Abstract: An apertured insulation unit is disclosed for interposition between a mold having at least one cavity in which elastomeric stock can be cured in the form of said cavity and an injection unit from which elastomeric stock can be expelled and transferred through the insulation unit to the mold cavity, the mold and injection unit being movable axially relative to one another into and out of pressing association with respective opposite side-faces of the insulation unit. The insulation unit serves to prevent curing of elastomeric stock remaining in the injection unit with the curing of the portion of such stock transferred to the cavity, without separation of either the mold or the injection unit from the insulation unit. The insulation unit is at least in part in the form of a thin, flexible, apertured plate constituted of a thermal-insulatory material which is engageable and forms a parting line with the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding elastomeric stock, the method comprising interposing an apertured, heat-resistant, flexible, insulation plate between a heated mold and the discharge portion of an elastomeric stock injection unit such that respective mold cavities provided in the mold are aligned with respective apertures in the insulation plate which intercommunicate the mold cavities with an internal discharge chamber in the injection unit. The mold and injection unit are moved relative to one another such that each presses against the other through the intermediary of the insulation plate, thereby permitting expulsion and transferring of a portion of elastomeric stock from the injection unit into the mold cavities to be cured, an excess portion of elastomeric stock remaining in the injection unit being prevented from undergoing curing by means of the presence of the insulation plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding elastomeric articles is disclosed, the apparatus including an injection unit having an open-ended chamber in which elastomeric stock is disposable and from which such stock can be expelled, a multi-cavity mold having cavities aligned with corresponding ones of the apertures of the end plate, a device for moving the injection unit and mold relative to one another to engage the mold with the end plate, and a pneumatic venting system for evacuating fluid entrapped in each of the mold cavities preparatory to filling the latter with elastomeric stock from the injection unit. The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing partially exposed, upstanding, plug-like, cured scrap from sprues of a mold is disclosed. The scrap is integral with and separable from cured elastomeric product formed in respective mold cavities of the mold at corresponding sprue constriction regions of minimum cross-section. The apparatus comprises a wiping assembly engageable with the exposed portions of the scrap, and a system for moving the mold and wiping assembly relative to one another to effect engagement of the scrap with the wiping assembly and thereby tear the scrap free from each cured elastomeric product at the sprue constriction regions of minimum cross-section.

Abstract: A method of molding elastomeric stock, the method comprising interposing an apertured, heat-resistant, flexible, insulation plate between a heated mold and the discharge portion of an elastomeric stock injection unit such that respective mold cavities provided in the mold are aligned with respective apertures in the insulation plate which intercommunicate the mold cavities with an internal discharge chamber in the injection unit. The mold and injection unit are moved relative to one another such that each presses against the other through the intermediary of the insulation plate, thereby permitting expulsion and transferring of a portion of elastomeric stock from the injection unit into the mold cavities to be cured, an excess portion of elastomeric stock remaining in the injection unit being prevented from undergoing curing by means of the presence of the insulation plate.