Abstract: The present invention is a machine and process for manufacturing an article such as a body board having a pre-shaped core member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top skin having a top and bottom surfaces, a perimeter portion, and a perimeter edge, and a bottom skin having a perimeter portion. In one embodiment, the machine of the present invention comprises a first mold halve having a lower surface and a second mold halve having a lower surface and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom surface. The second mold further comprising at least one seam member engaged with each side surface. The machine further comprises a control unit for opening and closing the first and second mold halves.

Abstract: A visual effect, such as a granite-look, is produced in a thermoplastic product by directly applying a sufficient amount of at least one color-containing thermoplastic resin system to the surface of an extruded sheet of a thermoplastic resin. The color-containing thermoplastic resin system is applied onto the extruded sheet after it emerges from the die and prior to it entering the rollstack.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an article from at least one layer of formable material includes a mold for receiving the at least one layer of formable material. The mold has first and second thin mold sections and a seal associated with at least one of the mold sections for effecting a sufficiently sealed relationship between the mold sections. Each mold section has a non-planar configuration, and one mold section has at least one aperture. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture for applying a vacuum pressure to the at least one aperture when the mold sections are sufficiently sealed together in order to reduce air pressure within the mold. As a result, ambient air pressure is used to forcefully bias the mold sections sufficiently together so as to form the at least one layer of formable material to a contour corresponding to the non-planar configurations of the mold sections.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A seat cushion mold with an elastic member and method provide the manufacture of an improved seat cushion for use in upholstered chairs or the like having a smooth, uniform shape without unsightly underlines. A thick, resilient foam block is positioned on a rigid planer base and is urged into the mold whereby a thin foam cover layer is adhered to the outer edges of the planar base to produce a precisely contoured cushion which can be upholstered and fitted to a chair frame.

Abstract: A mold for molding a composite article has an upper half mold, a lower half mold having a base and a core mounted on the base, and a pressure plate. A plurality of holes are formed in the upper surface of the pressure plate, and springs are placed in the holes. A laminated sheet formed by laminating woven fabrics is placed on the core, and the pressure plate is put on the laminated sheet so as to press a part of the laminated sheet against the core by its weight without creasing the part of the laminated sheet. When joined to the lower mold, the upper mold compresses the springs to compress the part of the laminated sheet firmly between the pressure plate and the core, and then bends the laminated sheet along the side surfaces of the core so that the laminated sheet is shaped in a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A method of thermoforming sheet articles includes: a) heating a sheet article to be thermoformed; b) inserting the heated sheet article into a pressure vessel having first and second vessel halves, wherein each vessel half includes a liquid chamber and a thin shell configured for forming the sheet article to a desired shape; c) closing the pressure vessels such that the sheet article is captured between the thin shells; and d) providing liquid of equal pressure in each liquid chamber to force the thin shells together to form the sheet article to the desired shape and to draw heat away from the thin shells for cooling the sheet article.

Abstract: A device for tucking covering materials into a formed component comprises a support mold for the formed component which supports covering materials such as textiles, on its upper face for insertion into the formed component at a ring-formed tucking groove outward from the outer periphery of the upper face. The device has a tucking mold that is positioned at the outer periphery of the support mold for the formed component, and that has a ring-formed tucking blade which is capable of tucking an edge of the covering materials into the tucking groove of the formed component supported by the support mold for the formed component. An outer support mold for an outer periphery is positioned at the outer periphery of the ring-formed tucking mold, and supports the outer periphery of the formed component supported by the support mold for the formed component.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for manufacturing a lampshade from a heat-deformable sheet material. The apparatus includes a first supporting assembly for supporting a hollow body formed from the heat-deformable sheet material, the hollow body having upper and lower peripheral edges. A second supporting assembly is provided for releasably supporting a forming and stiffening ring in peripheral engagement with an interior surface of the hollow body adjacent a peripheral edge of the hollow body so that a marginal edge portion of the hollow body projects beyond the forming and stiffening ring. The second supporting assembly is located adjacent the first supporting assembly and includes a retractable supporting assembly for engaging an underside and an upper side of the forming and stiffening ring.

