Mold method and apparatus for multi-color plastic shells
First Claim
1. In a process for molding a single-piece multi-color plastic shell the steps comprising(1) heating an open-ended mold to a temperature near the fusing temperature of a plastisol material;
- (2) connecting charge box means to the mold to form a closed system with at least two color plastisol sources;
(3) initially disposing the mold in the closed system so that the mold is vertically above the charge box means whereby no plastisol material is pre-cast on the mold and sealing an interior portion of the charge box means to a mold divider means to separate a preheated mold into first and second color casting surfaces;
(4) thereafter rotating the charge box means and mold in a powder casting sequence to release plastisol charges of a separate color onto each of the casting surfaces by gravity to build up a shell of desired shape and size;
(5) and controlling flow of the separately cast colors at the mold divider means to cause the separately cast colors to join so as to form an integral joint between the plastisol cast on the first and second casting surfaces.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and a process for manufacturing multiple color thin walled hollow shells for parts such as automobile door panels, controls and instrument panels from thermoplastic plastisol includes a plastisol box divider to form two or more compartments in a plastisol charge box and means for joining the charge box divider end-to-end with a mold separation edge on an open-ended heated mold for separating the mold into two or more sections; each compartment of the charge box has a different color plastisol. The charge box and mold are joined and then are rotated so that the plastisol is distributed into each mold section by gravity flow with the plastisol from each section flowing to the divider which separates the colors so as to form two or more tones on a resultant shell of cured material.
82 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a process for molding a single-piece multi-color plastic shell the steps comprising
(1) heating an open-ended mold to a temperature near the fusing temperature of a plastisol material; -
(2) connecting charge box means to the mold to form a closed system with at least two color plastisol sources; (3) initially disposing the mold in the closed system so that the mold is vertically above the charge box means whereby no plastisol material is pre-cast on the mold and sealing an interior portion of the charge box means to a mold divider means to separate a preheated mold into first and second color casting surfaces; (4) thereafter rotating the charge box means and mold in a powder casting sequence to release plastisol charges of a separate color onto each of the casting surfaces by gravity to build up a shell of desired shape and size; (5) and controlling flow of the separately cast colors at the mold divider means to cause the separately cast colors to join so as to form an integral joint between the plastisol cast on the first and second casting surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for molding a thin-walled plastic shell in an open-ended mold having heating means from a charge of plastisol material in an open-ended charge box means comprising:
- means for joining the mold and charge box means in open-ended relationship;
at least first and second casting surfaces on the mold;
means for rotating the mold and charge box means such as to distribute two charges of different color against the separate casting surfaces of the mold by gravity;
joint formation means operative to form a joint along a line on the mold between the separate casting surfaces to form a single-piece shell with first and second colored segments joined at a style line;said joint formation means including said charge box means having a single open-end box having at least one divider wall separating the box into first and second open end compartments each having a predetermined charge of plastisol of different color; said mold having a divider rib engageable with said divider wall at the first and second casting surfaces on the mold for receiving plastisol from the first and second open end compartments when the box and mold are joined and rotated; and plastisol flow control means including co-acting means on said divider wall and divider rib to form first and second plastisol collection regions for directing plastisol cast on each of the first and second casting surfaces to be in physical engagement at a joint line; and means for separating said mold from said charge box and curing plastisol at the collection regions to form an integral joint between cast on said separate casing surfaces of said mold. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
- means for joining the mold and charge box means in open-ended relationship;
Specification