Abstract: An automatic continuously cycleable molding system wherein a plurality of mold sets are transported in predetermined timed cycles through a series of work stations wherein the various molding, curing and workpiece handling operations are accomplished, and wherein the mold sets are recirculatingly moved through the system for repeated usage.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has an injection molding unit shiftable parallel to itself into a selected working position, dependent upon the location of the injection opening of the mold closing unit. The latter includes a stationary mold carrier having parts defining guide grooves oriented transversely to the injection axis. The injection molding unit has hydraulic power cylinders arranged symmetrically to the injection axis. Each hydraulic power cylinder has a piston rod on which the injection molding unit is supported. Each piston rod has a coupling terminus received in a respective guide groove for guiding the respective piston rod therein during motion of the injection molding unit between working positions. The coupling terminus of each piston rod is prevented by the respective guide groove from moving in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective piston rod, whereby the piston rods are axially immobilized.

Abstract: A press for moldinig thermoplastic, thermosetting, polyurethane polymeric articles comprises three workstations arranged side by side and including a central molding station and two lateral stations for cooling and extracting molded articles. Two molds are rigidly connected to one another and controlled by a transfer pusher which alternately moves the molds from the molding station to either of the cooling and extraction stations. A first presser at the central molding station applies a closure pressure necessary for the material injection, while auxiliary presser arranged in each station applies a reduced secondary pressure to the molds at the end of the injection step, during the translatory motion of the mold and during the cooling step.

Abstract: A replaceable mold assembly for use in an injection molding machine includes first and second complemental mold halves adapted to be in a face-to-face engagement with one another; a first and a second engagement plate secured to the rear side of the first and the second mold half, respectively; and a bell crank lever pivotally secured to the first mold half and including a locking arm and an actuating arm and having a bolting position and an unbolting position. In the bolting position the locking arm engages the second mold half for interlocking the two mold halves and in the unbolting position the locking arm is out of engagement with the second mold half. A return spring is arranged in the first mold half for urging the bell crank lever into the bolting position. The actuating arm has an engagement face with a rocker profile.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with two sets of metal molds each including a stationary and movable metal molds. The two sets are mounted on a supporting plate which is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of an injection cylinder. Thus by reciprocating the supporting plate the two sets of the metal molds are alternately moved into and out of the injection molding machine.

Abstract: A quick changing and quick gripping device for the molding tools of injection molding machines. The two mold halves of each molding tool are alignable in insertion guides between two adapter plates located opposite each other. The adapter plates are movable toward each for closing the molding tool and are movable apart from each other for opening the molding tool. The mold halves can be fixed in their aligned position by means of clamping members. During the changing and/or gripping procedure, the two mold halves of the closed molding tool are fixedly locked or coupled to each other. At least one locking bar is movably mounted in a mold half and automatically engages a locking bar engagement member mounted in the other mold half by means of a biasing force, such as, a spring. The locking bar includes an actuating element which projects into the range of an intermediate plate of the respective mold half, the intermediate plate being capable of being operatively connected to the clamping members.

Abstract: In a mold for injection molding and controlling the dimensions of a hollow plastic product having side walls, in which a first mold part and a second mold part define a mold cavity therebetween, encompasssed by a parting line, for forming the hollow plastic product, and further define a gate for admitting molten injected plastic into the cavity; one of the mold parts includes a retractable portion adjacent the gate, with the retractable portion being removable between a protracted position and a retracted position while the mold is closed; and the mold parts define primary flow channels extending from the gate, which, when the retractable portion of the one mold part is protracted, direct initially injected molten plastic from the gate to create stabilizing regions of stiffened plastic, to thereby impede lateral deflection of the mold parts with respect to each other when additional molten plastic subsequently is injected; whereby the side walls of the molded plastic product are uniformly dimensioned.

Abstract: The device for pressure-aided molding of shaped bodies formed from high-molecular masses, preferably of small dimension, comprises at least one preparation chamber having at least one plasticizing or transport and mixing screw conveyor and at least one charging port for filling the preparation chamber with preferably thermally plasticizable and possibly molecularly cross-linkable molding mass. The preparation chamber flow communicates with a pressure-tight transition with at least one storage chamber for plasticized polymer. The storage chamber opens into at least one mold cavity filling conduit for charging a mold with molding mass. The device also comprises a drive mechanism for translatory-relative motion of the preparation chamber and the mold cavity filling conduit. The preparation chamber has at least one prolongation.

