초록 ▼

Continuous apparatus for impression molding products containing thermoplastic material and having three-dimensional patterns on one or both surfaces, similar or dissimilar, with or without continuously changing profile or shaped edges. The thermoplastic material to be formed may or not contain foama

Continuous apparatus for impression molding products containing thermoplastic material and having three-dimensional patterns on one or both surfaces, similar or dissimilar, with or without continuously changing profile or shaped edges. The thermoplastic material to be formed may or not contain foamants, fillers, strata or plys of differing composition to reinforce, decorate or protect, and is heated above its glass transition temperature before introduction between revolving flexible belt molds, which revolve in opposed relationship, being cooled, forming a travelling mold channel, at least one having a flexible three-dimensional pattern form on its front face. Opposed nip rolls press the revolving belt molds against the entering thermoplastic material. At least one belt mold travels partially around the nip roll impressing its three-dimensional pattern form in the heated material in a progressive localized rolling squeezing action in the nip region. Thereafter, guide means along the mold channel hold the travelling belt molds against the impressed material for retaining the impression while being cooled into the memory retention state. After the material has been sufficiently cooled to retain three-dimensional patterns, the flexible belt molds are separated from it. Thus, impression molded products are continuously produced having attractive high resolution three-dimensional patterns which may include intricate surface texturing. Large area architectural panels can be produced. Belt molds are shown as wide thin endless flexible metal belts, at least two feet wide, having a wide flexible mold form of heat resistant material, such as rubber, bonded to the metal belt.

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