Patent ID: 6644951
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
Molding apparatus for use in a continuous molding operation, said molding apparatus having looped endless track means, said track means being fitted with track carriers which are moved around said track means to and from a product shaping mold region, and a transfer system for replacement of first block members initially set up on said track means with replacement mold block members used in said apparatus, the replacement being made without interrupting the molding operation, said transfer system including transfer carriers controlled to move in synchronization with the track carriers at a transfer location remote from said mold region, the transfer carriers providing mounting locations for the first mold block members as they are moved off of the track carriers onto the transfer carriers, the track carriers then providing mounting locations for the replacement mold block members as they are moved from the transfer carriers onto the track carriers.