Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for venting trapped air and gasses in a mold. The mold and method comprise or use at least one pin formed from multiple pin sections. When assembled, the pin sections provide space on the interior of the pin through which trapped air and gasses can escape from the mold. The present invention may also be used to assist in ejecting an object from the mold. The pins can have circular or non-circular cross-sections and also may have dimple-forming projections to conform to a golf ball dimple pattern.

Abstract: A mold for molding a tire comprising at least two sub-molds; said at least two sub-molds being capable of forming a predetermined form as a whole when used for molding a tire, characterized in that each of said at least two sub-molds has a venthole for discharging air from the blockades formed between the surface of the green tire and that of the sub-mold when a green tire is pressed on the surface of the sub-mold, and a ventlid being made of a flexible member and having a lid mechanism capable of discharging air from blockades, but capable of preventing the green tire flowing out therefrom.

Abstract: A mold for a pneumatic tire with an inflatable bladder is disclosed with a pair of axially spaced bead portions each with a bead bottom surface extending from a bead toe toward the axially outside of the tire. The bladder is disposed inside the green tire in the mold and inflated to press the green tire against the inside of the mold. The mold comprises a pair of bead rings and each bead ring is provided with a bead bottom molding face for molding said bead bottom surface. Each bead ring is provided radially inside the bead bottom molding face with a protrusion protruding axially inwardly from the axially inner end of the bead bottom molding face so that the axial extent of the protrusion from the axially inner end of the bead bottom molding face is in the range of from 0.05 to 0.4 times the axial distance between the axially inner ends of the bead molding faces.

Abstract: A tire having a ground contacting tread comprising tread grooves which divide the tread into a plurality of tread pattern elements provided on its radially outer surface with a radially outwardly projecting ridge disposed on an edge of the pattern element and at least one radially inwardly projecting small groove extending to the projecting ridge which facilitates the dispersal of trapped air in the molding and vulcanization operation of the tire manufacturing process.

Abstract: An injection needle for use in a mold cavity of a gas-assisted injection molding machine. The injection needle includes a tubular member and a stem slidably disposed in the tubular member. The stem is positionable in a raised position and a retracted position. The injection needle further includes a central bore extending within the stem for supplying a gas and a slot. The slot is operable for relieving gas pressure within the mold cavity when the stem is in the retracted position.

Abstract: In a method for molding a raw material including a plastic material or a mixture of plastic and non-plastic materials fed into a cylinder, the said raw material is subjected to a melt-kneading performed under oxygen-free conditions, and at the same time the molten material is sent from the tip of an extrusion screw towards the head section of the cylinder in straight flow conditions. In the method satisfactory molding can be made for plastics of poor fluidity or thermal stability or for plastic materials mixed with more than 10 to 30% by weight of wood flour, paper powders, stone powders, metal powders, fiber reinforcements and the like, without causing molding defects such as burn or cavitation; and also for raw materials mixed with more than several per cent by weight of metal powders or stone powders without causing excessive wear at the extrusion screw.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire as a slick tire comprising at least one wear indication hole within a contact width of a tread portion, wherein a distance from a shoulder contact end to the wear indication hole is set equal to 35 mm or lower; and a projected line is provided in a surface of the tread portion, the projected line having a height set in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm, and being extended from a position in contact with the wear indication hole to a shoulder side. Also, a metallic mold used for building the slick tire.

Abstract: A multiple insert tire mold (10) has inserts (26) with radially extending ribs (28) for sliding engagement in a slot (22) in the outer ring back (12) of the mold and abutting surfaces (48) for venting exhaust gases from the mold (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vulcanization mold for producing rubber goods, especially vehicle tires. Said mold has a number of deairing holes into which blocking mechanisms are introduced. The blocking mechanisms ensure, especially by means of the air duct being bent, that the air can be drained without any disadvantageous flash being produced. In a second embodiment, the blocking mechanisms forms a two-part valve with the central body. In this case, the blocking mechanism has an elastically deformable planar area placed on the inside of the mold which acts at least essentially as a seal in conjunction with the central body when impinged upon by the surface of the blank.

