Apparatus and method for curing a rubber like article

摘要

Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for molding and/or curing an article. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a mold core centrally within mold outer portion to form an annular mold cavity between the mold outer portion and the mold core, the core including an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. Such methods also include heating the mold outer ring, cooling the core outer ring subsequent to the step of heating, whereby the core outer ring contracts relative to the article and removing the article from the core outer ring.

主权项

1. An apparatus for forming an annular article comprising a mold and a mold core wherein the mold core is positioned within the mold to form an annular mold cavity between the mold core and an outer mold portion, the core comprising:
an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature, the outer ring also having a width extending between opposing lateral side surfaces, and a thickness extending between an outer molding surface and an inner surface, said outer ring being attached to an exposed surface of the mold in a movable manner so that as the outer ring contracts the outer ring remains concentric with the annular article creating a substantially uniform gap between the outer ring and the annular article; an inner member positioned within a central portion of the outer ring, the inner member being positioned in spaced relation to the inner surface of the outer ring; and a plurality of translation members extending radially relative to the outer ring, and between the outer ring and the inner member, the translation members slidably engaging one of the outer ring and the inner member as the outer ring expands or contracts with changes in temperature.