Flash Removal Patents (Class 425/806)
  • Patent number: 8936459
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a blow molded article is provided, including a mold having first and second mold portions that, when located adjacent each other along a seam, at least partially enclose a mold cavity, wherein the mold cavity at least partially defines a molding surface against which a wall of the blow molded article is blown during blow molding, a first cutting device moveably disposed in the first mold portion, and a second cutting device moveably disposed in the second mold portion, wherein the first and second cutting devices, when in an activated position, each have a cutting surface that extends into the mold cavity by an amount substantially equal to a desired wall thickness of the blow molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, John Ahlers
  • Patent number: 8881629
    Abstract: A continuous motion de-flash machine for removing flash from molded plastic articles. An in-feed section is supported by a frame and adapted to transport articles. A de-flash section is supported by the frame, receives articles from the in-feed section, and includes (a) a de-flash turret with a plurality of cam-actuated punch stations each having a punch adapted to remove flash from an article, the punch stations traveling along an oval track with a pair of long straight portions connecting two curved portions, and (b) a nest turret with a plurality of cam-actuated nest stations, the nest stations traveling along an oval track parallel to the oval track of the punch stations. An out-feed section receives an article from the de-flash section and removes the article from the machine. A method of using the machine to de-flash articles having unwanted flash is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Garrett R. Pennington
  • Patent number: 8074550
    Abstract: A cutting mechanism includes a first main body and a second main body. The first main body includes a first base, a plurality of first cutter holders, and a plurality of first cutters. The first cutters are mounted on the respective first cutter holders. The first cutter holders are movably engaged with the first base in a manner that the first cutters mounted thereon are adjustably movable toward and away from the first base. The first cutters are rotatable relative to the respective first cutter holders about parallel first axes, and each of the first cutters has a first blade substantially parallel to the respective first axis. The second main body has a similar configuration as the first main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7837457
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for continuously molding chocolate are disclosed, including a method and apparatus for removing flash from chocolate pieces and products (both molded and otherwise); and a manifold for continuously providing liquid chocolate to a continuous mold and directing excess liquid chocolate away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: James M. Suttle, Stephen E. Beavers, Thomas M. Collins
  • Patent number: 7156650
    Abstract: A device for removing an injection-molded substrate with attached sprue from an injection mold having half-molds, in particular a substrate for optical data carriers, includes a lever that can swing in and out of a position between the half-molds of the injection mold and is constructed to include a substrate retaining mechanism with a substrate retaining member with a recess or an opening sized to hold the substrate and configured to receive the sprue with a pass fit. The substrate retaining member secures the substrate in place as the lever swings in and out of the open half-molds. An injection molding machine using the device is also described. The substrate can be quickly demolded and the sprue removed in a single operation without producing dust in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hechtl
  • Patent number: 6994003
    Abstract: A load cell deflasher for the punch and die deflash processing of product from an extrusion includes a load cell pressure transducer interconnected with a punch to sense pressure measurements of the punch against the extrusion at the die and communicate the measurements to a programmable logic controller that controls the extension and retraction of the punch to the die and the structure accommodating pre-punch alignment of the extrusion to the die. The pressure measurements are logged in a trending database of the programmable logic controller. If a pressure measurement exceeds a threshold value, to programmable logic controller can command instruct a positioning actuator of the punch to abort its punch stroke prior to completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Diamond Machine Werks, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Farrell, Walter R. Krevald, Peter D. Urasky
  • Patent number: 6932937
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a molded article having a substrate material and skin material may include a first die that receives and supports the substrate material and a second die that receives and supports the skin material. The first die is arranged and constructed to engage the first die. A cutter may be provided on the first molding die. The cutter can be actuated when the second die moves toward the first die in order to partially cut away the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Minami, Tamotsu Nagaya
  • Publication number: 20040232585
    Abstract: An automated flash/overflow removal system for the manufacturing of golf balls, comprising a gripping assembly mounted on an motion system. The gripping assembly comprises a plurality of gripping members capable of clamping and releasing the flash/overflow from a golf ball mold portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas E. Moore, Thomas L. Mydlack
  • Patent number: 6719554