Abstract: A device for regulating the evacuation of air and gas from a casting die. It comprises two complementary bodies (11, 12), which can be closed, face to face, one on top of another, and which delimit an evacuation channel (13). The evacuation channel (13) is defined by a static surface (16) of the first of the bodies (12) and by a movable surface (18) that is arranged in front of and in parallel to the static surface (16) and that consists of the front surface of a movable element (17). The movable element (17) is arranged in the second of the bodies (11) and can be moved at right angles to the static surface (16) in order to vertically adjust the section of the evacuation channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a mold for casting optical lens. Two molding shells and a closure member form a mold with a molding cavity. To fill the mold a fluid lens-forming material is introduced into the molding cavity through a casting opening formed in the closure member. Air is venting out during the filling process through a venting opening also formed in the closure member. Both the casting opening and the venting opening are located in the upper portion of the molding cavity but spaced apart from each other at an acute angle.

Abstract: A vent, system and method for controlling flow of fluid into and out of a mold cavity. The vent has a plurality of passages that each have narrow oblong slot-shaped openings in the mold cavity and which each expand in size in a direction leading away from its opening. The vent preferably is an insert that comprises a grate with at least a plurality of vent slots. The grate preferably is formed of two halves with fingers that interleave to form the slots when assembled. The grate preferably is discharge machined from disc-shaped blanks cut from elongate stock made a material that preferably is non-porous and smooth. The grate can be mounted in a pocket in the mold cavity or carried by a movable pin. A system uses valving and a source of fluid and, if needed, a source of vacuum to help facilitate venting by drawing atmosphere out of the cavity during molding. The system can also be used to introduce fluid through a vent such as for foaming moldable material in the cavity.

Abstract: A mold (100) for producing foamed articles is described. The mold comprises an upper mold and a lower mold (102) releasingly engageable in a closed position to define a mold cavity (106) having a parting line about a periphery of the mold cavity. The parting line of the mold defines: (i) a first channel (108) along a first length of a periphery of the mold cavity, and (ii) a second channel (110) in communication with first channel, the second channel having a second length which is less than the first length. A method for producing a molded article use is also described. The subject mold and method are particularly well suited for the production of molded foam (e.g, polyurethane) articles.

Abstract: A molding tool capable of forming a molding with a cylindrical core while ensuring the discharge of the air in the vicinity of an upper end portion and forming no end face burr. As the means for this molding tool, an upper mold 10 and a lower mold 20, as can be clamped, are provided with insert dies 12 and 22 having fitting hole portions 14 and 24 at their centers. The lower fitting hole portion 24 is provided with a support pin 25 to be fitted in the cylindrical core 1 thereby to retain the cylindrical core 1, and the upper fitting hole portion 14 is provided with a core holder 15 so that a cavity 30 is formed around the outer circumference of the cylindrical core 1 when in the clamped state, to charge the cavity with a molding material to be shaped. A seal ring 16 is mounted in the fitting hole portion 14 of the upper insert die 12 to fit the outer circumference of the upper end portion of the cylindrical core 1 while holding a slight air ventilation.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing expanded thermoformable materials comprising the steps of: conveying a thermoformable assembly by means of a conveyor through a plurality of heating zones, whereby the thermoformable assembly is heated to a temperature at which the thermoformable material adhesively bonds to the first and second mold plates; disposing the thermoformable assembly between an upper press plate and a lower press plate, and heating the thermoformable material to a temperature in the range between about 50° to 300°C. while moving the upper and lower press plates so as to effect an expansion of the cross-section of the thermoformable material; and conveying the expanded thermoformable material through a cooling zone, wherein the expanded thermoformable material is cooled to a temperature sufficient for maintaining its structural integrity.

