Door

• US 20030182896A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bob Herrmann, Craig Bienick, Howard Daley
• Original Assignee: Bob Herrmann, Craig Bienick, Howard Daley
• Inventors: Bienick, Craig, Herrmann, Bob, Daley, Howard
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/784.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/18 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C43/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/46 using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/74 Moulding material on a relatively small portion of the preformed part, e.g. outsert moulding B29C70/845 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/76 Moulding on edges or extremities of the preformed part
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/763 the edges being disposed in a substantial flat plane
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/778 Windows profiled elements for making window frames B29L2031/005, windscreens B29L2031/3052
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/04 with transparent panels

Abstract

A peripherally encapsulated product, such as an oven door outer shell, is molded in accordance with this invention by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of relatively movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. Preferably both bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material (SMC or BMC) is placed upon selected areas of one of the mold bodies within and about an area corresponding to an annular mold cavity and outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped between mold clamping portions of the mold bodies which are then progressively closed creating compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The thermosetting polymeric material is cured, the mold bodies are opened and the product is removed therefrom. The encapsulated product can be provided with post-formed vent openings and/or handle attaching openings or the handle can be integrally molded during the molding process.

Claims

1. A method of molding a peripherally encapsulated product comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a multi-part mold including at least two relatively movable mold bodies defining in a closed position thereof a substantially continuous annular inwardly opening mold chamber and inboard of the annular mold chamber opposing mold clamping portions,

(b) placing a piece of glass between the mold clamping portions when the mold bodies are in an open position thereof,

(c) heating at least one of the mold bodies,

(d) placing thermosetting polymeric material upon the heated mold body within and about an area corresponding to the annular chamber and outboard of a substantially continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass,

(e) clamping the piece of glass between the mold clamping portions,

(f) progressively relatively moving the mold bodies to the closed position thereof to thereby create compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular chamber and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge including opposite face surfaces and a peripheral edge surface therebetween,

(g) curing the thermosetting polymeric material under heat and pressure while the mold is in its closed position,

(h) relatively moving the mold bodies to their open position, and

(i) removing the peripherally encapsulated product from the mold chamber.

2. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is sheet molding compound (SMC).

3. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is bulk molding compound (BMC).

4. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the mold bodies further define a flange-forming chamber portion substantially outboard of and surrounding the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the flange-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded peripheral flange.

5. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

6. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of reinforcing rib-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other and extending substantially transverse to the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the rib-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

7. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of fastener receptive boss-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the boss-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded fastener receptive bosses.

8. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration.

9. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

10. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the movements of steps (f) and (h) occur along a path of travel which is substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

11. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 1 wherein the movements of steps (f) and (h) occur along a path of travel which is substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass, the mold bodies further define a flange-forming chamber portion substantially outboard of and surrounding the annular mold chamber and substantially parallel to but relieved at a substantially small acute angle to the path of travel, during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the flange-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded peripheral flange, and during the mold body movement of steps (f) the flange-forming chamber portion is sealed closed prior to the complete extrusion of the thermosetting polymeric material therein.

12. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 2 wherein the mold bodies further define a flange-forming chamber portion substantially outboard of and surrounding the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the flange-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded peripheral flange.

13. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

14. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of reinforcing rib-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other and extending substantially transverse to the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the rib-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

15. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of fastener receptive boss-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the boss-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded fastener receptive bosses.

16. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 2 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

17. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 3 wherein the mold bodies further define a flange-forming chamber portion substantially outboard of and surrounding the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the flange-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded peripheral flange.

18. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

19. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of reinforcing rib-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other and extending substantially transverse to the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the rib-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

20. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of fastener receptive boss-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the boss-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded fastener receptive bosses.

21. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 3 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

22. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

23. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of reinforcing rib-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other and extending substantially transverse to the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the rib-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

24. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of fastener receptive boss-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the boss-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded fastener receptive bosses.

25. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 4 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

26. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 23 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

27. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 24 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

28. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 25 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a handle-forming chamber portion extending along one side of the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the handle-forming chamber portion to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with an integrally molded handle.

29. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 26 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

30. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 27 wherein the annular mold chamber is of a generally polygonal configuration and includes corner-forming chamber portions, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the corner-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded corners.

31. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 27 wherein at least one of the mold bodies further defines a plurality of reinforcing rib-forming chamber portions located in spaced relationship to each other and extending substantially transverse to the annular mold chamber, and during the performance of step (f) the thermosetting polymeric material is extruded into the rib-forming chamber portions to thereby provide the peripherally encapsulated product with a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

32. A machine for molding a peripherally encapsulated product comprising:

(a) a multi-part mold including at least two relatively movable mold bodies defining in a closed position thereof a substantially continuous annular inwardly opening mold chamber,

(b) means inboard of the annular mold chamber for clamping a piece of glass in substantially precise relationship to said annular inwardly opening mold chamber in the closed position of said mold bodies,

(c) means for heating at least one of the mold bodies,

(d) means for relatively moving said clamping means toward each other to clamp a piece of glass therebetween,

(e) means for relatively moving said mold bodies toward each other to the closed position in which a peripheral edge portion of the piece of glass projects into the annular mold chamber and thermosetting polymeric material located between the mold bodies in an open position thereof is subjected to compression forces of the closing mold bodies which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into complete encapsulation of the glass peripheral edge portion including opposite surfaces and a peripheral edge surface therebetween, and

(f) said mold bodies moving means being operative to move said mold bodies to their open position after the thermosetting polymeric material has cured under heat and pressure while the mold is in its closed position whereby the molded peripherally encapsulated product can be subsequently removed from the open mold chamber.

33. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 including means for effecting an outermost peripheral seal between said mold bodies before the total closure of said annular mold chamber and before the complete extrusion of the thermosetting polymeric material.

34. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein said mold chamber includes an innermost annular mold chamber portion into which projects the peripheral edge portion of the piece of glass and an outermost peripheral mold chamber portion disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said innermost annular mold chamber portion.

35. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

36. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, and a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface.

37. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface, and said innermost and outermost annular mold surfaces are disposed in generally offset planes.

38. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface, and said innermost and outermost annular mold surfaces are disposed in generally offset substantially parallel planes.

39. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface, and said first-mentioned and outermost annular mold surfaces are disposed in generally spaced parallel relationship to each other in the closed position of the mold.

40. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface, and said first-mentioned and outermost peripheral mold surfaces are disposed in generally spaced parallel relationship to each other in the closed position of the mold.

41. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein a first of said mold bodies includes an annular mold surface blending with a radius mold surface which in turn blends with a peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said annular mold surface, a second of said mold bodies includes an outermost annular mold surface blending with innermost and outermost radius mold surfaces which in turn blend respectively with an innermost annular mold surface and an outermost peripheral mold surface disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said outermost annular mold surface, said first-mentioned and outermost annular mold surfaces are disposed in generally spaced parallel relationship to each other in the closed position of the mold, and said first-mentioned and outermost peripheral mold surfaces are disposed in generally spaced parallel relationship to each other in the closed position of the mold.

42. The molding machine as defined in claim 32 wherein said mold chamber includes an innermost annular mold chamber portion into which projects the peripheral edge portion of the piece of glass and an outermost peripheral mold chamber portion disposed in substantially transverse relationship to said innermost annular mold chamber portion, and said innermost annular mold chamber portion is defined in part by outermost peripheral mold surfaces of said clamping means.

43. The molding machine as defined in claim 34 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

44. The molding machine as defined in claim 36 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

45. The molding machine as defined in claim 37 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

46. The molding machine as defined in claim 38 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

47. The molding machine as defined in claim 39 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

48. The molding machine as defined in claim 40 wherein said mold bodies and said clamping means move relatively along a path of travel substantially normal to a plane of the piece of glass.

49. A molded door comprising a single piece of hot molded integral thermosetting polymeric material forming a generally polygonal frame member defined by a front wall of a substantially annular configuration disposed substantially transverse to a peripheral wall substantially bordering said front wall, said thermosetting polymeric material being one of sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC), a piece of tempered glass substantially closing an opening defined by an innermost heat and pressure extruded edge portion of said front wall, said glass piece having a peripheral edge, and said glass piece peripheral edge being encapsulated by said front wall innermost heat and pressure extruded edge portion.

50. The molded door as defined in claim 49 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses for receipt of fasteners.

51. The molded door as defined in claim 49 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

52. The molded door as defined in claim 49 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses for receipt of fasteners, and said bosses are located adjacent corners of said frame member.

53. The molded door as defined in claim 49 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs, and said reinforcing ribs are located adjacent corners of said frame member.

54. The molded door as defined in claim 49 including a second generally polygonal frame member having an opening substantially covered by a second piece of tempered glass, and means for securing said frame members to each other in generally peripherally aligned relationship.

55. The molded door as defined in claim 49 including a second generally polygonal frame member having an opening substantially covered by a second piece of tempered glass, said second frame member being constructed from metal, and means for securing said frame members to each other in generally peripherally aligned relationship.

56. The molded door as defined in claim 49 including a second generally polygonal frame member having an opening substantially covered by a second piece of tempered glass, means for securing said frame members to each other in generally peripherally aligned relationship, and said peripheral wall being in substantially outboard overlapping relationship to a peripherally outermost edge portion of said second frame member.