Abstract: A molding press for simultaneously molding a product and laminating a pattern layer to the surface of the molded product comprising a bottom mold plate, a top mold plate, a mold ring element surrounding the mold plates and moveable independently of the top and bottom mold plates, an upper surface on said mold ring for engaging a peripheral edge of the top mold plate, and a flat groove in said mold ring upper surface which is slightly deeper than the thickness of a pattern layer to be laminated to the top surface of the final molded product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a seal portion of a tubular body of synthetic resin is provided in which the seal portion has increased density and reduced foaming. The apparatus includes a pair of clamps that clamp an end portion of a tubular body of resin flat. A heater heats and fuses a projecting end portion projecting from the clamps. A bending member bends side projecting portions of the body formed during heating so that they are inwardly projecting. A press member presses the projecting end portion to form a seal portion.

Abstract: A method for joining at least two plastic elements in a liquid- and/or gastight manner, whereby an edge of a first plastic element is at least partially placed in an opening of a second plastic element, the edge of the first plastic element being folded over an edge of the opening of the second plastic element under plastic deformation, using a pressure device. The edge of the first plastic element is pressed against a curved butting face of a pressure body placed in the second plastic element at the opening thereof and the edge of the first plastic element along the butting face is pushed radially outwardly and over the edge of the opening of the second plastic element. The edges of both plastic elements are pressed together by exerting pressure on both sides of the edges. Alternatively, use is made of a sealing ring at least partially between the edges.

Abstract: An impact resistant film suitable for medical solution pouches and the packaging of parenteral materials generally includes an interior layer of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and outer layers of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer blended with a styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer. In some cases, a flexible copolyester may be substituted for one of the outer blend materials. Sacrificial layers may be optionally be included on one or both outer surfaces of the film to improve processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multilayer ceramic board having uniform density over the total area of the green sheets after a thermal compression bonding comprises a lower mold in which a plurality of green sheets, having conductive wiring patterns printed thereon, are to be set in a stacked state, an upper mold which comes into contact with a top surface of the uppermost sheet of the plurality of green sheets and applies a pressing load on the stacked green sheets toward the lower mold, and a restraining mold which restraining the plurality of green sheets in the stacked state therein and having an inner wall surface in contact with peripheral wall portions of the upper and lower molds, the confining mold being movably supported in a direction of the pressing load of the upper mold.

Abstract: A ceramic laminate, which is obtained by stacking ceramic green sheets provided with conductor films distributed on central portions along surface directions thereof, is charged in a die assembly. The die assembly includes an upper punch for pressing a first major surface of the ceramic laminate, a frame which encloses peripheries of the upper punch and the ceramic laminate, and a base plate for pressing a second major surface of the ceramic laminate in a manner opposite to the upper punch. In order to prevent the conductor films from undergoing misregistration toward peripheral edge portions of the ceramic laminate due to flowing of ceramic caused by a pressure difference between the portions provided with the conductor films and those not provided with conductor films, the upper punch is divided into an outer peripheral portion which comes into contact with the peripheral edge portions of the ceramic laminate and a body portion which comes into contact with its central portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding including a pre-impregnating process and a final impregnating process. A sheet of thermoplastic resin and a web of reinforcement fibers are supplied through the pre-impregnating process during which the thermoplastic resin is sucked under the influence of a suction force so as to partially penetrate into interstices in the reinforcement fiber web while both are transported around and by a perforated rotary drum, thereby to form a first preformed sheet. The first preformed sheet is subsequently supplied to the final impregnating process during which an impregnating machine is employed. As the first preformed sheet is passed through the impregnating machine while compressed inwardly and heated, the thermoplastic resin is allowed to completely penetrate into the interstices in the reinforcement fiber web to complete the fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding upon cooling thereof.

