Abstract: An apparatus for molding articles includes a first mold carrier configured to angularly displace relative to a fixed structure from a first molding position to first accessing position and a second mold carrier traveling with the first mold carrier and configured to angularly displace relative to the first mold carrier from a second molding position to a second accessing position. The first mold carrier may be pivotably coupled to the fixed structure; the second mold carrier may be slidably and rotatably coupled to the first mold carrier. A third mold carrier may be provided, and the second mold carrier may be located between the first and third mold carriers. An articulation mechanism may be provided to control relative motion of the second mold carrier relative to the first mold carrier as the first mold carrier pivots relative to the fixed structure. A method for molding articles is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a lined waterproof footwear product, and footwear product formed therefrom, are provided. A last, having an exterior surface configured to correspond to the size and shape of the interior surface of the footwear product, is covered with a microcellular lining material. An injection mold comprises shells having a pre-determined configuration to mold an upper portion that attaches to the lining during the molding process. In the finished footwear product, the molded upper portion has a molded foot portion that extends around the wear's foot and an upwardly-extending molded portion that covers a part of the lining while leaving another part of the lining uncovered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a lined waterproof footwear product, and footwear product formed therefrom, are provided. A last, having an exterior surface configured to correspond to the size and shape of the interior surface of the footwear product, is covered with a microcellular lining material. An injection mold comprises shells having a pre-determined configuration to mold an upper portion that attaches to the lining during the molding process. In the finished footwear product, the molded upper portion has a molded foot portion that extends around the wearer's foot and an upwardly-extending molded portion that covers a part of the lining while leaving another part of the lining uncovered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an injection foam molding apparatus for manufacturing one-piece shoes or soles and one-piece shoes manufactured using the same. A thermoplastic resin is injected into top and bottom molds in a state in which the top and bottom molds are coupled with a middle mold and is then pressed to form the upper and lower parts of a shoe, the middle mold is separated therefrom, and then the top mold and bottom mold, including the upper part and lower part of the shoe, respectively, are pressed, thereby forming the upper part and lower part of the shoe into one body. The injection foam molding apparatus is advantageous in that, since functional one-piece shoes or soles, having various colors, hardnesses and specific gravities, and having excellent feeling and durability, can be manufactured using different materials by one apparatus, working time is decreased, and productivity can be increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a lined waterproof footwear product, and footwear product formed there from, are provided. A last, having an exterior surface configured to correspond to the size and shape of the interior surface of the footwear product, is covered with a microcellular lining material. An injection mold comprises shells having a pre-determined configuration to cooperate with the exterior surface of the lining covered last to form: (i) a pre-injection cavity between the shells and the lining covered last when in position in the mold for injection molding; and, (ii) an injection cavity, defining the configuration of the footwear product, between the shells and the lining covered last when injection material is being injected into the injection cavity whereby the injection pressure causes the microcellular lining material to reconfigure the pre-injection cavity.

Abstract: A shoe mold set includes a mold, a movable block and an adjustment unit. The mold is connected to the movable block, and both are slidably between two rail members of the replacement unit. The replacement unit is connected with the adjustment unit which is adjustably located between the top board and the bottom board of the replacement unit. The mold is micro-adjustable by operation of the adjustment unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a lined waterproof footwear product, and footwear product formed there from, are provided. A last, having an exterior surface configured to correspond to the size and shape of the interior surface of the footwear product, is covered with a microcellular lining material. An injection mold comprises shells having a pre-determined configuration to cooperate with the exterior surface of the lining covered last to form: (i) a pre-injection cavity between the shells and the lining covered last when in position in the mold for injection molding; and, (ii) an injection cavity, defining the configuration of the footwear product, between the shells and the lining covered last when injection material is being injected into the injection cavity whereby the injection pressure causes the microcellular lining material to reconfigure the pre-injection cavity.

Abstract: A method for making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method can include a number of steps where various molds are used to attach or mold a tread element onto a substrate or matrix lining. The tread element can be formed by compressing a rubber block between various molding members to liquefy and cause the resulting rubber material to flow into at least one lug cavity disposed near the matrix lining. The rubber material eventually enters the lug cavity and becomes attached to the matrix lining.

Abstract: A mold assembly includes an upper portion having an upper recess in a lower surface thereof; an insert having an upper surface configured to mate with the upper portion's lower surface; a first channel in one of the upper portion and the insert and in fluid communication with an exterior of the one of the upper portion and the insert and with the upper recess when the upper portion and the insert are in contact with one another. A lower portion has a lower recess in an upper surface thereof, the upper surface configured to mate with the insert's lower surface. A second channel in one of the lower portion and the insert, the second channel is in fluid communication with an exterior of the one of the lower portion and the insert and the lower recess when the lower portion and the insert are in contact with one another.

Abstract: A drop box for a rotational molding system includes a substantially rigid outer shell, a substantially rigid inner shell, configured to contain unmelted polymer material, and thermal insulating material, disposed between the inner and outer shells. Substantially rigid bridge material interconnects the inner and outer shells and forms part of the rigid structure thereof. The bridge material is configured to provide a thermal break between the inner and outer shells, to reduce heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A main mouth of a brick molding machine is disclosed. In a main mouth installed between a pressing unit of a brick molding machine and a mold in an assembled structure, the main mouth of a brick molding machine comprises a bolt insertion hole that passes through two opposing sides among upper and lower sides and left and right sides between inlet and outlet parts of a mouth body; a resistance member that includes an attaching surface attached to an inner surface of the mouth body having the bolt insertion hole therein, and a resistance surface protruded in a direction of an inner surface of the mouth body; a nut member embedded in the attaching surface of the resistance member with a part of the same being exposed; and an engaging bolt that is inserted from an outer side of the mouth body through the bolt insertion hole and thread-engaged with the nut member embedded in the resistance member for thereby fixing the resistance member to an inner surface of the mouth body.

Abstract: An article of textile-soled footwear and method of making employ a simple fabrication process and apparatus that allows fabrication of the footwear outer shell via a single injection-molding step. The article of footwear has a textile layer at the ground-contacting surface of the outsole, the textile layer being moldably and integrally attached, in a common mold, to the molded outsole as it is being created during the injection process. Fasteners are set along the side of the sole plate of the injection mold to secure the textile layer across the sole plate and prevent it from being moved during injection of the moldable compound to form the outsole. The sole plate and the sidewalls of the injection mold are assembled in place for the injection process. The shoe upper is fitted onto the shoe last and set in place in the mold, the mold is closed, and the moldable compound is injected into the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a molded article containing an insert includes an upper mold half and a lower mold half for mating with the upper mold half to provide a mold cavity therein. Either mold half can include a recess, an elevator opening in a lower portion of the recess, and an inwardly directed lip at an upper portion of the elevator opening. An elevator mechanism is provided which includes a lifter for supporting an insert to be secured to the article during a molding operation, and a lifting arrangement for raising and lowering the lifter through the elevator opening such that a peripheral edge of the insert supported on the lifter is clamped between the lifter and the lip when the lifting arrangement raises the lifter.

Abstract: An article of textile-soled footwear and method of making employ a simple fabrication process and apparatus that allows fabrication of the footwear outer shell via a single injection-molding step. The article of footwear has a textile layer at the ground-contacting surface of the outsole, the textile layer being moldably and integrally attached, in a common mold, to the molded outsole as it is being created during the injection process. Fasteners are set along the side of the sole plate of the injection mold to secure the textile layer across the sole plate and prevent it from being moved during injection of the moldable compound to form the outsole. The sole plate and the sidewalls of the injection mold are assembled in place for the injection process. The shoe upper is fitted onto the shoe last and set in place in the mold, the mold is closed, and the moldable compound is injected into the mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a moulded product comprising the steps of; providing a mould conforming to the shape of the product the mould serving to define one or more moulding surfaces which are to be reproduced in an article formed by means of the mould; mounting in the mould an article including or forming an image comprising at least one device, logo, letter, word or words or combinations of these in such a way that most, if not all of the article lies within the mould out of contact with the or each moulding surface; and injecting into the mould a supply of polymerisible material so as to immerse the article; the material, at least following polymerisation being flexible and so providing at least in part, a substantially transparent product, and withdrawing the product from the mould. Typically the step of providing product is directed to an article of footwear such as a shoe or swimming fin (also known as a flipper).

Abstract: A mould (14) for manufacturing an article of footwear comprises two mould halves (16); a hollow last (20) which includes a cylindrical downwardly open opening (30) at its foot end (26); and a first sole plate (34) which includes a projection (32) having a head portion (36) which is arranged to extend into the opening (30) in the last (20) in order to restrict movement of the last within the mould. Polyurethane is injected into cavity (44) defined between the last and mould halves (16)/sole plate (34) to form an inner sole of an article of footwear having a hole in it in a position where projection (32) cooperated with opening (30). This opening may then be plugged prior to the formation of an outer sole using a second sole plate (which does not include a projection (32) instead of the first sole plate.