Abstract: An injection molding system for processing thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics has at least one injection unit (1), which is axially movably supported on a support frame and is coupled to positioning means (15) generating the axial movement, and also has at least one turntable (2) supporting a plurality of injection molds (8) disposed in a ring. The turntable is supported on a movable cart (23) such that it is rotatable about a vertical axis (9). The injection unit is provided with axially movably supported rails (19), which have devices for releasable coupling to a mold carrier (28), carrying the particular mold (8), of the turntable (2) and are connected to clamping means (20, 21).

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for the injection molding of data storage discs of thermoplastic synthetic material, includes an embossing plate mounted on a movable die for embossing information pits on one side of the discs. An insert confronting the embossing plate is mounted on the fixed die of the apparatus, the insert having a die opening through which the thermoplastic synthetic material may be injected into the die nest formed between the dies, and the insert being of non-corrosive and essentially non-porous, non-metallic material with its outer surface being highly polished, essentially smooth and unpitted so as to produce discs having a smooth side opposite the embossed side.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing moulded articles, particularly of plastic, by means of a mould formed from individual mould parts (3, 4, 5) optionally fixed to mounting surfaces, support parts, etc and which, following a closed position, move during the moulding process into an open position by a stroke c in a direction x a working device, e.g. a demoulding, charging, cleaning and/or similar device is introduced into the gap (6, 7) formed between the faces of the mould parts. With at least two mould parts (3, 4 and/or 5) is associated in each case a slide (I, II and/or III) movable by a stroke d in a y-direction for introducing the working devices. As a function of the movement of at least one mould part (3, 4 and/or 5), or its mounting surface (1, 2), support part (18, 19), etc, the slide (I, II and/or III) perform the stroke d in the y-direction.

Abstract: A mold for stepwise molding by two or more injection shots of different materials or colors comprises fixed and movable mold halves and a slide core which combinedly form a first cavity and, with the slide core moved down, a second cavity for the shots to form a molded article of unitary structure, such as a housing section of an audio cassette tape with a see-through window. Ribs are formed on the slide core along its peripheries, and a land projection is formed on the inner side of the fixed mold half to be in contact with the molding surface of the slide core recessed with respect to the ribs. The inner peripheral wall faces of the ribs and the peripheral wall faces of the land projection of the fixed mold half are spaced apart to remain out of contact during mold clamping.

Abstract: Described is a drive for injection mould parts of a synthetic plastics injection moulding apparatus for injecting a wall part on a paper web, with at least one supply injector fixed on a carrier, a plurality of injector heads rigidly connected thereto and with driven connecting levers.

Abstract: An improved machine for the continuous production of a separable fastening element includes an endlessly-circulating belt of molding modules that, in the preferred embodiment, cyclically pass by at least two injection heads and two removal-wheels once every revolution. Each injection head includes a single-pump-driven reservoir that feeds an injection and forming die operative to first form a backing layer, and then to form plural hook-like projections, by a wedge-like forcing action of a portion of the backing into hook-like mode cavities. The resulting ribbon then cures and includes the hook-like elements standing off of and integral with the backing. The modules include interdigited mold and spacer plates that are each of a generally-rectangular configuration and that together are cooperative to define releasable hook-like forming cavities and a smooth backing-forming two-dimensional surface.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for forming plastic items employs a mold formed of tool members which mate to form a mold cavity. A mold core assembly includes a pull core adapted to extend into the mold cavity and a core support member from which the pull core depends. A nozzle is provided for introducing liquid plastic into a runner which communicates with the mold cavity. The nozzle has a retracted position and an injection position. The nozzle is attached to the core support member such that movement of the nozzle between the retracted position and the injection position causes movement of the pull core, and such that fluid may pass from the nozzle into the runner. The nozzle may be attached to the core support member in a manner to allow the pull core to move laterally with respect to said nozzle.

Abstract: A mold closing unit for an injection molding machine has an exchangeable injection mold assembly; a mold exchanging device; a conditioning table situated adjacent a clamping space of the mold closing unit; and a supply line coupling for connecting to and disconnecting from, one another conduit terminals of mold-side supply conduits and machine-side supply conduits. The supply line coupling is formed of a mold-side coupling half fixedly attached to the mold body and a machine-side coupling half arranged to be movable between the conditioning table and the clamping space. The mold-side coupling half and the machine-side coupling half are joinable to and disconnectable from, one another along a horizontal parting plane of the supply line coupling for joining the machine-side and mold-side conduits to one another for preheating the injection mold assembly on the conditioning table.

