Patent ID: 6238602
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B29C,B29D

Abstract:
A method for making an expanded sole in which a blank is preliminarily molded as an unexpanded form from a foamable molding composition in a preliminary mold having a sole-shaped mold cavity and is then subjected to a product inspection, followed by a high-temperature heating to undergo a reaction for expansion and cross-linking in a high-temperature mold having a sole-shaped mold cavity, the method comprising:forming the unexpanded blank with a thickness greater than and with a cross-section smaller than those of the mold cavity of the high-temperature mold by providing the mold cavity of the preliminary mold with a height greater than and with an area smaller than those of the mold cavity of the high-temperature mold, thus facilitating placement of the blank into the high-temperature mold and venting air easily from the high-temperature mold, wherein the cross-section lies in a plane transverse to the thickness.