Abstract: A mold press includes an upper mold carrier mounted to slide up and down along an upright mold press frame and to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis. The mold press frame is supported on a mold press base to tip forward and aft about a horizontal upper mold pivot axis disposed parallel to and below the rotation axis. A lower mold carrier is supported on the mold press base below the upper mold carrier and above the upper mold pivot axis. The lower mold carrier includes a lower mold mounting plate that is pivotally supported on the mold press base for tipping motion along a hinged edge about a lower mold pivot axis that lies parallel to and below the rotation axis and above the upper mold pivot axis. An electronic motion controller may be programmed to coordinate the reciprocating, tipping and rotating motions to accommodate a variety of mold/retainer configurations.

Abstract: A mold press includes an upper mold carrier mounted to slide up and down along an upright mold press frame and to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis. The mold press frame is supported on a mold press base to tip forward and aft about a horizontal upper mold pivot axis disposed parallel to and below the rotation axis. A lower mold carrier is supported on the mold press base below the upper mold carrier and above the upper mold pivot axis. The lower mold carrier includes a lower mold mounting plate that is pivotally supported on the mold press base for tipping motion along a hinged edge about a lower mold pivot axis that lies parallel to and below the rotation axis and above the upper mold pivot axis. An electronic motion controller may be programmed to coordinate the reciprocating, tipping and rotating motions to accommodate a variety of mold/retainer configurations.

Abstract: A method of molding a shaped article includes the steps of providing a molding tool having an exposed surface for receiving a plastic powder resin to be melted thereagainst and an insulated surface; providing an insulating panel with insulated laminated alternating layers of fiberglass and silicone rubber and an inner core filled with silicone rubber and a plurality of hollow glass beads to prevent melting of plastic powder resin on the insulated surface; applying a plastic powder resin on the exposed mold surface and melting it thereon while exposing the insulating panel to the plastic powder resin remaining in powder form thereon for reclaiming and thereafter setting said melted plastic into a plastic article by cooling the plastic article and removing it from the molding tool.

Abstract: A heat insulating panel (20) for a mold tool (14) includes a surface for being mounted onto a section of the mold tool. The panel has an exposed upper surface (29) and a thickness great enough to provide heat insulation sufficient to maintain the temperature at its exposed upper surface lower than the melting temperature of a powder plastic resin (13) that is melted and cured onto the mold tool. Any powder plastic resin on the upper surface remains in powder form during molding such that the powder may be returned to a powder box (12) and be reused. The heat insulating panel (20) has a periphery (21) that covers the entire periphery of the mold tool.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a mold cavity for receiving a plastic skin or layer. A second mold member or slide is positioned with a surface thereon contiguous with the surface of the mold cavity. The surface of the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. A third mold member, such as a mold core, positions a rigid insert in the mold cavity with an insert surface or edge adjacent the portion of the plastisol skin on the second mold member. The second mold member includes passages for directing fluid pressure against the portion of skin thereon to fold it over the adjacent insert edge. A fourth mold member, such as a mold lid, is movable toward the second and third mold members for pressing the folded-over skin against the insert during foam formation between the skin and insert.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing the location of a skin or shell in a mold for foaming a part includes magnets on the mold adapted to be releasably interconnected to a shell retention and draw bar. The draw bar connects to an integral shell connector. The draw bar is adjustable to pull the shell with respect to the magnets for removing wrinkles from the shell prior to foaming the part.

Abstract: A pour mold includes two parts one of which forms a mold cavity and the other of which forms the lid for the mold cavity; the lid includes a retractable pilot pin and vacuum cups for positioning a mold insert within the mold cavity automatically upon lid closure. The pilot pin loosely pilots the insert in the mold as it closes and as the vacuum cups pull the insert toward the lid during such closure. The vacuum cups hold the insert against the lid continuously during foam injection, foam reaction and cure and as the lid is separated from the mold cavity part so as to automatically remove the finished part from the mold when the lid is separated therefrom.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a mold cavity for receiving a plastisol skin or layer. A second mold member or slide is positioned with a surface thereon contiguous with the surface of the mold cavity. The surface of the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. A third mold member, such as a mold core, positions a rigid insert in the mold cavity with an insert surface or edge adjacent the portion of the plastisol skin on the second mold member. The second mold member includes passages for directing fluid pressure against the portion of skin thereon to fold it over the adjacent insert edge. A fourth mold member, such as a mold lid, is movable toward the second and third mold members for pressing the folded-over skin against the insert during foam formation between the skin and insert.

Abstract: The vehicle panel, such as a door panel with a pull handle, is formed from a skin with a cover portion (18) and a loop portion (12) connected by spaced sides (32). A reinforcement member (24) is disposed inside the loop portion (12) and supported by a support panel (22). Cellular material (30) is disposed along the cover portion (18) of the skin and through the channel of the spaced sides (32) into the loop portion (12). The spaced sides (32) of the skin and the cellular material (30) disposed therein are removed to define the loop portion (12) integral with the body portion (14). Cover plates (38) are secured to the reinforcement member (24) to cover the exposed areas of cellular material (30) where the spaced sides (32) of the skin and cellular material (30) have been removed.