Abstract: A method of manufacture of a extruded vinyl product to provide a textured stake construction includes an extruder screw and a die having specific structural, and dimensional characteristics and temperature parameters. The extruder screw has a flight depth in the meter zone which is about one half the flight depth in the feed zone and deeper than extruder screws of conventional design. The die includes a frusto-conical section connected to a cylindrical passage. The extruded vinyl stake will have a knobby or textured surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a molded plastic part such as a body side molding for a motor vehicle in which a ribbon of plastic material is extruded through a shaping die of an extruder and is thereafter moved through a runner and into an elongated closed end mold cavity having a size and shape conforming to the body side molding. The cross-sectional area of the extruded ribbon, the runner and the mold cavity are substantially equal and the entire path of the plastic material moving through the extruder, runner and mold cavity is maintained at a temperature above the melting point of the plastic material so that the plastic material moves smoothly and quiescently along the path under relatively low pressure and with minimal disturbance. The invention process substantially eliminates swirling and streaking of metal particles which are commonly dispersed in the plastic material to give the body side molding a metallicized, glossy appearance.

Abstract: A method of the device for producing a hollow columnar piece whereby a blend of essentially thermoplastic particles is melted into a billet, introduced into a mold, looped into layers inside the mold, and transformed into a piece, subsequent to which the piece is solidified by cooling and removed. The billet (3) is rotated around its axis and concentric with its face as it is introduced into a mold (4), the mold accommodates a core (20), space is left between the core and the inner surface (6) of the mold, the billet is laid along the circumference of the space, and the billet continues to be introduced into the space until the mold's inner surface and core are uniformly and continuously wet with constituents of the billet.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing porous tubes made from carbon-carbon composite material by winding over a mandrel a non-woven sheet, made from a carbon fiber precursor, followed by compression and hot stabilisation of the assembly, with impregnation of the compressed sheet by a resin, followed by a thermal carbonisation treatment of the resin. Tubes are obtained having high permeability, small pore diameter and an inner surface of low rugosity. The tubes produced ar particularly suitable for the manufacture of filtration elements and of filtering membrane supports.

Abstract: Extrusion apparatus and a method of extruding in which an extrusion screw terminates close to a breaker plate so that an annular passage surrounding the screw extends to the breaker plate. The breaker plate has flow apertures arranged around an edge region of the plate for direct communication with the annular passage. The flow passage arrangement decreases in cross-sectional area in a downstream direction whereby plastics materials do not become static in certain regions. Plastics degradation, particularly for PVC, is therefore avoided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a columnar shaped piece formed of a thermoplastic matrix with ancillary pieces of a non-creeping hard material embedded therein and cemented by the plastic matrix. The ancillary pieces are essentially overlapping slabs which are substantially parallel to one another and the axis of the columnar shaped piece. Molten thermoplastic blended with solid slabs is extruded in the form of a billet into one end of an elongate mold and rotated around the inner surface of the mold. The extrusion continues until the inner surface is uniformly covered with constituents of the billet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating contaminated plastics waste, comprising densifying contaminated plastics waste by causing the waste to pass through a heating zone to produce molten contaminated plastics, and causing the molten contaminated plastics to flow continuously out of the heating zone under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A method of and device for producing a columnar shaped piece. A blend of essentially thermoplastic particles is melted into a billet, introduced into a mold, looped into layers inside the mold, and transformed into a piece, subsequent to which the piece is solidified by cooling and removed. The billet (3) is rotated essentially horizontally around its axis while it is being introduced into the mold (4) at one end and brought to rest inside the mold against the inner surface (6) thereof in the circumferential direction. The billet continues to be introduced until the inner surface is continuously and uniformly covered with constituents of the billet.

