Charges for Mold Maintenance
AssigneeArris Composites Inc.
InventorsBert D. MANNHALTER, Andrew T. BRADY, Allison R. LIGHT
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for cleaning or treating a mold includes form a cleaning charge or a release-agent charge, placing the charge in a mold cavity and applying heat and pressure to the charge, thereby conforming the charge to the mold cavity and forming a mock part, and then ejecting and discarding the mock part. During processing of the cleaning charge, contaminants adhering to the walls of the mold cavity from previous molding runs are incorporated into the mock part. During processing of the release-agent charge, release agent is transferred from the charge to the surface of the mold cavity.
Claims13
A method for maintaining a mold cavity, the method comprising:
- providing a charge, the charge including purge compound or mold-release agent, wherein a volume of the charge is sufficient to fill the mold cavity, the charge having a near-net shape;
- placing the charge in the mold cavity;
- molding the charge, forming a mock part, by applying heat and pressure;
- and
- ejecting and discarding the mock part.
A method for maintaining a mold cavity, the method comprising:
- providing a filament comprising purge compound or mold-release agent;
- forming a charge from the filament, wherein a volume of the charge is sufficient to fill the mold cavity, the charge having a near-net shape;
- placing the charge in the mold cavity;
- applying heat and pressure to the charge, thereby conforming the charge to the mold cavity and forming a mock part;
- and
- ejecting and discarding the mock part.
A cleaning charge for cleaning a mold cavity, the cleaning charge comprising purge compound, and wherein a volume of the cleaning charge is sufficient to fill the mold cavity, the charge having a near-net shape.
A release charge for treating a mold cavity, the release charge comprising a release agent and base polymer, wherein a volume of the release charge is sufficient to fill the mold cavity, the charge having a near-net shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.