Patent ID: 7661947
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A molding apparatus comprising: a first surface mold tool having a front side with at least one article molding region formed into the front side, each article molding region having a body adapted for molding at least a top surface of a composite building product, wherein the body is bounded by a perimeter that defines an outer edge of the composite building product; a second surface mold tool, which mates with the first surface mold tool, having a front side with at least one article molding region formed into the front side, each article molding region of the second surface mold tool having a body adapted for molding at least a portion of a bottom surface of the composite building product, wherein the body is bounded by a perimeter that defines outer side edges forming an opening for the composite building product; at least one lifter corresponding to each second surface mold tool, the lifter having a front side and an article molding region formed into the front side, each article molding region of the lifter having a body adapted to cooperate with a corresponding article molding region of the second surface mold tool to form the remainder of the bottom portion of the composite building product, the lifter being positioned adjacent the second surface mold tool and cooperating with the second surface mold tool to form at least one article molding region with the second surface mold tool, wherein at least one closed molding cavity is formed by bringing together the first surface mold tool and the combined second surface mold tool and the at least one lifter in mating relationship with front sides thereof contacting one another, such that the respective article molding regions thereof cooperatively form at least one closed molding cavity within which at least one of the composite building products is formed; and a distribution channel formed in at least the second surface mold tool and the lifter, the distribution channel having a receiving terminus and a downstream terminus, which is opposite to the receiving terminus and terminates at the article molding region of the lifter, wherein the distribution channel is adapted to form a gating piece on the bottom surface of each composite building product with the outer edge of each composite building product being free from attachment with the gating piece.