    Abstract: A method of trimming blow-molded products while in the mold including the steps of placing a parison between a mold having two mold halves, moving the two mold halves together to form a cavity and enclose a portion of the parison, pressurizing the inside of the parison to produce a product and trimming a portion of the product while it is in the mold by applying a vacuum to those portions adjacent to a cutter and by then moving the cutter across the cavity and across the portion of the product to be cut. The mold halves are then separated and the product is removed therefrom. The apparatus for achieving this method includes a cutter slidably disposed in a first slot and having a slot plugging member slidably exposed in a second slot wherein the cutter and slot plugging member will prevent plastic from entering the first and second slots when the plastic product is being formed. After the plastic is formed, a vacuum is applied to portions of the product adjacent to the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Components International Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Hobson
  • Patent number: 6685873
    Abstract: A production method is disclosed for separating integrally attached gutter flash from a blow-molded thermoplastic resin product utilizing tensile forces applied to the gutter flash while the product is fully restrained within the closed co-operating product mold in which the product is formed, as well as different embodiments of apparatus suitable for accomplishing the production method in a conventional industrial blow-molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce V. Weeks
  • Patent number: 6675680
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, conveying tandem thermoplastic containers from a molding machine to a tail removal station, the tandem containers being positioned with their axes extending horizontally but possibly out of parallel with one another and with their ends possibly out of alignment with one another. The apparatus includes a spaced pair of synchronously driven endless conveyors that convey tandem containers to a downwardly inclined ramp, the ramp having a wedge on its tandem supporting surface that engages outwardly projecting beads on each of the containers of the tandem to orient the tandems with their ends parallel, the downwardly inclined ramp also serving to orient the tandems with their axes parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Seitz, James E. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 6659160
    Abstract: A reverse break stamp hook assembly and method for breaking a biscuit from a casting. The reverse break stamp hook assembly is mounted to an upper trim die of conventional stamping equipment, and includes a leg that hangs from a pivot attached to a mounting bracket and a counterweight arm that extends from the pivot. The hook includes an angled front portion and a catch portion. As the upper trim die moves toward a lower trim die during the downstroke, the angled front portion of the hook contacts an edge of the biscuit. The contact between the edge of the biscuit and the angled front portion of the hook causes the hook to pivot away from the biscuit until the catch portion passes below the biscuit. The counterweight causes the hook to pivot back toward the biscuit, positioning the catch portion under the biscuit. During the upstroke, the catch portion engages the bottom side of the biscuit and causes the biscuit to break from the part as the upper trim die is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Robert Dague, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6619946
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming and performing a second operation on containers, such as plastic containers. The apparatus comprises modular container processing stations. One modular station is a pretrim station including a starwheel, blade, and rollers for spinning the containers. Another modular station is a trimming station which includes a plurality of trim heads for precisely trimming containers. The trim heads include a C-knife, an inner knife, and a neck control ring assembly. Another modular station is a second station including a plurality of second station heads. The second station heads contact a trimmed container as the container is continuously spun. The integrated apparatus also includes a carousel which conveys the containers from station to station and includes a number of spindles which may spin the containers during processing. The apparatus may also include a scrap removal assembly which collects scrap rings and blows them away to a scrap collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capitol Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold James Marshall, Mohamed Hachem Saadi El Hachem, Ray Mardis Clem
  • Publication number: 20030090024
    Abstract: A method of making molded components including supplying a plastic material to a mold to form a molded article and actuating a separating apparatus to at least partially separate the molded article into at least two components. An apparatus for making molded components including a cavity, a separating apparatus coupled to the cavity and configured to at least partially separate a molded article into at least two components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik L. Skov, Gregory S. Floyd
  • Publication number: 20030042649
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for molding a sealing surface of revolution on a molded part in first and second partable mold halves that mate at a major parting line plane. First and second mold inserts each have a sub-insert trim wheel component shaped to mold form the sealing surface of revolution when closed at a minor parting line plane. The sub-inserts are rotatable between a position flush with the major parting line plane and a starting position angularly offset therefrom. The mold cavity is filled with liquid molding material that is allowed to harden to at least a self-sustaining solidification strength. The sub-inserts are then rotated to thereby move any minor parting line flash toward a position angularly offset from their starting position. This rotation causes any parting line flash that might otherwise remain on the sealing surface to be removed from attachment to, and/or smeared smooth along, such surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Edward Helmut Bernard
