Apparatus for cross-linking molding of high polymers

Claim 1

A high-pressure fluid cross-linking molding apparatus for use in molding high polymers, comprising: extruder means for melting and kneading a mixture composed of high polymers and a cross-linking agent by applying such temperature and pressure as will not give rise to a crosslinking reaction; a plurality of feeding units each having a feed chamber containing a relatively movable feeding plunger therein and a heating device for imparting heat energy within said chamber effective to cause a cross-linking reaction; passageway means providing communication between the discharge end of said extruder means and the feed chambers associated with the plurality of feeding units; a plurality of reaction units each having a reaction compartment and a relatively movable reaction plunger therein, each of said reaction units being associated with a corresponding one of said feeding units; a plurality of first passages connecting and providing communication between each of said feed chambers and a corresponding reaction compartment; a molding head assembly and a plurality of second passages connected to and providing communication between said reaction compartments and said molding head assembly; and transfer valve means associated with said first and second passages for alternately opening and closing said first and second passages to provide for the continuous flow from said reaction compartments to said molding head assembly while permitting intermittent and alternating flow from each of said feed chambers to a corresponding reaction compartment.