Method of compression - injection molding

A method of forming a substantially integral molded article from moldable plastic materials, said article having a compression molded portion and an injection molded portion, the method comprising:

• providing a compression molding apparatus including a cover mold with an inner and outer surface, the inner surface being shaped to mold the outer surface of an article separated by a gap from an ejector mold having an inner and outer surface, the outer surface of said ejector mold being shaped to mold the inner surface of said article;
• providing an injection molding apparatus, said injection molding apparatus including an injection mold, said injection mold being separate from said compression molding apparatus, said injection mold being in fluid communication with said compression molding apparatus, said injection molding apparatus being positioned so that said injection molding apparatus communicates with said ejector mold;
• heating a compression moldable plastic material in contact with said compression molding apparatus to a compression-molding temperature;
• heating an injection moldable plastic material in contact with said injection molding apparatus to an injection-molding temperature;
• and
• activating said compression and injection molding apparatus substantially in a simultaneous manner to produce the substantially integral molded article.

A method of forming a substantially integral molded article from moldable plastic material, said article having a compression molded portion and an injection molded portion, the method comprising:

• providing a compression molding apparatus including a cover mold with an inner and outer surface, the inner surface being shaped to mold the outer surface of an article separated by a gap from an ejector mold having an inner and outer surface, the outer surface of said ejector mold being shaped to mold the inner surface of said article;
• providing an injection molding apparatus, said injection molding apparatus including an injection mold, said injection mold being separate from said compression molding apparatus, said injection mold being in fluid communication with said compression molding apparatus, said injection molding apparatus being positioned so that said injection molding apparatus communicates with said ejector mold;
• activating said compression molding apparatus by heating a portion of said compression molded material to a compression-molding temperature;
• activating said injection molding apparatus by heating said injection molded material to an injection molding temperature to form an injection molded portion, said injection molded portion being a contoured article that shares a common surface and is integral with the compression molded portion.