Method and apparatus for extracting columns from molds
AssigneeDigger Specialties, Inc.
InventorRobert Douglas Koren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A column or other elongate molded part is molded using an elongate tubular mold having a closed end, an open end and a flexible sidewall. After the column or other molded part is formed, it is extracted from the mold by pulling the column or other molded part axially through the open end of the mold. The column may be extracted using an expandable plug or gripper that is inserted into the interior of the column or other molded part through the open end of the mold. The expandable plug or gripper is expanded to engage an inner surface of the elongate molded part.
Claims18
A method for extracting an elongate molded part from a mold that is open at one end, said method comprising:
- inserting a gripping tool into the elongate molded part through the open end of the mold;
- expanding the gripping tool to grip an inner surface of the elongate molded part;
- and
- applying an axial force to the gripping tool to pull the molded part through the open end of the mold.
An extraction device for extracting an elongated molded part from a tubular mold that is open at one end, said apparatus comprising:
- a gripping tool configured for insertion into the molded part through an open end of the mold, said gripping tool configured to expand radially into engagement with an inner surface of the molded part;
- and
- a pulling device configured to pull the molded column through the open end of the mold by applying an axial force to the gripping tool.
A gripping tool for extracting an elongated molded part from a tubular mold that is open at one end, the gripping tool comprising:
- an expandable plug having a flexible sidewall configured for insertion into the molded part through an open end of the mold;
- a first air passage in the expandable plug, the first air passage configured to connect to a source of pressurized gas for supplying pressurized gas to an interior of the expandable plug and expand the flexible sidewall of the expandable plug;
- and
- a second air passage configured to connect to the source of pressurized gas and extending though the expandable plug for supplying pressurized gas to an interior of the molded part when the expandable plug is inserted in the elongate molded part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.