Abstract: In a method of continuously producing rectangular foam blocks wherein a foamable polyurethane-reaction mixture is deposited on a bottom web moved by a conveyor belt, the surface of the rising foam is covered by a cover web which is withdrawn from the foam surface by a deviating device disposed near a location at which the foaming of the mixture is terminated, and the cover web is further advanced by means of a deviating roller, a method of synchronizing the movements of the cover web and the bottom web includes driving the deviating roller, through a transmission coupled to the conveyor belt, at a peripheral speed that is synchronized with the conveyor speed of the conveyor belt, and passing the cover web between the deviating roller and a roller adjustable in elevation and in pressure contact with the deviating roller.

Abstract: A centrifuge is disclosed for prefoaming liquid polyurethane-foam generating reactants prior to introducing the reactants into a continuous slab mold. A preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to produce continuously slabs of polyurethane foam of substantially rectangular cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus for production of a re-entrant article, such as a vehicle mud guard, comprising a frame on which is mounted a pair of freely movable trolleys, on each of which are grasping means for holding the respective opposite ends of a sheet to be worked. The trolleys are movable towards one another, in a horizontal plane and hold the sheet parallel to this plane. A former is mounted under the sheet and is raised to cause it to move across the plane to deform the sheet into its required re-entrant form.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved apparatus for extruding abrasive pastes, especially those which contain ground glass together with polymerizable material, and which comprises a conventional piston and cylinder extrusion apparatus in which the working surfaces are protected by a replaceable lining system consisting of a thin tubular liner and two discs substantially closing its ends and enclosing the paste to be extruded. In the preferred embodiment (FIG. 1) the lining system is made of polypropylene.

Abstract: A method for the formation of resin-bonded grit slabs is described, in which a mixture containing inert minerals, and liquid resin in the minimum quantity necessary to bind the inert materials together, in order to avoid any excess of binder and thus to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of the finished product to levels compatible with its use, is subjected to combined pressure and vibration, in an airless environment, to obtain porosity-free slabs. The apparatus comprises a conveyor belt for automatically transferring the material, consisting of grit and resin mix in the quantity provided by a dispenser and held between two continuous sheets of cardboard under a vacuum vibratory press in which a slab is formed, and means for transporting the formed material into a drying oven in which the process is completed, with rapid polymerization of the resins, to produce grey slabs.

Abstract: In forming settable mix into hollow-cored articles, cantilevered hollow core-forming mandrels are disposed in a mold station, each mandrel being wrapped in a flexible, non-porous casing formed as an endless loop slip-case which encloses the exterior and interior mandrel walls. Movement of the mix moves the casing along the longitudinal mandrel axis rotating it around the exterior and interior mandrel walls, thereby preventing the accretions of settable material on the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a foamed sheet of material has a mixing head mounted on a frame which is positioned on a track for longitudinal movement. The mounting head also engages a worm gear for vertical movement. Below the mixing head is a sloped portion of a conveyor. The sloped portion of the conveyor comprises a pair of stationary central panels and a right and left pair of panels. Each pair of panels is hinged together and slide toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the central panels. A paper sheet slides over the panels onto a level bottom conveyor. Vertical side fences are adjacent the side edges of the bottom conveyor panels. A paper sheet slides along the inside surface of each side fence at the same speed of the bottom sheet of paper. A worm gear adjusts the distance between the side fences. The sloped portion of the conveyor has a height adjustment mechanism at its upper and lower end and at the hinged portion of the panel. The central panels have air passages therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making flat topped foamed buns (e.g. polyurethane) in a continuous foaming process. In accordance with the method, continuous thin film tubular members are guided onto each side of the central trough defining conveyor of a continuous pouring system, and a central trough defining film member generally covering the central conveyor is guided thereover prior to the dispensing head. The edges of the tubular members are subsequently guided upward over guides at each side of the trough so that the tubular define upward sloping side walls traveling at an angle and rate determined in accordance with the rate of longitudinal travel and the rate of rise of the foaming reactants so as to encourage the sides of the bun to the same height of rise as the center region of the bun. Continuous slitting of the tubular members at an appropriate elevation allows the material thereof to progress longitudinally with the cured bun.

