Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing thin walled hollow parts such as automobile crash pads from dry thermoplastic powder includes a louver type valve system in the open end of a powder charge box and means for joining the charge box end-to-end with an open-ended heated mold for rotation so that the charge box will be inverted above the mold at the end of an upward swing movement during which the valve is closed to prevent flow of powder to the mold. Once the charge box is fully inverted the valve is opened to evenly distribute the powder into the mold by gravity flow to prevent excessive build-up of wall thickness on the mold surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for manufacturing thin walled hollow parts such as automobile crash pads from dry thermoplastic powder includes a louver type valve system in the open end of a powder charge box and means for joining the charge box end-to-end with an open-ended heated mold for rotation so that the charge box will be inverted above the mold at the end of an upward swing movement during which the valve is closed to prevent flow of powder to the mold. Once the charge box is fully inverted the valve is opened to evenly distribute the powder into the mold by gravity flow to prevent excessive build-up of wall thickness on the mold surfaces.

Abstract: A molding machine has a valve assembly that includes means for selectively heating or cooling a mold by controlling flow of gas through an array of gas impingement jets disposed adjacent the backside of a mold surface to regulate the temperature over respective first and second areas of the mold surface. Gas heating and cooling circuits include two drive cylinder regulated plate valves for supplying gas at the gas impingement jet nozzles associated with the mold.

Abstract: A liquid-gas deaeration assembly having a plurality of downward slopping cone shaped dispersion members stacked on top of each other and in spaced relationship to each other. Each dispersion member has a circumferential edge extending beyond the edge of the next lower member. The dispersion members have damming means disposed above the upper surface and spaced from the edge to spread the liquid over the surface.