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Multi-component mold with rotatable mandrels

  • US 6,821,100 B2
  • Filed: 09/06/2002
  • Issued: 11/23/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for making products, each of which products comprises a first molded portion and a second molded portion, the first molded portion having an external surface and an internal surface, the apparatus comprising:

  • (a) an elongate turret having a front side, an opposed rear side and a longitudinal axis;

    (b) a plurality of elongate product connector pairs, each product connector pair comprising a longitudinal axis, each product connector pair further comprising a forward product connector on the front side of the turret and a rearward product connector on the rear side of the turret, the forward product connector and the rearward product connector being disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the turret, each of the product connectors being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the amount of rotation being between about 10° and

    about 360°

    ;

    (c) at least one bearing for permitting the rotation of the turret;

    (d) a first mold disposed proximate to the turret, the first mold defining a plurality of first mold cavities, each first mold cavity being aligned with a product connector on the turret and each first mold cavity being sized and dimensioned to shape the exterior surface of the first molded portion of the product, the first mold being separable along a first mold separation plane which bisects each of the first mold cavities within the first mold; and

    (e) a second mold disposed proximate to the turret and opposite the turret from the first mold, the second mold defining a plurality of second mold cavities, each second mold cavity being aligned with a product connector on the turret and each second mold cavity being sized and dimensioned to shape the exterior surface of the second molded portion of the product, the second mold being separable along a second mold separation plane which bisects each of the second mold cavities within the second mold.

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