Abstract: A reusable mold for shaping moldable material comprising a flexible freestanding wall capable of being formed in any desired shape to form the contour of the material to be molded, and a method for assembling and using the mold. The mold may include several interconnecting sections and means to hold the mold tightly against a base section to prevent leakage of the moldable material. Preprinted designs may be provided for shaping the mold to follow a desired design outline.

Abstract: The pour plate that is inclined downwardly between the side conveyors of a U-shaped continuous molding tunnel is adjustable in width between the correspondingly adjustable side conveyors so as to selectively produce flat-top buns of foamed synthetic resin of a desired width within the range of adjustment. Interdigitating T-shaped fingers are transversely expandible to form the pour plate and have the gaps between the fingers closed by a cover sheet extending completely over the pour plate with sides being folded downwardly between the pour plate and side conveyors where they are attached to a bias that holds the cover sheet in stretched condition over the pour plate. The bottom cover web that travels with the foam may be folded or cut to the adjusted width of the pour plate. The interdigitated finger construction of the pour plate permits adjustment of the pour plate profile so as to correspond to the rise/time curve of the foam as it expands on our pour plate.

Abstract: Continuous concrete pipe is produced in an open trench by drawing a sled along the trench. The sled has a fresh concrete intake chute which supplies the concrete to a pipe-forming mechanism that generates the pipe. The lower pipe half is supported by the trench. To support the upper pipe half, a plastic material is given a convex shape complementary to the concave interior of the pipe. The plastic material is formed over a convex mandrel carried by the sled forward (in the direction of movement of the sled) of the intake means so that the plastic material hardens before contacted by wet concrete from the intake means. The mandrel extends rearwardly past the intake means to provide support for the plastic mold while the pipe is formed. Alternative ways for making the plastic mold are described.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to an improved device for the continuous production of foam blocks of rectangular cross-section, comprising an endless conveyor belt with side walls, means for supplying a covering sheet to the upper surface of the upper rim of the conveyor belt and the side walls, a charging device for supplying a foamable reaction mixture to the upstream end of the said upper rim of the conveyor belt, and a plurality of mold covers which are placed along the foaming area and each of which is suspended from a guiding device, the improvement wherein each guiding device comprises first and second links secured to mounting means, a diagonally extending rod pivotally connected at its lower end to the mold cover, a first lever pivotally connected at one end to the first link and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a point on the rod intermediate its ends, and a second lever pivotally connected at one end to the second link downstream of the pivotal connection between the first lever and th

Abstract: A horizontal brick feed conveyor continuously feeds green undried moist clay bricks along a path beneath a lower horizontal flight of an elastic hold-down belt member mounted above and moving in the same direction as the conveyor to engage the upper surface of the conveyed brick; a relatively large motor-driven irregularly spaced impression roller is adjustably mounted adjacent the upper surface of the horizontal flight of the hold-down belt to engage the horizontal flight so that a number of protrusions on the roller deflect portions of the elastic hold-down belt downwardly into the green brick immediately beneath the hold-down belt so that the bricks are distorted and misshaped to give an antique or handmade effect.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an apparatus for the continuous production of foam plastic blocks of a rectangular cross-section, in particular based on polyurethane. The apparatus generally comprises an endless conveyor belt whose upper run is provided with side walls, an unwinding device for a bottom and side sheet to cover the upper run of the belt and the side walls, a levelling device in the form of a roller or a doctor, which extends transversely in relation to the conveyor, a mixture application device and an unwinding device for a sheet to cover the mixture applied.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the continuous production of rectangular foam slabs wherein a foamable reaction mixture is foamed on a forwardly moving floor web and lateral confining webs, and in which a cover web is applied during the foaming process to the surface of the rising foam, the improvement which comprises means for supplying said cover web from a supply to the surface under controllable tension, thereby exercising a controllable pressure on the surface of the rising foam, removing the cover web from the foam surface beyond the point at which the rising mixture has substantially reached its maximum height and passing the web rearwardly and then forwardly to serve as the floor web for receiving further foamable mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus forms substantially rectangular cross sections of foamed material by depositing the foaming mixture in a trough lined with flexible material, moving the flexible material along at a predetermined rate, placing a continuous sheet of porous flexible separating material atop the foam and allowing a plurality of articulated members to rest upon the expanding surface. The articulated members are rigid transverse to the surface of the foamable fluid but are freely movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The articulated members have substantially flat bottoms and, as the expanding foam is drawn under them, the weight and shape cause the foam to assume a rectangular cross section. Once expansion is completed, the separating material is perforated to increase the escape of gas and allow a smooth flat top surface to result.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for vacuum or gauge pressure shaping of extensible sheet material in a mold, more particularly pre-shaping of a textile or plastic sheet or film used as an integral skin for a foam cushion, to effect uniform stretch of the sheet throughout its area notwithstanding substantial depth variation in surface contour of the final shaped sheet material.

