Abstract: A method of molding a collapsible, foam plastic container; the method employs two half-molds defining a molding chamber negatively reproducing the container in an erect work configuration, and forms a hinge for each lateral wall of the container when molding the container; each hinge being formed by a parting member which is inserted through the molding chamber at the hinge to be formed, and by a compression member opposite the parting member and which is moved towards the parting member to form, on the lateral wall, a small-section, higher-density portion defining the respective hinge.

Abstract: On a foam plastics molding machine, a molding unit, defined by a mold and an interface frame equipped with a number or quantity of plastic molding material and operating fluid inlets, is loaded into a raised window in a fixed frame of the machine by positioning the molding unit in a fixed position on a trolley; positioning the trolley astride a fixed platform; raising the platform so that vertical ribs on the interface frame slidably engage corresponding vertical guides forming part of the machine and on a level with the window; connecting the guides to the ribs; and moving the guides towards the window.

Abstract: On a foam plastics molding machine, a molding unit, defined by a mold and an interface frame equipped with a number or quantity of plastic molding material and operating fluid inlets, is loaded into a raised window in a fixed frame of the machine by positioning the molding unit in a fixed position on a trolley; positioning the trolley astride a fixed platform; raising the platform so that vertical ribs on the interface frame slideably engage corresponding vertical guides forming part of the machine and on a level with the window; connecting the guides to the ribs; and moving the guides towards the window.

Abstract: In a machine for molding colored plastic foam material, a cleaning cycle is performed, before changing color, to clean a feed circuit having a reservoir and interposed, in the machine, between a storage bin and a mold; the cleaning cycle including: emptying the reservoir by suction to remove any material still inside the reservoir; injecting compressed air into the feed circuit so that any material remaining along the feed circuit is at least partly expelled from the feed circuit and at least partly fed into a header located at the bottom of the reservoir; and emptying the header by suction.

Abstract: On a foam plastics molding machine, a molding unit, defined by a mold and an interface frame equipped with a number or quantity of plastic molding material and operating fluid inlets, is loaded into a raised window in a fixed frame of the machine by positioning the molding unit in a fixed position on a trolley; positioning the trolley astride a fixed platform; raising the platform so that vertical ribs on the interface frame slideably engage corresponding vertical guides forming part of the machine and on a level with the window; connecting the guides to the ribs; and moving the guides towards the window.