Abstract: A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a high crystallization temperature, the method including: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) processing the compact at one or more temperatures below the crystallization temperature using a moderate to high strain rate. For the liquid crystal polymer consisting essentially of p, p' biphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers and sold under the trademark "XYDAR.RTM.", a preferred embodiment includes heating the compact to one or more temperatures between about 400.degree.-650.degree. F.; and extruding the heated compact in the solid state through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate of at least about 2 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: A method of progressively molding and curing/homogenising a composite material component assembly including a skin panel and a series of spaced structurally reinforcing members therefor. The method includes the steps of placing a composite material layer (18) on support (13), clamping same to the support by a mold including first and second tools (14/16), the second tool being separated from the first tool by a pre-determined amount, slidably moving the second tool (16) towards the first tool (14) to cause the material to fold in an upwards direction until clamped between datum faces (15, 17) of the tools to define the structural member, heating the support (13) and tools (14, 16) to cure/homogenise the skin panel and structural members, then slidably moving the component along the support (13) a pre-determined amount to draw a further quantity of composite material layer (18) from a source and repositioning the tools (14, 16) for further processing of the material.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a thin-walled tube of fluorinated resin, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene, in which a ribbon of fluorinated resin obtained by lubricated extrusion and calendaring, is wound into a tube on a mandrel, the winding of the ribbon being performed in a plurality of layers, and the thus-wound ribbon on the mandrel being brought to a temperature above the sintering temperature of the fluorinated resin for sufficient time to produce sintering. The wound tube and the mandrel are cooled; while on the mandrel the thin-walled tube is rolled to elongate the tube, to reduce the thickness of the tube, and to increase the inside diameter of the tube; and then the mandrel within the tube is extracted.

Abstract: A solid state extrusion process extrudes a semi-crystalling polymer billet through a die at the end of a pressure chamber. The temperature of the die is controlled so that a thin surface layer of the polymer profile being extruded is melted to form a thin, smooth surface layer on the profile of reduced orientation and increased toughness and which is substantially free of surface imperfections.

Abstract: In a process for molding a fiber molding for a fiber-reinforced composite material with short fibers oriented in one direction, a slurry molding material having short fibers dispersed in a liquid is used, and pressing forces are applied to the molding material from two directions substantially perpendicular to each other within a mold, while removing the liquid.

Abstract: The fish food is in the form of a dense filament having a diameter of less than about 0.05 inch. The filament is produced by extruding a wad of viscous meal in an extrusion chamber and associated die. The preferred extrusion tool has a tubular member with an end piece containing a small aperture. The tool is held in one hand by a stationary handle, while the other hand advances a plunger through the tubular member, thereby extruding the filaments.

Abstract: A multi-luminal catheter is characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of each lumen at a connection portion for an extension tube is molded in accordance with the outer shape of the extension tube to be connected. Accordingly, smooth and hermetic connection between a catheter body and the extension tube, that has not been accomplished in the past, can be obtained, and the formation of steps of the lumen which increases fluid resistance can be prevented. This mult-luminal catheter can be produced by pressing a core metal having substantially the same shape as that of the outer shape of the extension tube into each lumen of the catheter body at the connection portion for the extension tube and inserting the connection portion for the extension tube into a molding die while heating it.

Abstract: In a solid state extrusion process a semi-crystalline polymer billet in a pressure chamber is forced through a die at the end of the chamber, with the polymer passing through the die at a temperature between 30.degree. C. below the alpha-crystalline temperature and the melting point of the polymer to form an oriented polymer profile. The pressure chamber is heated to about 0.50-0.95 of the melting point of the polymer and the die is heated to about 0.65-1.2 of the melting point of the polymer, with the die preferably being heated to at least 5.degree. C. warmer than the billet. A haul off stress on the profile extruded from the die is maintained between at least 0.5 MPa and a maximum amount without plastic deformation of the extrudate to obtain an oriented profile having a cross-sectional area greater than 0.5 cm.sup.2 at an extrusion rate greater than 0.5 m/min.

