Continuous molding apparatus

Claim 2

In an apparatus for continuous molding of a foamed product, said apparatus including first and second endless strip mold portions relatively configured to snap-fit together in interlocking relation to form an elongate mold cavity for said foamed product, and means for advancing said mold portions respectively through a path having an open portion where said mold portions are separated and a closed portion where said mold portions are interlocked, the improvement comprising: a. said interlocked mold portions being capable of containing said foamed product without external support; b. said closed portion of said path including a curve of at least substantially 180*; c. one of said mold portions being disposed radially inside the other throughout said closed portion of said path; and d. said closed portion of said path being longer than one half the length of either said first or second mold portions.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second mold portions are each formed of flexible synthetic plastic material flexible enough to be bendable in at least one plane.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second mold portions are formed of extrusions joined in continuous respective lengths.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said closed portion of said path comprises a helix.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein heating means is arranged along said closed portion of said path for curing said foamed product.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 Wherein said closed portion of said path includes regions in which said interlocked mold portions are unsupported by external means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mold portion is configured to define a long trough having side flanges extending outward adjacent its edges, and said second mold portion is configured to define a cover for said trough having side walls adapted to engage said flanges.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said side walls are configured in cross section to define inwardly directed hooks adapted for engaging said flanges.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said side walls are tapered from their hook portions to their free extremities.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 including means for spreading apart said side walls to receive said flanges therebetween, and means for pressing said mold portions together as said side walls are spread apart for closing said mold portions in said interlocking relation at the beginning of said closed portion of said path.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 including means located at said open portion of said path for depositing foamable material in one of said mold portions.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 11 including means for guiding a continuous strand into said foamable material so that said strand is embodied in said foamed product.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said closed portion of said path includes a downwardly inclined reach approaching said curve.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for continuous molding of a foamed product, said apparatus including first and second endless strip mold portions relatively configured to snap-fit together in interlocking relation to form an elongate mold cavity for said foamed product, and means for advancing said mold portions respectively through a path having an open portion where said mold portions are separated and a closed portion where said mold portions are interlocked, the improvement comprising: a. said first and second mold portions being formed of respective extrusions of flexible, synthetic material joined in continuous lengths; b. said interlocked mold portions being capable of containing said foamed product without external support; c. said closed portion of said path including a curve of at least substantially 180*; d. one of said mold portions being disposed radially inside the other throughout said closed portion of said path; e. said closed portion of said path being longer than one half the length of either said first or second mold portions; f. means located at said open portion of said path for depositing foamable material on one of said mold portions; and g. heating means arranged along said closed portion of said path for curing said foamed product.

Claim 16

In an apparatus for continuous molding of a foamed product, said apparatus including first and second endless strip mold portions relatively configured to snap-fit together in interlocking relation to form an elongate mold cavity for said foamed product, and means for advancing said mold portions respectively through a path having an open portion where said mold portions are separated and a closed portion where said mold portions are interlocked, the improvement comprising: a. said first and second mold portions being formed of respective extrusions of flexible, synthetic material joined in continuous lengths; b. said interlocked mold portions being capable of containing said foamed product without external support; c. said closed portion of said path including a curve of at least substantially 180*; d. one of said mold portions being disposed radially inside the other throughout said closed portion of said path; e. said closed portion of said path being longer than one half the length of either said first or second mold portions; f. means located at said open portion of said path for depositing foamable material on one of said mold portions; and g. heating means arranged along said closed portion of said path for curing said foamed product.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein closed portion of said path includes a helix.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first mold portion is configured to define a long trough having side flanges extending outward adjacent its edges, and said second mold portion is configured to define a cover for said trough having side walls adapted to engage said flanges.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said side walls are configured in cross section to define inwardly directed hooks adapted for engaging said flanges.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said side walls are tapered from their hook portions to their free extremities, and including means for spreading apart said side walls to receive said flanges therebetween, and means for pressing said mold portions together as said side walls are spread apart for closing said mold portions in said interlocking relation at the beginning of said closed portion of said path.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 14 including means for guiding a continuous strand into said foamable material so that said strand is embodied in said foamed product.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said closed portion of said path includes a downwardly inclined reach approaching said curve.