Abstract: Mechanically robust star couplers of polymer optical waveguides having low insertion losses and small fluctuations between the individual output fibers are obtained if polymer optical waveguides are arranged in parallel in the middle region of an apparatus and fused with one another under pressure and with the supply of heat. The optical cladding of the polymer optical waveguides has been previously removed. The method is easy and cost-effective. The apparatus is composed of a lower part with a channel recessed therein and an upper part with a male die located therein, which male die corresponds in its shape to the shape of the channel.

Abstract: An improved machine for producing a configurated and specified weight product in die cavities of a rotary die roll, each of the die cavities being defined by a configurated sidewall and a porous bottom wall. During each revolution of the die roll, a batch of the product is forced into each cavity if the cavities pass a feed hopper. Upon continued rotation of the die roll, the bottom walls of the cavities are moved outwardly to force the configurated products from the die cavities, while simutaneously, air at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is directed through the porous bottom walls so that the configurated product is forced off of the bottom wall and onto a conveyor located beneath the die roll.

Abstract: One apparatus for forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes: (a) a base member; (b) a positioning frame supported by the base member; (c) a suspension tray for supporting a raw workpiece, the suspension tray being supported by the positioning frame; (d) a first pair of forming dies supported by the base member; (e) a press platen; (f) a second pair of forming dies moved by the press platen; (g) an actuator for moving the suspension tray whereby the suspension tray may be moved to a first position and to a second position between the pairs of forming dies; and (h) a cylinder for moving the press platen whereby the first pair of forming dies and the second pair of forming dies may be closed against the raw workpiece and the suspension tray. Other apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Packaging of series of relatively small articles between long webs of wide packaging laminates having faces of resilient heat sealable foam. One web is fed foam-face-up across a table, the articles to be packaged placed on it in spaced locations, heated melting shoes applied to web edges to melt the foam surfaces there, and a second web applied foam-face-down over the spaced articles and heat sealed to the lower web at its melted edges. Melting shoes can have their surfaces treated to make them essentially non-wettable by the melted foam. Transverse heat sealing and severings are effected between successive articles. The heat sealings can be set by cold pressings. Web backings can be made relatively non-porous to minimize bleed-through of melted foam. Before sealing, sandwiched articles can be pressed between upper and lower resilient fingers to urge articles to level at which they project up as much as they project down, from plane of web edges.

Abstract: A method for contact fusion bonding of compressible, low density thermoplastic parts is disclosed, which comprises essentially: (a) fluidizing only a surface film on opposed mateable margins of the thermoplastic parts by precompressing the margins against a transversely stationary heated platen located therebetween and, prior to fluidization, continuing such contact to promote such fluidization by thermal conductivity and make heat-settable a limited, predetermined, nonmelted subsurface layer of said mateable margins; and (b) within a time period during which said surface films remain fluid, withdraw said platen from between said opposed margins with minimal separation while bringing the mateable margins together with sufficient force to merge said fluid films and compress said subsurface layers a predetermined moulded dimension.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method as provided for releasing sheet material press-formed in a die assembly between mating male and female dies from the die assembly. A first air supply system is provided for injecting air between the male die and sheet material in the die assembly to break any vacuum existing between the male die and the sheet material. Subsequently, a second air supply system is provided for injecting air between the female die and sheet material in the die assembly during ejection of a press-formed article from the female die so as to break any vacuum existing therebetween. A system is provided for discharging excess trim waste severed from the press-formed article and routing the trim waste toward a scrap collector while permitting the article to be routed in another direction toward an article collector.