Abstract: A process, apparatus and product related to extrusion or other deformation of solid thermoplastic polymers includes using a die or other deformation devices that have an interior passageway of changing cross-sectional shape commencing with an inlet of compact cross-section and ending with an outlet corresponding to the angular shape of the final extruded profile. The die passageway is divided into at least two consecutive stages including a first stage having an interior contour adapted to transform the polymer billet at a low deformation ratio into an intermediate cross-sectional shape proportional in shape to, but greater in cross-sectional area than, the final angular shape and a second stage having an interior contour adapted to transform the intermediate shape to the desired final shape with substantial longitudinal orientation of the polymer, but without substantial lateral shear deformation.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a tubing portion and a needle portion, at least one of which is a thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymer. The tubing and needle may be integral or unitary. The invention includes a method to make the assembly in which a melt of the liquid crystalline polymer is shear thinned by passing through an orifice such as an extrusion die to make tubing. The shear thinned melt may be directed into a mold having a point to make a liquid crystalline needle.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for producing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin molded articles, wherein an unsintered PTFE resin paste extrusion molded article as extruded from an extrusion machine and inserted into a sintering mold having an inside diameter slightly larger than an outside diameter of said unsintered PTFE resin molded article is sintered at a temperature higher than a melting point of the PTFE resin. In another aspect of the invention, PTFE resin molded articles are produced by a process wherein an unsintered PTFE resin paste extrusion molded article immediately after being extruded from an extrusion machine is sized by means of a sizing die, and the unsintered PTFE molded article thus sized is inserted into a sintering mold having an inside diameter slightly larger than an outside diameter of said unsintered molded article, followed by sintering at a temperature higher than a melting point of the PTFE resin.

Abstract: A process for forming a reclosable closure profile, wherein the configuration of the closure profile is mechanically altered and, while mechanically confined, is simultaneously cooled.

Abstract: A process for the solid phase deformation of orientable, semi-crystalline, thermoplastic, polymeric material, in particular polyethylene, is provided in which an improvement of the mechanical properties of the polyethylene is achieved. The process for producing a product from linear polyethylene includes forming a workpiece which is to be extruded in the solid phase by consolidating a mass of solid particulate linear polyethylene under heat and pressure. The resulting workpiece is subjected to heat treatment under pressure to cause the polyethylene to crystallize in an extended chain morphology and to have a melting point of at least 139.5.degree. C. and a density of at least 0.98 g/cm.sup.3. Thereafter the workpiece of polyethylene is deformed in the solid phase to provide a polyethylene product by, for example, passage through a die, the workpiece being subjected to a deformation extrusion ratio of at least 3 and preferably 3 to 25.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a tubular preform into a hollow body in which an axially directed wall of the preform primarily comprises oriented and/or crystallized plastic material. The tubular preform (10d) is fixed in a circumferential region (13d) in the vicinity of the mouth edge (14d) of the preform between mechanical forming devices (30,40), after which the devices, during continued clamping of the circumferential region, are displaced in the axial direction of the preform relative to a mandrel (50). Thus, the mandrel is displaced into the preform during simultaneous expansion thereof and the material is oriented and/or crystallized. In a preferred embodiment, there is compensation of the stretching forces, which arise in the material when inserting the mandrel, by applying a force to the bottom of the preform by a bottom support (75).

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing biaxially oriented polymer sheet. This process includes the steps of introducing a polymer slab into a deformation zone defined between working surfaces of a set of working tools including a first working tool and an opposed second working tool. The polymer slab is worked in the deformation zone to reduce slab gauge, during which the polymer material being worked flows bi-directionally while the material is not restricted in the lateral direction to produce biaxially oriented polymer sheet. At least the portion of the slab being worked is at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer material. The working surface of at least one working tool in the deformation zone is ultrasonically excited during working of the polymer slab.

Abstract: A method for producing an UHMWPE product with enhanced planar mechanical properties. An initial UHMWPE semicrystalline morphology is solid-state deformed under compression in a mold including a mold cavity with an unenclosed perimeter zone or a perimeter zone with a reservoir enabling flow-through for molded UHMWPE. A polymer preform is oriented and extended in more than one direction in the mold cavity and the perimeter zone to an extent which is limited by the material properties of the polymer under the employed processing conditions. The oriented and extended UHMWPE is cooled under compression to ambient temperature for maintaining the maximum orientation and extension attained during the solid-state deformation process. The polymer product in the mold cavity is separated from the product in the perimeter zone of the mold cavity. The UHMWPE product has a markedly transformed morphology, as compared with the initial UHMWPE morphology.