Abstract: A mold has at least one vent hole formed in the mold. The vent hole is positioned to allow egress of air from the mold. The vent hole has an inside end and an outside end. The vent hole has a cross section that increases in area from the inside end to the outside end. The vent hole may have a shape of a trapezoidal prism, a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone; the cross section of the vent hole may be a rectangle. A preferred mold has three air vent holes at three corners of the mold. An integrated circuit is placed within the mold. A material to be molded is injected into the mold to encapsulate the integrated circuit. Mold cleaning is facilitated by the shape of the vent, and plastic flashes may be easily removed through the vent hole.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip package according to the present invention includes an integrated circuit chip mounted on a substrate by a plurality of solder bumps. A mold compound is used for underfilling air gaps between the chip and the substrate. The integrated circuit chip package is formed by placing the chip and substrate within a mold cavity and pressing a transfer mold compound into the mold cavity. Air spaces between the integrated circuit chip and the substrate are underfilled by the mold compound as it is pressed in between the integrated circuit chip and the substrate. Air is allowed to escape from between the chip and the substrate during the underfilling through a vent which extends through the substrate. The underfilling material may also be used to encapsulate the chip at the same time that underfilling is performed.

Abstract: An optical disc molding apparatus is able to mold an optical disc in which the occurrence of swollen portions of trumpet shape on the upper and lower surfaces of on the outer peripheral portion of a disc base may be minimized and in which a burr may be prevented from being produced on the outer peripheral portion of the disc base. In the optical disc molding apparatus having a ring (6) for molding an outer diameter portion of a disc base and holding a stamper (5) for transfer a signal pit, a holding surface of the ring (6) for holding the stamper (5) is formed as the concave and convex surfaces comprising a plurality of concentric land portions (21) and a plurality of concentric groove portions (22). The outer peripheral surface of the stamper (5) is held by each land portion (21) with a pressure.

Abstract: A plastic molding for use in an optical device, a method of producing the molding by injection molding, and an apparatus for practicing the method are disclosed. Only a part of a molding expected to sink is surely caused to sink while, e.g., a mirror surface is surely transferred to a desired part of the molding.

Abstract: The upper and lower mold plates of a transfer molding machine are configured for one-side encapsulation of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator. The pair of devices is positioned back-to-back within a single mold cavity for simultaneous encapsulation. A buffer member optionally with cut-outs or apertures, may be placed between the two back-to-back substrates for protecting the grid-arrays and enabling encapsulation of devices with varying thicknesses without adjustment of the molding machine. Alternately, the upper and lower plates are configured for one-side encasement using covers of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator.

Abstract: A multi-chamber vacuum encapsulation system for encapsulation of semiconductor chip packages. The encapsulation system includes a dispense chamber, an inlet chamber mounted adjacent an inlet end of the dispense chamber, and an outlet chamber mounted adjacent an outlet end of the dispense chamber. The dispense chamber includes a material dispensing head for dispensing encapsulant material about the peripheral edges of chip packages under at least partial vacuum of the dispense chamber. A transport mechanism is provided in the dispense chamber for moving the chip packages between the inlet and outlet ends of the chamber. During the encapsulation process, the dispense chamber remains evacuated at all times while the smaller inlet and outlet chambers are evacuated and vented in a controlled manner to allow transfer of chip packages to and from the dispense chamber without venting of the dispense chamber to atmosphere.

Abstract: A vent tube assembly is disclosed for use in a vent hole commonly found in metal molds which are used to produce, by rotational molding processes, a wide variety of plastic goods. The main body of the vent tube assembly is produced from a heat resistant, thermoplastic composition. Preferably, the composition will be polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The vent tube assembly resembles a probe-like rod comprising: a large diameter annular top section; an annular mid-section that is substantially smaller in diameter than the annular top section; and an annular bottom section that is slightly smaller in diameter than the annular mid-section and that terminates in with a rounded innermost tip. An elongated central bore is provided through the vent tube assembly. The central bore, along with a counterbore located near the top of the annular top section, provides an air escape passageway. The passageway fluidly communicates with the interior of the mold via a plurality of pore-like holes situated near the innermost tip.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing cellular molded article in mold pattern of synthetic resin having surface skin which is used, for example, as an automobile interior trim material or the like and a mold pattern for producing thereof. This invention aims to provide a method for producing cellular molded article of synthetic resin having surface skin which has good production efficiency and which comprises that cellular molded article of synthetic resin obtained by cellular molding of expanded beads in which poor melt bonding does not occur and thermoplastic resin skin material united with this cellular molded article of synthetic resin which has excellent appearance without residing beads pattern on its surface, and a mold used for producing thereof.

Abstract: An inner curing envelope for use during a tire retreading process. The inner curing envelope is placed within the inside of a tire casing and cooperates with an outer sealing envelope for encasing a tire. A plurality of grooves are molded in a tire confronting face of the inner curing envelope to provide passageways to ensure that air/gas located adjacent the interior surface of the tire casing is completely evacuated when a vacuum is drawn within the envelopes.

Abstract: The receptacle is produced in a coextrusion-type blow molding process and consists of a stiff outer receptacle and an easily deformable inner bag which are made from respectively different thermoplastic materials that do not form a welded joint with one another. The bottom of the receptacle includes a welded seam in the area of which the welded seam of the inner bag is clamped. Pressure compensating openings are formed in the outer receptacle by the measures that a notch is cut in, except for a small residual wall thickness, and that the residual wall section is torn open by applying a force.

Abstract: The invention features utilization of a duplicate form for creating a conformal cavity which equally mates with an original form having the same shape as the duplicate form. The duplicate form is situated in the wall from the inside of the wall, elastomer is cured onto the outside of wall and around the duplicate form, the duplicate form is removed, and the original form is situated in place of the duplicate form. The shape of the hole in the wall is not in strict conformity with the shape of the duplicate form and the original form, but rather is characterized by a small aberration which leaves a space when either the duplicate form or the original form is situated in the hole. This small aberration, together with the elastomeric quality of the cured material, permits ingressive venting during removal of the duplicate form and egressive venting during insertion of the original form. In typical inventive practice, the manipulative steps are performed from the inside of the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilize vacuum injected molding of a liquid in a plurality of mold cells for solidification therein. An injection head includes spaced apart vacuum and injection slots positionable atop a mold plate in flow communication with the mold cells therein. Relative axial sliding is effected between the injection head and the mold plate for sequentially evacuating gas from the mold cells using a continuous vacuum followed in turn by sequentially injecting into the evacuated mold cells the liquid from a continuous source thereof. Sliding of the injection head over the mold plate automatically provides self valving for sequentially evacuating and filling the mold cells from the same side of the mold plate. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum and injection slots are linked together at the mold plate so that surface tension of the liquid restrains flow of the liquid from the injection slot to the vacuum slot while allowing gas flow therebetween for effecting the vacuum in the mold cells.

Abstract: A large-area rubber molded piece (31) is produced by vulcanization in a heatable plate molding press. The rubber molded piece is provided with a plurality of projections (32) on its lower side and the press includes a plurality of mold cavities (14). An open mesh fabric (15) is placed on the mold cavities (14) for venting and covers all of the mold cavities. A plate of green rubber (17) is then placed upon the fabric (15). When the heatable plate molding press is closed and heated, the fabric (15) is penetrated by the plasticized green rubber and each mold cavity (14) is vented via the fabric. The fabric (15) is embedded in the rubber molded piece and becomes a part thereof.