57. The molded door as defined in claim 54 wherein said first-mentioned frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses in part defining said securing means.

58. The molded door as defined in claim 54 wherein said first-mentioned frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

59. The molded door as defined in claim 54 wherein said first-mentioned frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses in part defining said securing means, and said bosses are located adjacent corners of said first-mentioned frame member.

60. The molded door as defined in claim 54 wherein said first-mentioned frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs, and said reinforcing ribs are located adjacent corners of said first-mentioned frame member.

61. A molded door comprising a single piece of hot molded integral thermosetting polymeric material forming a generally polygonal frame member defined by a front wall of a substantially annular configuration disposed substantially transverse to a peripheral wall substantially bordering said front wall, said thermosetting polymeric material being one of sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC), a piece of tempered glass substantially closing an opening defined by an innermost heat and pressure extruded edge portion of said front wall, said glass piece having a peripheral edge, said glass piece peripheral edge being encapsulated by said front wall innermost heat and pressure extruded edge portion, and said front wall having an integrally molded handle located between said piece of glass and said peripheral wall.

62. The molded door as defined in claim 61 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses for receipt of fasteners.

63. The molded door as defined in claim 61 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

64. The molded door as defined in claim 61 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses for receipt of fasteners, and said bosses are located adjacent corners of said frame member.

65. The molded door as defined in claim 61 wherein said front wall and said piece of tempered glass are in substantially coplanar relationships, said peripheral wall defines a small acute angle relative to a plane normal to said front wall, and said peripheral wall converges in a direction toward said front wall.

66. The molded door as defined in claim 65 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded bosses for receipt of fasteners.

67. The molded door as defined in claim 65 wherein said frame member includes a plurality of integrally molded reinforcing ribs.

68. A method of molding a peripherally encapsulated product comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a multi-part mold including at least two relatively movable mold bodies defining in a closed position thereof a substantially continuous annular inwardly opening mold chamber having a handle forming chamber portion and inboard of the annular mold chamber opposing mold clamping portions,

(b) placing a piece of glass between the mold clamping portions when the mold bodies are in an open position thereof,

(c) heating at least one of the mold bodies,

(d) placing thermosetting polymeric material upon the heated mold body within and about an area corresponding to the annular chamber and outboard of a substantially continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass,

(e) clamping the piece of glass between the mold clamping portions,

(f) progressively relatively moving the mold bodies to the closed position thereof to thereby create compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular chamber and the handle forming chamber portion thereof and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge including opposite face surfaces and a peripheral edge surface therebetween,

(g) curing the thermosetting polymeric material under heat and pressure while the mold is in its closed position to form a front annular wall having an integrally molded handle and a glass “

window”

defined by the piece of glass,

(h) relatively moving the mold bodies to their open position, and

(i) removing the peripherally encapsulated product from the mold chamber.

69. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 68 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is sheet molding compound (SMC).

70. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 68 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is bulk molding compound (BMC).

71. The molding method as defined in claim 68 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

72. The molding method as defined in claim 69 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

73. The molding method as defined in claim 70 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

74. A method of molding a peripherally encapsulated product comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a multi-part mold including at least two relatively movable mold bodies defining in a closed position thereof a substantially continuous annular inwardly opening mold chamber and inboard of the annular mold chamber opposing mold clamping portions,

(b) placing a piece of glass between the mold clamping portions when the mold bodies are in an open position thereof,

(c) heating at least one of the mold bodies,

(d) placing thermosetting polymeric material upon the heated mold body within and about an area corresponding to the annular chamber and outboard of a substantially continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass,

(e) clamping the piece of glass between the mold clamping portions,

(f) progressively relatively moving the mold bodies to the closed position thereof to thereby create compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular chamber and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge including opposite face surfaces and a peripheral edge surface therebetween,

(g) curing the thermosetting polymeric material under heat and pressure while the mold is in its closed position,

(h) relatively moving the mold bodies to their open position,

(i) removing the peripherally encapsulated product from the mold chamber, and

(j) post-forming openings in said front wall after the performance of step (i).

75. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 74 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is sheet molding compound (SMC).

76. The product encapsulation method as defined in claim 74 wherein the thermosetting polymeric material is bulk molding compound (BMC).

77. The molding method as defined in claim 74 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

78. The molding method as defined in claim 74 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i), and securing a handle utilizing the post-formed openings.

79. The molding method as defined in claim 75 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

80. The molding method as defined in claim 75 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i), and securing a handle utilizing the post-formed openings.

81. The molding method as defined in claim 76 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i).

82. The molding method as defined in claim 76 including the step of post-forming openings in the flange after the performance of step (i), and securing a handle utilizing the post-formed openings.