Abstract:
Three dimensional molded objects are produced from a plurality of expandible elements deposited in a mold by heating and moving the expandible elements during heating in the mold. The expandible elements have at least one layer of vertically lapped material held in a pre-compressed state during or before they are deposited in the mold. Movement is achieved by physically moving the mold continuously or periodically during heating, by blowing air or other gas into the mold continuously or periodically during heating, or by heating and depositing and moving the expandible objects at the same time.
Abstract:
A manufacturing system for molding a foaming product, includes an upper mold, a lower mold and a heating-and-cooling device, the upper and lower molds respectively having heat transferring channels to permit passage of heat transfer medium from the heating-and-cooling device, wherein at least three types of heat transfer medium with different temperatures flow through the heat transferring channels in the upper and lower molds at three predetermined times with preset flow rates.
Abstract:
A molding process (100) comprising the step of inserting an uncured blank (102) in a mold cavity (14) formed in a mold system, the uncured blank including fiber and uncured binder, transferring heat from the mold system to a cool pressurized gas (108) to establish a hot pressurized gas, injecting the hot pressurized gas into the mold cavity (110), and transferring heat (112) from the hot pressurized gas to the uncured blank to cause the uncured binder to cure and establish a cured product (114).
Abstract:
An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies that each contain a contact lens mold between a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each of the mold halves having annular circumferential flanges, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first device for applying steam at a first temperature to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient ranging from about 2.5.degree. C. to 6.0.degree. C. between the back curve mold half relative to the front curve mold half, and, a second device including a set of pry tools that are inserted between the circumferential flanges of the front mold and back mold halves of the contact lens mold assembly, the pry tools including a first set of pry fingers for retaining the front curve mold half and a second set of pry fingers for biasing the back curve mold half upwardly at a predetermined force with respect to the front curve mold half to effectively remove the back mold half therefrom.
Abstract:
An improved steam heated corrugating roller includes an inner heating steam chamber constructed with a longitudinal cone shape with the exit for condensates at the wider end. Conduits are connected through the wider ends to a ring shaped housing. A ring is placed in the housing and includes several independent sectors which allow for radial movement between two positions vis a vis the bottom of the housing. This allows the conduits to remain open when the roller is spinning and closed when it is not spinning.
Abstract:
This relates to a mold for rebonding polyurethane and like plastic foam to form selected shapes. A typical shape may be a back or a seat member for an article of furniture. The mold is improved in that the bottom mold member, which is particularly designed in accordance with the desired configuration of the shape, has been formed of epoxy which is readily moldable at a low cost. The mold is also improved by providing the base plate of the mold with a ramped floor which facilitates the drainage of condensate from a lower steam chamber. The configuration of the ramped floor allows for quick removal of the condensate and serves to reduce the volume in the steam chamber thereby minimizing pressure build-up in the steam chamber. This results in lower steam pressures being used during the curing process and for a shorter curing operation. The lower steam pressure also avoids leakage of steam and water from the epoxy mold.
Abstract:
In the manufacture of a padded element, such as a seat cushion for motor vehicles, the cushion cover of cloth, leather, synthetic material or the like is applied to the padding usually of expanded plastics material after having been formed to the shape of the surface of the padding by means of pressing in the metal die and the simultaneous application of steam. The flow of steam reaches the cover by passing through the lower part of the die and emerging from passages provided in the wall which is in contact with the material. The steam used during the operation of pressing of the material is drawn from a reservoir of pressurised steam, whose chamber is not in direct communication with the passages and whose body is of metal and is in a thermally conducting relationship with the wall of the die.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided wherein a cavity defined by a rotating hollow member, such as a draw roll in a fiber processing system, is supplied with a hot fluid so as to heat the exterior surface of the hollow member. The fluid is withdrawn from the cavity and passed through a rotating syphon conduit which is fixedly connected to the hollow member. The temperature of fluid flowing within the syphon conduit is detected by a suitable temperature detector positioned within the syphon conduit so as to indicate a drop in fluid temperature when normal fluid flow to the hollow member cavity is interrupted.
Abstract:
An apparatus for injection molding an article includes a pair of mold members, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. Each mold member includes a base plate, a manifold plate and a cover plate. Each base plate has inner and outer surfaces with a mold cavity in its inner surface and an annular recess in its outer surface. A plurality of connected grooves is in the bottom of the recess to form a channel. The manifold plate is an annular plate which is seated in the recess in its respective base plate. The manifold plate has inlet and outlet passages which extend to separate ones of the grooves in the base plate. The cover plate extends across the outer surface of the base plate and the manifold plate to hold the manifold plate in the recess. One of the base plates has a hole therethrough from its outer surface to its mold cavity to allow the flow of molding material into the mold cavity.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a fibrous workpiece comprised of a layer of randomly disposed fibers and adhesive material dispersed throughout the fibers for binding same upon heating and compressing the fibers and adhesive material to define a unitary pad wherein the apparatus comprises a press having a first and a second platen supported for relative movement toward and away from each other, a first and a second mold supported by the first and second platens respectively with the molds having forming surfaces which define the configuration of the pad, and means for heating the workpiece wherein the heating means comprises means for providing hot humid air through the workpiece to provide a rapid penetration and improved heating of the fibers and adhesive material resulting in comparatively high speed forming of the pad with a minimum forming pressure.