A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

A method for producing an object made of a polymeric material, said polymeric material having a melting temperature (T.sub.F), comprises the steps of: melting the polymeric material; after the step of melting, cooling the polymeric material below the melting temperature (T.sub.F) in a cooling zone; severing a dose from a flow of polymeric material coming from the cooling zone by means of a severing element (5); obtaining said object by shaping the dose between a male forming element and a female forming element (10) which move towards one another with a mutual movement speed, the dose having a temperature lower than said melting temperature (T.sub.F). Between a start-of-forming configuration, in which the dose is in contact with both the male forming element and the female forming element (10), and a start-of-deceleration configuration, in which the male forming element and the female forming element (10) begin to decelerate relative to one another, the mutual movement speed is greater than 10 mm/s.

A molding apparatus includes a plurality of deep-draw compression molds. Each of the molds includes a mold cavity and an associated mold core. A rotating support structure operatively supports the mold cavities and the mold cores relative to each other. The molds open and close as they travel around a closed path defined by the support structure. A mold material discharge mechanism deposits a predetermined amount of mold material in each of the molds. A heat source superheats the molds, and a mold closing mechanism closes the superheated molds, compressing the mold material between the mold cavities and the mold cores to form a deep-draw component A coolant source rapidly and actively cools the molds, and a mold opening mechanism opens the cooled molds. An ejector is disposed to eject the deep draw components from the molds. A method of molding deep-draw components is also disclosed. The system and method of the present invention facilitate compression molding of deep-draw components.

An apparatus is disclosed for forming annular doses of synthetic plasticised material supplied from an extruder, in which the doses are applied to a surface of a capsule and the seals of the capsules are then compression-formed. The apparatus includes one tubular wall that has a longitudinal axis and is axially movable for closing an annular outlet from which the synthetic plasticised material exits with a component that is normal to the longitudinal axis. The tubular wall has a cutting edge that shears the plasticised material during the closing movement in order to separate the annular dose, formed outside the outlet, from the material that remains inside the outlet.

A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

A screw extruder for extruding a kneaded material includes a screw and a casing housing the screw and having a material supply port on an upstream side in an extrusion direction of the kneaded material and a tip-side opening on a downstream side in the extrusion direction. A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the casing is provided between a downstream end of the supply port and the tip-side opening of the casing. A rotational speed of the screw is controlled depending on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

A method for applying a sealing member to a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, where the capsule includes a body having a bottom wall a side wall and a flange-like rim which extends from the side wall, comprises a step of applying a charge of sealing composition in a viscous state on the flange-like rim and a step of compression moulding the charge of sealing composition against the flange-like rim.

The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a supply device including discharge ports which discharge a imprint material, and configured to supply the imprint material onto a substrate via the discharge ports, and a controller configured to cause, if there is a defective discharge port of the discharge ports, the supply device to discharge the imprint material from another discharge port, different from the defective discharge port, of the discharge ports, wherein a mold for the molding includes a line pattern, and the controller is configured to control the supply device such that an interval between supply positions of the imprint material do not become larger in a direction orthogonal to a direction along the line pattern than that before change from the defective discharge port to the other discharge port.

A shaping system comprises a dispensing station configured to dispense formable material on a substrate, a shaping station configured to contact the dispensed formable material on the substrate with a plate, a positioning system configured to move the substrate having the dispensed formable material from the dispensing system to the shaping station, and a cover having one or more walls. While the substrate having the dispensed formable material is moved by the positioning system from the dispensing station to the shaping station, the cover is positioned to enclose the substrate and the dispensed formable material such that a ratio of a diameter of the substrate to a distance between the cover and the substrate to 80:1 to 30:1.

A method for material handling and mold filling is provided which directs the flow of molten plastic material from an extruder and allocates the molten material to a plurality of nozzles through the use of independently operated, variable valves. The method therefore provides independent streams of molten plastic material having variable temperatures and flow rates or volumes to particular sections or regions of the mold. This independent temperature or flow of molten plastic material facilitates the complete, rapid and accurate filling of the molds, reducing turbulence and other temperature or flow-related imperfections in the finished components. A method of using a multiphase material handling system is also disclosed for expeditious sequential and simultaneous filling and pressing of the mold and extracting the completed component from the system.