Moulding Method and A Moulding Machine

Abstract

A moulding machine (10) comprises a moulding station (20). The moulding station (20) comprises a support (70) and an insulated enclosure (30). The insulated enclosure (30) has an open able aperture (40). The moulding station (20) is controllable such that the support (70) can rotate the insulated enclosure (30) between a filling position where the open able aperture (40) is upwardly open and an emptying position where the open able aperture (40) is downwardly open. A mould (50) is placed completely within the insulated enclosure (30). The mould (50) includes an open able entrance. The insulated enclosure (30) includes a heat source (80) for heating the external surfaces of the mould. In use, a first powdered plastic to form a shell of the moulding is formed into an outer skin coated on the internal surfaces of the mould. A second material is then formed into an inner skin on the inside surfaces of the outer skin. The moulding is then heated to cause the inner skin to form an expanded core. Accordingly a moulding having an outer shell and expanded core is produced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.