US3856902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molding process for foamed articles using an expandable mold with inner and outer restraints
Assignee: Reichhold Chemicals Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract Process for molding articles from a thermoplastic or thermosetting foam-forming composition in such a manner that the expansion of the composition is permitted to proceed unrestrained in at least one direction to provide molded articles having a variety of artistic and functional free forms. Process involves the use of an inexpensive, highly flexible and expandable or inflatable mold, filling said mold with thermosetting or thermoplastic foam-forming composition, restraining said mold in at least one direction while leaving said mold free to expand in at least one other direction, and foaming said composition to expand said mold against said restraints and also in said direction in which it is free to expand to form a molded article having a free form.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kirkpatrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:22
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/58; A; A47; A47C; A47C5/00; A47C5/12; B29C44/586; B29C33/00; B29C33/38; B29C33/40; B29C33/405; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/44; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
PROCESS FOR MOLDING FOAM-FORMING SYNTHETIC RESINOUS COMPOSITIONS INTO PREDETERMINED SHAPES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PROVIDING AN EXPANDABLE MOLD FORMED OF AN ELASTOMER CAPABLE OF BEING EXPANDED TO SIZE GREATER THAN ITS ORIGINAL SURFACE DIMENSIONS, POSITIONING SAID MOLD SO THAT ITS OUTWARD EXPANSION IS RESTRAINED BY AT LEAST TWO EXTERIORLY PLACED RESTRAINING ELEMENT WHICH ARE NOT INTEGRAL WITH SAID MOLD AND WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF OF LIMITING THE EXPANSION OF PORTIONS OF THE MOLD WHILE OTHER POTIONS ARE FREE TO UNDERGO EXPANSION, AND BY AT LEAST ONE INTERIORLY PLACED INNER RESTRAINT WHICH IS NOT INTEGRAL WITH SAID MOLD AND WHICH IS NOT CAPABLE OF LIMITING THE EXPANSION IN AN INNER DIRECTION, INSERTING INTO SAID MOLD A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FOAM-FORMING SYNTHETIC RESINOUS COMPOSITION AND EXPANDING UNTIL RESTRAINED BY SAID INNER AND OUTER RESTRAINTS AND ALLOWING OTHER PORTIONS OF SAID MOLD TO UNDERGO UNRESTRAINED EXPANSION AND ALLOWING SAID FOAMED COMPOSITION TO CURE AND SOLIDIFY WITHIN SAID EXPANDABLE MOLD.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
PROCESS FOR MOLDING FOAM-FORMING SYNTHETIC RESINOUS COMPOSITIONS INTO PREDETERMINED SHAPES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PROVIDING AN EXPANDABLE MOLD FORMED OF AN ELASTOMER CAPABLE OF BEING EXPANDED TO SIZE GREATER THAN ITS ORIGINAL SURFACE DIMENSIONS, POSITIONING SAID MOLD SO THAT ITS OUTWARD EXPANSION IS RESTRAINED BY AT LEAST TWO EXTERIORLY PLACED RESTRAINING ELEMENT WHICH ARE NOT INTEGRAL WITH SAID MOLD AND WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF OF LIMITING THE EXPANSION OF PORTIONS OF THE MOLD WHILE OTHER POTIONS ARE FREE TO UNDERGO EXPANSION, AND BY AT LEAST ONE INTERIORLY PLACED INNER RESTRAINT WHICH IS NOT INTEGRAL WITH SAID MOLD AND WHICH IS NOT CAPABLE OF LIMITING THE EXPANSION IN AN INNER DIRECTION, INSERTING INTO SAID MOLD A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FOAM-FORMING SYNTHETIC RESINOUS COMPOSITION AND EXPANDING UNTIL RESTRAINED BY SAID INNER AND OUTER RESTRAINTS AND ALLOWING OTHER PORTIONS OF SAID MOLD TO UNDERGO UNRESTRAINED EXPANSION AND ALLOWING SAID FOAMED COMPOSITION TO CURE AND SOLIDIFY WITHIN SAID EXPANDABLE MOLD.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the foam-forming synthetic resinous composition is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, acrylic, polystyrene and polyethylene resins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
An article produced according to the process of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2977639A
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US3059253A
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US3357142A
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US3310615A
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US3329750A
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US3403676A
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US3589967A
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US3736201A
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |