Patent ID: 6331263
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of producing a laminated molding comprising the steps of:placing a sheet of facing material in a mold, said mold having: a secured mold section; a movable mold section, said secured and movable mold sections having opposed molding surfaces that define a mold-cavity therebetween, wherein said sheet of facing material is placed against a molding surface of at least one of said mold sections; and a clamping device for urging said movable mold section towards said secured mold section, wherein said clamping device is capable of establishing a compressive force in said cavity between said mold sections and variably adjusting the compressive force between a zero-compressive force state and a maximum-compressive force state;performing a resin injection step wherein molten resin having no foaming agent is injected into said cavity of said mold so that said resin is located between one of said secured and movable mold sections and said sheet of facing material;performing a resin spread step wherein said movable mold section of said mold is moved towards said secured mold section by said clamping device of said mold to establish a first compressive force against said resin to cause said resin to spread throughout said cavity of said mold and against said sheet of facing material to form a laminated molding;performing a cooling step wherein said clamping device is adjusted to establish a second compressive force against said laminated molding that is greater than zero and less than said first compressive force to prevent bowing of the facing material, said movable mold section not retracting when the compressive force is reduced; andafter cooling of said laminated molding, retracting said movable mold section of said mold from said secured mold section of said mold to enable removal of the laminated molding from said mold.