초록 ▼

A molding apparatus and method, such as slush or rotational molding, for forming a thermoplastic shell product. The mold assembly includes a hollow mold box provided with a metal mold shell thereon, which box and shell cooperate to define a hollow chamber which extends longitudinally of the box and

A molding apparatus and method, such as slush or rotational molding, for forming a thermoplastic shell product. The mold assembly includes a hollow mold box provided with a metal mold shell thereon, which box and shell cooperate to define a hollow chamber which extends longitudinally of the box and is defined adjacent the back surface of the mold shell. Heated air is supplied into one end and discharged from the other end of the chamber to effect heating of the metal shell. The chamber contains a plurality of flow control devices disposed at spaced intervals within and along the chamber. The flow control devices are individually adjustable and programmable so as to divert the heated air from conventional longitudinal flow into transverse flow either toward or away from the back surface of the mold shell.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A mold assembly for molding thermoplastic particles into a solid thin shell, said mold assembly including a mold box defining therein a hollow interior, said mold box having a mold

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A mold assembly for molding thermoplastic particles into a solid thin shell, said mold assembly including a mold box defining therein a hollow interior, said mold box having a mold shell mounted thereon and defining a mold cavity which opens outwardly and is defined by a front surface of the mold shell, said mold shell and said mold box cooperating to define an interior air chamber which extends lengthwise of the mold box from one end to the other end thereof, each said end having an opening therethrough communicating with said air chamber, said mold shell having a back surface which defines part of the boundary wall of said air chamber, said mold box being adapted for connection to a source of heated air so that air is supplied to the opening in one said end and then flows lengthwise through said air chamber for discharge through the opening at the other said end, the improvement comprising:a plurality of flow control devices positioned in spaced relationship within said air chamber for causing displacement of at least some of the heated air as it flows lengthwise through the air chamber in a transverse direction relative to a surface area of said back surface which is positioned in close proximity to the flow control device, each said flow control device including a rotatable shaft member and a bladed wheel nonrotatably mounted thereon, said shaft member defining a rotational axis which is transverse to the lengthwise extent of said air chamber, and said shaft member being adjustable to position the respective bladed wheel at a selected location relative to the respective said surface area of said back surface.