Process and apparatus for moulding a glazing profile onto a glazing

An apparatus adapted for manufacturing at least two different discrete edge encapsulated glazings in the same moulding operation, the glazings comprising panes of glass of different configuration, wherein panes of glass which are mirror images of each other are considered to be of the same configuration, by moulding a glazing profile onto at least part of the periphery of each pane of glass, the apparatus comprising:

• a composite mould comprising at least two separate different interchangeable mould modules, each mould module being adapted for receiving a pane of glass of different configuration from the other mould module, each mould module comprising male and female mould sections which together define at least one mould cavity for receiving the pane of glass, the at least two mould modules thereby defining at least two mould cavities, at least one mould cavity thereof being different from the others;
• a clamp unit containing the composite mould, the clamp unit being operable to open the composite mould by separating the male and female mould sections of the different mould modules and to close the composite mould by urging the male and female mould sections of the different mould modules into sealing contact, the clamp unit being arranged to exert a clamp pressure on the mould sections when the composite mould is closed;
• and
• one or more injection units comprising means of supplying fluid plastics moulding material into the mould cavities of the composite mould concurrently.

A composite mould, comprising

• two or more separate different interchangeable mould modules,
• each mould module being adapted for receiving a pane of glass of different configuration from the other mould module,
• each mould module comprising male and female mould sections which together define one or more mould cavities for receiving the pane or panes of glass,
• wherein the two or more mould cavities are configured differently so as to receive panes of glass of different configuration,
• wherein panes of glass which are mirror images of each other are considered to be of the same configuration,
• wherein the male mould sections of each of the different mould modules are mounted on a first platen, the female mould sections of each of the different mould modules are mounted on a second platen opposing the first plated, and at least one of the first platen and the second platen is configured to be moved towards and away from the other of the first platen and the second platen.