Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a process for molding a substantially isotropic isocyanate-based polymer foam bun by charging an isocyanate-based polymer foam forming mixture to a box mold, the improvement which comprises charging said foam forming mixture to a mold having (i) a floor, (ii) sidewalls of which at least one oppositely disposed pair is adapted to slide laterally outwards on said floor, said sidewalls being held in initially abutting relationship by extensible coupling means, and (iii) stop means provided on said floor of said mold to limit the outward movement of such of said sidewalls as are adapted to slide laterally; the amount of foam forming mixture so charged being in excess of the amount which, after expansion under free rise conditions, is necessary to fill said mold cavity in unexpanded condition of the latter; closing said mold by means of a cover slidably mounted on, but not attached to, the upper edges of said sidewalls; permitting said laterally slidable sidewalls to be pushed outwardly towards said stop means when the lateral pressure exerted by the rising foam exceeds the restraining pressure exerted by said extensible coupling means; and permitting said mold cover to float freely on the upper surface of said rising foam after the latter contacts the underside of said cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a process for molding a substantially isotropic isocyanate-based polymer foam bun by charging an isocyanate-based polymer foam forming mixture to a box mold, the improvement which comprises charging said foam forming mixture to a mold having (i) a floor, (ii) sidewalls of which at least one oppositely disposed pair is adapted to slide laterally outwards on said floor, said sidewalls being held in initially abutting relationship by extensible coupling means, and (iii) stop means provided on said floor of said mold to limit the outward movement of such of said sidewalls as are adapted to slide laterally; the amount of foam forming mixture so charged being in excess of the amount which, after expansion under free rise conditions, is necessary to fill said mold cavity in unexpanded condition of the latter; closing said mold by means of a cover slidably mounted on, but not attached to, the upper edges of said sidewalls; permitting said laterally slidable sidewalls to be pushed outwardly towards said stop means when the lateral pressure exerted by the rising foam exceeds the restraining pressure exerted by said extensible coupling means; and permitting said mold cover to float freely on the upper surface of said rising foam after the latter contacts the underside of said cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said sidewalls are disposed in a substantially vertical plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said sidewalls are disposed in a plane inclined to the vertical, the cross-sectional area defined by the tops of said sidewalls being greater than that defined by the lower ends of said sidewalls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said sidewalls define a rectangle, the vertical edges of said sidewalls being held in initially abutting relationship by extensible coupling means which yield under the pressure exerted by the foam generated in said mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said extensible coupling means comprise coil springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said extensible coupling means comprise elastic cords.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 4 wherein all four sidewall members are adapted to slide laterally and outwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 4 wherein two oppositely disposed sidewall members are adapted to slide laterally and outwardly and the other two sidewall members are rigidly fixed in position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of foam forming mix charged to said mold is from about 1.25 to about 1.5 times the amount required to completely fill said cavity after expansion of said foam mix under free rise conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the restraining pressure exerted by said extensible couplings and the weight of said cover are preselected and coordinated so as to provide that the appropriate combination of lateral and vertical pressures is exerted on said rising foam.