Abstract: A mold shell having a hole which extends from the molding surface through said shell up to the outside of said mold. The hole is closed by a plug having a completely air-tight end face which is flush with the molding surface so as to constitute a portion of the molding surface, said plug occupying all of the surface of said hole in the molding surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which allows one skilled in the art to make either gradient or non-gradient slab gels continuously so that the produced gels are uniformly formed, polymerized and cut to a specific size as needed, in a mass-produced, assembly line manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus forming a micro-relief pattern on a surface of an optical disc, which micro-relief pattern may form a holographic image in which a shim bearing a micro-relief pattern is pressed onto the surface of the disc and the apparatus used ensures that a greater force is applied to the periphery of the disc and the remainder of the surface on which it is desired to form the micro-relief pattern, such method and apparatus enables a satisfactory relief pattern to be formed over a substantial area of the surface of the disc.

Abstract: A method and mold and assembly for use in the mold are provided to make plastic articles having reduced surface defects wherein gases and/or volatiles normally trapped at at least one surface of the article are absorbed by at least one porous part to degas the at least one surface. In one embodiment, first and second porous parts such as porous metal parts can be fit within the first and second mold halves, respectively, to degas opposite surfaces of the article while preventing the passage of plastic from the article-defining cavity in the closed position of the mold. In a second embodiment, a sintered metal plug is utilized to locally degas a single surface of the article. In a third embodiment, an ejector pin and a core pin are formed from sintered metal to degas spaced local surfaces on the same side of the article.

Abstract: A molding machine for encapsulating electronic devices mounted on one side of a substrate, and having a ball-grid array, pin-grid array, or land-grid array on the opposite side, has a two member biased floating plate apparatus to compensate for variations in substrate thickness, and a gas collection/venting apparatus for relieving gases emitted from the non-encapsulated underside of the substrate.

Abstract: Equipment for moulding products of thermoplastics material where a pre-heated parison (1) is encompassed by reciprocating mould sections (4) for shaping and cooling the parison. The equipment comprises a first plate (8) that is affixed to a reciprocating carrier part (5) at its one side, and that supports a mould plate (10) at its other side. The mould plate (10) is provided with one or more mould elements (3, 12), that may be removable. The first plate (8) is provided with a cooling circuit (6, 17), and a network of bores or channels (7, 9a) that communicates with corresponding bores/channels (9b) in the mould plate, for conducting gas (air) to or from orifice means (13) in the mould plate. The contact surfaces between the mould elements and the mould plate and between the mould plate and the plate (8) may be provided with grooves or recesses (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), thereby providing a system of channels in the respective contact surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retractable sleeve for a golf ball injection mold for forming a golf ball cover or intermediate layers of a golf ball. The retractable sleeves engage with a golf ball core to securely position the core within the injection mold and may be used to strike the golf ball out of the mold cavity after the injection molding process is completed. The faces of the retractable sleeves may be shaped to conform to the curvature and texture of the cavity wall of the golf ball mold.

Abstract: Improved blow-molding prototype molding system, method and apparatus wherein a plastic container is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce a geometric computer software model of a hollow plastic container of desired contour. This model is then used to generate a geometric computer software model of a corresponding mold cavity. This data file in turn provides the control signal for a cutting tool of a CNC three axis mold machining tool operating on a starting blank for each mold half of metal material having predetermined and constant length, width and thickness outside dimensions. A mold cavity is thereby automatically machined in a front face of this blank that constitutes one of the two major and parallel face planes of the mold half block. The other half of the mold cavity is similarly formed in the front face of a second mold half block that cooperates with the first mold block to form the two mold halves of a complete blow mold.

Abstract: A mold for use in a plastic injection molding system includes a venting pin assembly which can not only vent an article-defining cavity in the mold but can also eject a formed plastic article in an open position of the mold. A porous insert of the assembly permits air from the article-defining cavity to flow there-through while preventing the passage of molten plastic from the article-defining cavity in a closed position of the mold. A venting pin of the assembly in the form of a hollow ejector pin has an elongated aperture formed therethrough to permit the flow of air therethrough. The porous insert is positioned in the aperture at a gas hole formed through an end surface of the ejector pin. The insert and the gas hole are sized so that the insert and the end surface help to form a "Class A" surface on the article formed in the article-defining cavity.

Abstract: A mold for use in a gas-assisted injection molding system includes an ejector pin subsystem including a split pin which partially blocks the flow of molten plastic through a secondary runner, helps to eject solid plastic from the mold, and helps to define an article-defining cavity and the secondary runner in the mold. A first spill cavity is flow coupled by the secondary runner to the article-defining cavity. The split pin together with other ejector pins are mounted on an ejector plate to move therewith between extended and retracted positions. A second spill cavity is flow coupled by a tertiary runner to the first spill cavity if needed. The split pin, as well as the other ejector pins mounted on the ejector plate, eject plastic from the article-defining cavity, the spill cavities, and the secondary and tertiary runners in the extended position of the ejector plate.

Abstract: A gas injection apparatus for use with a gas assisted injection molding system. The gas injection apparatus includes a mold part defining an elongated bore communicating upstream with a source of gas and downstream with a mold cavity, and an elongated pin positioned in the bore and coacting with the bore to define a gas flow passage therebetween for movement of gas from the gas source to the mold cavity. The bore and pin include first, second and third corresponding portions. The pin and bore define an annular axial clearance in the first portion, a close fit with an axial linear passage in the second portion and an annular axial passage in the third portion. This arrangement ensures that the pin will remain concentric with respect to the bore so as to discourage entry of resin into the annular axial passage.

Abstract: A molding die for efficiently molding a material for a synthetic resin molded foam at a high expansion ratio, a low density, and a high yield with the least occurrence of burrs or flashes. In this molding die, the upper die is mounted on the lower die to form an enclosed cavity therebetween. An opening portion is formed in the upper die, and a cylindrical chamber member with its head closed is air-tightly mounted on the upper die to cover the opening portion. A piston is provided in a chamber in the chamber member such that when a leading end portion of the piston is inserted in the opening portion, a micro-spacing for communicating the cavity to the chamber is formed between the leading end portion of the piston and the opening portion. A piston drive means for vertically moving the piston and for usually setting a leading end surface of the piston at a lower surface of the upper die is provided in the chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a cushioned article. A base is formed in a female base mold. The base has a substantially smooth exterior and a substantially rough interior surface. A flexible skin is formed by applying at least one carrier solvent free material onto a form. The base and flexible skin are assembled such that a cavity is formed therebetween and a foam material is injected into the cavity such that when the foam material cures, the foam material unites the base with the flexible skin to form the article. A method is also provided for making a cushioned article in which a first carrier solvent free resin mixture is applied to a form to form a first coating, a second carrier solvent free resin mixture is applied to the first coating to form a second coating, a foamable polymeric resin is applied onto the second coating to form a third coating, a binder coating is applied to the third coating and a fiberglass coating is applied onto the binder coating to form the cushioned article.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion, the tread portion comprising blocks provided with fine grooves for preventing bareness of rubber, the fine grooves having a depth of 0.2 to 0.7 mm and a width of 0.3 to 1.0 mm. The fine groove extends from the angularly narrowest corner of the block to a block edge extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The angularly narrowest corner is provided with a slope having an angle of 30 to 60 degrees to the normal direction to the tread surface.

Abstract: A water injection foaming devolatilizing method, and an apparatus for practicing the method according to the invention are designed as follows: A molten polymer material is kneaded in a water-injection dispersion zone (11) of an extruding machine having a pair of screws (6) each of which is turned in the same direction. Water is supplied to the molten polymer material, thus the water being dispersed therein while the molten polymer material is kneaded. In a devolatilizing zone (12) downstream of the water-injection dispersion zone, the volatile components in the molten polymer material are removed by being gasified together with the water. In this water injection foaming devolatilizing method, the molten polymer material is smoothly extruded from the filling zone (10) to the water-injection dispersion zone (11), and in the latter zone (11) water injection is performed with increased pressure due to the aid of a ring (15), thereby to achieve the devolatilizing of the molten polymer material.