  • Patent number: 6491281
    Abstract: A mold assembly for forming an ophthalmic lens article includes a first mold and a second mold. The first and second molds are assembled together to define a mold cavity therebetween having a profile corresponding to that of the ophthalmic lens article to be formed. The mold cavity is filled with a polymeric material which is polymerized to form the ophthalmic lens article. At least one of the first and second molds is a resin mold which is formed from a resin material, and a portion of at least a molding surface of the resin mold is directly irradiated with UV radiation so as to provide a UV-treated surface. The ophthalmic lens article formed in the mold cavity is held on the resin mold such that the ophthalmic lens article adheres to the UV-treated surface upon separating the first and second molds away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Gotou, Yasushi Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20020105104
    Abstract: The invention provides a removing apparatus for molded products and a method for cutting off gates of molded products, by which various types of molded products having different gate positions from each other are cut off to separate the product parts from runners with high accuracy by using a single cutting member and which contributes to downsizing of the apparatus itself. The invention further provides a removing apparatus for molded products and a method for cutting off gates of molded products, by which work for attaching the cutting unit is simplified and work for removing is made very efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: STAR SEIKI CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Isao Adachi
  • Publication number: 20020050666
    Abstract: A disc substrate of synthetic resin used for signal recording/reproduction by a head having a floating slider, in which the disc substrate is deburred to remove defects in appearance and is improved in strength and quality, and the manufacturing method and apparatus for the disc substrate. The manufacturing method includes a step of illuminating the laser light on at least the outer or inner rim portion of the disc substrate 2 of synthetic resin for transiently melting the illuminated portion. The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a worktable 3 for supporting the disc substrate 2 in rotation, a positioning unit for positioning the disc substrate 2 at a pre-set position on the worktable 3 and a laser light source 4 for illuminating the laser light illuminating the laser light on the disc substrate 2 supported for rotation by the worktable 3. On the outer rim of the disc substrate 2 is formed a raised portion 26 not larger than 15 &mgr;m in height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Hiroki Atobe
  • Patent number: 6368096
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing unwanted excess material from a mold section is particularly adapted for removing a monomer ring adhered within a reservoir of a female mold section used to mold a contact lens. The invention involves piercing the monomer ring and rotating the piercing members (e.g., annularly spaced pins) relative to the mold section whereby the monomer ring is sheared from the mold section to which it was adhered while the molded lens is left intact in the mold section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael H. Dobner, Craig A. Barrile-Josephson
  • Patent number: 6367360
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for trimming a blow molding (12) includes a rotary trimming assembly (16) rotatively mounted and driven on a trimmer head (14). The trimming assembly (16) includes a tube (18) of a rotary member (46) aligned with the blow molding such that operation of an actuating mechanism (20) provides cam actuated movement of a knife holder (48) to perform the trimming which allows the trimmed off blow molding portion to move through the tube (18) away from the trimmed blow molding in preparation for the next trimming cycle. A vacuum source (36) draws a vacuum within a conduit (34) connected to the tube (18) to provide the movement of the trimmed off blow molding portion away from the trimmer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, Edward L. Sanford, David M. Amirault
  • Patent number: 6360907
    Abstract: The invention refers to a pallet container (10) including a bottom pallet (12), a plastic receptacle (14) arranged thereon and a support jacket (16) closely surrounding the plastic receptacle (14) and fixedly connected (but detachably) on the bottom side with the bottom pallet (12). Conventionally, the thickened pinch-off seam produced in the lower receptacle plate (and also in the upper receptacle plate (22)) through pinching off the tubular parison interferes with a flow of the residual liquid to the bottom-side discharge valve (28). Thus, in accordance with the invention, the inner plastic receptacle (14) is provided with welded pinch-off seams (30) on two diametrically opposing side walls, preferably with one seam ending directly in the integral discharge valve (28). The discharge valve (28) thus lies in the middle of the side walls with the joining weld for the first time entirely in the tube pinch-off area around the blow mandrel within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mauser Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Przytulla
  • Patent number: 6360414
    Abstract: An apparatus for deflashing plastic blow molded articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes feed screw which engage one side of the container to move the container. A nesting wheel and a trim wheel are rotated in opposite directions to bring trim tools and nest tools together. The screw moves the container so that the nest tool engages the container and carries the container so that it is between the nest tool and trim tool as they intermesh. As a result, the container is nested, trimmed and released in one continuous motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Uniloy Milacron Inc.