Abstract: A dual plastic compression formed shotshell casing includes an injection-molded annular-shaped hard plastic rim and an elongated compression-formed tubular body having an integral basewad portion at its base end which is mechanically interlocked with the rim to define the final basewad of the shotshell casing. In method of making the shotshell casing, the hard plastic rim is first injection molded independently. The tubular body is then formed in a two-step process. In the first step, a plastic preform is injection molded over the rim in mechanically interlocked relation to the rim. In the second step, the tubular body is compression formed from the preform mechanically locked to the rim.

Abstract: A process for re-shaping a previously pultruded thermoplastic article having a first longitudinal cross-sectional area and a first longitudinal cross-sectional configuration into a new thermoplastic article having approximately the same longitudinal cross-sectional area but a substantially different longitudinal cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an optical fiber light sensor or panel wherein the optical fibers and the panel or sensor are formed simultaneously employing a perforated platen. The platen is covered with a layer of thermofusible product material so that the material when melted will flow through the holes in the platen to create a series of short vertical fibers. The fibers are then drawn to a desired length and sheathed before being gathered into a bundle.

Abstract: A method of preforming a cover for a can. The cover is formed from a planar base having a metallic barrier layer and resin layers on either side thereof. The base is first premolded to have a flat bottom recess, a cylindrical sidewall, and preferably an upper flap portion. In the premolding the base is stretched no more than by a factor of 1.8. Then a resin is injection molded over the premolded base to form either a uniform bottom cover or a top cover with a tab.

Abstract: In accordance with the instant invention, biaxially oriented polymer sheet is produced by continuously forging polymer feedstock between a pair of converging belts in an isochoric deformation region to form the sheet from the feedstock. The resulting sheet is immediately annealed after being formed and subsequently cooled after being annealed by passage through an isobaric region defined by a pair of opposed parallel belts backed by a pair of opposed parallel platens which interface with the belts via an oil seal so as to transfer heat from the sheet through the belts to the cooled platens. The resulting sheet has substantially uniform strain distribution over the width and length thereof as well as through the thickness thereof while maintaining its flatness after emerging from the apparatus.

Abstract: A foamed and expanded low density polyethylene sheet or tube possesses both superior buoyancy and thermal resistance characteristics. The sheet or tube is made by a process including mixing a low density polyethylene with a blowing agent, surface activation agent and, preferably, a separation agent, heating the mixture at different temperatures to first melt the mixture and then gasify the blowing agent to expand the polyethylene cells, cooling the melted mass to partially harden and shrink the expanded cells, further expanding the cells by introducing a second gaseous blowing agent, cutting, extruding and cooling the expanded mass, forming a sheet or tube from the cooling mass, and finally cooling the sheet or tube for at least 24 hours. A buoyant, thermal resistant, water-repellent and moisture resistant sheet or tube results, which can be used, for example, as a liner for garments, including sports, business and military garments and other related equipment.

Abstract: A process for the deformation of a workpiece of an orientable, thermoplastic polymer by passage in the solid phase through a die having both an entry side and an exit side, which process includes providing the workpiece of the orientable, thermoplastic polymer which is initially present, at least in part, in an extended chain crystalline morphology at the entry side of the die; causing the workpiece to deform in the solid phase through the die; and collecting the deformed workpiece from the exit side of the die.

Abstract: A process for improving the slip properties of a ski sole that includes instantaneously compressing a high density polyethylene powder to soften the material and passing the softened material through a static mixer and a grid. The material is then shaped in an extruder and the extruded tape cooled by passing it between cooling plates prior to its being placed on a storage reel.

Abstract: A hollow body (e.g. a container) as well as a method and an apparatus for its manufacture in which an axially directed wall of the body primarily is made of oriented and/or crystallized plastics material. A tubular preform (10d) is fixed in a circumferential region (13d) in the vicinity of the mouth edge (14d) of the preform between mechanical forming devices (30,40), after which the devices, during continued clamping of the circumferential region, are displaced in the axial direction of the preform relative to a mandrel (50). Thus, the mandrel is displaced into the preform during simultaneous expansion thereof and the material is oriented and/or crystallized. In a preferred embodiment there is made a certain compensation of the stretching forces, which arise in the material when inserting the mandrel, by applying a force to the bottom of the preform by a bottom support (75).

Abstract: Optical fibers formed by rolling crystals of infrared transmissive material, such as potassium chloride, have been made into a smooth optical fiber by rolling between smooth grooved rolls (16) and (20) in a heated, atmosphere controlled environment.The Government of the United States of America has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Number N00014-79-0-0691 awarded by the Department of Defense.

Abstract: The invention regards a universal machine for making cakes in usual bakeries all the way from a finished dough to baking. The machine extrudes soft or thick dough, makes portions and forms cakes for arranging on baking plates and baking, and extrudes cream and jam and similar materials. The machine is also suitable for making licorice, confectionery and any kind of forming and making portions of viscous, extrudable materials. The machine includes automatic measurement of thickness and control of thickness of the dough-cake by use of a photocell, and the photocell is fitted with runners, scale of measurement and patterns of thickness, so that the thickness of each cake is measured and cut independently. The machine is fitted with automatic measurement of frequency and control of frequency of cakes, relying upon the control of thickness. The machine has many cylinders utilizing the automatic control of thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus, a method for extruding and expanding tubular products of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the products produced thereby are provided. In the apparatus, at least one helical groove is placed in the wall of the extruder tip or die. Preferably, at least one groove is machined in the tip having a pitch angle of 45 degrees and at least one groove is machined in the die having a pitch opposite that (135 degrees) of the tip groove. In the expanded products produced according to the invention, at least one radial position within the wall of a tube substantially all of the longitudinal axes of the nodes are oriented at an angle between about 85 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: In a method and a device for making shaped objects from plastic refuse plasticized in a roller extruder under pressure and ejected from the nozzle of the extruder a plurality of molds are provided transported to the extruder, filled thereby and transported therefrom. Each mold has at the end face a plate having a filling opening. During the filling process this plate sealingly overlaps the surface surrounding the nozzle so that the mold can be filled with plasticized plastic under the pressure generated in the roller extruder.

Abstract: In accordance with the instant invention, biaxially-oriented polymer sheet is produced by continuously forging polymer feedstock between pairs of converging opposed surfaces. After it is biaxially-oriented, the sheet product is either cooled or heated while being restrained and advanced. The sheet produced by the process and apparatus has substantially uniform strain distribution over the width and length thereof as well as through the thickness thereof.

Abstract: A method for making pencil leads without firing includes taking mixtures of graphite and MgO which are made of Mg salts with MgCl.sub.2 solutions, forming such mixtures into desired shapes (crayons or pencil leads) and hardening them at room temperatures. Colored pencil leads are produced by processing MgO with inorganic or organic colors together with slip additives and MgCl.sub.2 solutions into pressable pastes, and then forming them into leads or crayons for room temperature hardening. To increase breakage resistance, the resulting leads or crayons are encased in wood. The MgCl.sub.2 solutions are mixtures of Sorel's cement, and the slip additive is talcum.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow bodies from oriented thermoplastic material wherein a cylindrical portion of a heated hollow preform which has a bottom thereon is subjected to stretching at a starting temperature which is below the vitreous transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, with the wall thickness of the preform being reduced in the stretching operation. Prior to the stretching operation the preform is heated in the portion in which the stretching effect begins, to a temperature higher than in the portion adjoining same. Stretching is preferably effected along the axis of the preform at different rates such that in the portion of the preform at which stretching begins, stretching is effected at a lower rate than in the portion adjoining same in the stretching direction.

