Abstract: An injection-compression plant for manufacturing PET performs comprises an extruder (1) to produce a melted resin, a distribution joint (3) for distributing the melted resin from the extruder (1) towards the injection-compression molds (9?, 9?, 9?), gathered in modular groups of three on supporting frames (21) arranged about the peripheral surface of the rotary carousel (2). The joint (3) allows to transfer the fluid thermoplastic resin from the stationary channel (10) of the extruder (1) to the lateral feeding conduit (27) of each molding module (9), said lateral feeding conduit being rotating with the carousel (2). The injection-compression molds (9?, 9?, 9?) have the two half-molds forming the molding cavity (41?, 41?, 41???) connected by means of bayonet couplings to the frame (21). The molded preforms are extracted from the carousel (2) by means of a wheel (50), which transfers them to an air cooling device (51).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting a strand to a length with regard to a weight and to the use of such device in a method for producing a medicament dosage form of at least one piece composed of at least one medicament and at least one additive, the medicament and the additive being mixed and extruded from a die as a strand and the strand being cut into pieces of precise weight using the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board forming device which provides improved slurry spread. The device includes a forming table with an arcuate or angled profile that promotes a uniform slurry spread. An arcuate or angled hinge plate can also be included to further promote the uniform distribution of slurry prior to an extrusion plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cogged belt for conveying articles and/or for power transmission, and an apparatus for realization thereof. The cogged belt (30, 50) comprises: a prefabricated belt (8) comprising a textile or a meshed net; and a covering (26) made of a thermoplastic or heat-hardening material fixed in a single body by fusion to the prefabricated belt (8) and substantially entirely covering a side of the prefabricated belt (8), the covering (26) forming a cogged profile (43). The cogged belt (30, 50) can further comprise at least a cord-shaped reinforcing core (61) at least partially incorporated in the covering (26).

Abstract: A mold is provided for forming a continuously-extruded parison into a corrugated pipe. The mold includes a mold housing having a plurality of bores, a mold cavity having a plurality of annular corrugations, and a plurality of punches. Each punch is disposed in one of the bores and aligned with one of the annular corrugations of the mold cavity. Each punch is also configured to form an aperture in a corrugation of a corrugated pipe in the mold. A continuous extrusion blow molding system and a method are also provided for forming a hollow plastic product and punching a continuously-extruded, blow molded product before it is released from a mold.

Abstract: A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing infiltrating water-proof material for zippers comprising a lower mold and an upper mold, wherein the lower mold is positioned with a positioning recession and a groove, the upper mold is provided with a mold cave on a top thereof and a scraper portion on a bottom edge thereof and adhering to a bottom surface of the positioning recession, whereby the upper mold is assembled to the lower mold into a unitary member in which the upper mold is fitted in the positioning recession, a liquid PU rubber which has been treated with thickening step is poured into the mold cave of the upper mold, and then a zipper tap is moved by transferring rollers to the positioning recession to provide a water-proof film therefor.

Abstract: A horizontal injection mold system includes a horizontal injection mold which is opened or closed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of gravity; and an insert member feeder which feeds an insert member into the horizontal injection mold, such that a resin coupling surface of the insert member faces a gate disposed in the horizontal injection mold.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus for fixing a plastic sheet which fixes a plastic sheet to fabricate a nano pattern and a method of fabricating a nano pattern on a plastic sheet using the same. The apparatus for fixing a plastic sheet includes: a pair of planar metal guide rings interposingly fixing a plastic sheet from above and below, respectively; and a sheet fixing chuck including: a ring fixer sucking the pair of planar metal guide rings through a vacuum groove to be fixed thereto; and a sheet fixer having a plurality of vacuum pin holes formed therein, the vacuum pin holes sucking a bottom of the plastic sheet fixed by the planar metal guide rings. The apparatus allows fabrication of the nano pattern on the plastic sheet having less roughness than that of a semiconductor substrate or a glass substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board forming device which provides improved slurry spread. The device includes a forming table with an arcuate or angled profile that promotes a uniform slurry spread. An arcuate or angled hinge plate can also be included to further promote the uniform distribution of slurry prior to an extrusion plate. As a result of the improved slurry spread, gypsum board with increased strength and durability can be created.