    Inventors: A. Dale Maddox, Fred A. Loesch
  • Patent number: 6358037
    Abstract: A flash removing apparatus is provided which has a pair of blades driven by an actuator through a linkage assembly, simultaneously and in opposite directions, between a bottle receiving position and a closed position to aid in removing flash from a plastic product disposed on the blades. Preferably, the blades can also be moved to a fully open position to permit a bottle to pass between the blades and increase manufacturing flexibility and efficiency of the apparatus. The linkage assembly has a center link rotatable about a fixed pivot and at least one link arm connected to the center link and operably connected to the actuator to unfold and fold the linkage assembly in response to movement of the actuator between its advanced and retracted positions. The folding and unfolding of the linkage assembly moves the blades between their open and closed positions in cycles to remove flash from consecutive plastic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Redies, David A. Kohler, Lawrence H. Weber
  • Patent number: 6334766
    Abstract: A take-out system for a shuttle-type blow moulding machine having two moulding assemblies has a single gripper head for taking out moulded articles from both moulding assemblies. The gripper head is carried by a vertical gripper arm which can be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion drive with respect to a carriage that moves in line with the two moulding assemblies. Electric servomotors are used to raise and lower the gripper head and move the carriage under software control so that the motion of the gripper head can be programmed to match a particular moulding machine. The articles may be moulded with tabs that can be gripped by the gripper head, and the take-out system may include a trimmer for removing those tabs, and a waste conveyor for the trimmed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: John McCormick
  • Patent number: 6311593
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the neck of a blow molded plastic bottle in which a reverse punch is mounted on an end of a shaft. A knife is also mounted to the shaft adjacent to the reverse punch and includes a cutting edge recessed from the cutting edge of the reverse punch. A stripper arm is mounted on the shaft and axially moves with the shaft. The stripper arm's distal end is adjacent to the reverse punch and recessed from the cutting edge of the reverse punch. An actuator causes the distal end of the stripper arm to move to a position located radially outward from the cutting surface when a trimmer ring from the neck of a bottle is to be removed from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Uniloy Milacron, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Dale Maddox, James E. Thompson, Thomas A. Shapler
  • Patent number: 6309204
    Abstract: A disc of synthetic resin used for signal recording/reproduction by a head having floating slider, in which the disc substrate is deburred to removed defects in appearance and is improved in strength and quality, and the manufacturing apparatus for the disc substrate. The manufacturing apparatus includes a worktable for supporting the disc substrate in rotation, a positioning unit for positioning the disc substrate at a pre-set position on the worktable and a laser light source for illuminating the laser light on the disc substrate supported for rotation by the worktable. On the outer rim of the disc substrate is formed a raised portion not larger than 15 &mgr;m in height. The raised portion has a thickness larger than that of the outermost portion of the disc substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Atobe
  • Patent number: 6213756
    Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a blow mold (12), a neck mold (14) positioned above the blow mold and an anvil (30) positioned in an outwardly facing cavity (32) of the neck mold. A container (C) is produced in the molding apparatus from a parison of a heated thermoplastic material by introducing pressurized blowing fluid into the container being formed by way of a blow pin assembly (16) that is reciprocable relative to the blow mold. The blow pin assembly has an inner tubular member (20) with a free end that is within the container during blowing, and an outer tubular member (22) that surrounds the inner tubular member and defines an annulus therewith for withdrawing spent blowing fluid from the container. The outer tubular member has radial ports (24) for directing spent blowing fluid against a moil (M) being formed at a rim (R) of a finish (F) of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Czesak, Thomas J. Krall, William P. Atkins
  • Patent number: 6158317
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the neck of a blow molded plastic bottle in which a reverse punch is mounted on an end of a shaft. A knife is also mounted to the shaft adjacent to the reverse punch and includes a cutting edge recessed from the cutting edge of the reverse punch. A stripper arm is mounted on the shaft and axially moves with the shaft. The stripper arm's distal end is adjacent to the reverse punch and recessed from the cutting edge of the reverse punch. An actuator causes the distal end of the stripper arm to move to a position located radially outward from the cutting surface when a trimmer ring from the neck of a bottle is to be removed from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Uniloy Milacron Inc.
