Patent ID: 6997237

Claim:
Molding machine for molding material comprising means for forming a mold having a cavity; a conduit system leading to said cavity; pressure means comprising at least one pressure member moveable towards said cavity to press said material through said conduit system into said cavity; control means for the controlling movement of said pressure member to fill said cavity with said material and, after shrinking of said material occurs, to provide an after-pressure, said control means including at least one sensor for sensing the arrival of said material in its path from said conduit system to said cavity and providing an output signal for controlling said movement of said pressure member; evacuating means including vacuum source means, vacuum conduit means interconnecting said vacuum source means and said cavity, and at least one valve means in said vacuum conduit means at said mold means, said valve means being moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein said control means, in addition to controlling said movement of said pressure member to provide said after-pressure, is also structured to control said valve means, said output signal of said at least one sensor of said control means being interconnected with said valve means in order that, upon sensing the arrival of said material at said sensor in its path from said conduit system to said cavity, said control means is structured to move said valve means into its closed position.