Abstract: A method of and system for injection molding is shown. The method can include the positioning one or more metal components in a mold, aligning a film for transferring an image from the film onto a surface of a plastic component, injecting a material into the mold to form the plastic component such that the metal component will be embedded in the plastic component and transferring the image from the film onto the surface of the plastic component that has the embedded metal component. The method can also include the removing the transferred image from the metal component if at least a portion of the transferred image adheres to the metal component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device, in particular within the aeronautical and aerospace fields, comprising a first and second tool and guide means, which guide the first and second tools in such a way that they press a preliminary fabric arranged in a pressing zone of the device along a second axis as said fabric moves along a first axis through the pressing zone, said second axis being substantially transverse to the first axis, so as to form a consolidated preliminary fabric, the guide means guiding the first and second tools parallel to one another, in part, along the first axis in the pressing zone.

Abstract: A foil-decorating injection molding apparatus having a male mold, a female mold, a transport chuck for feeding a decorative sheet S between the male mold and the female mold, and a clamper for pressing and fastening the decorative sheet onto a parting surface of the female mold. The transport chuck consists of two clamping devices each clamping a side edge of the decorative sheet. The clamper consists of a pressing frame and a connecting member. When the pressing frame is in abutment with the female mold, a space is provided between the connecting member and the female mold in which the clamping devices can pass through. After the decorative sheet is fed by the clamping chuck, the sheet can be fastened by the clamper without waiting until the chuck is brought back to an initial standby position, thereby reducing the manufacturing time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cogged belt for conveying articles and/or for power transmission, and a method and an apparatus for realisation thereof. The cogged belt (30, 50) comprises: a prefabricated belt (8) comprising a textile or a meshed net; and a covering (26) made of a thermoplastic or heat-hardening material fixed in a single body by fusion to the prefabricated belt (8) and substantially entirely covering a side of the prefabricated belt (8), the covering (26) forming a cogged profile (43). The cogged belt (30, 50) can further comprise at least a cord-shaped reinforcing core (61) at least partially incorporated in the covering (26).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an injection molding machine includes a first die and a second die, a driving mechanism configured to move the second die between the first position and the second position, a holder configured to hold a film for in-mold formation, the film including metallic sheets used for covering the surface of the molded product, and an electric discharge mechanism. The electrical discharge mechanism is moved to a contact position with movement of the second die from the first position to the second position, used as a driving source. The electrical discharge mechanism is moved to a retracted position with movement of the second die from the second position to the first position, used as a driving source.

Abstract: A cable guide system and method are disclosed for a mold forming and extruding machine. The machine has a pair of spaced apart vertical members. The cable guide system includes a support shaft secured to the pair of vertical members. The support shaft retains a first stop member, a tensioning device, a spool loaded with a flexible reinforcement cable, and a second stop member. The spool cooperates with the tensioning device to prevent the cable from prematurely unraveling. The cable guide system further includes a guide member located below and forward of the spool and in horizontal alignment with a plunger. The guide member is capable of changing the direction of the flexible reinforcement cable as it is unwound from the spool. The plunger is capable of extruding a moldable substance from the machine while allowing the flexible reinforcement cable to pass through an aperture formed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to molding systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a molding apparatus includes a first cylindrical roll that is rotatably coupled to a frame and an adjacent pressure device, the frame is configured so that a substrate can pass through a nip formed between the first cylindrical roll and the pressure device while a portion of the substrate extends laterally beyond at least the frame and the first cylindrical roll.

