Abstract: There is provided an in-mold foam molding apparatus affording a significantly simpler design for a molding apparatus capable of molding molded portions comprising bead starting materials having different properties into a unitary molded article, and effectively preventing various drawbacks associated with the provision of partitioning members; and an in-mold foam molded article devoid of flash projecting from its visible surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is constituted such that chambers 13 and 14, independent from cavity 4, are formed at the rear side of a set of dies 2 and 3 for molding a molded foam product, first openings 30a and 30b opening to the cavity 4 are formed along the joint of the dies 2 and 3 as a molding section of the dies 2 and 3, which is to mold a non-outstanding portion of the molded foam product, wherein the first openings 30a and 30b are connected to the external utility pipes 15-18 as different systems for the chambers 13 and 14, via inter-die passages 31a and 31b and internal pipes 32a and 32b, which are connecting passages, so as to supply or exhaust such utility fluid as steam and compressed air to/from the cavity 4 independently from the chambers 13 and 14.

Abstract: Objects of the invention is to provide a practical, novel foam molding apparatus wherein mold surfaces are devoid of air orifices, and to provide an in-mold foam molding apparatus and method for the reduction of cooling time for molded articles. A mold cavity 4 is filled with prefoamed beads comprising a polyolefin synthetic resin; these are heated and fused with steam; and the molded article is cooled, during which cooling process the pressure of the foamed resin against the molds 2, 3 as it is cooled is successively measured by means of a bearing pressure sensor, and when the pressure of the foamed resin against the molds has reached a pressure predetermined for the particular molded article, cooling of the molded article is terminated, the molded article is released from the mold, and the molded article is then set in a fixture to stabilize the shape of the molded article.