Patent ID: 7704067
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A mold for making a non-metallic molded part having an initial thickness, said mold comprising: a mandrel around which an unmolded non-metallic pre-form formed from non-metallic material is located; a compression ring support for surrounding said mandrel and having a first inside diameter at a first at-rest position thereof, a second smaller inside diameter at a second position thereof, and a sloping inside wall running between said first and second positions; an adjustable diameter compression ring disposed within said compression ring support so as to engage the unmolded non-metallic pre-form around said mandrel and slide along the sloping inside wall of said compression ring support, a cover positioned above said adjustable diameter compression ring so as to engage and cover the unmolded non-metallic preform, said mandrel, said adjustable diameter compression ring and said cover all moving through said compression ring support from the first at-rest position thereof, at which said compression ring has an open and expanded configuration and a first diameter for applying a first compressive force against the unmolded non-metallic pre-form around said mandrel, to the second position thereof, at which said compression ring has a closed and contracted configuration and a second diameter which is smaller than said first diameter for applying a second compressive force which is greater than said first compressive force against the pre-form for consolidating the preform so that the initial thickness of the preform is reduced between said compression ring and said mandrel, and a locking stem extending through said cover and said mandrel, said locking stem having a locking head at one end thereof for engaging said mandrel and a locking tail at the opposite end for engaging said cover to hold said cover against said mandrel and said compression ring against said compression ring support at each of said first at-rest and second positions, said mandrel, said adjustable diameter compression ring and said cover being held together by said locking stem in surrounding engagement with all sides of the non-metallic pre-form at each of said first at-rest position and said second position so as to leave no gaps and thereby create a seal in order to prevent the escape of the non-metallic material of the non-metallic pre-form from said mold.