Abstract: A molding machine for encapsulating electronic devices mounted on one side of a substrate, and having a ball-grid array, pin-grid array, or land-grid array on the opposite side, has a two member biased floating plate apparatus to compensate for variations in substrate thickness, and a gas collection/venting apparatus for relieving gases emitted from the non-encapsulated underside of the substrate.

Abstract: Particularly large-size bell and spigot pipes of ceramic molding material are isostatically pressed within a hollow-cylindrical pressure pot with a molding cavity for the molding compound. An inner core is axially extractable and an elastomeric diaphragm is disposed concentrically around the inner core. The diaphragm is clamped in place at its end face and there is defined between the pressure pot and the diaphragm a chamber which communicates with a source of hydraulic pressure. The inner core is provided with a molding ring on which the bell region of the bell and spigot pipe is formed. The molding ring has a reduced-diameter end region and thus defines two end faces. The two end faces are concentric but axially spaced apart. At least the upper end face of the molding ring is provided with a surface coating of elastic plastic material.

Abstract: A vent for a mold for producing foamed articles is described. The mold comprises an upper mold and a lower mold releaseably engageable in a closed position to define a mold cavity. The vent comprises a housing which is engageable to the mold, a passageway and an obstruction disposed in the passageway. The passageway and the obstruction are slidably movable in a first direction with respect to one another and define an opening between an interior and an exterior of the housing. The obstruction has a varying diameter in a direction parallel to the first direction. The subject mold and method are particularly well suited for the production of molded foam (e.g., polyurethane) articles.

Abstract: The apparatus and process to compensate for variations in thickness of molding tools and of moldable materials used in an embossing process to be carried out under a vacuum, while ensuring high dimensional stability, and to ensure different molding depths. For achieving this object, a chamber is employed having a pair of oppositely lying chamber parts, of which one is fixed to the framework and the other is adjustable, having side walls which comprise an inner part and an outer part. The inner part is fastened to the fixed chamber part and the outer part, on the outwardly facing end face to of which the adjustable chamber part comes to bear against the force of a spring during the closing of the chamber, is displaceable along guide elements on the fixed chamber part between two stops.

Abstract: The tire mold includes a peripheral ring split into two parts (G and D). The peripheral ring is laminated. It consists of a stack in the circumferential direction of a number of thin adjacent elements (1) made, for example, of metal sheets. The elements are of two different types: standard elements and intermediate elements, which follow on from one another circumferentially. The mold includes alignment means interacting with said intermediate elements in order to impose an orientation with respect to the radial direction on said intermediate elements. These means are, for example, grooves in which the intermediate elements are engaged.

Abstract: A novel method of molding an article includes providing a mold with a vent of a pre-determined size such that, due to the difference in viscosities, gases to be vented from the mold may easily pass through the vent while the material to be molded cannot quickly pass through the vent. In fact, the vent is designed such that the material to be molded which enters the vent, does not exit the end of the vent. In the most preferred embodiment, the vent is in the form of a thin ribbon-like groove so that the material to be molded which does enter the vent forms a thin ribbon of extruded material which need not be removed prior to a finish cover being applied to the molded article.

Abstract: A mold for producing foamed articles includes an upper mold and a lower mold which define a mold cavity. A vent is provided in communication with the mold cavity and has a vent passageway with an entrance and an exit. Structure is also provided for sealingly engaging the upper mold with the lower mold to cause, in cooperation with the predetermined size and shape of the vent passageway, liquid foam polymeric composition expanding inside the mold cavity to enter the vent entrance but to not exit from the vent exit to cause at least partial curing of the foam composition within the vent passageway. Preferably, the vent may be ribbon-shaped so that a ribbon of foamed composition adheres to the foamed article and may be folded flat against the article thus avoiding the labor step of trimming the flash from the product. Additionally, .[.or alternatively,.].