Patent ID: 6338623
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A rotational molding oven for forming a object from a mold filled with resin, said rotational molding oven comprising:a) a cavity in which the mold is retained; b) means for heating the cavity to melt the resin within the mold; and c) means for rocking and rotating said mold about two mutually perpendicular axes extending through a center of said cavity, said rocking and rotating means being positioned outside of said cavity and extending through a wall of said cavity to maintain the mold in a center of said cavity, wherein rocking of the mold by said rocking means minimizes the displacement of the mold which permits the cavity to be at a least possible size and which improves contact with the hot gases flowing around the mold which in turn improves thermal flow of heat within said cavity thereby increasing thermal efficiency and minimizing the size of the oven, wherein said rocking means includes: i) a first track positioned outside said cavity; ii) rotating drive means extending through a wall of said cavity, the mold being releasably connected to a second end of said drive means, said drive means maintaining the mold in the center of said cavity and iii) guide means connected between said first track and a first end of said rotating drive means for translating up and down said first track, causing said drive means to move therewith, wherein translational movement of said rotating drive means causes the mold to rock about the axis extending through the center of said cavity.