US3924995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for molding articles
Assignee: ELECTROMOULD ENGINEERING LIMIT
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Filing: 1974-12-23
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A continuous automatic molding apparatus having a chain conveyor and a continuous track for carrying a mold carriage and a plurality of mold carriages. The mold carriages carry mold members which are split to open in opposite directions laterally of the direction of travel of the conveyor. First heating means for heating the mold members when they are split open. Means downstream of the heating means for closing the mold member. Moldable plastic injecting means downstream of the mold closing means for injecting plastic into the closed mold. Means downstream of the plastic injecting means for opening the mold. Means downstream thereof for automatically lifting and moving the plastic molded articles from the open mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell W Crooks
- 👤 Gregory Maya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/72; B29C45/73; B29C45/03; B29C45/04; B29C45/0433; B29D; B29D35/00; B29D35/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for molding articles comprising a conveyor for carrying mold members, wherein the mold members are split to open in opposite directions laterally to the direction of travel of the conveyor, a first heating means for heating the mold members as they are opened and passing on the conveyor, means downstream of the heating means for closing the mold members, moldable plastic injecting means downstream of the mold closing means for injecting plastic into the closed mold, means downstream of the plastic injecting means for opening the mold, and means downstream thereof for automatically lifting and removing the plastic molded articles from the open mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for molding articles comprising a conveyor for carrying mold members, wherein the mold members are split to open in opposite directions laterally to the direction of travel of the conveyor, a first heating means for heating the mold members as they are opened and passing on the conveyor, means downstream of the heating means for closing the mold members, moldable plastic injecting means downstream of the mold closing means for injecting plastic into the closed mold, means downstream of the plastic injecting means for opening the mold, and means downstream thereof for automatically lifting and removing the plastic molded articles from the open mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the conveyor means includes an elongated continuous loop conveyor having a pair of wheel receiving tracks and a driven continuous chain for pulling the mold members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the mold members include a base carriage having wheels for entraining in the wheel receiving tracks of the conveyor, and means for engaging the driven chain for entraining the carriage mounting the mold members along the conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the heating means includes an elongated housing covering a portion of the conveyor, a bore co-axial with the conveyor through which the mold members pass, the bore beinG defined by reflective surfaces providing an octagonal cross-section to the bore, and heating means provided adjacent one of the reflective surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein a second heating means including a housing and a co-axial bore therethrough is provided downstream of the plastic injecting means for further curing of the plastic molded article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the mold opening means and the mold closing means have identical structures including a pair of arms provided on the conveyor frame adapted to move in directions opposite to each other laterally of the direction of travel of the conveyor and carriage, said arms being adapted to engage arm receiving means on the carriage as the carriage passes thereover, whereby upon actuation of the arms for movement away or towards each other, the mold members will be caused to open or close.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A mold member for use in a continuous conveyor, including a base carriage adapted for movement with the conveyor in the direction thereof, a pair of split mold pieces mounted on the carriage and adapted to be moved laterally relative to the direction of the carriage in opposite directions to each other from an open position where the mold pieces are spaced apart and a closed position where the mold pieces are abutting together and forming a mold cavity, means adapted to move the mold pieces, and means for locking the mold pieces in a closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A mold member for use in a continuous conveyor, including a base carriage adapted for movement with the conveyor in the direction thereof, a pair of split mold pieces mounted on the carriage and adapted to be moved laterally relative to the direction of the carriage in opposite directions to each other from an open position where the mold pieces are spaced apart and a closed position where the mold pieces are abutting together and forming a mold cavity, means adapted to move the mold pieces, and means for locking the mold pieces in a closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the mold pieces includes a mold frame, means for receiving the orientation means for orienting the mold exactly on the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the orientation means includes a bar having a horizontal component and a vertical component mounted to the mold frame adapted to receive projections on the mold for orienting the mold piece in the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
Mold members for use on a continuous conveyor, in which there is provided means for opening and closing the mold members in a lateral direction to the direction of travel of the conveyor, arms being provided on the conveyor for engaging arm receiving means on the mold base carriage, said mold base carriage mounting a pair of split mold pieces adapted to move laterally relative to the direction of the carriage in opposite directions to each other from an open position where the mold pieces are spaced apart and a closed position where the mold pieces are abutting together, and means for locking the mold pieces in a closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
Mold members for use on a continuous conveyor, in which there is provided means for opening and closing the mold members in a lateral direction to the direction of travel of the conveyor, arms being provided on the conveyor for engaging arm receiving means on the mold base carriage, said mold base carriage mounting a pair of split mold pieces adapted to move laterally relative to the direction of the carriage in opposite directions to each other from an open position where the mold pieces are spaced apart and a closed position where the mold pieces are abutting together, and means for locking the mold pieces in a closed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the mold carriage mounts sliding members adapted to move in directions opposite to each other laterally of the direction of the conveyor, channel means extending downwardly from each sliding means adapted to be engaged by the pivoting arms on the conveyor frame, cam means mounted on the carriage, each mold piece being pivotally mounted to one of the sliding members and each mold piece mounting a separate cam follower, the cam means including a slot adapted to receive the cam follower such that when the sliding members are moved in directions away from each other by means of the pivoting arm, the cam followers will force the mold pieces to pivot outwardly while they are being separated laterally.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the locking means includes a pivoting lock lever having a horizontally extending handle projecting from one of the mold pieces, the lock lever being mounted on said mold piece and adapted to engage a locking pin on the other of the mold pieces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the molded article removing means includes a hoisting frame having a track co-extensive with a portion of the conveyor and a track being suspended above said conveyor, a traveller mounting a cylinder hoisting device and provided for movement on the track, a piston and cylinder hoisting device including means for gripping the molded article as the open mold members pass underneath thE track.
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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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |