Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the reduction of mold cycle time. A heat recoverable member in a compressed state is placed within a channel defined relative to the surface of a mold. A hardenable liquid used to form the article then flows in an accelerated manner through the channel. Thermal energy supplied to the heat recoverable material thereafter causes the heat recoverable material to expand within the channel, thereby displacing the hardenable liquid from the channel. The temperature of gelation of the hardenable liquid and the recovery temperature of the heat recoverable material may be selected such that the channels are substantially filled by the heat recoverable material prior to the hardening of the hardenable liquid. In this manner, the heat recoverable material becomes flush with the surface of the mold prior to hardening of the liquid so as to yield an article of manufacture having a relatively planar surface.

Abstract: A method for the reductin of mold cycle time. A heat recoverable member in a compressed state is placed within a channel defined relative to the surface of a mold. A hardenable liquid used to form the article then flows in an accelerated manner through the channel. Thermal energy supplied to the heat recoverable material causes the heat recoverable material to expand within the channel, thereby displacing the hardenable liquid from the channel. The temperature of gelation of the hardenable liquid and the recovery temperature of the heat recoverable material may be selected such that the channels are substantially filled by the heat recoverable material prior to the hardening of the hardenable liquid. In this manner, the heat recoverable material becomes flush with the surface of the mold prior to hardening of the liquid so as to yield an article of manufacture having a relatively planar surface.

Abstract: A method is presented for the comparison of a second surface with a normalized surface model generated by reference to a group of esthetically acceptable first surfaces. A light pattern is typically projected onto a plurality of first surfaces moving beneath a light projection apparatus such that the light reflected from the first surfaces is received by a light receiver apparatus, and thereafter evaluated by appropriate computer software to define a nominal surface for the first group of esthetically acceptable surfaces. Each additional second surface passed below the light projection and light receiver apparatus is then compared to the normalized model generated by the first articles, such that undesirable surface deformities in the second article become readily apparent.