Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for molding flowable materials. The mold may be provided with deformable or collapsible mold surfaces and a forming member which is positioned in the mold when producing a shell molded article is also deformable or collapsible. After the molded article is formed the forming member and/or the mold surfaces are deformed or collapsed to facilitate removal of the article from the mold and to avoid "backlocking" of the article in the mold.

Abstract: A mold for a shaped laminate having a rigid member which includes a cavity through which plastic layers are drawn in forming the laminate, such cavity comprising a deformable wall portion having a shape-sustaining configuration matching the surface contour of a rigid member of the laminate, such deformable wall portion being reshapable to another shape-sustaining configuration matching the surface contour of an alternative shape of rigid member of a different shaped laminate.

Abstract: A mold for molding a skin covered foamed plastic article capable of dealing with those foamed plastic articles having large curving portions without complicating the manufacturing process relating to the attachment of the skin member on the mold, without a leakage of liquid formed plastic to be poured over the mold. The mold includes a lower mold, over which a skin cover is to be placed, and on which liquid foamed plastic is to be poured onto the skin cover, the lower mold having; a fixed part on top of which the upper mold is to be placed; a movable part which makes contact with the fixed part at a lowered position at which there is a closed space between the fixed part and the movable part; and means for controlling air pressure inside the closed space between the fixed part and the movable part. A method of manufacturing a skin covered foamed plastic article using this mold is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plunger (10) for supporting a wall (46) of e.g. a refrigerator door against deformation from an expanding, and hardening foamed plastic (52) on the other side of the wall. An evacuated bag-formed part (18) filled with a particulate material (20), has a surface (42) showing an impression of the form of the wall (46). The plunger (10) is reshapable, so that it can serve as a plunger for walls (46) of different forms.

Abstract: An apparatus for automated casting of an item such as a plumbing fixture is disclosed. Female and male mold portions provide the spacing for molding the desired item between them. A fluid activated release mechanism is operatively positioned on one of the mold portions so as to assist in separating the formed item from a mold portion in a controlled and uniform manner so as to minimize damage to the cast item. In a preferred manner, there is also a fluid activated holding mechanism for temporarily holding all of the mold portions together as well as an additional fluid activated mechanism to separate the mold halves. The apparatus and method herein described is especially well suited to multiple or battery-type casting operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a molded article of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene which is characterized by compression-molding, or heating and pressurizing a porous sheet of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The porous sheet may be superposed with a substrate, and may be wrapped around a deformable member of a mold and densified by deformation of said member.

Abstract: A method of constructing a reinforced concrete structure (e.g. a cement building or pipeline) wherein an inflatable form is placed on a precast foundation and confined thereto by wrapping the exterior of the inflatable form with a layer of chain link fencing fabric. For large structures, a plurality of adjacent inflatable forms (preferably pneumatically interconnected) is employed wherein either the exterior interstitial spaces between adjacent forms are occupied by lightweight spacer means or structural walls and support means are present to further anchor the chain link fencing fabric. The inflatable form can then be highly pressurized such as to prestress the chain link fence and a uniform layer of fiber reinforced cement is applied to the form. The resulting thin walled structure exhibits excellent structural properties virtually free of form deformation and cement sloughing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing three-dimensional structural members having one flat side from wood fibers utilizing flow deposition of the fibers onto a support. The support includes resilient deformable mold inserts. The mold inserts are formed of silicone rubber and may be blocks of the material, or may be a membrane which can be inflated to form the mold inserts. Pressing is done with a force normal to the support, and the mold inserts create response forces at varying directions to thus shape and hold the three-dimensional finished part. Heat drying also may be used.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the manufacture, by winding of filamentary material, of a hollow envelope of elongate shape the profile of which evolves along its longitudinal direction. An apparatus for this purpose comprises a deformable mandrel over which the filamentary material is wound, a mould in which the mandrel carrying the winding is enclosed, and a device for flattening the envelope so produced against the walls of a cavity in a mould. The cavity wall is in the shape of the external surface of the requried envelope. The deformable mandrel comprises a rigid core and a flexible wall which is movable with respect to the core to press the winding against the wall of the mould cavity. A device may be provided for ensuring the relaxation of the tension of the threads of the winding produced when the flexible wall is in its position pressing the envelope against the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: A press comprising a press stand, a pressure cell arranged in the press stand with an elastic diaphragm and a tray-shaped tool-carrying member, insertable into the press, in which a forming tool and a workpiece are located. In the inserted position of the tool-carrying member in the press, a closed working space is formed between the pressure cell and the tool-carrying member. The diaphragm is placed in a recess in a press plate. The seal between the diaphragm and the press plate consists of a U-shaped sealing ring having flanges directed inwards towards the center of the pressure cell.

Abstract: A method for insulating a water heater with foamed insulation comprises inflating a tube in the cavity between the shell and the tank to define a boundary for the cavity into which the insulating material is injected. The device is deflated after the foamed insulation has set in the cavity. Apparatus for carrying out such method is provided.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of constructing a building involving the assembly of a rigid skeletal framework of struts defining the contours of the desired building which is for example domed, or part-barrel shaped. A membrane or envelope of plastics material is inflated within the framework to lift the struts from a state of compression under their own weight into a state of tension. The membrane is then coated on at least one side with settable material such as concrete or other glass fibre reinforced material and the membrane deflated when the material has set. In an example of the invention, support zones at the junctions of the struts support the set material.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for introducing a material such as a foam into automobile body cavities for at least one of noise insulation or increased rigidity. The cavities may be provided with open spaces or be adapted to only be partially filled with the foam. A bag is initially introduced into the cavity with the bag being provided with a filler opening. The volume capacity of the bag corresponds approximately to the volume of the automobile body cavity or a portion of the body cavity which is to be filled with the foam. A mixture of expandable components is introduced into the bag and, following an expansion reaction or a setting, the foam fully fills the bag.

Abstract: A mold for molding a boot or similar footwear from an elastomeric composition and simultaneously lining the footwear with a fabric, has first and second shells each having a cavity which complements the cavity of the other to form a large cavity which corresponds to the upstanding sides of the footwear and a third shell which has a cavity corresponding to the sole thereof. The three shells are assembled together with a rigid core member enclosed therein which defines the inside of the boot. The core member has an elastically expandable casing. Conduits are arranged in the core member for conveying a fluid under pressure to expand the casing.