Abstract: An injection molding machine for molding with a high polymer material such as rubber and resin which is improved in the working efficiency and productivity thereof. The injection molding machine comprises a plurality of independent metallic molds, a metallic mold securing device having two receiving portions for receiving and clamping the metallic molds therein, a metallic mold loading and unloading device for loading and unloading the metallic molds to and from the receiving portions, and a drive device for moving the metallic mold securing device. Accordingly, injection and vulcanization can be carried out alternately for two metallic molds so that, also during vulcanization for the first metallic mold, injection to the cavity of the second metallic mold can be carried out. The metallic mold securing device can otherwise have more than two such receiving portions when necessary.

Abstract: A mold-closing and holding mechanism, especially for a deep drawing apparatus making hollow articles from a thermoplastic web provides force-storing elements between the mold halves and the drive so that when the drive which can use a check motor is cut off, the force-storing elements can continue to exert a uniform closure force at least upon the regions at which a weld is to be formed from the shaped parts.

Abstract: A foaming apparatus for refrigerator cabinets and the like, of the type comprising a foaming jig provided on a frame movable from a lowered position, for loading and unloading the cabinets, to a raised position in which the jig cooperates with a plug member in order to oppose the thrust on the external and internal walls of a refrigerator cabinet during the foaming. The improvement consists in the fact of providing a rotatable plug-holder, revolving on a horizontal axis and provided with angularly spaced plug members each of which can be positioned each time over the foaming jig.

Abstract: Plastic molding apparatus including a horizontal molding press with two platens and a mold having an ejector mold half and a cover mold half that form a mold cavity, each mold half being secured to a platen with at least one platen movable horizontally relative to the other platen to and closed positions. The molding press has longitudinal rails along the top thereof parallel to the direction of relative movement of the platens. There is an elongated horizontal gantry structure supported solely by the press and movably secured to the rails with the longitudinal axis of the gantry structure being oriented normal to the rails and the gantry is movable along the rails. There are two arms, one of which depends from one end of the gantry and the other depends from the opposite end of the gantry, and these arms are movably secured to the gantry for back and forth movement along the longitudinal axis of the gantry.

Abstract: A mold housing support apparatus for supporting a mold housing having a mold cavity therein. A pair of laterally spaced elongate support members are secured at one end to a base structure which in the illustrated embodiment is a sector to a table. Each support member is cantilevered horizontally outwardly from the base structure and has an upwardly facing support surface coplanar with the other. An upstanding guide wall is also provided on each of the support members and is oriented so that the support surfaces are oriented therebetween and the guide walls diverge in a direction away from the base structure. A mold housing is mounted on a mold housing support plate with lateral edges that extend parallel to the guide walls on each of the support members. A toggle lever structure is provided for fixedly securing the mold housing support plate and, thence the mold housing to the base structure.

Abstract: A safety cover arrangement for the die closing unit of an injection molding machine equipped with a program-controlled die exchange mechanism using a translation table with two die emplacements alternatingly moving into a central transfer position for the die assemblies, the cover assembly comprising a central stationary cover portion with a vertical panel portion and an adjoining horizontal panel portion, two rectangular access openings flanking the stationary cover portion on opposite sides, and two sliding covers with matching vertical and horizontal panels closing said openings, the covers being openable, one at a time, by moving behind and below the central stationary cover portion, following the release of a cover latching mechanism by a cam on the translation table. Each sliding cover carries a control rail for the actuation of a pair of limit switches shutting down the machine operation, when the cover is opened.

Abstract: An injection mold with a female mold portion and a male mold portion has a locking ring which closely surrounds one mold portion and has a beveled inner centering surface coacting in a mold-closed position with a complementarily beveled outer centering surface of the other mold portion for properly aligning the two mold portions with each other. The locking ring and the mold portion surrounded thereby form an assembly mounted on a backing plate by means of bolts screwed into that assembly, the bolts having heads bearing upon spacing sleeves which abut the assembly and are received with some clearance in a bore of the backing plate. The sleeves project from the bores of the backing plate to provide room for one or more Belleville springs acting upon the bolt heads to keep the sleeves under pressure.

Abstract: An automatic die exchanging device for injection molding machine, capable of automatically exchanging split dies on the machine. A mold exchanging base having at least two transfer passages is disposed at a lateral side of the molding machine. A split die composed of two die half parts locked to each other is placed on one of the transfer passages, and the base is moved to bring the vacant transfer passage to a lateral side of the die mounting portion of the molding machine. The die half parts of the die on the injection molding machine are unclamped from the platens and are locked to each other. This die is then transferred by a transfer means from the molding machine to the vacant transfer passage. Then, the base is moved to bring the transfer passage carrying the new die to the lateral side of the die mounting portion to transfer the new die to the molding machine. The die half parts of this new die are clamped to the platens and are unlocked from each other.

Abstract: A device for the program-controllable exchange of injection molding dies and for the continuous preconditioning of an injection molding die, prior to and during its insertion into the die closing unit of an injection molding machine, comprising a translation table with two die emplacements which are alternatingly movable into transverse alignment with the die clamping space, for transfer of a die assembly by means of an endless roller chain with drive pins and a drive rack entraining the die assembly. Each die emplacement has a captive drive rack which carries a coupling head for flexible temperature conditioning supply lines and each die assembly has a matching coupling head with coupling valves and an identification code incorporated in a multi-conductor connection, all connections being established by the mere lowering of the die assembly onto its die emplacement.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring is formed by extruding a rubbery material into a reinforcing sleeve in a mold during relative motion between the mold and nozzle, and thereafter vulcanizing.

Abstract: An injection molding machine with a mechanism for pivotably repositioning the die closing unit between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation, featuring a pivot frame composed of tubular members to which the die closing unit is fixedly attached and two transversely aligned stationary pivot bearings on the machine base, in relation to which the pivot frame is axially adjustable by means of two threaded spindles. The pivotal repositioning is obtained by means of a worm gear drive on one of the pivot shafts, and both pivot shafts cooperate with threaded clamping plugs which press the pivot frame members against the pivot bearings to transfer the pivot connections into rigid mounting attachments on the machine base.

Abstract: A mechanism for the program-controllable exchange of injection molding dies in the die closing unit of an injection molding machine, comprising a translation table with two die emplacements which are alternatingly movable into transverse alignment with the die clamping space, for horizontal transfer of a die assembly. The transfer movement is produced by a compact roller chain drive with drive pins engaging recesses in a drive rack. The die assemblies have standardized back plates for positioning and guidance of the die assembly by means of aligned guide faces on the translation table and on a guide shelf of the die closing unit. Each die emplacement has a separate drive rack which entrains a die assembly. The drive racks are restrained against movement, when outside the transfer position.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording medium manufacturing device of the type in which a radiation curable layer-forming liquid resin is injected into a gap between a planar stamper carrying an information recording signal pattern to be transcribed and a planar flexible carrier member having at least one signal pattern carrying surface through means, for injecting the liquid resin, then the liquid resin is uniformly developed all over the surface of the carrier member by pressing a holding plate against the carrier member, and is set by irradiating radiant rays so as to form a transfer layer, thereby to obtain an information recording medium by separating from the stamper the carrier member united with the transfer layer.

Abstract: A continuous zigzag-shaped coupling element strip, for use in the production of slide fasteners, is produced on a rotating die wheel having an endless zigzag-shaped peripheral cavity receptive of heated thermoplastic material delivered from a fixed extrusion nozzle. The cavity has a plurality of bottlenecks or retarding means to restrict or retard the flow of the delivered thermoplastic material in the cavity so as to retain much of the thermoplastic material in central and transverse cavity portions that correspond to head and leg portions of a coupling element.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a stationary assembly and a movable assembly. The stationary assembly is comprised of a stationary platen which has a heat plate, a temperature-controlled sprue bushing and a mold face positioned thereon. The movable assembly is comprised of a movable platen which has a heat plate mounted thereon and a mold face, corresponding to, and adapted to be aligned with, the mold face on the stationary assembly to form a partially open mold cavity. Means are provided to feed a supply of thermosetting molding material through the sprue bushing into the partially open mold cavity. Means are provided to completely close the mold cavity and place the apparatus in a compression stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing small molded bodies with overhanging portions, e.g. for use as end stop members in slide fastener stringers, wherein a molding band is fed to a forming wheel to define individual molding cavities therewith, the cavities passing to a molding station at which a synthetic resin material is injected into the cavities. According to the invention, the band consists of a plurality of band members which upon being fed to the wheel, form a core with undercut formations around which the synthetic resin material is molded and, following molding, the band portions are laterally or orthogonally offset to release the articles drawn by the band out of forming beds on the wheel.

