US3832111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for making component parts of shoes and the like comprised of thermoplastic sheeting
Assignee: UNITED STATES TRUST Co
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Filing: 1972-03-13
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1992-03-13
Abstract
Abstract The method of making relatively thin parts with a thermoplastic face having a predetermined surface configuration comprising providing a mold with the surface configuration desired to be imparted to the face, pressing and heating the material of the face in contact with the surface of the mold at a temperature such as to cause the material fused to take the impression of the mold and while the material is in a fused condition controlling flow of the material within the perimeter of the mold and cooling it to make permanent the impression imparted to the material. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a mold embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the part, a press and a heat generator for fusing and applying molding pressure to the part. The mold is comprised of a material having a lower dielectric constant than the material of the part to be molded, preferably silicone rubber or a silicone containing material. Heating is effected in a high frequency field, preferably by connecting the platens of the press to the terminals of a high frequency generator. Optionally, two presses may be employed, one to effect fusing and molding and another to effect cooling while holding the part at molding pressure. If a single press is employed the platens of the press are preferably provided with cooling coils. Optionally, the part and the mold may be preheated.
Inventors
- 👤 R Dunlap
- 👤 A Balfour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D35/00; B29D35/12; B29D35/14; B29D35/146; A; A43; A43D; A43D8/00; A43D8/16; A43D8/22; A43D8/24; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0855; B29C35/16; B29C2035/1616; B29C33/00; B29C33/34; B29C33/36; B29C35/12; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/48; B29L2031/4842; B29L2031/50; B29L2031/505; B29L2031/727; B29L2031/7276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for making a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material imitative of a predetermined pattern comprising in combination a mold embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the surface of the part, a press embodying spaced parallel platens between which the mold and part to be molded are adapted to be disposed for application of molding pressure to the part with the back sides of the mold and part in a heat transferring engagement with the platens, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, means connected to the platens operable to produce a high frequency field between the platens simutaneously with the application of molding pressure to heat the tHermoplastic face of the part at the interfaces of the part and mold to a fusing temperature to cause the thermoplastic face to take the impression in the mold, and means for continuously cooling the platens to a temperature below the fusing temperature of the thermoplastic to contain the lateral flow of the thermoplastic at the interfaces to the perimeter of the mold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for making a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material imitative of a predetermined pattern comprising in combination a mold embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the surface of the part, a press embodying spaced parallel platens between which the mold and part to be molded are adapted to be disposed for application of molding pressure to the part with the back sides of the mold and part in a heat transferring engagement with the platens, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, means connected to the platens operable to produce a high frequency field between the platens simutaneously with the application of molding pressure to heat the tHermoplastic face of the part at the interfaces of the part and mold to a fusing temperature to cause the thermoplastic face to take the impression in the mold, and means for continuously cooling the platens to a temperature below the fusing temperature of the thermoplastic to contain the lateral flow of the thermoplastic at the interfaces to the perimeter of the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mold is comprised of silicone rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for preheating the part prior to effecting fusing of the face material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for preheating the mold prior to placing the part in engagement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for making a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material imitative of a predetermined pattern comprising in combination a mold enbodying a surface configuration corresponding to that to be imparted to the surface of the part, a heat generator for fusing the surface of the part, a press for receiving the mold and part for application of molding pressure to the part to press the fused surface into intimate engagement with the mold, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, means for cooling the press and maintaining it at a temperature below the fusion temperature of the thermoplastic at the face of the part and a muffle for maintaining the face of the part at fusing temperature during transfer from the heat generator to the press.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for making a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material imitative of a predetermined pattern comprising in combination a mold enbodying a surface configuration corresponding to that to be imparted to the surface of the part, a heat generator for fusing the surface of the part, a press for receiving the mold and part for application of molding pressure to the part to press the fused surface into intimate engagement with the mold, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, means for cooling the press and maintaining it at a temperature below the fusion temperature of the thermoplastic at the face of the part and a muffle for maintaining the face of the part at fusing temperature during transfer from the heat generator to the press.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the manifold embodies heating means for maintaining the mold and part at said fusing temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for preheating the mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for moving the mold and part from the heat generator to the press for application of molding pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for effecting movement of the mold and part from the heat generator to the press is an indexable table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for effecting movement of the mold and part from the heat generator to the press is an endless conveyor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the press comprises a pair of rolls between which the part is moved, one of said rolls having a peripheral surface embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the part and the other comprising a support roll for holding the part pressed against the one roll as the part is moved between the rolls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising means for adjusting the rolls relative to each other to apply a predetermined molding pressure to the part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for molding a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material to impart thereto a predetermined surface configuration comprising in combination a mold embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the face of the part, a first press embodying a high frequency heat generator in which the part is adapted to be subjected to pressure of the mold in a high frequency field such as to effect fusing of the face and molding thereof to the surface configuration of the mold, a second press embodying cooling coils wherein the mold and part are adapted to be subjected to the pressure of the mold and cooled to a temperature below fusing, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, and means for transferring the mold and part from the first press to the second press.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for molding a relatively thin part with a vinyl face material to impart thereto a predetermined surface configuration comprising in combination a mold embodying the surface configuration to be imparted to the face of the part, a first press embodying a high frequency heat generator in which the part is adapted to be subjected to pressure of the mold in a high frequency field such as to effect fusing of the face and molding thereof to the surface configuration of the mold, a second press embodying cooling coils wherein the mold and part are adapted to be subjected to the pressure of the mold and cooled to a temperature below fusing, wherein the molding pressure is effected without requiring an inordinate application of pressure, and means for transferring the mold and part from the first press to the second press.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, comprising a conveyor for moving the mold and part from the first press to the second press.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |