Process and apparatus for the continuous molding of polymer foam

Abstract

An improvement is described in a prior art process and apparatus for the preparation of continuous polymer bunstock having substantially rectangular cross-section which employs a panel member having its downstream end pivotally mounted above a conventional moving trough-shaped mold, the underside of said panel member floating freely in tangential contact with the rising foam in the area immediately following the gel point of said foam but before the point at which the foam is no longer sufficiently mobile to be molded without distortion of the cells thereof. The improvement, which is particularly designed for use in those cases (e.g. polyisocyanurate foam forming mixtures) in which the rise profile characteristics of the foam render it difficult to achieve the desired effect (rectangular cross-section) using the panel member alone, comprises providing a short extension pivotally mounted on the upstream end of said panel member, which extension is caused to contact the rising foam at a point immediately prior to gel.