    Inventors: A. Dale Maddox, James E. Thompson, Thomas A. Shapler
  • Patent number: 6106274
    Abstract: A transfer/injection molding apparatus is defined that includes a charge forming unit, a molding unit and a charge overflow unit. The charge is formed so that the fibers therein are randomly oriented in substantially parallel horizontal planes such that they are always substantially parallel to the direction of initial flow into the cavity of the molding unit. Excess charge from the cavity is forced into the charge overflow unit, which is selectively located in an area where surface finish is less critical. The excess charge displaces an overflow pin, which is kept upwardly biased, under molding pressure, to be flush with the lower inside wall of the molding unit cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: Jack J. Ritchie, Richard Benjamin Freeman, Terry L. Ingham, John J. Morse, Joseph A. Bodary
  • Patent number: 6103150
    Abstract: An automated method for controlling the amount of charge introduced in a mold having a mold cavity and associated overflow assembly by adjusting the amount of charge introduced into the mold cavity in subsequent moldings using a measurement of the amount of excess charge material received by the overflow assembly. The charge is formed so that the fibers therein are randomly oriented in substantially parallel horizontal planes such that they are always substantially parallel to the direction of initial flow into the cavity of the molding unit. Excess charge from the cavity is forced into the charge overflow unit, which is selectively located in an area where surface finish is less critical. The excess charge displaces an overflow pin, which is kept upwardly biased, under molding pressure, to be flush with the lower inside wall of the molding unit cavity. The pin displacement is measured by a sensing transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: Malcolm K. McDougall
  • Patent number: 6093014
    Abstract: In an apparatus wherein a plastic blow molding machine is operated to make hollow containers which are discharged and fall by gravity out of the machine wherein an endless moving conveyor which includes closely spaced vacuum cups is provided and positioned such that a reach of the conveyor is positioned horizontally and such that the vacuum cups face upwardly to grab and hold the plastic containers as they are discharged such that containers are held in axial alignment and circumferential orientation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack B. Anderson, James E. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 6042355
    Abstract: A mold for use in a gas-assisted injection molding system includes an ejector pin subsystem including a split pin which partially blocks the flow of molten plastic through a secondary runner, helps to eject solid plastic from the mold, and helps to define an article-defining cavity and the secondary runner in the mold. A first spill cavity is flow coupled by the secondary runner to the article-defining cavity. The split pin together with other ejector pins are mounted on an ejector plate to move therewith between extended and retracted positions. A second spill cavity is flow coupled by a tertiary runner to the first spill cavity if needed. The split pin, as well as the other ejector pins mounted on the ejector plate, eject plastic from the article-defining cavity, the spill cavities, and the secondary and tertiary runners in the extended position of the ejector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Larry J. Winget
    Inventors: John F. Murphy, Randolph S. Porter
  • Patent number: 5985195
    Abstract: A process for beveling the tip of a medical catheter is described. A catheter blank is mounted on a mandrel normally with the mandrel tip extending beyond the tip of the catheter to be beveled. The mandrel and catheter blank are inserted into a previously heated mold having a passage therethrough through which the mandrel passes. At a portion of the mold at which the terminus of the catheter is to be formed, a constriction is provided through which material (flash) may pass from the mold volume to the outside of the mold. The material is permitted to cool sufficiently such that when the mandrel and catheter are withdrawn from the mold, the flash tears and separates from the catheter at the point of the constriction formed between the mold and the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: James Muskatello
  • Patent number: 5919493
    Abstract: Known fabrication apparatuses, including patterned pinch rollers, molds, etc., are adapted to create articles having a shape characterized by more than six faces of identical size and shape, and by members extending outwardly in three orthogonal dimensions, the articles each including at least a pair of faces which intersect to bound a concave region, each article including a plurality of such concave regions. In certain embodiments, vibrational energy (e.g. ultrasonic or microwave energy) is utilized to aid in article formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ushers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Q. Sheppard, Makuteswara Srinivasan, Richard L. Ponzi, John J. Stobie, Roger P. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 5901270
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming sharp edges from a non-round workpiece having a contour includes a member for trimming the workpiece by impinging a stream of heated gaseous medium on the workpiece; a member for holding the workpiece, the member for holding being rotatably mounted relative to the member for trimming relative to the member for holding; and a cam for guiding the member for trimming, the cam cooperating the member for holding with the member for trimming so that the member for trimming follows the contour of the workpiece when the member for holding is rotated relative to the member for trimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: The Plastic Forming Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Willoughby Marshall Quin
