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US 2009/0022840 A1Published application
Molding apparatus and related systems and methods
AssigneeVelcro Industries B.V.
InventorsMark A. Clarner, Christopher M. Gallant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to molding apparatus and related systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a mold roll, assembly includes an inner member and multiple molding tools disposed about a circumference of the inner member, each molding tool including at least one molding plate that at least partially defines a molding cavity.
Claims53
A mold roll assembly, comprising:
- an inner member;
- and
- a plurality of molding tools disposed about a circumference of the inner member, each molding tool comprising at least one molding plate disposed within a slot defined by & base of the molding tool, the at least one molding plate at least partially defining a molding cavity.
A mold roll assembly, comprising:
- an inner member;
- and
- a plurality of molding tools disposed about a circumference of the inner member, each molding tool comprising a plurality of molding plates arranged in a stack, each of the molding plates at least partially defining a molding cavity.
A mold roll assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of molding plates arranged circumferentially about an axis of rotation of the mold roll assembly, at least some of the molding plates defining a molding cavity;
- an end ring defining a recess configured to receive end portions of molding plates therein;
- and
- members disposed within circumferentially spaced bores defined by the end ring, the members being configured to be moved radially inward and radially outward within the bores, each member being arranged to contact the end portion of one or more molding plates such that the member can be used to adjust a radial position of the one or more molding plates that the member is adapted to contact.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base having a peripheral surface;
- a member extending radially outward from the base such that a molding tool defining a plurality of slots can be disposed adjacent the base with the member contacting an inner surface of a central portion of the molding tool;
- and
- at least one mechanical fastener configured to engage end regions of the molding tool when the molding tool is disposed adjacent the base so that the end regions of the molding tool can be drawn radially inward toward the base, causing the slots to widen.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- applying a radially outward force to a central portion of a molding tool defining a plurality of slots, the radially outward force causing the slots of the molding tool to widen;
- and
- disposing a molding plate within at least some of the slots of the molding tool while the radially outward force is applied to the central portion of the molding tool, the molding plates at least partially defining a molding cavity.
A method, comprising:
- disposing end portions of molding plates within a recess defined by an end ring, the end portion of each of the molding plates having a height less than a height of a central section of each of the molding plates;
- and
- altering the radial position of at least one of the molding plates by engaging the end portion of the at least one molding plate with a member extending radially inward from the end ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.