermal press for installing metal inserts in a workpiece of a thermoplastics material comprises a frame (12) including an upright post (16) on which is slidably mounted a support bracket (24) carrying an insert driver (18). Movement of the bracket (24) along the post (16) is limited by adjustable clamps (20, 22) and the bracket (24) is biassed into a starting position by a coil spring (28). A hand-operable mechanism (34) is provided for moving the insert driver (18) along the post (16). The insert driver (18) incorporates a heating unit movable relatively to the insert driver (18) against a biassing spring (100). The heating unit includes a core (70) heated by the unit and which supports a bit (92) adapted to receive the metal insert to be installed. The clamps (20, 22) are adjusted to provide a required movement of the insert driver and the spring bias (100) ensures a consistent driving force for installing the insert.

Abstract: The ends of plastic optical fibers forming a light-transmitting cable are fused in a manner so as to minimize light loss by applying heat to plasticize short end-length portions while containing portions rearwardly thereof within a cavity defined by means having sufficient thermal conductivity and mass that the rearward portions are not heated above the plastic fiber deformation temperature. Both methods and various forms of apparatus for practicing the methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of reinforced plastic parts are simultaneously molded from separate bundles of resin impregnated strands wound about individual frame sections of a substantially planar frame assembly. A loading station includes a dual-acting elongated carrier engaging the multi-sectioned frame assembly and initially rotatable to wind the bundle of strands thereon. Subsequent reciprocation of the carrier delivers the wound frame assembly to a molding station provided with a plurality of mating pairs of molded sections and having displaceable frame supporting and bundle clamping assemblies for engaging the wound frame assembly and severing opposite ends of the bundles as the mold sections close within the individual frame sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for removably attaching inserts to articles by means of shrinkable plastic bands, comprising in combination:(1) means for feeding an opened band of shrinkable plastic film into vertical alignment with an article banding station,(2) means for (a) shaping an insert into generally cylindrical form, such that the diameter of said cylindrical shaped insert is less than the diameter of said opened plastic band, but greater than the article over which the insert is to be placed, and (b) feeding said cylindrical shaped insert into vertical alignment with said opened band at said article banding station, said means comprising: (i) a movable plate provided with at least one cylindrical aperture extending through said plate, said aperture communicating on its peripheral side with a slot extending to the edge of said plate and (ii) means for feeding said insert into said aperture and for conforming said insert to the cylindrical inner surface of said aperture,(3) means for telescopingly pushing said opened band

Abstract: A ridge remover for smoothing and shaping rod surfaces where jointure marks occur in fibrous rod manufacture when made using a porous belt garniture device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein bottom blanks for containers are severed from a web feed roll and subsequently transferred at a compatible speed and spacing to final forming mandrels on which finished containers are to be formed. The bottom blanks are tangentially transferred from a first transfer turret at a final velocity and spacing most desirable for cutting and minimizing scrap to a second transfer turret at a second velocity and spacing and thereafter tangentially transferred to the final forming mandrels. Subsequently, preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material formed into cylinders are transferred onto the final forming mandrels. Thereafter, the bottom blanks the cylindrical blanks and the final forming mandrels are heated to shrink the cylindrical blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming.

Abstract: A composite ski is made by bonding a metal ski top to a molded ski body during the molding and curing of the body. The ski body is placed in the mold cavity of a two-part mold, and the metal top is movably supported on the other mold part. One end of the metal top is held by a spring-biased holding pin which permits the metal top to expand and contract relative to the mold part as the mold is heated and cooled while maintaining the metal top in alignment with the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation or plant for making sintered brick blanks, which includes a material preparation plant, a press and molding device, a drying and sintering device, a discharge device and feeding means, as well as a central power source, and control and monitoring devices. The material consisting, for example, of clay, loam, clay marl with aluminum oxide and liquid medium, is prepared in the material preparation device and is formed into a strand by means of an extruder in the form molding device. The strand is then cut into brick blanks by means of a strand cutter and a wire cutter. The brick blanks are transferred with suitable transfer means and a displacement device in a defined, spaced-apart relationship, onto a transfer truck and from there onto a drying and sintering truck. A plurality of drying and sintering trucks run in a closed series through a tunnel dryer at an optimum speed for the drying process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lattice structure having a plurality of elongated parallel elements interconnected periodically by integrally formed ribs therebetween and a plurality of elongated filaments, each of which is embedded in and adhered to one of the elongated parallel elements. The structure is constructed by a method which includes the steps of molding the lattice structure from film or laminate belts, heating the filaments above the melting temperature of the molded lattice structure, joining the heated elements with the structure and solidifying the lattice structure adjacent each filament.

Abstract: A method for forming mirror assemblies, especially rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles, wherein a thermoplastic mirror case is held inverted with its side wall portions extending downwardly. The side wall portions are softened by immersion in a heated bath and are pressed into a forming die which supports a reflective mirror element to form an arcuate mirror element retaining lip about the peripheral edges of the mirror element. Apparatus for performing the method includes an indexing table which sequentially moves the cases and mirror elements loaded thereon to one position, removes the cases from the table, combines them with the mirror elements via the forming die, and returns the completed assemblies to the table.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a protective pad or the like, and which includes a convex mold surface having a plurality of perforations therethrough, and a cooperating concave mold surface also having a plurality of perforations therethrough. The two mold surfaces are mounted for relative movement with respect to each other and such that the concave mold surface initially faces upwardly to receive the molding material therein, and then is inverted and translated downwardly into face to face relationship with the convex mold surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum system for drawing a partial vacuum beneath the concave mold surface to maintain a predetermined distribution of molding material on the concave mold surface during the movement thereof, and means is provided for introducing steam into the mold cavity to cure the molding material.

Abstract: A moulding apparatus including a pair of mould cavities with locking spue grooves, means to form moulded rubber article parts in the cavities, means to prework the rubber without substantial curing before it is formed, means to pressurize the mould with gas and means to bring the mould cavities together to join the article parts. The arrangement for pressurizing the mould includes a retractable casing which is movable between a position in which the mould cavities are enclosed to permit their pressurization and a position in which the cavities are accessible outside the casing.

Abstract: Two parts of foam plastics are connected together by heating a portion of the first part so that it will melt, while the corresponding portion of the second part is kept at a considerably lower temperature, preferably room or ambient temperature. After the heating of the first portion the parts are immediately brought together, whereby a surface layer of the second part rapidly melts, whereupon the second part serves as a heat dissipating means to provide a rapid hardening of the molten portions. After the two parts have been put together, a pressure applying means can be pressed against the joint formed between the parts.

Abstract: The angular position of a wrap control roll about a paper web preheating roll is remotely adjusted to any one of a plurality of predetermined set positions by an index control over the adjustment power train. The index conrol comprises a remote positioned, console mounted rotary switch having contact positions corresponding to the predetermined wrap control roll set positions. Cooperative switches mounted in an adjustment drive follower mechanism continue the circuit continuity to a solenoid activated drive motor reversing switch. A breaker unit within the follower mechanism is directly driven by the adjustment power train to open the motor switch when the breaker unit is correctly aligned with the desired set position.