  • Patent number: 5849342
    Abstract: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tahara Machinery Limited
    Inventors: Mikio Uchiyama, Tatsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5846578
    Abstract: Equipment for producing a component obtained from two sheets of thermoplastic material joined together includes an upper die, a lower die and a passage for delivering a compressed jet of air between the two sheets. The equipment further includes a slide which can move at right angles to the closure direction of the two dies and has a working sheets are urged against a shaping surface formed by the working surfaces of the upper and lower dies and of the slide by the effect of the delivery of compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Franco Cesano
  • Patent number: 5787772
    Abstract: A head trimmer machine for cutting off excess material from a cylindrical portion of a blow molded bottle includes a fixture, a spindle rotatably mounted in the fixture, a cutting head attached to the spindle for rotation therewith, a cutter mounted to the cutting head, and a vacuum source for collecting the trimmed material by suction. The cutting head has a central passage so that it can fit down over the head of the blow molded bottle. The cutter is supported in the cutting head for movement between retracted and extended positions. In the extended position, the cutter extends into the central passage of the cutting head to cut the head or other excess material from the neck of the bottle as the cutting head turns. The spindle includes a central passage aligned with the central passage of the cutting head and the excess material is removed by being drawn through these passages by a gaseous flow created by the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Weber, James M. Sheely
  • Patent number: 5759594
    Abstract: A mold assembly for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article laminated with a skin material comprises: a first mold having a first cavity face; a second mold having an indentation whose bottom surface forms a second cavity face; a driving unit for reciprocating the mold connected thereto; and a cutting blade, attached to the first mold, having a cutting edge opposed to the second cavity face of the second mold, the cutting edge being relatively moved, at closing operation, along an inner peripheral side surface of the second mold with a predetermined clearance with respect to the inner peripheral side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd., Kawasaki Steel Corp.
    Inventors: Syohei Masui, Yuji Kobayashi, Satoru Funakoshi, Katsuhiro Nagayama, Masami Fujimaki, Hiroyuki Yoshitake
  • Patent number: 5749275
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming an inner ring from the neck flange of a blow-molded plastic bottle by extending a reverse punch having a lead end and a trailing end larger than the lead end into the bottle through the flange opening, elastically bending the flange into the interior of the bottle as the punch passes and withdrawing the reverse punch from the bottle and trimming a ring from the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Dundas, Paul W. Klinedinst
  • Patent number: 5736085
    Abstract: A process for forming the tips on catheters is described in which the catheter is placed on a mandrel and molded in a mold. The mandrel may then be removed and a second mandrel inserted. The second mandrel having a larger diameter and adapted to contact inner surface of the mold to thereby cut any flash formed at the end of the catheter and separate the flash from the catheter tip. Alternatively, the mandrel and catheter are inserted into the mold to mold the outer surface of the catheter thereafter removed and inserted into a die to punch the flash from the tip of the catheter material. The punch process may be carried out by either the same mandrel or a second mandrel adapted to the purpose of cutting or punching the flash from the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Brown, Joseph J. Chang, Dennis Bialecki
  • Patent number: 5716572
    Abstract: A flashless catheter beveling process in which a beveling catheter mold has an internal cavity which defines the external beveled shape of the catheter and also has a circular hole centrally located therein. In the beveling mold, one end of a distal endmost interior bevel terminates at the surface of the beveling mold, with the distal endmost bevel and the surface forming an angle at the edge of the circular hole. A cylindrical support pin is inserted into a hollow extruded unbeveled catheter tube. The beveling mold is heated and positioned relative to and around the extruded catheter tube with the cylindrical support pin positioned in the circular hole of the mold. This arrangement melts the extruded catheter tube to allow it to flow within and assume the shape defined by the internal cavity of the beveling mold, and the molten catheter material flashes through a narrow annular gap defined between the cylindrical support pin and the circular hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Lesiczka, Julien C. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 5682804
