Patent ID: 7326044

Claim:
A molding apparatus comprising: (a) an air pressure chamber with an open side; (b) a flange plate fitted to the open side of the air pressure chamber, said flange plate having an opening therein for receiving a mold; (c) a first bladder connected to the flange plate and covering the open side of the air pressure chamber; (d) a base pressure plate; (e) a mold positioned on the base pressure plate; (f) a locking mechanism for securing the air pressure chamber with the open side on the base pressure plate; (g) a second bladder positioned over the mold on the base pressure plate; and (h) an inlet/outlet port connected to the air pressure chamber for enabling air to be first evacuated from the air pressure chamber in order to pull the first upper bladder away from the mold, and then to be introduced into the air pressure chamber to force the first upper bladder against a thermoformable fibre reinforced composite material or other thermoplastic material positioned on the second lower bladder over the mold on the base pressure plate.