Abstract: A molding machine for in-mold-decoration using a film includes a female mold, a male mold capable of engaging with the female mold, and a moving member. The moving member is mounted between the male mold and the female mold. The moving member defines a plurality of cooling passages for coolant flowing therethrough to cool the moving member. The male mold is capable of being moved to resist against the female mold with the moving member being sandwiched therebetween. The female mold, the male mold, and the moving member bound to form a molding space for molding articles.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process includes a film preparation task, a film drawing task, a film cutting task and a film feeding task. The film preparation task includes preparing a roll of film and drawing the film out and fixing a head end thereof at a first position. The film drawing task includes holding the film and drawing the film along a film feeding direction to have the head end to a second position. The film cutting task includes cutting the film off to have a film piece,. The film feeding task includes holding the film piece and moving the film piece to a third position. The film preparation task, the film drawing task and film cutting task are repeated in sequence for continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process.

Abstract: A mold is provided for forming a continuously-extruded parison into a corrugated pipe. The mold includes a mold housing having a plurality of bores, a mold cavity having a plurality of annular corrugations, and a plurality of punches. Each punch is disposed in one of the bores and aligned with one of the annular corrugations of the mold cavity. Each punch is also configured to form an aperture in a corrugation of a corrugated pipe in the mold. A continuous extrusion blow molding system and a method are also provided for forming a hollow plastic product and punching a continuously-extruded, blow molded product before it is released from a mold.

Abstract: A device for continuously sheathing a ply of threads, said ply being formed by an array of approximately mutually parallel threads (F). The device comprises a thread guide (35), a coating chamber (31) into which a first feed channel (10) and a second feed channel (20) run, which are independent of each other, connected to a first feed means (13) and to a second feed means (23) respectively and capable of delivering a first material (A) and a second material (B) under pressure and with a defined flow rate, and the outlets (11, 21) of which channels are placed above and below the plane of the ply of threads (F), and an output die. Pressure-measuring means (12, 22), connected to a controller for controlling the pressure of each of the feed means (13, 23), are placed in the coating chamber (31) facing and in line with each other, on either side of the plane of the ply and in the immediate vicinity of the outlet for the feed channels (11, 21).

Abstract: A briquetting die set comprises first and second mating cylindrical dies. The first die has a plurality of adjacent recesses surrounded by a wall having an upper rim. At least a portion of the upper rim of each recess is common to an adjacent recess and has a relatively small radius of curvature. The second mating die has mirror image recesses thereon. When the first and second dies are brought into mating relationship, the upper rims of the first and second plurality of recesses mate with each other in substantially line contact to form a briquetting cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed are: (i) a platen of a molding system, (ii) a molding system having a platen, (iii) a clamp of a molding system having platens, and (iv) a molded article.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a carrier tape by heating the tape at a heating portion and embossing the tape by heat molding at a molding portion while a long sheet of the tape made of a thermoplastic resin is intermittently transferred by pitch transfer, the apparatus comprising a temperature-maintaining portion having a length approximately corresponding to one pitch disposed between the heating portion and the molding portion; and a process for producing a carrier tape using the apparatus, the process comprising heating the tape at a heating portion, maintaining a temperature of the heated tape at a temperature-maintaining portion and embossing the tape by heat molding at a heat molding portion while a long sheet of the tape is intermittently transferred by pitch transfer. The length of the rib portion connecting embossed portions is decreased by contriving the heating method of the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing gross location, planarization, and mechanical restraint to one or more electronic components such as semiconductor dice to be subjected to stereolithographic processing. A double platen assembly including a first platen and a second platen mutually removably connected and configured and arranged to substantially secure an electronic component assembly in position therebetween. At least one of the platens is configured such that a portion of electronic components of a carrier substrate secured by the double platen assembly is viewable for exposure to an energy beam such as a laser beam used to cure a liquid into an associated dielectric stereolithographic packaging structure. Another embodiment includes the use of an adhesive-coated film for holding, locating and securing a plurality of individual electronic components for processing. A method of forming solder balls is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of composite insulators consisting of a shank in the form of a bar or a tube, which is provided with a covering and which comprises plate-like screens which are distanced from each other. The covering and the screens are made of an elastomer material with high insulating qualities. As a result, the number, distance, form and size of the screens can vary from insulator to insulator. According to the invention, at least one injection mould (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) for injecting a screen (2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 20, 21, 22) is arranged downstream from a device which is used to provide the shank (1) with a covering. The injection mould can be advanced in order to inject a screen upon the shank and opened in order to unmould said screen. An advancing device is also provided in order to displace (16) the shank (1) or the screen mould.