Abstract: A segmented matrix cure press retreads pneumatic tires by vulcanizing a tread strip onto a tire casing. The press centers the tire and provides a tailored support to the entire casing periphery of the tire. A bottom mold cavity forming member having a ring with a contoured surface matched to the bead and sidewall areas of one side of the tire is mounted on a vertically movable base plate of the press. A top mold cavity forming member has a similarly shaped contoured ring and is movable into and out of engagement with the bottom member. A standard inflatable inner tube and flap are inserted within a tire which is placed on the contoured surface of the bottom cavity forming member which centers the tire within the press. The top member is lowered onto and locked with the bottom member forming a mold cavity therebetween with the contoured surfaces coinciding with and trapping the bead and sidewall areas of the tire therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a video disc caddy sleeve comprising folding platens, an intermediate spacer plate with indentations on the leading edge, and a selective heating means. Spacer plate causes plastic sheet to bend in the middle while folding platens close to a folded up position. Indentations on the leading edge act to keep label, already adhered to plastic sheet, from tearing while sheet is being bent into a U-shaped enclosure.

Abstract: Composite moulded rubber or plastic articles, each comprising two distinct parts separately formed by injection moulding of different materials and subsequently joined together by vulcanising or the like, are produced in a dual purpose apparatus that simultaneously moulds two separate parts and bonds together two previously moulded parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing thick slabs of thermoplastic synthetic-resin material comprises a pair of extruders each extruding a half-slab strand to a respective roller assembly, the roller assemblies having final rollers which form a consolidation nip between them in which the two half slabs are bonded together. Preferably the half slabs and the roller assemblies are mirror symmetrically constructed and the half slabs can be formed with longitudinal compartments which can be filled with a foamed synthetic-resin material.

Abstract: New type of hydraulic presses with heating plates are described.The press ensemble has a compact structure which allows the symmetric absorption of expansions due to heating and is equipped with ways allowing to bring the heating plates to a same level in comparison to the ground.The hydraulic presses are used to form moldable material by polymerization and pressing of rotor hubs of helicopters.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a specially designed apparatus for bonding a ceramic body to an interior annular surface of a ring shaped body formed of ceramic material. Various specially designed elements are described which permit one to assemble the apparatus and use the same under elevated temperature conditions to bond the ceramic body to the mentioned interior annular surface of the ring shaped body. The apparatus is so designed that all of the elements thereof remain in a centered position during the bonding operation. The apparatus reduces the drag load on the various elements during the bonding operation.

Abstract: Strips of uncured glass wool, facing material, and backing material are intermittently fed from supply rolls into a multi-cavity molding press, and then into a trim press where molded tiles are severed from each other. A multi-cavity vacuum head transfers the tiles into stacks on a conveyor. When each stack has a certain number of tiles, the conveyor moves the stacks to a packaging station.

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: A method and assembly for making a power transmission belt having driving teeth on opposite surfaces thereof and a tensile member embedded therein. The disclosure also relates to a belt made by the method and apparatus.

Abstract: This invention includes apparatus for manufacturing a plastic name tag holder. The preferred name tag holder is rectangular and has a central cavity open at one end for insertion of the name tag. The holder has a rigid plastic bottom sheet and a rigid plastic parallel top sheet which is turned down around three sides of its periphery and is sealed to the bottom sheet on three sides to provide the central name tag slot. The slot is substantially rectangular in vertical cross-section.The apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of name tag holders includes hinged horizontal insert fingers mounted on the lower platen to separate the top and bottom vinyl sheets and to provide a plurality of male molds corresponding to the central cavities. A plurality of U-shaped electrode dies draws the top sheet down and around the U-shaped insert fingers and seals the top sheet to the bottom sheet beyond the perimeter of the insert fingers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for insulating a plurality of electrically conductive elements and to produce electrical cable where the method includes heating the unformed insulative material and conductive elements, applying pressure and simultaneously removing heat with a pair of rollers at a relatively low temperature and applying pressure and heat to preselected regions only of the insulative material. The method and apparatus further allow preselected portions of the cable to be unbonded so as to facilitate access to the conductive elements by simply interrupting the application of pressure to the preselected portions. The heat, press and cool and press and bond method may also be accomplished in a step and repeat process using presses to insulative flexible circuits. The above method and apparatus provide more reliable bonding at an accelerated rate of production.