Abstract: A dough frame comprising in combination a discoid bottom plate; a first member removable thin sheet of plastic material sufficient in size to be mounted smoothly over and folded under said discoid plate; an annular rim element, having a rim height greater than the thickness of said discoid plate, the latter covered by said first member plastic sheet, and said rim element having a diameter adjusting means and supporting means cooperates with the said discoid plate covered with said first member plastic sheet to form a cavity or mold for accepting a pie dough mixture; a second member thin sheet of plastic material sufficient in size to enclose said dough within said cavity and to provide an interface between the said dough and a rolling pin and between the upper edges of the said rim element surrounding the said dough and a rolling pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of blocks of expanded cellular material having an essentially circular cross section from foamable means which comprises a stationary generally U-shaped mold having two sides, a bottom and an open top and forming an elongated channel cavity having a circular cross section, conveyor means fitting into said channel cavity and having a downward inclination, means pouring the foamable mass onto the conveyor means at the upper end thereof, means for moving said conveyor means away from said pouring means, means for heating the conveyor means to the same temperature as the mold, a substantial portion of said conveyor means going through said mold, means for fitting the conveyor means within the mold whereby said foamable mass acquires the circular shape of the inner portion of the mold as it moves away from said pouring means and as it solidifies.

Abstract: In a process and a machine for moulding ceramic articles, the provision of a substantially moisture impervious foil between the mould surfaces and the clay blank and the disposal of the foil after its use as a waste by-product. A foil exhibiting predominant plasticity rather than elasticity is selected to secure effective operation of the invention. The clay blank is extruded in strand form at a rate of extrusion which is independent of the rate of feeding clay blanks intermittently into the mould and a temporary storage station provides buffer capacity between the extrusion and moulding steps. The machine has structure adapted to achieve this operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a continuous length of polymeric foam from a liquid foam mix comprising an open-topped trough to the bottom of which the liquid foam mix is supplied to expand upwardly therein, until it flows therefrom over a weir structure associated with said trough into an open-topped channel shaped conveyor associated with said weir structure and arranged continuously to convey expanding foam away from the weir structure while it completes its expansion process, the open-topped channel shaped conveyor comprising a bottom wall and separate side walls which join said bottom wall downstream of the weir structure, the apparatus also including means operable to alter the length of the trough, and conveyor width adjustment means operable to alter the width of the bottom wall of the channel shaped conveyor and to move its said walls correspondingly in synchronism with width alterations of said bottom wall and sealing means for maintaining a seal where the side walls meet the bottom wall of the

