Gencorp, Inc.

Michael K Parrent

Robert L Brown

David E Baxter

John C White

A method and apparatus for a nonsynchronous system for continuously molding articles from a material cured by the control of temperature and pressure. The apparatus includes a multi-section self-clamping mold, a controller system, a material injector, a transfer system, a curing apparatus for curing the articles, and a mold separator-assembler. The method comprises pre-treating and then assembling the mold in a clamped condition. Under the control of the controller system, the mold is then injected with material from the injector, and moved by the transfer system through the curing apparatus to cure the material within the mold. Once cured, the controller system moves the mold to the mold separator-assembler via the transfer system. The mold is then disassembled into sections, the molded article is removed, and the sections are pre-treated and reassembled, for the next injection operation.

Method for continuous molding and apparatus therefor

A self-clamping mold assembly for injection molding articles from material cured by the application of temperature and pressure. The assembly includes a mold body and a lock mechanism housed within the body. The body has aligned, independent plates, each having a mold cavity and a lock bore portion with a central axis. The lock mechanism includes a tie rod assembly for engagement with one of the independent plates, and a force generator assembly for engagement with another of the independent plates. The tie rod and force generator assemblies are engaged with the lock bore portion of the plates. The tie rod assembly includes a tie rod adapted for rotatable engagement within the mold assembly, and the force generator assembly includes a lock shaft adapted for locking engagement with the tie rod and a spring biased member retained with respect to the lock shaft. Upon locking engagement of the tie rod with the lock shaft compressing the spring biased member, the independent plates are maintained in clamped condition for the injection of molding material.

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Welland, Canada

Michael K Parrent