Abstract: An assembly and method for forming a frozen confection portion of a frozen confection type food product, the assembly comprising a mold assembly provided with a mold cavity of a selected configuration ad formed by a flexible inert casing, a pump for moving confection into the mold cavity and casing to fill the mold cavity and casing, sealing means for sealing the ends of the casing to provide a link of confection, a cutter device for separating the link from adjoining links, freezing devices for receiving and further freezing the link, and apparatus for opening the casing of the link and permitting the frozen confection to exit out of the casing in the selected configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a miniature hard disc drive having a metal base plate, an actuator assembly wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of bearings, a shaft, and a housing; a spindle motor assembly comprising a stator with conductors, a shaft, a plurality of bearings, and a rotor; and a monolithic body of phase change material unitizing said actuator assembly housing and stator to the base plate. Methods of developing and constructing the hard disc drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incorporating an additive material into a fibrous web to be bonded into an elongated porous element by heating the fibers in a confined forming die with a heating medium adapted to bond the fibers to each other at spaced points of contact. An additive material is admixed with the heating medium and then the web of fibers is contacted with the heating medium/additive material mixture whereby the heating medium simultaneously carries the additive material into the fibrous web and heats the fibers to bond them into the porous element. The apparatus includes an adjustable venturi assembly through which the heating medium passes to create a pressure gradient adapted to aspirate a quantity of additive material and entrain a metered quantity of same in the heating medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a carrier tape by heating the tape at a heating portion and embossing the tape by heat molding at a molding portion while a long sheet of the tape made of a thermoplastic resin is intermittently transferred by pitch transfer, the apparatus comprising a temperature-maintaining portion having a length approximately corresponding to one pitch disposed between the heating portion and the molding portion; and a process for producing a carrier tape using the apparatus, the process comprising heating the tape at a heating portion, maintaining a temperature of the heated tape at a temperature-maintaining portion and embossing the tape by heat molding at a heat molding portion while a long sheet of the tape is intermittently transferred by pitch transfer. The length of the rib portion connecting embossed portions is decreased by contriving the heating method of the tape.

Abstract: A machine for forming containers comprises a feed line arranged for indexing a web continuous along an advancing direction, a plurality of operating station arranged along the feed line, the operating station being contiguous to one another and operationally associated to the web for forming at least a continuous strip of containers, and positioning device for adjusting the position of one or more operating, along a positioning direction parallel to the advancing direction of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming sheet material (2), in particular sheet material based on natural fibers, comprises in sequence deformability promoting means (5) suitable for making said sheet material more easily deformable (2), forming means (9, 10, 11, 16a, 101a101b) suitable for deforming said sheet material (2); said deformability promoting means is deformability promoting material means (5). Forming means for shaping sheet material (2) comprises fluid forming means suitable for shaping portions of said sheet material (2), and a flow-inhibiting means (17, 116; 116a, 116b) suitable for preventing said fluid forming mean flowing through said sheet material (2).