Abstract: The method of forming flat dough pieces for producing flat perforated crackers by placing a thin continuous sheet of cracker dough on a fabric belt and cutting the dough with a die which cuts circles in the dough sheet and simultaneously presses the cut out dough sections against the fabric belt with sufficient force to cause them to adhere thereto. The die also cuts the dough sheet into longitudinal strips and scores the strips to define individual product pieces. The dough strips are lifted off the fabric belt and thus separated from the cut out dough sections which are subsequently removed from the belt by a scraping blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making flat topped foamed buns (e.g. polyurethane) in a continuous foaming process. The method comprises the guiding of a continuous thin film tubular member through gathering devices adjacent the cream line at each side of a conveyor, and subsequently guiding the tubular members upward along guides at an angle and rate determined in accordance with the rate of longitudinal travel and the rate of rise of the foaming reactants so as to encourage the sides of the bun into the same height of rise as the center region of the bun. Continuous slitting of the tubular members at the appropriate elevation allows the material thereof to progress longitudinally with the cured bun.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced plastic structural components having curved surface areas are produced in molds utilizing a bleeder cloth comprising a textile-like non-woven polyester fabric characterized by a fiber interlock value of at least 7 and a fiber entanglement completeness of at least 0.5. The utilization of this bleeder cloth allows quicker assembly of the mold components since cutting and forming are not necessary, proper pressure transmittal is ensured, and the air permeability, drape, stretchability, and resin holding capacity of the cloth are ideal. For producing the desired structural components with curved surface areas, at least one layer of resin pre-impregnated partially cured fabric is disposed in cooperation with a first mold section, a release liner is placed on the fabric, and a bleeder cloth according to the invention is placed on the release liner.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous manufacture of phenolic resin foam in an endless sheet which includes mixing means for expandable liquid phenolic resin with a blowing agent and an acid-containing curing agent, optionally with the addition of additives, and means for processing the mixture in a temperature-controllable double belt press. The apparatus also comprises a device for cooling the phenolic resin to a temperature of from about 8.degree. to about 15.degree. C.

Abstract: A device for the continuous production of a strand of foamed material comprising a vessel to which a foamable reactant material is continuously supplied and from which said material continuously issues over a weir whose height is adjustable. The material passing over said weir becomes supported on a foaming track whose constituent parts are adjustable as regards length and inclination to suit the foaming characteristics of said material. Said foaming track is adjustable also relative to said weir so as to be kept close thereto and is also adjustable relative to a curing track.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for improved production of foamed bunstock in continuous length. A generally U-shaped moving mold is utilized within which a thermosetting foam mix is deposited and the bunstock is then formed as a continuous block. This moving mold is configured along a critical portion of its length to conform as closely as practical to the inverted mirror image of the profile defined by the characteristic curve of percent of foam rise as a function of time for any selected foam mix composition. A weir arrangement is employed to control the travel of foam mix while this is still highly liquid. The objective is to maintain a condition of hydrostatic balance throughout the body of developing foam from the point of mix lay down to the point of foam gellation.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing continuous polyurethane blocks is disclosed. The apparatus includes pressure regulating members to prevent a crowning of the upper surface of the foamed material. The pressure regulating members comprise a plurality of surface elements each of which is rigid and fixed with respect to an axis taken along the width of the foam. The plurality of elements is arranged or utilized so that the entire width of the foamed material is superposed. The surface elements may be in the form of shoes or rollers. The width of the foamed material may be adjusted by adjusting the apparatus side walls. In such a case, the plurality of surface elements will be arranged or utilized to superpose the entire width without the necessity of shutting down the process or manually adjusting the width of the elements. The shoes or rollers are pivoted or suspended from a common frame so that they are freely movable along the surface of the foamed material in the forward or reverse direction of foam movement.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with machinery for handling and forming or molding sticky materials such as uncooked foods into patties or shaped cakes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for making polymer plates that inlcude a uniformly thick layer of a resin composition adhering to a base or support plate. The disclosed process includes the steps of applying a resin composition to a base plate. coating the surface of the resin composition with a sheet of thermoplastic material, rolling the covered resin composition and base plate with rollers, cooling the resultant plate, peeling off the sheet material and then drying the resultant polymer plate.

Abstract: Casting mold for metals, wherein paper-like sheet of carbon or graphite fibers is lined onto the inner surface of the mold to prevent seizure phenomenon between the mold and the cast article.