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a ring from the neck of a blow molded plastic bottle includes a reverse punch for cutting a ring from the neck and positioning the ring on the punch shaft and a ring stripper for cutting one side of the ring on the punch shaft and stripping the ring from the shaft. The ring stripper travels transversely of the punch shaft. As the reverse punch is retracted with the cut ring on the punch shaft, the ring stripper is moved transversely across the path of the punch shaft. The ring stripper engages an edge of the cut ring and subsequently moves the cut ring away and severs one side to strip the ring from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene L. Moore
  • Patent number: 5679385
    Abstract: An apparatus for causing the polymerized excess monomer to separate from a molded lens by increasing the surface energy of the flange area of one mold piece, causing the polymerized excess monomer to stick thereto. Specifically when manufactured under inert atmosphere conditions, a particular manifold is needed to supply an oxygen bearing gas, air, to the area to be treated while preventing the oxygen from contaminating the lens manufacturing area of the molds or diluting the nitrogen atmosphere of other lens process areas. It has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Patrick Adams, Edmund C. Rastrelli, John C. Heaton, Kenneth John Weber, Thomas John Wagner
  • Patent number: 5664471
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a ring from the neck of a blow molded plastic bottle includes a reverse punch for cutting a ring from the neck and positioning the ring on the punch shaft and a ring stripper for cutting one side of the ring on the punch shaft and pulling the other side of ring from the shaft. The ring stripper includes a hook for engaging the ring and pulling the ring against a blade. The blade severs the ring and the hook then strips the severed ring from the shaft for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis L. Dundas
  • Patent number: 5597524
    Abstract: A method of removing a flash portion from a container molded from an elastomer in which the flash portion is held stationary and the container is either inflated or deflated to increase or decrease the size of the container by moving the container walls whereby the stationary flash portions are torn or at least partially torn from the container walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph B. Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5556649
    Abstract: A device for removing runners from intermediate molded products includes a holding assembly for maintaining the products in a desired position, a hammer member, an assembly for vibrating the hammer member to cause repeated striking of the intermediate product so as to separate runner and product portions thereof and a control arrangement for selectively activating and deactivating the vibrating assembly. The control arrangement provides for positioning the vibrating assembly in at least one predetermined position upon deactivation thereof so as to enable the vibrating assembly to be readily restarted. The holding assembly can incorporate a robot arm for transporting and positioning the intermediate molded product for runner removal. In order to protect the robot arm from the effects of vibrational forces, the intermediate molded product is adapted to be resiliently attached to the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Sumioka, Motohiro Haji, Toshiiku Suzuki, Masao Sonobe, Noriyuki Naitoh
  • Patent number: 5554337
    Abstract: A spherical body having at least a surface portion made of a thermoplastic resin, typically golf ball is prepared by molding the resin in a split mold consisting of a pair of mold halves. The spherical body as molded has a ring-shaped fin on its surface along the parting line between the mold halves. The fin is removed from the spherical body surface by means of a ultrasonic cutter. The method can remove only the fin at the parting line while minimizing any damage to the proximity of the fin and resurfacing the deburred area as smooth as possible. The method is suited for the manufacture of golf balls and golf ball cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Ihara
  • Patent number: 5551861
    Abstract: Tooling for a quick change of molds and associated accessories for a blow molding machining for blow molding hollow plastic articles or articles, including a mold (2) that can be opened, with a feed opening (20) for introducing compressed air, an air injection nozzle (4) for the passage of compressed air, a nest (5) to hold the articles (31) after being produced and released by the mold, trim tooling (6) for the removal of the flash (32), characterized by the mold, the nest and the trim tooling being supported by two parallel opposing, spaced apart supporting plates (10), which constitute a modular assembly (1) that is movable lengthwise by a corresponding carriage (50), and by the fact that the air injection nozzle for the introduction of compressed air into the mold is assembled on a movable, self-retaining support (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Massenzio Baldi
  • Patent number: 5507634
    Abstract: A molding machine has a mold material supply device, a die setting device, a separating device and a deburring device. The supply device includes a mold material feeding device, an extruding device for receiving a mold material from the mold material feeding device and extruding the mold material so as to form an extruded mold material, a cutting device for cutting the extruded mold material, and a transfer device for receiving the extruded mold material from the cutting device and transferring the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Kato, Shigeru Morita, Kiminori Sato