Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – With measuring – testing – or inspecting – Positioning of a mold part to form a cavity or controlling...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2001-10-02
Heitbrink, Tim (Department: 1722)
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
With measuring, testing, or inspecting
Positioning of a mold part to form a cavity or controlling...
C264S310000, C264S328110, C425S00400R, C425S150000, C425S435000, C425S576000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296792
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a novel molding method, apparatus and structure produced thereby and more particularly relates to a new multiaxis rotational molding method, apparatus and the resulting structure.
The present invention provides a novel molding method and apparatus which not only overcome the deficiencies of present technology but also provide features and advantages not found in earlier expedients. The multiaxis rotational molding method and apparatus of the invention provide a means for the production of a large number of uniform high quality structures rapidly and efficiently.
The multiaxis rotational molding apparatus of the present invention is simple in design and can be produced relatively inexpensively. Commercially available materials, components and conventional metal fabricating procedures can be employed by semi-skilled labor in the manufacture of the apparatus. The apparatus is durable in construction and has a long useful life with a minimum of maintenance.
The apparatus of the invention can be operated by individuals with limited mechanical skills and experience. A large number of high quality molded structures can be produced rapidly by such persons safely and efficiently with a minimum of supervision.
The molding method and apparatus of the invention can be modified to mold a wide variety of new structures. Variations both in product configuration and composition can be attained simply and conveniently with the method and apparatus of the invention. Even with such variations, uniformity and quality of product dimensions and shapes still are maintained without difficulty.
A novel method of the present invention for continuously forming integrally molded structures includes the steps of forming a plurality of polymerizable mixtures by mixing liquid reactive resin forming material and particulate solid additive material substantially continuously while tumbling the materials along a generally cylindrical path in a preselected orientation. The direction of the tumbling is reversed as the materials advance along the cylindrical path. Substantially all of the additive particles are encapsulated with the resin forming material in a preselected thickness.
The method of the invention includes rotating a plurality of multisection mold assemblies about a plurality of axes. A freshly formed supply of a first polymerizable mixture is indexed into alignment with a first mold assembly. The first polymerizable mixture is flowed over surfaces of a first enclosed mold cavity within the first mold assembly. The flowing of the first mixture over the first mold cavity surfaces and formation of a first resin therefrom are monitored.
The supply of the first polymerizable mixture then is indexed into alignment with an adjacent second mold assembly. The first polymerizable mixture is flowed over surfaces of a second enclosed mold cavity within the second mold assembly. Simultaneously therewith, a freshly formed supply of a second polymerizable mixture is indexed into alignment with the first mold assembly. The second polymerizable mixture is flowed over the first resin within the second mold cavity. The flowing of the first and second mixtures within the first and second mold cavities and formation of first and second resins therefrom are monitored.
The supply of the first polymerizable mixture next is indexed into alignment with an adjacent third mold assembly. The first polymerizable mixture is flowed over surfaces of a third enclosed mold cavity within the third mold assembly. Simultaneously therewith, the supply of the second polymerizable mixture is indexed into alignment with the second mold assembly. The second polymerizable mixture is flowed over the first resin within the second mold cavity. The flowing of the first and second mixtures within the second and third mold cavities and formation of first and second resins therefrom are monitored.
The indexing of the supplies of other polymerizable mixtures into alignment with the mold assemblies and the flowing of the mixtures into the respective mold cavities is continued until all of the mold assemblies have received the all of the mixtures. Also, the flowing of these mixtures and the formation of resins therefrom are monitored.
The rotation of the mold assemblies is continued throughout the steps of the continuous molding operation while monitoring individually each axis rotation of the mold assemblies. The monitored flowing of each mixture and the monitored formation of each resin are coordinated with each monitored axis rotation in a preselected profile to form the integrally molded structures of the resins.
The mold sections of each mold assembly are separated after the integrally molded structure therein has achieved structural integrity within the mold cavity. The structure is removed from the separated mold sections and the steps are repeated to form a multiplicity of the molded structures on a continuing basis.
If desired, solid particles may be introduced into the mold cavity of a mold assembly and the particles distributed in a preselected configuration before indexing the supply of a polymerizable mixture into alignment with the respective mold assembly. Also, the flowing of at least one of the polymerizable mixtures into a mold cavity may be accomplished through a delivery conduit while it is being withdrawn through the mold cavity.
Preferably, each mold assembly is transferred to an adjacent mold receiving station prior to separating the mold sections, removing the molded structure and returning the mold assembly to a molding position for repeating the method of the invention. A plurality of mold assemblies may be provided for each molding position so molding can continue while other mold assemblies are being opened and being prepared for another molding cycle. Cavity changing inserts may be positioned into the mold cavity while the mold sections are separated.
Benefits and advantages of the novel multiaxis rotatable molding method and apparatus of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4956133 (1990-09-01), Payne
patent: 4956135 (1990-09-01), Payne
Heitbrink Tim
Urban Arthur L.
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