METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECTLY INJECTING STEAM IN AN EXPANDED PLASTIC MATERIAL MOLD

摘要

A traditional steam chest molding apparatus for the manufacture of products from expanded plastic materials requires excessive amounts of steam to properly expand and fuse pellets of plastic together A molding apparatus is provided wherein a pair of complementary molds (100, 300) are provided with a steam manifold (110) to introduce steam into the mold cavity by way of steam lines (160, 162, 164, 166) The steam manifold (110) allows for direct injection of steam into the manifold and hence a reduction in the total steam required for a molding operation The amount of steam necessary for the production of a particular article is predetermined in dependance upon a geometry and a size of the article to be produced Thus if desired, the amount of steam provided to the mold cavity is measured prior to injection