Abstract: In a pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the vertical angle (&agr;) of an upstream conical surface of a conical portion, which constitutes a shaping nozzle perforated through the downstream end wall of the device ranges from 15 to 35 degrees and the shaping nozzle has a land portion having a length of 1 to 5 mm in the downstream area subsequent to the upstream conical surface. According to this pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the long fibers never undergo any breakage nor fluffing during the opening treatment and this accordingly leads to the substantial reduction of pill-formation.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus used comprises a molten resin injector 15 for injecting a molten resin, and a die 12 connected to the molten resin injector and communicating with the molten resin injector so that the molten resin is injected into the die. A cavity having a prescribed shape is formed within the die in order to mold the injected molten resin into the prescribed shape. An opening of the die for guiding the molten resin to the outside is blocked so as to confine a molding object as an object for molding the resin member. A plate member 10 as a molding object is compressed onto the die 12, and the molten resin is injected into the die while compressing the molding object. The molten resin is adhered on the molding object by being guided from the opening, and a solidified resin member comprising the solidified molten resin is bonded on the surface of the molding object. Consequently, the resin member having a prescribed shape is readily and promptly formed on the surface of the molding object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, a microelectronic device is engaged with a support member having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, and an engaging surface with at least a portion of the engaging surface spaced apart from the first and second edges. The first edge of the support member is positioned proximate to a wall of a mold and an aligning member is moved relative to the wall of the mold to contact the engaging surface of the support member and bias the first edge of the support member against the wall of the mold. The microelectronic device is then encapsulated by disposing an encapsulating material in the mold adjacent to the microelectronic device. By biasing the first edge of the support member against the wall of the mold, the method can prevent encapsulating material from passing between the first edge of the support member and the wall of the mold, where the encapsulating material would otherwise form flash.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for mixing and injecting a foam core within an extruded shell preferably of plastic downstream from an extrusion die to produce a uniform building product. The preferred apparatus includes a mixing head injector for mixing a binary system foam. The mixing head injector incorporates pressurized gas injection for homogenization of the foam core. A preferred method employs the mixing head injector and a novel calibrator thereby allowing injection of a foam core within the shell as it passes through a calibrator to reliably produce a uniform building product. An alternative method employs a second extruder. Alternative methods employ a mounting fixture downstream of a first calibrator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing composite webs including a substrate with one or more discrete polymeric regions located thereon are disclosed. The discrete polymeric regions are deposited by transferring molten thermoplastic composition from depressions on a transfer roll to a substrate. Each of the discrete polymeric regions is further formed to include multiple structures formed thereon. Those structures may include, for example, stems (capped or otherwise), hooks (as part of a hook and loop fastening system), pyramids, etc.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming flexible mat structure in the form of spaced, interconnected concrete panels. The mat structure can serve as an erosion control mat along the banks of waterways and within drainage ditches and channels, and can also be utilized to provide temporary or permanent walkways and roadways. A rotatable drum includes peripherally-positioned mold cavities that receive concrete mix from a trough supplied from a source of concrete mix. A grid is fed against the drum periphery and over the mold cavities before the concrete mix is introduced, and after the mix is introduced a web of fibrous material is brought into contact with the concrete-mix-containing mold cavities to overlie the concrete-containing surface of the drum. As the drum rotates the fibrous material with overlying, interconnected concrete panels is deposited on the ground to provide the finished mat structure.

Abstract: In a pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the vertical angle (&agr;) of an upstream conical surface of a conical portion, which constitutes a shaping nozzle perforated through the downstream end wall of the device ranges from 15 to 35 degrees and the shaping nozzle has a land portion having a length of 1 to 5 mm in the downstream area subsequent to the upstream conical surface. According to this pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the long fibers never undergo any breakage nor fluffing during the opening treatment and this accordingly leads to the substantial reduction of pill-formation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a process and an apparatus for delivery of plastic at a viscosity and in the required quantity suitable for compression molding of large, and often odd shaped three-dimensional products, such as large automotive body parts and large appliance parts, etc. These products may consist of plastic only, or may require additional layers of other plastics or even other materials such as woven cloth, inserted into the cavity before molding. The purpose of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus for use with a compression molding machine to supply plastic to a mold cavity, at a number of suitable locations, and in appropriate quantity at each location as required by product shape and thickness. The apparatus and process includes a delivery head which is mounted on rails attached to the machine clamp or the mold cavity, and a connection between the injection unit of the molding machine.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing gelatin capsules is disclosed in which two gelatin sheets having preliminarily formed pockets are supplied between a pair of opposing rolls. The pocket are preliminarily sutured together by action of the rolls to form the pocket. A pusher is selectively driven through a hole to drive a weighed amount of capsule content into the pocket after which the die rolls complete the suture to form the pocket containing the capsule content.