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: A molding apparatus and method of molding or casting liquid resins and the like, are provided which includes flexible molding means. In one form, the mold is composed of two endless flexible belts, each of which is driven in an endless path with a portion of each belt driven parallel to a portion of the other belt and in contact therewith such that cavities formed in each belt come into alignment with each other when the belts make contact. Fast setting plastic liquid resin molding material is injected either at the side of or from the ends of the belts as they come together and flows into the cavities formed in the belts to continuously form a molded material or individual molded articles between the belts. After the molding material has solidified in the cavities between the belts, the belts are automatically driven apart and the molded articles removed from the cavities therebetween.

Abstract: A machine comprises a plastication arrangement communicating, via passages, with a rotor having injection cylinders on the periphery thereof for feeding therefrom melt into moulds which are arranged in a closed conveyor extending around the rotor. Parts of the moulds having gate passages are arranged in another conveyor which also extends around the rotor and a rotor removing gates from the gate passages. The machine also comprises a rotor for removing finished articles which co-operates with the conveyor carrying the moulds.The conveyors move synchronously and, as they move together around the rotor having the injection cylinders, the injection cylinders are coupled to the moulds, and melt is injected into the moulds. After the conveyors leave the rotor in which melt is injected, they move along different paths to co-operate with the rotors removing gates from the gate passages and finished articles from the moulds.

Abstract: A station for running foam-plastics material into shut molds has a mixing head with first and second driving systems, the one for moving the mixing head sideways to an inlet opening of each mold, and the other for moving the mixing head downwards into and upwards out of the inlet opening. The mixing head and the first driving system together with the second driving system are supported by a slide or carriage, which is guided along a section of the transport way of the smoothly moving molds. By way of a driving connection, the slide may be joined up with the mold which is to take up the plastics material and cleared from it again when the mold is full.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described. A thermosetting molding material, suitably a synthetic resin composition such as a phenolic molding composition, is initially heated and plasticized. The plasticized mass is passed as a stream through an injection nozzle which is maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. The plasticized mass is next passed through a temperature-controlled manifold maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. In the manifold the plasticized stream is divided into two or more smaller streams which are passed through a plurality of outlets into a plurality of partially open, heated molds. The mold cavities are maintained at temperatures sufficiently high to cure the thermosetting molding material.

Abstract: A provolone cheese molding apparatus constituted by a fixed, horizontal table having a single circular hole within the table, a chute depending from the table and aligned with the circular hole, and means for pressing warm cheese upwardly within the chute. A slide on the upper face of the table reciprocates horizontally and includes spaced circular holes within the slide for selective alignment with the table holes. Cylindrical provolone cheese loaf forming tubes are vertically mounted to the slide coaxial with the holes and receive the cheese when aligned with the chute to form cylindrical provolone cheese loaves. The tubes are formed of lightweight light transmitting plastic, and each bears a plunger disc of a light contrasting color which moves with the cheese as it rises internally of the tube to indicate the extent of filling of the tube.

Abstract: A heating cylinder with a chamber therein is mounted on a base and has a discharge nozzle with an orifice therein, a plunger being movable into the chamber toward the discharge nozzle. A mold holder is supported on the base and has a mold including first and second mold members which jointly provide a mold cavity therebetween. The mold holder is pivotable between a first position in which the mold is held in contact with the discharge nozzle with a sprue in one of the mold members being held in communication with the orifice and a second position in which the mold is located away from the discharge nozzle. There is a means on the base for locking the mold holder in the first position.

Abstract: In a slush molding process for producing a boot or shoe from a plastisol, a mold in the shape of the article of footwear is filled with liquid plastisol, the mold is heated to form a skin, the mold is tilted to pour out excess plastisol, and, after filling the heel cavity of the mold, the skin and heel filler are cured or hardened, and the skin is removed from the mold and trimmed for further processing. Instead of filling the heel cavities of the molds with a specially formulated heel filling composition, the skin trimmings, which were previously discarded as waste, can be ground, if necessary, mixed with additional stabilizer and injected into the heel cavities using an injection unit. With the molds travelling along a straight line path of travel, it is necessary to cause the nozzle end of the injection unit to move in synchronism with the molds.

Abstract: Synthetic-resin articles are injection molded with at least one stationary mold cavity on the stationary mold plate being alternately aligned with carriers on the mold-closure plate so that each article is entrainable by this plate into a working station in which, for example, it can be cooled. During the injection molding of one article in the mold cavity defined between the stationary mold half and one of these carriers, a previously molded article is solidified on the other carrier in a working station offset from the stationary mold half. The newly injected mass is retained in the mold cavity only until the surface regions have cooled and set and the plate is then laterally shifted perpendicular to the mold closing direction to carry the article having the set surface regions and still fluid core into a working station while the other carrier, from which the cooled article has been ejected, is aligned with the stationary mold cavity.

