초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed for the reduction of mold cycle time. A heat recoverable member in a compressed state is placed within a channel defined relative to the surface of a mold. A hardenable liquid used to form the article then flows in an accelerated manner through the channel. Thermal energy s

An apparatus is disclosed for the reduction of mold cycle time. A heat recoverable member in a compressed state is placed within a channel defined relative to the surface of a mold. A hardenable liquid used to form the article then flows in an accelerated manner through the channel. Thermal energy supplied to the heat recoverable material thereafter causes the heat recoverable material to expand within the channel, thereby displacing the hardenable liquid from the channel. The temperature of gelation of the hardenable liquid and the recovery temperature of the heat recoverable material may be selected such that the channels are substantially filled by the heat recoverable material prior to the hardening of the hardenable liquid. In this manner, the heat recoverable material becomes flush with the surface of the mold prior to hardening of the liquid so as to yield an article of manufacture having a relatively planar surface.

대표청구항 ▼

A molding apparatus for reducing the fabrication time of a molded article of manufacture, wherein a portion of said article is formed by a hardenable liquid, said molding apparatus comprising: a mold having a surface, said mold surface having at least one channel with an associated channel surface a

A molding apparatus for reducing the fabrication time of a molded article of manufacture, wherein a portion of said article is formed by a hardenable liquid, said molding apparatus comprising: a mold having a surface, said mold surface having at least one channel with an associated channel surface and channel opening defined relative to said mold surface, said channel allowing accelerated flow of said hardenable liquid throughout said mold, and heat recoverable material means previously having been deformed from a first configuration to a compressed second configuration, said material means when subjected to a suitable temperature of recovery capable of recovery to or towards said first configuration, said heat recoverable material means in said compressed second configuration being located within a portion of said channel.