Abstract: A multi-stage unit for processing a web packaging material in a machine for packaging food products, including a first processing station, a second processing station and a system for indexing the web packaging material comprising a first feeding device for step-feeding the web packaging material through the first processing station, a second feeding device for step-feeding the web packaging material through the second processing station, and a control unit controlling the first feeding device in response to a sensor detecting a first index code preprinted on the web packaging material, and the second feeding device in response to a second sensor detecting a second index code made on the web packaging material at said first processing station.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating and an apparatus for forming a coating on an optical fiber capable of improving the work speed in recoating a coating forming portion of the optical fiber are provided. A coating removed part of a coated optical fiber, which is the portion where a coating of the optical fiber is formed, is set in a mold. A light-curing resin is provided on the coating removed part. Then, with the light-curing resin heated to the glass transition temperature thereof by a Peltier element, a heater and a temperature control unit, a light for curing is irradiates from a light source to cure the light-curing resin.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; transferring the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure; causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for applying a plastic edge strip (28) on an edge of a plate-like workpiece (16), such like a wooden board, a chip or particle board, a board of wood-like particles or the like, comprising extrusion means (18) for extruding a strand of plastic material (20) on an edge (14) of the workpiece (16) and forming means (24) for forming the extruded strand of plastic material (20) in a desired profile. The invention further refers to a method for applying a plastic edge strip (28) on an edge of a plate-like workpiece (16) and to a plate-like workpiece (16) having such a strand of plastic material (20) extruded thereon.

Abstract: A continuous process is used to make concrete building products with an expanded polystyrene core. The expanded polystyrene is fed into the inlet of an elongated guiding channel which has a longitudinally split mold. The expanded polystyrene is guided along the guiding channel without any means for pulling the expanded polystyrene. Concrete is then pumped into the split mold first through an first aperture in a first mold section of the split mold and then through another aperture, in a second mold section of the split mold, so that the concrete is coated on at least two opposing sides of the expanded polystyrene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing tubular molded products from molding material includes a mold casing and a mold core having a common longitudinal central axis which is vertically disposed. The mold casing and mold core are spaced from one another to define a molding space therebetween. A supply device supplies molding material from above the molding space into the molding space. Treatment apparatus is disposed at treatment zones on the mold core for treating the molding material in the molding space, the treatment including treating the molding material by shaking the molding material or treating the molding material by heating the molding material, or both.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing support materials in carrier frames in the manufacture of seat components for chairs including moving the support material to an openable mold press forming a mold cavity for the carrier frame when the mold press is closed, shaping the support material, and molding the carrier frame to capture the shaped material in the carrier frame. In one embodiment, the support material is stretched as it is moved to the mold press, and/or in the mold press before molding the carrier frame. Excess support material is removable from an outer side portion of the carrier frame after molding the carrier frame and before discharging the carrier frame and support material captured thereby from the mold press.

Abstract: A decoration sheet is fed on a mold and then is heated to a temperature above a heat distortion temperature thereof, is conformed to the surface of a cavity of the mold by vacuum drawing. Then the molds are clamped, and a resin is injected to adhere the decoration sheet to the resin. The decoration sheet is preheated to a temperature below the heat distortion temperature by sheet preheating means before fed onto the mold. The decoration sheet preheated by the sheet preheating means is fed to the mold by sheet feeding means.