Continuous molding apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of molding article comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second belt conveying means wherein at least one of said belt conveying means contains a plurality of molding cavities spaced apart from each other along the length of the belt conveying means and facing outwardly therefrom,guiding and driving said belt conveying means in respective endless paths wherein at least a portion of the path of travel of each conveying means extends parallel to a similar portion of the other flexible belt conveying means,compressing the parallelly extending portions of said first and second belt conveying means together to define a plurality of closed molding cavities therebetween, which cavities are formed at least in part of said spaced apart molding cavities provided between said belt conveying means,intermittently injecting through an injection means a liquid molding material between said first and second belt conveying means when they are compressed together, wherein each injection takes place when a molding cavity is predeterminately disposed with respect to said injection means so as to intermittently fill each of the molding cavities defined therebetween after said belt conveying means have been compressed together,solidifying said liquid molding material in said molding cavities to form a plurality of separate molded articles between said first and second belt conveying means while the two belt conveying means are compressed together,driving said flexible belt conveying means apart beyond the portions thereof which extend parallel to each other after the material therebetween has solidified, andremoving the molded articles formed between said flexible belt conveying means from each of the cavities into which such material is injected after the flexible belt conveying means have been driven apart from each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A molding apparatus and method of molding or casting liquid resins and the like, are provided which includes flexible molding means. In one form, the mold is composed of two endless flexible belts, each of which is driven in an endless path with a portion of each belt driven parallel to a portion of the other belt and in contact therewith such that cavities formed in each belt come into alignment with each other when the belts make contact. Fast setting plastic liquid resin molding material is injected either at the side of or from the ends of the belts as they come together and flows into the cavities formed in the belts to continuously form a molded material or individual molded articles between the belts. After the molding material has solidified in the cavities between the belts, the belts are automatically driven apart and the molded articles removed from the cavities therebetween. In one form, removal of the molded articles is effected by a mechanical device or devices located at the exit end of the belts. In another form, a stationary scraping device or devices engages either or both belts and removes the molded articles therefrom. In yet another form, fluid under pressure is applied to the molded articles between the belts and blows or otherwise removes the articles therefrom. If the liquid is injected at temperature, the belts may be driven in a path through a tank of coolant liquid or fluid coolant material may be sprayed against the belts as they are driven.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of molding article comprising the steps of:
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providing first and second belt conveying means wherein at least one of said belt conveying means contains a plurality of molding cavities spaced apart from each other along the length of the belt conveying means and facing outwardly therefrom, guiding and driving said belt conveying means in respective endless paths wherein at least a portion of the path of travel of each conveying means extends parallel to a similar portion of the other flexible belt conveying means, compressing the parallelly extending portions of said first and second belt conveying means together to define a plurality of closed molding cavities therebetween, which cavities are formed at least in part of said spaced apart molding cavities provided between said belt conveying means, intermittently injecting through an injection means a liquid molding material between said first and second belt conveying means when they are compressed together, wherein each injection takes place when a molding cavity is predeterminately disposed with respect to said injection means so as to intermittently fill each of the molding cavities defined therebetween after said belt conveying means have been compressed together, solidifying said liquid molding material in said molding cavities to form a plurality of separate molded articles between said first and second belt conveying means while the two belt conveying means are compressed together, driving said flexible belt conveying means apart beyond the portions thereof which extend parallel to each other after the material therebetween has solidified, and removing the molded articles formed between said flexible belt conveying means from each of the cavities into which such material is injected after the flexible belt conveying means have been driven apart from each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of molding plastic comprising the steps of:
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providing endless first and second flexible belt members supported adjacent to each other, wherein at least one of said flexible belt members has a plurality of molding cavities formed in its outer major surface, guiding and driving said flexible belt members in respective endless paths wherein at least a portion of the path of travel of each flexible belt member extends parallel and close to a similar portion of the other flexible belt member and wherein at least one of said flexible belt members has spaced-apart molding cavities formed therein on the side of the belt member facing the other belt member along the path where the belt members extend parallel to each other, intermittently flowing a molding material in a moldable condition into the spaces between said two belt members defining said spaced-apart molding cavities to intermittently fill each cavity each time the cavity is driven into alignment with an injection means, compressing the parallely extending portions of said flexible belt members together against the molding material therebetween to mold said molding material to shape, solidifying said molding material between said flexible belt members, driving said flexible belt members apart beyond the portions thereof which extend parallel to each other, and removing the moldings formed between said flexible belt members after the flexible belt members have been driven apart from each other. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification