Patent ID: 6805546
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for molding parts comprising:an upper die having a generally horizontal molding surface and vertically extending sides; a lower die having a generally horizontal molding surface cooperating with the upper die to form a mold cavity; a vacuum source; and a sealing assembly for creating a vacuum chamber surrounding the mold cavity, said sealing assembly including; a first member located adjacent the sides of the upper die, said first member being a generally rectangular tube having long sides thereof generally paralleling the sides of the upper die, said first member having upper and lower short sides; a generally hollow second member fixed laterally adjacent the lower die and vertically aligned with the first member; a flexible seal on one of the members; and a device located adjacent inboard portions of the first member and the seal for restricting movement of the seal when the vacuum source is activated to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber thereby maintaining sealing engagement between the upper and lower members.