Abstract: A heating cylinder with a chamber therein is mounted on a base and has a discharge nozzle with an orifice therein, a plunger being movable into the chamber toward the discharge nozzle. A mold holder is supported on the base and has a mold including first and second mold members which jointly provide a mold cavity therebetween. The mold holder is pivotable between a first position in which the mold is held in contact with the discharge nozzle with a sprue in one of the mold members being held in communication with the orifice and a second position in which the mold is located away from the discharge nozzle. There is a means on the base for locking the mold holder in the first position.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method of molding or casting liquid resins and the like, are provided which includes flexible molding means. In one form, the mold is composed of two endless flexible belts, each of which is driven in an endless path with a portion of each belt driven parallel to a portion of the other belt and in contact therewith such that cavities formed in each belt come into alignment with each other when the belts make contact. Fast setting plastic liquid resin molding material is injected either at the side of or from the ends of the belts as they come together and flows into the cavities formed in the belts to continuously form a molded material or individual molded articles between the belts. After the molding material has solidified in the cavities between the belts, the belts are automatically driven apart and the molded articles removed from the cavities therebetween.

Abstract: A machine producing moulded components in a compactable material, the components being produced in die cavities in a die plate disposed between a filter assembly and a die cover plate, pressure of the compactable material in the die cavities causing filtration and compaction of the material. The compactable material may be a slurry material containing particles of magnetic material for the production of permanent magnet compacts, in which case means may be provided for producing an induced magnetic field around the die cavities before and during the compaction process.

Abstract: Moulding apparatus including a die, a first hydraulic ram member for opening and closing the die and a second ram member, contained within the first ram member, for injecting mouldable material into the die. The apparatus may be for moulding permanent magnet compacts in which case means may be provided for maintaining a magnetic field around the material in the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for moulding components in compactable materials, including a die plate with die cavities closed by a filter assembly at one side of the die plate, the filter assembly being constituted by a filter block with a grooved or perforated surface and a filter pad in abutment with said grooved or perforated surface. The compactable material may be a slurry material containing magnetic particles for producing permanent magnet compacts, in which case means may be provided for maintaining a magnetic field around the die cavities.

Abstract: A machine for covering electronic components with a low-pressure molding compound while said components are carried by a strip comprises a closing unit assembly, which is rotatable on an axis of rotation and comprises two angularly spaced apart, C-shaped closing sub units, each of which has an open side remote from said axis of rotation and comprises mold means and is operable to open and close said mold means. Each of said closing sub-units is operable to a first position, in which its mold means are adapted to enclose electronic components carried by a strip and to receive said molding compound to cover said components, and to a second position, in which its mold means are open. Said closing unit assembly is operable to move said closing sub-units in alternation to said first position and to move each closing sub-unit to said second position while moving the other closing sub-unit to said first position.

Abstract: Multi-cavity molds, comparatively small in size and stick-like in shape, are passed through mold inspection station, mold locking station, preheating station, a first orientation station, a molding station, a second orientation station, a curing station, an unlocking station, a molded product ejection station, an insert loading station, and to the inspection station again. The molding station provides means for temperature control of a runner and shothead, facilitating use of thermoset materials, with provision for easy cleaning thereof. Insert loading apparatus is employed where the molded product is to include an insert or inserts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for making a continuous chain of interengaged loops, preferably of molded synthetic plastic, which employs a plurality of sets of separable dies with loop forming cavities which are preferably in planes at 90.degree. to form a length of interengaged links, certain dies of each set being advanced to advance the chain, and returned to the beginning for subsequent advance, provision being made for formation of a link engaging an end link of a previously formed link of a length of interengaged links and for making links of the chain of different colors.

Abstract: Three-dimensional articles are molded from materials capable of flow utilizingA. a molding zone having a plurality of advancing contiguous molds with adjacent molds forming mold cavities at contiguous interfaces transverse to the direction of motion.B. a discharge zone following the molding zone wherein said molds travel in an arcuate path, become separated from each other and the mold cavities are opened;C. feeding a material capable of flow to the molding zone, forcing same into said mold cavities and solidifying same therein; andWithdrawing said molded articles from the discharge zone.