Molding apparatus and a method of using the same

An apparatus for molding and modifying the physical properties of a molten, moldable material, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a mold defining a mold cavity, said mold comprises an inlet through which a molten, moldable material can pass into or pass through the mold cavity,
• (b) a feeder for preparing a molten, moldable material, said feeder comprises:
• (i) an outlet through which molten, moldable material can pass, and
• (ii) a means for expelling a molten, moldable material through the feeder's outlet,
• (c) a first accumulator spaced from said feeder and said mold, said first accumulator comprises:
• (i) an inlet conduit through which molten, moldable material can pass from said feeder outlet to said first accumulator,
• (ii) an outlet conduit through which molten, moldable material can pass from said first accumulator to said mold inlet, and, a means for expelling a molten, moldable material through the first accumulator's outlet,
• (iii) a means for expelling a molten, moldable material through the tint accumulator's outlet, and
• (iv) a means for exerting one of a shear stress, compressive force and a stress tensor on a molten, moldable material contained within the first accumulator or within or through the mold cavity,
• (d) a second accumulator spaced from said feeder and said mold, said second accumulator comprises:
• (i) an inlet conduit through which molten, moldable material can pass from said feeder outlet to said second accumulator,
• (ii) an outlet conduit through which molten, moldable material can pass from said second accumulator to said mold inlet, and, a means for expelling a molten, moldable material through the second accumulator's outlet,
• (iii) a means for expelling a molten, moldable material through the second accumulator's outlet, and
• (iv) a means for exerting one of a shear stress, compressive force and a stress tensor on a molten, moldable material contained within the second accumulator or within or through the mold cavity,
• (e) a manifold interposed between said mold, feeder first accumulator and second accumulator, said manifold having flow channels therethrough which are in fluid communication with said mold inlet, feeder outlet, first accumulator inlet, first accumulator outlet, second accumulator inlet and second accumulator outlet,
• (f) a flow control means positioned within the manifold, said flow control means being design to prevent the flow of molten, moldable material from the fast accumulator or the second accumulator back into the feeder,
• (g) a means for controlling the temperature of a molten, moldable material contained within one of the first accumulator, the second accumulator, and the mold cavity, and
• (h) a means for monitoring the temperature of a molten, moldable material contained within one of the first accumulator, the second accumulator and the mold cavity.