METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSION-MOLDING OF PLASTIC ARTICLE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for compression-molding of a plastic article. SOLUTION: Plastic articles such as closures having a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs 32, 50 with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections are compression-molded. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression-molding a charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair and opened to release an article formed between the molding sections. A latch mechanism 70 is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, the force exerted on the mold halves and tools so as to hold the mold closed is isolated from a machine frame 16. The latch mechanism 70 is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.