Abstract: In the production of hollow bodies from oriented thermoplastic material, a cylindrical portion of a heated hollow preform is stretched, with a simultaneous reduction in the wall thickness thereof, at a starting temperature below the vitreous transition temperature of the material. A mandrel is positioned in the preform to support it during stretching, the outside diameter of the mandrel corresponding to the inside diameter of the preform. Directly before the mandrel is inserted into the preform the preform is subjected to re-alignment to adapt at least the cross-sectional shape of the mouth opening of the preform to the cross-section of the mandrel. The re-aligning operation is effected by inserting the preform into a sleeve adjoining a drawing ring for carrying out the stretching operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending flat thermoplastic laminates into structural shapes such as angles, channels, Z sections, J sections and I sections. In order to bend the laminate into the desired shape by appropriate tooling, heat is applied in a localized manner only to the area that is to be bent. The application of heat is sufficient to heat the laminate to its softening temperature in the bend area, and the plies of the laminate can thus slip in the bend area only as bending force is applied so that the bend can be made without the need to heat the entire laminate to the softening temperature.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves taking a comminuted mixture of waste plastic materials, feeding the mixture into a screw extruder capable of applying heat and pressure to the mixture; using the screw extruder to heat the mixture to a temperature of between 350.degree. and 600.degree. Fahrenheit; and forcing the molten mixture outwardly through a die opening under a pressure of from 100 lbs. per sq. inch to 600 lbs. per sq. inch into a mold in tightly sealed relationship over the die opening. The mold, after being filled, is removed from the screw extruder, and the mixture is permitted to cool and harden in the mold. The hardened mixture is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: In a method for producing shaped synthetic members, one begins with superficially plasticized synthetic granulated material in manner known per se. This is sintered to form a preform in a first operation in a preliminary chamber. The preform is then extruded by way of a narrow nozzle into a moulding cavity, the nozzle cross section being so narrow that on the way between the preliminary chamber and the moulding cavity, the individual granular particles must be deformed mechanically. The moulding cavity is then filled by one or more thin strands, which consist of solid, but mechanically deformed and superficially plasticized granulated particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing high modulus products. A polymer morphology or powdered metal is solid-state deformed under pressure through the rollers of an extrusion rolling die, at a temperature near but below its crystalline melting point, while controlling the extrusion rate and the rate of rotation of the rollers so that the rate of extrusion of the polymer or metal is substantially the same as the rate of rotation of the rolling die surface.

Abstract: Polymeric articles made of, for example, polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene, are made more adherent to paint or dyes by first nitrating the polymer, then shaping or forming it in a mould having a polar surface and finally, cooling it in contact with that surface, or extruding a nitrated polymer onto a polar surface and allowing to cool in contact with that surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus adapted for use on a conveyor line to form a rolled tab in the tail end portion of a roll of plastic film wound on a core. The tail end portion initially extends around the surface of the roll to which the tail end portion adheres and terminates at a tail edge. The apparatus includes a bucket which is connected to the conveyor line for movement thereon and has a floor and wall extending therefrom. The floor of the bucket has a tractional surface supporting the roll and the wall has a substantially frictionless surface pushing the roll in the direction of the conveyor line. The apparatus further includes a drive, extending in stationary position substantially parallel to the conveyor line and having a resilient tractional surface being compressed into rotational contact with the roll, for rotating the roll.

Abstract: Detergent bars (soap or non-soap) are stamped or imprinted using a die or dies having a modulus of elasticity in the range 5.times.10.sup.5 to 1.times.10.sup.7 Nm.sup.-2. This gives reduced adhesion of detergent to die, reduced die-blocking and consequently reduced marring of bars. Preferably each such die has a facing layer of elastomer so as to achieve the desired low modulus of elasticity which preferably is distinctly less than that of the detergent.

Abstract: In accordance with the process of and apparatus for practicing the instant invention, biaxially oriented polymer sheet is produced by flowing and advancing a polymer workpiece between pairs of opposed working surfaces which converge in the "X" direction while diverging in the "Y" direction. The surfaces which converge in the "X" direction are provided with protruding working surfaces which squeeze the workpiece laterally as the workpiece advances longitudinally. The protruding working surfaces force the material of the workpiece to expand to the full width of the working surfaces while minimizing limitations due to friction between the surfaces of the die and the workpiece. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus and process utilize an extrusion die to effect the transformation of stock into flat sheet polymer material.

Abstract: A system for molding elongated ribbon-like products from thermoplastic materials utilizing a plurality of molds which are moved in tandem along a production line. As the molds are moved along the line at successive stations they are, while open, thermally adjusted to a temperature suitable for forming the product to be molded and then a ribbon of plastic is deposited in them. They are then closed and cooled and reopened and the molded product removed. The system utilizes only enough molding pressure to assure distribution of the plastic to all parts of the mold cavity and shaping of the molded product to the geometric design of the mold. The system includes a transfer means for the molds which returns the emptied molds for recycling through the molding process.